CHAPTER VII 



TEHUELCHE METHODS OF HUNTING 



Hunting season— Surefooted horses— Description of big hunt— Ring round 

 game— Splendid riding of Tehuelches— Horses dislike jumping- Game killed 

 and spared by Tehuelches— Difference of their hunting methods from those of 

 the Onas of Tierra del Fuego— Artistic perception of Onas— Ill-faith of early 

 settlers— Indian trail— " No place for us" — Deterioration of horses— They 

 prize piebalds— Method of breaking in— Perfect riders— Helpless on foot- 

 Staying powers of horses — Dogs— Evil of liquor trade— National sin of per- 

 mitting this trafac— Picture of trader— Drinking bout of Tehuelches — Gambling 

 for horses— Fatal weakness of Tehuelches — Another instance. 



During the latter half of October and during November, which 

 is the Patagonian spring, the Tehuelches hunt the guanaco chicos, 

 or young guanaco. 



At this period the young have not all been dropped, and the 

 most prized pelts are those of the unborn young, which are obtained 

 by killing the mother. These pelts, being very soft and fine in 

 texture, are used to make the most valuable capas or robes, and if 

 sold out of the tribes at the settlements, bring in the highest prices. 



At this season the Indians move to their favourite hunting- 

 grounds ; it is, in fact, to them the most important period of the year. 

 Two requisites are necessary to make their hunting a success : the 

 first is plenty of game, and in this there is rarely any disappoint- 

 ment ; the second is good ground on which to hunt it. As long, 

 however, as the guanaco do not take absolutely to the crags, the 

 Indians, with the help of their sure-footed unshod horses, are able 

 to levy a heavy toll on the herds. 



The method of hunting adopted by the Tehuelches is interest- 

 ing enough to call for description at length. On the morning of 

 the hunt, the Indians saddle up a good long-journey horse apiece, 

 they also catch each man his fastest mount, upon which he puts a 



