76 THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER. 



sort, his mind is often inspired with sentiments of 

 liberty which are as nohle as they are harmless, 

 although they of course partake of the wild habits of 

 his life. Vain is the endeavour to explain to him the 

 luxuries and blessings of a more civilized life; his 

 ideas are, that the noblest effort of man is to raise 

 himself off the ground and ride instead of walk ; 

 that no rich garments or variety of food can atone for 

 the want of a horse ; and that the print of the human 

 foot on the ground is the symbol of uricivilization. 



" The character of the Guacho is often very esti- 

 mable, he is always hospitable ; at his hut the tra- 

 veller is sure to find a friendly welcome, and he will 

 often be received with a natural dignity of manner 

 which is very remarkable, and which he scarcely 

 expects to meet with in such a miserable looking 

 hovel. On my entering the hut, the Guacho has 

 constantly risen to offer me his seat, which I have 

 declined, and many compliments and bows have 

 passed, until I have accepted his offer, the skeleton 

 of a horse's head. It is curious to see them inva- 

 riably take off their hats to each other as they enter 

 a room which has no window, a bullock's hide for a 

 door, and but little roof." 



Sir Francis, who had occasion to make frequent 

 journeys across the Pampas between Buenos Ay res 



