THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE 85 



agreed whoever should drop from the bar on one of these 

 wild animals, as it rushed out, and should be able, without 

 saddle or bridle, not only to ride it, but also to bring it back 

 to the door of the corral, should be their general. The per- 

 son who succeeded was accordingly elected ; and doubtless 

 made a fit general for such an army. This extraordinary 

 feat has also been performed by Rosas. 



By these means, and by conforming to the dress and habits 

 of the Gauchos, he has obtained an unbounded popularity in 

 the country, and in consequence a despotic power. I was 

 assured by an English merchant, that a man who had mur- 

 dered another, when arrested and questioned concerning his 

 motive, answered, " He spoke disrespectfully of General 

 Rosas, so I killed him." At the end of a week the murderer 

 was at liberty. This doubtless was the act of the general's 

 party, and not of the general himself. 



In conversation he is enthusiastic, sensible, and very 

 grave. His gravity is carried to a high pitch: I heard one 

 of his mad buffoons (for he keeps two, like the barons of 

 old) relate the following anecdote. " I wanted very much to 

 hear a certain piece of music, so I went to the general two 

 or three times to ask him ; he said to me, ' Go about your 

 business, for I am engaged.' I went a second time; he said, 

 'If you come again I will punish you.' A third time I 

 asked, and he laughed. I rushed out of the tent, but it was 

 too late; he ordered two soldiers to catch and stake me. I 

 begged by all the saints in heaven he would let me off ; but it 

 would not do; when the general laughs he spares neither 

 mad man nor sound." The poor flighty gentleman looked quite 

 dolorous, at the very recollection of the staking. This is a 

 very severe punishment; four posts are driven into the 

 ground, and the man is extended by his arms and legs hori- 

 zontally, and there left to stretch for several hours. The 

 idea is evidently taken from the usual method of drying 

 hides. My interview passed away, without a smile, and I 

 obtained a passport and order for the government post- 

 horses, and this he gave me in the most obliging and ready 

 manner. 



In the morning we started for Bahia Blanca, which we 

 reached in two days. Leaving the regular encampment, we 



