THE RIVER VALLEYS 



83 



lower edges were gaping slits, through which the sky or the ground 

 was visible. As to the shape of the toldos, if you can imagine a 

 very squat, deep-draught boat, cut off at rather beyond the half of 





jfff,*.;. 



WATI ! WATI ! (tEHUELCHE EXCLAMATION OF SURPRISE) 



her length, and turned upside down, you will have some idea of 

 their appearance. On the roof, and about the wooden props, 

 pieces of g-uanaco-meat had been hung out to dry in the sun. 

 Within, as I have said, upon the skins which strewed the floor the 

 dogs and grandmothers of the tribe were mingled. 



It was our first experience of a Tehuelche encampment, and 

 perhaps the most remarkable feature of it was the presence, in one 

 form or another, of the guanaco. Some of his flesh was cooking 

 at a fire outside the tents, the toldos themselves were composed of 

 his pelts, the ponchos which some of the women were weaving 

 were made from his wool, the boots were formed of his neck-skin, 

 some of the horse-gear of his hide, the men's capas of his skin, 

 while dogs, men, and women alike were fattened upon the food he 



