Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 67, No. 411, January 1850Various
History
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 67, No. 411, January 1850
Various
England -- Periodicals; Scotland -- Periodicals
and "Skote," (Scott,) for which last-named pair of warriors Mr Wise
estimates that at least eighty or ninety cheers were given. The
Mexicans, habitually temperate, got exceedingly drunk, and, like
most southerns when in that state, furiously excited; the chief
characteristics of their intoxication being unbounded affection for
their guests, and admiration of their own prowess.
"Our gallant host, in a few disjointed observations, assured us
that he was not only brave himself, and loved bravery in others,
but that his horse was brave, and had been wounded in divers
battles. '_Io soy valiente!_' said the fierce colonel, pounding
the orders on his capacious breast, and forthwith proclaimed to
the audience his intention to pay for everything that anybody
could possibly eat or drink for a fortnight; and, seizing me by
the arms, he impressively remarked that I was the most intimate
friend he ever had except his wife, and requested me to throw
his huge shako up to the ceiling, solely for _amistad_, and for
the good-fellowship of the thing--which I instantly did, and
made the bearskin and golden plates ring against the rafters.
Thereupon he called for more wine, and desired all who loved
him to break a few glasses, commencing himself with a couple of
decanters."
At which period of the action the landlord cut off the supplies
of liquor, anticipating, doubtless, the entire demolition of his
establishment; and the revellers got to horse, and went for a turn
in the Alameda, then thronged by all the fashion of Queretaro, in
which city these jovial proceedings occurred. After galloping round
the promenade, at a pace that terrified the natives, Lieutenant Wise
ran a "jouist," as he calls it, with one of his Mexican friends, who
was still under the influence of his unwonted libations.
"In true Californian style, he shook his bridle, gave spur, and
came leaping like a flash towards me. I was no novice at the
sport, and, touching one of the finest horses in the army with
my heel, the gallant sorrel sprang forward to meet him. We met
in full career; my charger stood like the great pyramid, but the
shock rolled my antagonist into the street. I should in courtesy
have got down from the saddle to his assistance, but, reflecting
that without a ladder I never should be able to get on my high
steed again, I remained quiet. Being a sailor, I gained great
reputation by this feat, and gave an entertainment on the
strength of it."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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