Sketches of the campaign in northern Mexico : in eighteen hundred forty-six and seven / by an officer of the First Regiment of Ohio volunteers.

RASCALLY MUSTANG DEALERS. 101
escaped in a short time to their native chaparral, for, " the
Unicorn could not be less willing to serve thee, or abide by
thy crib;" or, if detained by strong halters, were often claimed by other Mexicans, who had doubtless shared the purchase
money with the vendors. In the prevailing desire to conciliate the inhabitants, and live up to the Proclamation, these
false claims of ownership were, in many cases, recognized
upon the bare assertion of the claimant, and the property
restored; perhaps to be re-sold and re-claimed again by the
same villainous confederates. Indeed, it was ascertained that
one notorious rogue had sold the same mustang to five different persons; the animal having escaped from each successively, and been re-captured by the same lasso. The writer
himself call not deny having been victimized by these Camargo cheats. After purchasing two mustangs —-both of which
disdainfully curled their noses at the wholesome oats given
them, and finally, breaking from their pickets, disappeared in
the chaparral-I determined to invest in mule flesh. VMy
speculation in that article, however, was equally unfortunate.
Shortly before our departure for Monterey, a Mexican brought
a fine mule to my quarters, which I immediately bought.
After tying the money carefully in his pocket-handkerchief,
the fellow departed, politely wishing me much luck with the
mule. He had hardly got out of sight, before another sombrero-coverecl wretch hastily approached my tent, and with
well-feigned excitement, claimed the animal, averring, as
usual, that the other Mexican had stolen it from him. Understanding the game, I declined to give up the mule until
the thief (ladron, as he kindly termed his countryman and
5*a