Richmond High School - Shield Yearbook (Richmond, CA)

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RICHMOND RODEO CARLOS CARAVANTES; or The Making of a Bandit. CEs T was in the spring of 1840. San Pablo canyon, Cali- %5 al fornia, was a scene of great turmoil. In a natural am- “hk phitheatre near the middle of this canyon great droves : of cattle were being massed together. A dull, rum- bling sound echoed through the valley, caused by the thud of almost countless hoofs. The angry bellowing of the bulls arose from the clouds of dust that surrounded the trampling herd. At times a gentle breeze coming down the canyon lifted the dusty clouds, revealing a moving mass of backs of dull red and mottled hues. Above their lowered heads the tips of their needle-like horns now glistened in the sunlight, now dis- appeared from view as the owners lowered them to prod and hurry on their companions in front. This was the yearly round up or rodeo of the great ranches for miles around; the brand- ing time, when the cattle were gathered together and given to their respective owners. During the rest of the year they ranged at will over hundreds of miles of rough and unin- habited country, until they had become thoroughly wild and ferocious. Yet the vaqueros in their.gay handkerchiefs and wide sombreros were making their work a holiday, whirling their knotted lariats in the air and yelling with delight as they galloped on their active and cunning mustangs into the very heart of the herd. Don Fernandez, a large cattle owner, mounted upon a fine horse, was viewing this torrent of beasts from a nearby mound, hoping that enough might fall to his lot so that he could settle a large gambling debt recently acquired. At his side rode the judge of the rodeo, a prominent citizen from Mon- 9

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THIS, THEN? IS THE FIRST ANNUAL RODEO OR ROUNDUP OF STORIES AND THINGS AND IS TO COMMEMORATE THE LAYING OF THE CORNER STONE OF RICHMOND UNION HIGH SCHOOL MAY TWENTY-THIRD NINETEEN HUNDRED EIGHT

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RICHMOND RODEO terey, and Don Pedro, another rancher, the holder of Fernan- dez’ debt and the lover of his daughter. As they gazed at the mass of moving backs their attention was arrested by the graceful and daring work of one young Spaniard, wiry and slender, riding a coal-black mount. Dash- ing among the cattle he was quick to single out the ringleader in a ‘‘mill,’’ or pack, and belay him with his heavy quirt. Then wheeling, he was almost instantly off to another congesting part of the herd. ‘‘Who is this dashing prince of the saddle?’’ questioned Don Fernandez of Don Pedro. ‘‘That, Senor Fernandez, is Carlos Caravantez, who lately became owner of that small ranch which adjoins yours,’’ re- plied Don Pedro with a jealous sneer, for he thought himself a horseman of some note. In truth, this young rider was a Spaniard of good birth and small means, who had recently come from Monterey. He had been attracted by no less a person than the daughter of Senor Fernandez himself. Up to that time Caravantez had led a wild and reckless life, but seeing Senorita Fernandez, the only daughter of Don Fernandez, at a festival in Monterey, he had fallen deeply in love with her, and on finding out where she lived he had bought this small ranch next to her father’s for the purpose of settling down, and, if possible, winning the heart of the girl. It happened that Senorita Fernandez on horseback was also watching the rodeo from a safe position on a nearby mound. Here, blockaded by the heavy carritas in which they had come with tents and provisions for days of barbecues and merrymaking, the women from the different ranches held an advantageous position above the rope branding corral. Just now, wishing to speak to her father, Felicia spurred towards him, when she was suddenly thrown from her horse, who jumped to one side to avoid the horns of a straying bull. The bull, abandoning his pursuit of the horse, was about to charge upon the dismounted horsewoman. It was the prompt lariat 10