THE VICUNA. 89 



stretching out its head in the direction from which the 

 alarm proceeds. Then they beat a retreat — at first leisurely 

 and cautiously, but soon quickening their pace to their 

 utmost speed ; while the male vicuna, which covers and 

 directs this strategic movement, occasionally pauses to 

 observe the motions of the enemy. The females reward 

 his devotion by the fondest affection and fidelity, and will 

 suffer themselves to be captured or slain rather than desert 

 him. 



The mode in which the Indians hunt the vicuna is worthy 

 of description. In the chaco, as it is termed, the whole 

 company, generally seventy or eighty in number, proceed 

 to the Altos — those lofty, secluded districts of the Andes 

 which are the animal's favourite haunt — with an abundant 

 supply of cordage and a quantity of strong stakes. On 

 arriving at a suitable spot, they drive these stakes into 

 the ground in a ring, at intervals of twelve to fifteen feet 

 apart, and connect them together by ropes at a height of 

 two to three feet from the ground. The area thus enclosed 

 generally measures about half a league in circumference ; 

 and an opening about two hundred paces wide is left for 

 entrance. On the ropes carried round the stakes, pieces of 

 coloured rags, that flutter gaily in the wind, are hung by 

 the Indian women. 



The chaco being thus completed, the Indian hunters, 

 who are mounted on horseback, range over the country 

 within a circuit of several miles, driving before them all 

 the herds of vicunas they fall in Avith, and forcing them 

 into the chaco. As soon as a sufficient number are got 

 together, the entrance is closed up. The timid animals 



