420 APPENDIX. 



each other. We encamped ; and were invited by the caciques to their 

 quarters, where we feasted sumptuously on some good roast horses. The 

 Indians took the same care that our soldiers should want for nothing which 

 it was in their power to bestow. They made us many presents of horses, 

 ornaments, ponchos, &c. in proof of the sincerity of their protestations; and 

 showed the greatest solicitude and attention to please, and make us consider 

 ourselves among friends. 



Having assuaged our hunger, the caciques rose in council, and requested 

 the General would be present also. The subject in discussion was, whether 

 the town of Salta (which was about three days' march from us), on the frontier 

 of Buenos Ayres, should or should not be attacked. 



We had a long march to encounter, and it became necessary that we should 

 enter the province of Buenos Ayres to furnish ourselves with cattle for our 

 transit to the country of the Indians ; and also make some provision for the 

 time of our residence there, that we might not be burthensome to our 

 friends, having the opportunity of being independent at the expense of our 

 enemies. 



La Madrid, whom we expected to attack, had retired towards Pergamino. 

 The town of Salta was garrisoned by a detachment of forty men ; its own 

 inhabitants capable of carrying arms might be from 150 to 200 men. Carrera 

 knew too well the disposition of the Indians, and their mode of warfare, to 

 give his assent to the assault of the town. He therefore used every expedient 

 exertion to prevent and dissuade them from it, by showing the impossibility 

 of succeeding in, and danger of attempting, any attack against the town ; 

 in contrast with the exaggerated advantages of passing into the country, 

 from whence they might drive to their habitations vast droves of horses, 

 cattle, &c. He expatiated much on the destruction of the Indians, if they 

 should have the temerity to advance against the musquetry and artillery of 

 the town. But they were not to be deterred by words only. They protested 

 that nothing should hinder them of destroying the Porteiios ; and requested 

 he would give them thirty of his men to accompany them. Carrera finding 

 them so importunate and unchangeable in their resolution, conceived the idea 

 of counteracting their inhuman designs and saving the inhabitants, whilst he 

 seemed to accede to their request. He called a captain, and gave him in- 

 structions to march with thirty men as vanguard to the Indians towards the 

 town, and immediately on receiving the fire of the enemy to put his men in 

 retreat, and use all possible means to inspire the Indians with a sense of 



