195 



They havC< nevertheless, for many years abstained 

 from committing hostilities within the Chilian boun- 

 daries in time of peace, induced either by the ad- 

 vantages which they derive from the trade with the 

 inhabitants, or from the fear of behig roughly 

 handled by them. Their favourite weapon is the 

 lague, already described^ which they always carry 

 with them fastened to their girdles. It is very pro- 

 bable that the ten Americans conducted by the va- 

 liant Orellana, of whose amazing courage mention 

 is made in Lord Anson's Voyage, were of this tribe. 



Notwithstanding their wandering and restless dis- 

 position, these people are the most industrious and 

 commercial of any of the sa\'ages. When in their 

 tents they are never idle. The women weave cloths 

 of various colours ; the men occupy themselves in 



where v/e stopped but was in a state of alarm, and we came to 

 some that were absokitely deserted through fear. The year 

 before about three hundred Indians, lying back updh their 

 horses, trailing their lances behind tliem, in order to have it 

 supposed that it was one of those droves of mavcs so common 

 in those Pampas, appeared all at once before the post of Gutierrez ; 

 but, svipposing it strongly guarded, were deterred from attack- 

 ing it, although they saw but one man, who patroled (he wall 

 with his musket, and was indeed the only person in it. This ma» 

 knew well that the horses were guided, by the order and course 

 they pursued, although he could see nothing of their riders till 

 they had come very near. He had the prudence, however, not to 

 fire at them, which probably led them to believe there was a 

 greater force within the place, and induced them to abandon the 

 enterprise and vent their fury upon the ujifortunate inhabitants of 

 those plains. The commander of tlie post of Amatrain was not so 

 fortunate ; he was killed the same year with a negro who attend- 

 ed him. These posts are fortified with palisades, or with a mud 

 wall, and have a ditch and « draw-bridge 



