THE STRAIT OF MAGELLAN. 20*7 



attired in liis gorgeous Argentine uniform surmounting a 

 very dirty wliite shirt, and who had unfortunately imbibed 

 more rum than was good for him, explained to Captain 

 Mayne that he himself could not accompany us, as he was 

 " medio borracho " (rather drunk). He, however, lent the 

 captain his steed, arming him with a pair of formidable 

 Mexican spurs, and informed us that a subordinate chief, 

 named Camilo, would act as our guide on the occasion. 



Every one being at length in the saddle, we set forth — 

 the party consisting of Captain Mayne, six officers, myself, 

 and half-a-dozen Patagonians, who were accompanied by 

 an equal number of smooth-haired piebald dogs, about the 

 size of foxhounds. All the Indians were armed with the 

 bolas, in addition to their large hunting-knives, which were 

 in general carried in sheaths in their horse-skin boots, and 

 Camilo further possessed a revolver, which, however, ap- 

 peared as if worn more for ornament than use. The horses 

 with which we were supplied were of rather small size, but 

 very fleet and sure-footed, and we started at a smart pace, 

 two of the Patagonians occasionally riding on in front to 

 reconnoitre. At length a small herd of guanacos was 

 descried in the distance, and thereupon four of the Indians, 

 accompanied by four of our party, rode off to circumvent 

 them, while the remainder of us halted for a short time, and 

 then moved on slowly, so as to be ready to intercept the 

 animals when they were driven down the slope of a 

 neighbouring Mil in front towards us. We had not to wait 

 long ere four of them appeared, tearing along with the dogs 

 at their heels, and followed at a short distance by the horse- 

 men. Eeceiving a signal from our guide to advance, we 

 dashed forward, the horses going like the wind, and appa- 

 rently as much excited as their masters. It was a spectacle 



