140 BAHIA BLANCA TO BUENOS AYRES. 



defined outline. The scene, however, was novel, 

 and a little danger, like salt to meat, gave it a rel- 

 ish. That the danger was very little was certain, 

 for my two companions made a good fire — a thing 

 which is never done when it is suspected that In- 

 dians are near. I reached the place of our bivou- 

 ac by sunset, and drinking much mate, and smo- 

 king several cigaritos, soon made up my bed for 

 the night. The wind was very strong and cold, 

 but I never slept more comfortably. 



September lOth. — In the morning, having fairly 

 scudded before the gale, we amved by the middle 

 of the day at the Sauce posta. On the road we saw 

 gi-eat numbers of deer, and near the mountain a 

 guanaco. The plain, which abuts against the Si- 

 eiTa, is traversed by some curious gulleys, of which 

 one was about twenty feet wide, and at least thirty 

 deep ; we were obliged, in consequence, to make 

 a considerable circuit before we could find a pass. 

 We stayed the night at the posta, the conversation, 

 as was generally the case, being about the Indians. 

 The Sierra Ventana was formerly a great place of 

 resort ; and three or four years ago there was much 

 fighting there. My guide had been present when 

 many Indians were killed : the women escaped to 

 the top of the ridge, and fought most desperately 

 with great stones ; many thus saving themselves. 



SejJtemhcr lltli. — Proceeded to the third posta 

 in company with the lieutenant who commanded 

 it. The distance is called fifteen leagues ; but it is 

 only guess-work, and is generally overstated. The 

 road was uninteresting, over a dry grassy plain; and 

 on our left hand, at a gi'eater or less distance, there 

 were some low hills, a continuation of which we 

 crossed close to the posta. Before our arrival we 

 met a large herd of cattle and horses, guarded by 

 fifteen soldiers ; but we were told many had been 



