110 JOAQUIN BUNOZ. 



incapable of walking to any distance. His dwelling is a 

 mud cottage, with one apartment, and so swarming with 

 insects, that in summer the whole family, wrapped in 

 skins, sleep in the open air. All round is a desert, with 

 the exception of the corral, or circular spot, inclosed hy 

 stakes, into which the cattle are driven. Neither grain 

 nor vegetables are cultivated, nor is the cow made to yield 

 milk. Beef is the only food, and it is roasted, or rather 

 twisted, on large spits, stuck in the floor, in a slanting di- 

 rection, so as to overhang the fire, a twist being from 

 time to time given, to expose all sides of the meat in suc- 

 cession. A large number of the Gauchos are robbers, 

 who are only daunted by a show of superior force. 



Joaquin Bunoz had all the qualities of the Gaucho in 

 perfection. He was short and thick-set, with bowed legs. 

 His face was frank, fearless, and intelligent. His hair 

 was long, black, and straight, in keeping with his pierc- 

 ing black eyes and heavy moustache. His costume re- 

 sembled greatly that of the Calif ornian muleteer, but was 

 much more gaudily decorated. He prided himself upon 

 three things ; the rich saddle and bridle of his horse ; his 

 skill in throwing the lasso, and his luck at gaming the 

 leading vice throughout South America. By his advice, 

 we armed ourselves as completely as possible having a 

 rifle a piece in reserve. He condemned our horses, but 

 Mr. Barrill thought proper to retain them. 



