32 MALDONADO. [c 8 ^- * 



cattle was driven in towards the house, and three beasts were picked 

 out to be slaughtered for the supply of the establishment. These 

 half-wild cattle are very active ; and knowing full well the fatal lazo, 

 they led the horses a long and laborious chase. After witnessing the 

 rude wealth displayed in the number of cattle, men, and horses, Don 

 Juan's miserable house was quite curious. The floor consisted of 

 hardened mud, and the windows were without glass ; the sitting-room 

 boasted only of a few of the roughest chairs and stools, with a couple 

 of tables. The supper, although several strangers were present, con- 

 sisted of two huge piles, one of roast beef, the other of boiled, with 

 some pieces of pumpkin : beside this latter there was no other vege- 

 table, and not even a morsel of bread. For drinking, a large earthen- 

 ware jug of water served the whole party. Yet this man was the 

 owner of several square miles of land, of which nearly every acre 

 would produce corn, and, with a little trouble, all the common vege- 

 tables. The evening was spent in smoking, with a little impromptu 

 singing, accompanied by the guitar. The signoritas all sat together 

 in one corner of the room, and did not sup with the men. 



So many works have been written about these countries, that it 

 is almost superfluous to describe either the lazo or the bolas. The 

 lazo consists of a very strong, but thin, well-plaited rope, made of 

 raw hide. One end is attached to the broad surcingle, which fastens 

 together the complicated gear of the recado, or saddle used in the 

 Pampas ; the other is terminated by a small ring of iron or brass, by 

 which a noose can be formed. The Gaucho, when he is going to use 

 the lazo, keeps a small coil in his bridle-hand, and in the other holds 

 the running noose, which is made very large, generally having a 

 diameter of about eight feet. This he whirls round his head, and by 

 the dexterous movement of his wrist keeps the noose open; then, 

 throwing it, he causes it to fall on any particular spot he chooses. The 

 lazo, when not used, is tied up in a small coil to the after part of the 

 recado. The bolas, or balls, are of two kinds ; the simplest, which 

 is chiefly used for catching ostriches, consists of two round stones, 

 covered with leather, and united by a thin plaited thong, about eight 

 feet long. The other kind differs only in having three balls united 

 by the thongs to a common centre. The Gaucho holds the smallest 

 of the three in his hand, and whirls the other two round and round 

 his head; then, taking aim, sends them like chain shot revolving 

 through the air. The balls no sooner strike any object, than, winding 

 round it, they cross each other, and become firmly hitched. The size 

 and weight of the balls varies, according to the purpose for which they 

 are made : when of stone, although not larger than an apple, they are 

 sent with such force as sometimes to break the leg even of a horse. 

 I have seen the balls made of wood, and as large as a turnip, for the 

 sake of catching these animals without injuring them. The balls are 

 sometimes made of iron, and these can be hurled to the greatest 

 distance. The main difficulty in using either lazo or bolas is to ride 

 so well as to be able at full speed, and while suddenly turning about, 

 to whirl them so steadily round the head, as to take aim : on foot 



