THE INDIAN OF THE PAMPAS. 



107 



ARGENTINE REPUBLIC. 



daughters would often come to our rancho mounted upon 

 the same horse. They ride like men, but with their knees 

 tucked up higher; a habit which comes, perhaps, of their 

 being accustomed, when travelling, to ride the loaded horses. 

 The duty of the women is to load and unload the horses; to 

 make the tents for the night; in short, to be, like the wives 

 of all savages, useful slaves. The men fight, hunt, take care 

 of the horses, and make the riding-gear. One of their chief 

 in-door occupations is to knock two stones together till they 

 become round, in order to make the bolas. With this im- 

 portant weapon the Indian catches his game, and also his 



SOLDIERS OF GENERAL 11OSAS. 



horse, which roams free over the plain. In fighting, his first 

 attempt is to throw down his enemy's horse with the bolas, 



