1829.) $A 2630 J] 
EVENTS IN A RECENT JOURNEY IN SOUTH AMERICA. 
Journey by Ox-Carts, from Mendoga to Buenos Ayres, across the Pampas, 
Ir was in the autumn of the year 1824, that I determined on revisiting 
Buenos Ayres, after an absence from it of four years ; and, as there are 
two very different modes of travelling thither from Mendoca, where I 
had been for some time sojourning, I chose that, which my inclination 
for novelty and adventure, rather than my desire for ease and conve- 
nience, pointed out: for the traveller who pays too much deference to 
the undeniable attractions of these latter, will be pretty sure to miss 
much of that spirit-stirring excitement in which the main pleasure and 
advantages of travel, both actual and prospective, consist. The two 
modes of travelling to which I have alluded are, by the regular post 
road, and by the Ox-carts which traverse the vast and pathless Pampas. 
It will be readily conjectured, from what I have hinted above, as to my 
turn for deviating from the beaten track, that the latter of these modes of 
reaching my destination was the one I chose. 
In performing this journey by the Ox-carts, it is customary for many 
parties to unite, and start at the same period ; keeping together as one 
body during the whole journey : for without this precaution (and some- 
times even with it) the traveller is not safe from the attacks of the 
roving Indians who infest many portions of the route, and particularly 
the Pampas themselves. 
The equipage which I engaged for my exclusive use was simply a 
two-wheeled cart, drawn by six oxen. The cart consisted of a frame of 
timber, of which the pole or perch was twenty-four feet long, and nine 
inches square, of very hard massive wood, and not unlike, in size and 
weight, the beam of a house. The two side pieces were of the same 
form, but only thirteen feet long. On this frame was erected a rude 
tilt of sticks, arched at the top, and seven feet high; the sides being 
closely thatched with rushes, and the top covered with raw hide, so as 
to be quite impervious to the weather. Under this monstrous erection 
was placed an axle of lance wood, lashed to the bottom with raw hide ; 
the spindle arms being about two feet six inches long, and eight inches 
thick. The wheels of this vast machine were of corresponding dimen- 
sions, being about nine feet high, and with massive naves and fellies, 
and put together (notwithstanding the rudeness of the tools employed 
in the work) in a manner that would not have disgraced an English 
wheel-wright. Behind the car was lashed an earthen water jar, holding 
twenty-five gallons ; and underneath, a spare axle, fellies, spokes, &c., 
in case of accident. 
The oxen were yoked to the cart two and two, by thongs of raw hide, 
the foremost yoke being not less than fourteen feet distant from the 
pole ; and the whole of them were managed by a driver sitting in front 
of the machine, and directing the animals by means of two goads ; the 
one of great length and slung to the roof of the cart, and the other much 
shorter, and used only for the wheel oxen. The drivers pique them- 
selves greatly on their skill in the use of these goads, which consist of 
light cane and willow wands, armed with iron points, and bound from 
heel to point with pack thread, rubbed over with blood by way of 
ornamental varnish: they are also sometimes adorned with feathers, &c. 
I haye been thus particular in describing my vehicle, because, in 
