The Scouting Expeditions of McCulloch's Texas Rangers; or, the Summer and Fall Campaign of the Army of the United States in Mexico--1846; including Skirmishes with the Mexicans, and an accurate detail of the Storming of Monterey; also the Daring Scouts at Buena Vista together with anecdotes, incidents, descriptions of country, and sketches of the lives of the celebrated partisan chiefs, Hays, McCulloch, and Walker. Page: 58
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58 THE FESTIVAL OF ST. JUAN.
past, and on this occasion they determined,as they said, to spread
themselves." The step of every negro dance that was ever known,
was called into requisition and admirably executed. They performed
the " double shuffle," the " Virginny break-down," the
"Kentucky heel tap," the ( pigeon wing," the " back balance lick,"
the ".Arkansas hoe-down," with unbounded applause and irresistible
effect. We laughed heartily at their grotesque figures and comical
movements, and the Mexicans were perfectly enraptured with
their activity and skill. The rogues stepped about like lions after
the dance was finished, and appeared to enjoy the admiration t y
had excited amazingly. The Mexican girls were so much cativated
that they entirely slighted their old lovers, and were quarrelling
with one another as to who next should dance with " los buenos
Americanos."
" Come, boys," said McMullen, after two or three more dances
were over, " this is enough fun for one night. Mount! and return
to quarters." So taking one glass of Muscal more all round, we
bade the party " adios," and hied merrily homeward, regretting
that our information in regard to Canales had proved untrue, but
not sorry that we had been induced to hunt for him at a "fandango."The festa-day of St. Juan was ushered in by a bright sun and a
blue sky. The prayers of the Mexican gallants must certainly have
induced the good saint to intercede with the , clerk of the weather"
for one fair day in the midst of the rainy season. Whatever may
have been the cause, it was certainly the most beautiful day we had
been blessed with for some time past. The manner in which the
day is celebrated in Mexico, is most singular and strange. St. Juan
must have been the patron saint of horsemen, or a kind of protector
of cavalry, for on this day no footman is allowed to promenade
the streets. Men and boys of all ages, sizes, and conditions are
mounted on the best and most gayly caparisoned steeds they can
procure, and parade the streets in holiday attire. Whooping and
yelling like Indians, they dash through the streets in large parties,
charging upon and riding down every thing that impedes their progress.
Single horsemen sometimes meet in full career, and as it
is disgraceful to give the road on such occasions, they ride directly
upon one another, and the consequence is, that the weakest horse
or the most unskilful rider is dashed to the ground, while the victor
rides on in triumph, rewarded for his gallantry and skill by bright
smiles from the balconies above. Occasionally large rival parties
meet in the narrow streets, and then a scene of wild confusion
ensues. Like madmen, they yell and rush together; and when
the horses are not overthrown by the shock, they grasp each
other by the neck or waist, and attempt to drag their antago
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Reid, Samuel C., Jr. The Scouting Expeditions of McCulloch's Texas Rangers; or, the Summer and Fall Campaign of the Army of the United States in Mexico--1846; including Skirmishes with the Mexicans, and an accurate detail of the Storming of Monterey; also the Daring Scouts at Buena Vista together with anecdotes, incidents, descriptions of country, and sketches of the lives of the celebrated partisan chiefs, Hays, McCulloch, and Walker., book, 1859; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth38096/m1/62/: accessed April 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Austin History Center, Austin Public Library.