1833.] GENERAL ROSAS. 69 



stocks." Such actions as these delighted the Gauchos, who all 

 possess high notions of their own equality and dignity. 



General Kosas is also a perfect horseman an accomplishment of 

 no small consequence in a country where an assembled army elected 

 its general by the following trial : A troop of unbroken horses being 

 driven into a corral, 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 corral, should be their general. The person 

 who succeeded was accordingly elected ; and doubtless made a fit 

 general for such an army. This extraordinary feat has also been 

 performed by Eosas. 



By these means, and by conforming to the dress and habits of 

 the Gauchos, he has obtained an unbounded popularity in the 

 country, and in consequence a despotic power. I was assured by 

 an English merchant, that a man who had murdered another, when 

 arrested and questioned concerning his motive, answered, " He 

 spoke disrespectfully of General Eosas, 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 gravity is carried to a high pitch: I heard one of his mad 

 buffoons (for he keeps two, like the barons of old) relate the fol- 

 lowing anecdote : " 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 mad man nor 

 sound." The poor flighty gentleman looked quite dolorous, at the 

 very recollection of the staking. This is a very severe punishment ; 

 four posts are driven into the ground, and the man is extended by 

 his arms and legs horizontally, and there left to stretch for several 

 hours. The idea is evidently taken from the usual method of 

 drying hides. My interview passed away without a smile, and I 

 obtained a passport and order for the government post-horses, and 

 this he gave me in the most obliging and ready manner. 



