THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER. 71 



ter, his constitution is so strong that he is able to en- 

 dure great fatigue ; and the distances he will ride, and 

 the number of hours he will remain on horseback, 

 would hardly be credited. The unrestrained freedom 

 of such a life he fully appreciates ; and, unacquainted 

 with subjection of any sort, his mind is often inspired 

 with sentiments of liberty which are as noble as they 

 are harmless, although they of course partake of the 

 wild habits of his life. Vain is the endeavor to ex- 

 plain 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 uncivilisation. 



" The character of the Guacho is often very esti- 

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

 ler 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 invariably take off their 

 hats to each other as they enter a room which has 



