DAY 10  The stars that night filled the sky. I slept well.
When I came in the next morning, I was offered some biscuits and coffee for breakfast and told to be ready for my ride at 9am. Then I watched as effectively used lassos encouraged a few reluctant horses to leave their corral.
About six horses were already tacked up and I disappointingly envisioned being joined by tourists, but soon two baqueanos and I set off on our own. They had asked me if I knew how to ride and I said yes.
We began cantering across the land. I anticipated the typical, scenic ride to a lake in the distance. But we started moving along at a good pace over rough ground and our direction changed. There were steep embankments to manage, streams that the horses either jumped over or ran through and terrain that included high brush on the plain. The exact paths we took were now our own and the baqueanos only turned once or twice to see if I was still there. About an hour later we arrived at another horse ranch. They dismounted, unsaddled their horses and led them to a corral. I was offered some water which I was happy to have. I was already warm and thirsty from the ride. They disappeared a short while, but soon they were on new mounts. I returned to my horse and we were on our way. But this time they had brought along fifteen horses, unbridled and free. I, out of habit, thought it best to follow behind as one does with a guide, but was told to get on the other side of this small herd. Watching numerous westerns in the past, it didn’t take long to realize that I was being asked to assist them in a round-up; to bring these horses home. Within minutes I was chasing the strays, then galloping alongside them until they were amongst the herd. This continued on until we arrived back at the ranch. The job was done. The only word directed my way was “bueno,” until I was invited to lunch. Fed, exhausted and exhilarated, I packed my things, said goodbye and headed to camp at a lake not far away. I drove away knowing that I had just experienced the most memorable ride of my life and an extraordinary two days with los baqueanos.