After an early breakfast, we set out on horseback, accompanied by several men on foot carrying long poles.  Each of the young rancheroes had a long coil of rope round his saddle-bow, to which one end was fastened--at the other was a running loop.  This I found was a lasso--a weapon (for so it may be called) in their hands of very formidable character.  The appearance the young rancheroes presented on horseback was very picturesque.  Their saddle-cloths and saddles were richly worked, and the head-gear of their horses was adorned with gay tassels. Round their own heads, and necks, and waists, they wore bright-coloured handkerchiefs.  Their jackets and trousers were made very loose, and adorned with a profusion of silver buttons; while on their heels they wore huge silver spurs, with rowels as large as the palm of a man's hand.  Two other rancheroes joined us.  They had seen the hear, and found out his haunts.  We reached a wild, rugged country, with a few trees in the valleys, and numerous large rocks jutting out in the sides of the hills.