ANNOYANCES OF THE CAMP. 113 



nearly at the moment when my patron reached the ground. 

 A little practice enabled Mr. Barrill to overcome his 

 deficiencies, and he was soon my rival in dexterity. 



The chase of the wild cattle and horses was very ex- 

 citing, and the rewards more than proportionate to the 

 difficulty and danger. We fared sumptuously upon beef, 

 very little inferior to buffalo meat, and the tongues were 

 excellent. The hides we gave as propitiatory offerings 

 to the wandering Gauchos whom we encountered. Most 

 of these people seemed disposed to be friendly and peace- 

 able ; but we met two or three small parties, to whom we 

 thought proper to make a show of our force. They sa- 

 luted us, eyed our arms, shook their heads, and rode away, 

 with the speed of the wind. Our Gaucho guide was very 

 useful to us during these encounters, as he had a high 

 reputation for courage and determination. He also ren- 

 dered his services extremely valuable in breaking several 

 splendid horses for us. They were beautifully spotted, 

 and of great speed and strength. 



Our encampment at night would have been pleasant 

 enough, but for two great annoyances, viz : the immense 

 number of insects, which buzzed around our ears and bit 

 us severely, and the thundering tramp of the wild herds 

 across the plains. The danger of a general stampede 

 of the animals around the camp is very imminent. On 

 one occasion we came near losing them. 



10* 



