Frontier and pioneer life -- New Mexico -- Juvenile fiction; New Mexico -- Social life and customs -- 19th century -- Juvenile fiction
I wear a hunting-shirt of dressed deerskin. It is a garment more after
the style of an ancient tunic than anything I can think of. It is of a
light yellow colour, beautifully stitched and embroidered; and the cape,
for it has a short cape, is fringed by tags cut out of the leather
itself. The skirt is also bordered by a similar fringe, and hangs full
and low. A pair of "savers" of scarlet cloth cover my limbs to the
thigh; and under these are strong jean pantaloons, heavy boots, and big
brass spurs. A coloured cotton shirt, a blue neck-tie, and a
broad-brimmed Guayaquil hat, complete the articles of my everyday dress.
Behind me, on the cantle of my saddle, may be observed a bright red
object folded into a cylindrical form. That is my "Mackinaw," a great
favourite, for it makes my bed by night and my greatcoat on other
occasions. There is a small slit in the middle of it, through which I
thrust my head in cold or rainy weather; and I am thus covered to the
ankles.
As I have said, my _compagnons de voyage_ are similarly attired. There
may be a difference of colour in the blanket or the leggings, or the
shirt may be of other materials; but that I have described may be taken
as a character dress.
We are all somewhat similarly armed and equipped. For my part, I may
say that I am "armed to the teeth." In my holsters I carry a pair of
Colt's large-sized revolvers, six shots each. In my belt is another
pair of the small size, with five shots each. In addition, I have a
light rifle, making in all twenty-three shots, which I have learned to
deliver in as many seconds of time. Failing with all these, I carry in
my belt a long shining blade known as a "bowie knife." This last is my
hunting knife, my dining knife, and, in short, my knife of all work.
For accoutrements I have a pouch and a flask, both slung under the right
arm. I have also a large gourd canteen and haversack for my rations.
So have all my companions.
But we are differently mounted. Some ride saddle mules, others bestride
mustangs, while a few have brought their favourite American horses. I
am of this number. I ride a dark-brown stallion, with black legs, and
muzzle like the withered fern. He is half-Arab, and of perfect
proportions. He is called Moro, a Spanish name given him by the
Louisiana planter from whom I bought him, but why I do not know. I have
retained the name, and he answers to it readily. He is strong, fleet,
and beautiful. Many of my friends fancy him on the route, and offer
large prices for him; but these do not tempt me, for my Moro serves me
well. Every day I grow more and more attached to him. My dog Alp, a
Saint Bernard that I bought from a Swiss _emigre_ in Saint Louis, hardly
comes in for a tithe of my affections.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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