336 HUNTING THE VICUNA. 



quick movement of the foot. Immediately the herd draws close 

 together, each animal stretching out his head in the direction of the 

 impending alarm. Then they take to flight; first moving leisurely 

 and cautiously, but quickening their pace to the utmost degree of 

 speed; whilst the male vicuna, who covers the retreat, occasionally 

 halts to observe the motions of the enemy. The females reward his 

 devotion by the warmest affection and fidelity, and will suffer them- 

 selves to be killed or captured rather than desert him. 



The mode in which the Indians hunt the vicuna is sufficiently 

 curious. In the Chacu, as it is termed, the whole company, seventy or 

 eighty in number, proceed to the Attos the most secluded districts 

 of the Peruvian mountains which are the animal's favourite haunts, 

 with an abundant supply of rope and cord, and numerous stakes. 

 Selecting a spacious open area, they drive the stakes into the ground 

 in a circle, at intervals of from twelve to fifteen feet apart, and con- 

 nect them together by ropes fastened at the height of two or two and 

 a half feet from the ground. The circular space within this enclosure 

 measures about half a league in circumference; an opening of about 

 two hundred paces in width is left for entrance. On the ropes which 

 are carried round the stakes, the Indian women hang pieces of coloured 

 rag that flutter gaily in the wind. 



The chacu being thus made ready, the Indians, who are mounted 

 on horseback, range over the country within a circuit of several miles, 

 driving before them all the herds of vicunas they encounter, and forc- 

 ing them into the chacu. When a sufficient number is collected, they 

 close the entrance. The timid animals do not attempt to leap over 

 the ropes, being affrighted by the fluttering rags, and when thus 

 secured, the Indians easily kill them with their bolas. 



These bolas consist of three balls, composed either of lead or stone; 

 two of them heavier than the third. They are fastened to long 

 elastic strings, made of twisted sinews of the vicuna, and the opposite 

 ends of the strings are all tied together. The Indian holds the 

 lightest of the three balls in his hand, and swings the two others in a 

 wide circle above his head; then, taking his aim at the distance of 



