Equestrian Skill of the Indians. 5 7 



of time. Darwin learned that in 1535 there were 

 villages which contained two or three thousand 

 people, while at the time of his visit the remnants 

 were wanderers upon the face of the earth. 



To show the remarkable equestrian skill of these 

 Indians, Darwin cites an incident of the escape of a 

 chief. Pursued by the Spaniards and closely pressed, 

 he sprang upon a fresh white horse, which had 

 neither saddle nor bridle, drew his little son up 

 behind him, and dashed away at full speed. When 

 fired at he threw an arm about the horse's neck and 

 fell to one side, and though the follower changed 

 horses three times, the Indian made good his escape. 



