50 HUNTING CAMPS. 



troublesome and have to be taught their business. A 

 light waggon is infinitely preferable ; but light waggons 

 are unknown in Patagonia, and the clumsy vehicles 

 which do duty there are not altogether suitable for 

 rough travel, although they are used in default of better. 

 They are apt to break down, or rather literally break 

 up beyond hope of repair, at embarrassing moments 

 when in some centre of desolation. It would be quite 

 worth while for an intending traveller to ship a buck- 

 board down the coast, as it would prove of great value 

 in cross-country locomotion. 



Pack-saddles and horse-gear should be taken from 

 Buenos Aires, and Messrs. Krabb and Higgins in that 

 city are first-class agents, who spare no trouble in 

 making arrangements, and from them absolutely reliable 

 information on all points can be obtained. This firm 

 will act as bankers, and in fact their aid is in every 

 way invaluable. 



The Andes may be reached by several routes along 

 the Atlantic coast, the journey varying in length from 

 six hundred down to a hundred and fifty miles, accord- 

 ing to the place of departure chosen. I myself crossed 

 the pampas four times first from Puerto Madryn to 

 Lake Buenos Aires, returning by the River Chico to 

 Santa Cruz, and the second time by following the 

 River Santa Cruz to Lake Argentine and coming back 

 across country to Gallegos. The average rate of travel 

 should work out at about fifteen miles a day. 



A waggon-driver and two gauchos can look after 

 thirty horses, and this number should be ample for four 

 men on an extended trip. In buying horses it is very 

 important to secure a tropilla well accustomed to their 

 bell-mare, for all over the country it is the common 



