472 riisroiM' Of 



These American horses, however, cannot properly be ranked 

 araong the wild races, since they were originally bred from such 

 as were tame.* It is not in the new, but the old world, that we 

 are to look for this animal, in a true state of nature ; in the ex- 



* Tlie wild horses which exist in the extensive pljuns of South America, 

 extending from the shores of La Plata to Patagonia, are descendants of those 

 carried thither by the Spaniards, after their discovery of the country, and 

 have increased with such astonisliing rapidity, that they are to be seen in 

 troops of many thousands. Azara affirms, that they sometimes congregate, 

 iu squadrons of not less than ten thousand individuals. They are invariably 

 preceded by a leader, by whom they are governed, and who appears to direct 

 all their movements ; which are performed in a manner so perfectly syste- 

 matic, as hardly to be surpassed in regularity by the best trained cavalry. It 

 is extremely dangerous for travellers to pass through the districts In ivhich 

 these horses abound ; for, if perceived by the wild lierd, lliey will approach 

 closely to those wlio are mounted on horseback. After tlieir leader and 

 videttes, or advanced guard, have reconnoitered the strangers, they will, 

 at the direction of the leader, make a rapid wheel round the course of the 

 travellers, and, with a loud and irritating neighing, tempt the tame horses, 

 which are either saddled or loaded, to join them. If the rider do not use all 

 liis energies, or the leader of the loaded horse his utmost care, they will either 

 fling the rider, or throw off their burden, and precipitately unite with the 

 wild troop, after which they are in general lost for ever. 



The steady approach, and menacing appearance, of tliis prodigious column 

 of horses, are most appalling to those who witness it for the first time, and 

 will cause the boldest heart to quake ; the trampling sound of the animals' 

 hoofs, even upon the green sward, may be compared to the loudest thunder, 

 while it makes all around to vibrate. In this raauner they will frequently 

 sweep round the astonished traveller, like the whirlwind of the desert, threat, 

 cning instant destruction ; when of a sudden they will set up the most fear- 

 ful neigliing, wheel in an opposite course, and disappear in the ueiglibouring 

 wilderness. These immense troops do not always feed together, but are dis- 

 persed into smaller herds, when the cause of alarm which congregated them 

 has passed away. 



In the province of Cumana there are great numbers of wild horses in the 

 torests. They go in companies generally to tlie extent of five or six hun- 

 dred, and even one thousand. They occupy the great savannas, where it is 

 dangerous to disturb or try to catch them. In the dry season, they are some- 

 times obliged to go two or three leagues, and even more, to find water. They 

 set out in regular ranks, four abreast, and thus form a procession extending 

 to a quarter of a league. Five or si.x scouts precede the troop by about fifty 

 paces. If they perceive a man, a puma, or a jaguar, they neigh, and the troop 

 stops ; if avoided, they continue their march ; but if any one dare to pass 

 across their squadron, they turn on him, and crush him under their feet. No 

 foe is capable of withstanding their attack. They liave a chief, who marches 

 between the scouts and the squadron — a kind of adjutant, whose duty con« 

 sists in liindering any individual from quitting the ranks. If any one at 

 tempts to straggle, cither from hunger or fali^'uc, he is bitten till he resumes 

 his place, and the culprit olieys with his head hanging down. Three or foiir 



