410 IN THE WILDS OF SOUTH AMERICA 



a short time looking about from the top of the mounds, 

 spread out over the surrounding country to feed; the females 

 follow a short time later, and both return at the break of 

 day. On account of their great numbers in some parts of 

 the country, they destroy vast areas of pasturage and are 

 therefore looked upon as vermin. We heard the reports 

 of guns frequently, not far away, indicating that other 

 hunting-parties were out. The flesh of the animal is greatly 

 esteemed by the natives. 



Another of the secretariats duties was to carry the game; 

 but this was soon too heavy for him, so we helped. Then 

 he made the discovery that the animals were covered with 

 fleas, ticks, and other parasites, and that this host of un- 

 welcome guests preferred him to the dead creatures he was 

 carrying; we made the same discovery, so hired an Indian 

 to lug the trophies home for us. 



While homeward bound we crossed a small open place 

 where not a plant grew, and the sand shimmered with a 

 dull glow. Coming directly for us was a white, plume-like, 

 waving object which could hardly be distinguished from 

 its surroundings, but when both the judge and the secre- 

 tario shouted Zorino I knew enough to shoot, and shoot 

 to kill. We waited a moment to see whether the animal 

 was dead, then approaching carefully, I picked up a fine 

 skunk. Just then his mate put in an appearance on the 

 edge of the opening, and there was no choice but to add 

 her to the collection. When it came to carrying home these 

 additions to the bag, even the Indian balked, so I tied 

 them to the end of my gun-barrel and carried them in this 

 manner. Early the next morning the entire town came 

 to see the Zorinos; the scent had penetrated into the fur- 

 thermost hut, and they had unerringly traced it to its 

 source. 



Few things could be more delightful than the tramp home 

 across the desert; the clear moonlight, the crisp air, and 

 the tremulous wail of an owl, all added enchantment to the 

 night's outing; and, above all, we had had a capital good 



