There are two modes of the "Correr el gallo." The first has been described. The second only differs from it in the fact that the cock, instead of being tied to a tree, is buried up to his shoulders in the earth. The horsemen, as before, pass in routine--each bending from his saddle, and striving to pluck the bird out of the ground. For the rest the conditions are the same as before. The first cock was hung to a branch; and the competitors having taken their places in a line, the game commenced. Several made the attempt, and actually seized the bird's head, but the soap foiled them. The dragoon sergeant was once more a competitor; but whether his colonel made any further bet upon him is not known. The Comandante had gambled enough for that day; and but for a little peculation which he enjoyed upon the mining "derechos," and other little customs dues, he would have felt his losses still more severely. Out of the derechos, however, he knew he could square himself at the expense of the vice-regal government. The sergeant, who, as already stated, had the advantage of a tall figure and a tall horse, was able to get a full grasp at the neck of the bird; and being already provided, as was afterwards ascertained, with a fistful of sand, he took the prize with him, and galloped off. But there were swifter horses than his on the ground; and before he could double the turning-post he was overtaken by an active vaquero, and lost a wing of his bird. Another wing was plucked from him by a second pursuer; and he returned to the tree with nothing but a fragment left! Of course he received neither _vivas_ nor cheers. Carlos the cibolero took no part in this contest. He knew that he had won glory enough for that day--that he had made both friends and enemies, and he did not desire to swell the list of either. Some of the bystanders, however, began to banter him, wishing, no doubt, to see him again exhibit his fine horsemanship. He withstood this for some time, until two more cocks were plucked from the tree--the vaquero already alluded to carrying one of them clear, and laying it at the feet of his smiling sweetheart. A new thought seemed now to have entered the mind of Carlos, and he was seen riding into the lists, evidently about to take part in the next race. "It will be some time before I can be present at another fiesta," remarked he to Don Juan. "Day after to-morrow I start for the plains. So I'll take all the sport I can out of this one."