94 RIO COLORADO. 



by the following trial : A ti'oop of unbroken horses 

 being driven into a coiTal, were let out through a 

 gateway, above which was a cross-bar : it was 

 agreed whoever should drop from the bar on one 

 of these wild animals, as it rushed out, and should 

 be able, without saddle or bridle, not only to ride 

 it, but also to bring it back to the door of the cor- 

 ral, should be their general. The person who suc- 

 ceeded was accordingly elected, and doubtless 

 made a general lit for such an army. This extraor- 

 dinary feat has also been performed by Rosas. 



By these ineans, and by conforming to the dress 

 and habits of the Gauchos, he has obtained an un- 

 bounded popularity in the country, and in conse- 

 quence a despotic power. I was assured by an 

 English merchant, that a man who had murdered 

 another, when arrested and questioned concernino" 

 his motive, answered, "He spoke disrespectfully 

 of General Rosas, so I killed him." At the end 

 of a week the murderer was at liberty. This 

 doubtless was the act of the general's party, and 

 not of the general himself. 



In conversation he is enthusiastic, sensible, and 

 very grave. His gi-avity is carried to a high pitch: 

 I heard one of his mad buffoons (for he keeps two, 

 like the barons of old) relate the following anec- 

 dote : " I wanted very much to hear a certain piece 

 of music, so I went to the General two or three 

 times to ask him ; he said to me, ' Go about your 

 business, for I am engaged.' I went a second time ; 

 he said, ' If you come again I will punish you.' A 

 third time I asked, and he laughed. I rushed out 

 of the tent, but it was too late ; he ordered two 

 soldiers to catch and stake me. I begged by all 

 the saints in heaven he would let me off, but it 

 would not do; when the general laughs he spares 

 neither madman nor sound." The poor flighty 



