52 HUNTING CAMPS. 



it in their power to give much annoyance, and one can- 

 not be too careful about one's papers. 



An expedition may reasonably expect to find game 

 for the pot over the greater part of the country, though 

 there are certain areas on the pampas from which the 

 Indians have driven every four-footed thing, yet even 

 in these districts a shot-gun can keep a small party 

 adequately if not well fed. If, however, a journey is 

 made deep into the cordillera, sufficient food must be 

 taken for the entire trip. 



As to the best localities, the southern coasts of Lake 

 Buenos Aires and the valley of the River de Los 

 Antiguos are full of guemal, as I believe are most of the 

 almost untrodden valleys round the majority of the 

 Andean lakes. There are also some wild cattle on this 

 country, but once the cordillera is reached a herd may 

 be found anywhere, or a great stretch of country may 

 prove entirely barren. The ground on which I hunted 

 wild cattle near Lake Argentine is now taken up by 

 settlers, and is likely to be quite shot out. 



Although, except on one occasion, I always used a 

 275 Mauser, this rifle is undoubtedly unsatisfactory for 

 wild cattle, and, as I have said, the lightness of the bullet 

 prevented me from firing at several bulls which I 

 certainly could have secured with a heavier weapon, and 

 in the thick timber the use of the Mauser is foolhardy. 

 For the pampas any of the small bores are perfect in 

 fact, two such and a good Paradox form an excellent 

 battery. It is well to take a spare rifle, as the country 

 is exceedingly rough, and a fall from one's horse on the 

 stony or treacherous ground over which most of the 

 galloping is done may badly damage a rifle. 



The climate is dry and good, and ordinary English 



