CHAPTER VII. 
LIFE IN PATAGONIA. 
From the dribbling warfare described in the last 
chapter, with clouds of winged things for principal 
enemy, let us go back once more to that sterner 
conflict with hostile men, in which the isolated 
little colony has so often been involved during its 
century of existence. One episode from its event- 
ful history I wish to relate, for in this instance the 
Patagonians had, for once, to oppose a foreign and 
civilized foe. The story is so strange, even in the 
romantic annals of South America, as to seem 
almost incredible. The main facts are, however, 
to be found in historical documents. The details 
given here were taken from the lips of persons 
living on the spot, and who had been familiar with 
the story from childhood. 
Very early in this century the Brazilians became 
convinced that in the Argentine nation they had a 
determined foe to their aggressive and plundering 
policy, and for many years they waged war against 
Buenos Ayres, putting forth all their feeble energies 
in operations by land and sea to crush their trouble- 
some neighbour, until 1828, when they finally aban- 
doned the contest. During this war the Imperial- 
