Before the term "cowboy" became popular, most men who drove cattle for a living were called cowhands or vaqueros, a Spanish word derived from vaca, meaning cow. Although vaquero translates to cowboy in English, the term captures the unique culture and lifestyle of the 19th century cowman. The original vaquero was a cattleman of Mexican-Indian descent who tended the large ranchos of Mexico, but from an early day the term was used without regard for race, symbolizing the strong Hispanic influence on Southwest culture. Whether from Mexico, Texas, Arizona, or New Mexico, and whether a Civil War veteran or not, a cowhand was called a vaquero because of the distinct characteristics of his ability and lifestyle, and his sense of individuality and independence. Vaqueros were excellent horsemen and survivors who endured the rugged conditions of the Pecos Valley and the mountains of Southeast New Mexico, living in isolation with only crude shelters and a scarce diet. Their skills allowed them to pursue freedom, adventure, and open space, and together in a corrida or outfit they worked as a band of brothers, protecting the herd and each other with great loyalty. Terms used in cowboy operations such as chaps, remudas, lariats, and corrals, along with landmark names including the Pecos, Felix, Peñasco, and Hondo Rivers, the Guadalupe and Sacramento Mountains, and the Llano Estacado, testify to the importance of Hispanic influence in the Pecos Valley. The lasting impression of the vaquero remains visible not only in words but in the independent spirit that still drives the people of Artesia today.