CHAP, ix.] ART IX MAKING A FIRE. 185 



the flesh Lad been picked by tbc carrion-hawks. They told me 

 that in winter they often killed a beast, cleaned the flesh from the 

 bones with their knives, and then with these same bones roasted 

 the meat for their suppers. 



18th. It rained during nearly the whole day. At night we 

 managed, however, with our saddle-cloths to keep ourselves pretty 

 well dry and warm; but the ground on which we slept was on each 

 occasion nearly in the state of a bog, and there was not a dry spot 

 to sit down on after our day's ride. I have in another part stated 

 how singular it is that there should be absolutely no trees on these 

 islands, although Tierra del Fuego is covered by one large forest. 

 The largest bush in the island (belonging to the family of Com- 

 positse) is scarcely so tall as our gorse. The best fuel is afforded 

 by a green little bush about the size of common heath, which has 

 the useful property of burning while fresh and green. It was very 

 surprising to see the Gauchos, in the midst of rain and everything 

 soaking wet, with nothing more than a tinder-box and piece of rag, 

 immediately make a fire. They sought beneath the tufts of grass 

 and bushes for a few dry twigs, and these they rubbed into fibres ; 

 then surrounding them with coarser twigs, something like a birds' 

 nest, they put the rag with its spark of fire in the middle and 

 covered it up. The nest being then held up to the wind, by degrees 

 it smoked more and more, aud at last burst out in flames. I do not 

 think any other method would have had a chance of succeeding 

 with such damp materials. 



19th. Each morning, from not having ridden for some time 

 previously, I was very stiff. I was surprised to hear the Gauchos, 

 who have from infancy almost lived on horseback, say that, under 

 similar circumstances, they always suffer. St. Jago told me, that 

 having been confined for three months by illness, he went oiit 

 hunting wild cattle, and in conseqitence, for the next two days, his 

 thighs were so stiff that he was obliged to lie in bed. This shows 

 that the Gauchos, although they do not appear to do so, yet 

 really must exert much muscular effort in riding. The hunting 

 wild cattle, in a country so difficult to pass as this is on account 

 of the swampy ground, must be very hard work. The Gauchos 

 say they often pass at full speed over ground which would be 

 impassable at a slower pace ; in the same manner as a man is able 

 to skate over thin ice. When hunting, the party endeavours to 

 get as close as possible to the herd without being discovered. Each 



