54 HUNTING CAMPS. 



fashion animals for His children, lest worse should come 

 of it." 



As practically nothing is known of the various parts of 

 Patagonia and the methods of travel necessary to reach the 

 various hunting grounds, it is possible that a few words on 

 localities and equipment may not be out of place. 



As I have said, the larger game of the country are chiefly 

 to be found in the neighbourhood of the Andes. To reach 

 the cordillera a long journey across the pampas must first 

 be made, and for this a troop of horses is required. Horses 

 may be bought at the various estancias along the coast, the 

 price varying from forty dollars Argentine in the north to 

 eighty dollars in the south in English money fifty to a 

 hundred shillings. Trained pack-horses are rare ; such as 

 one buys are usually very troublesome and have to be 

 taught their business. A light waggon is infinitely prefer- 

 able ; but light waggons are unknown in Patagonia, and 

 the clumsy vehicles which do duty there are not altogether 

 suitable for rough travel, although they are used in default 

 of better. They are apt to break down, or rather literally 

 break up beyond hope of repair, at embarrassing moments 

 when in some centre of desolation. It would be quite worth 

 while for an intending traveller to ship a buck-board down 

 the coast, as it would prove of great value in cross-country 

 locomotion. 



Pack-saddles and horse-gear should be taken from 

 Buenos Aires, and Messrs. Krabbe and Higgins in that city 

 are first-class agents, who spare no trouble in making arrange- 

 ments, and from them absolutely reliable information on 

 all points can be obtained. This firm will act as bankers, 

 and in fact their aid is in every way invaluable. 



The Andes may be reached by several routes along the 

 Atlantic coast, the journey varying in length from six hun- 

 dred down to a hundred and fifty miles, according to the 

 place of departure chosen. I myself crossed the pampas 



