DON FELIX D'AZARA. 29 



advanced only during the night, scouts were sent 

 forward to reconnoitre the route ; two patroles went 

 in advance on each side of the party, all of whom 

 maintained their own places, and had their arms 

 ready. Notwithstanding these precautions, M. Azara 

 was often attacked, and frequently lost several of 

 his men. 



In halting, the neighbourhood of a stream was 

 generally preferred. Two parties were then imme- 

 diately despatched; the one to procure wood for 

 fuel ; the other, wild cows, for provender, or tame, 

 if more at hand. Failing these, frequently the arma- 

 dillo was found in quantity sufficient to supply their 

 wants ; and when this could not be procured, they 

 resorted to their stock of rolled strips of beef, dried 

 in the sun, according to the fashion of the country. 



Previous to bivouacking, it was always necessary 

 to take precautions against the numerous serpents 

 which abounded. This was done by causing the 

 horses, crowded within the space, to tread down 

 every thing under their feet. From this operation 

 the reptiles attempted to escape, and many were 

 destroyed ; whilst frequently some of the horses 

 were bitten, and fell victims to the poison. The 

 only couch of the travellers was the earth, covered 

 with an ox-hide. During the night, every one kept 

 his horse as near him as possible, that he might 

 escape from the attack of wild beasts, or other ene- 

 mies, whose approach was always announced by 

 their watchful dogs. When, as often happened, 

 they halted for a longer stay in these wilds, the 



