The metal bridge that spans the Rio Ruidoso behind the Gallery wasn't built until the mid-1960's.   Prior to that, visitors to the home of Peter Hurd and Henriette Wyeth-Hurd made a perilous journey across the river on two wooden planks that had been cabled into the bank on one side of the river.  During a rise in water level, the planks would be swept aside without being washed away. 

    As the "windy" goes, Peter and Henriette were expecting a banker and his wife, along with another couple, for lunch one day in the 1940s.  But by the time the group pulled up in their big Buick, a Summer storm up-stream had caused the water to rise substantially, pushing the two planks aside.  As Peter and Henriette stood on one side, making shrugging gestures to their guests on the other side, along came "Mocho."

    His real name was Carlos Miranda and he was an occasional helper on the ranch, who had lost his hand in a childhood accident.  His nickname, "Mocho," is the adjective form of the Spanish verb "mochar" which means "to cut off."  He was a large, muscular man who rode around the ranch on a huge, white horse.  Although intimidating in appearance, Mocho is remembered as a gentle, sympathetic character who was kind and always willing to help.

    And so it was this day, with the Hurds on one side of the river and their guests on the other.  Mocho surveyed the scene, dismounted his white steed, and tied the horse to a tree.   Approaching the stranded couples, Mocho leaned over and gestured to the banker to jump on his back.  Apprehensively, the banker glanced around, but Mocho urged him on.  Seeing no other option and realizing that his suit and shoes would not come out of this well, the banker hopped on Mocho's back.  Mocho carried the banker piggy-back across the river to applause from Peter and Henriette that was only surpassed by the roar of the river.  

    Mocho waded back across, swooped up the banker's wife in her fine dress and heroically carried her across to more cheers and applause from the crowd on the South side of the river.  On his last journey across, Mocho was feeling quite inspired by all the adulation he was getting, so instead of carrying his final passenger straight across, he decided to make the most of this glorious moment.  Half-way across the river, Mocho stopped and began to parade up and downstream in the midst of the rushing water, smiling from ear to ear.  Peter urged him to bring the terrified man across, "Mocho...bring him over here!"  Mocho's show continued as he smiled broadly back at his boss, "Un momento!"  His beaming expression seemed to say, "If they thought that was great, wait until they see this!  I'm going to give this guy a real thrill!"

    In 1937, Peter Hurd's portrait of "El Mocho" won the Watson F. Blaire prize in the 16th Annual Water Colour Exhibition and became a part of the permanent collection of the Chicago Art Institute.  His prize of $600 gave him the money he needed to build his studio.