4d : MALDONADO. [ouar. 11. 
the fatal lazo, they led the horses a long aml laborious chase, 
After witnessing the rude wealth displayed in the number of 
cattle, men, and horses, Don Juan’s miserable house was quite 
curious. The floor consisted of hardened mud, and the windows 
were without glass; the sitting-room boasted only of a few of 
the roughest chairs and stools, with a couple of tables. The 
supper, although several strangers were present, consisted of two 
huge piles, one of roast beef, the other of boiled, with some 
pieces of pumpkin: besides this latter there was no other vege- 
table, and not even a morsel of bread. For drinking, a large 
earthenware jug of water served the whole party. Yet this man 
was the owner of several square miles of land, of which nearly 
every acre would produce corn, and, with a little trouble, all the 
common vegetables. The evening was spent in smoking, with a 
little impromptu singing, accompanied by the guitar. The sig- 
noritas all sat together in one corner of the room, and did not 
sup with the men. 
So many works have been written about these countries, that 
it is almost superfluous to describe either the lazo or the bolas. 
The lazo consists of a very strong, but thin, well-plaited rope, 
made of raw hide. One end is attached to the broad surcingle, 
which fastens together the complicated gear of the recado, or 
saddle used in the Pampas; the other is terminated by a small 
ring of iron or brass, by which a noose can be formed. The 
Gaucho, when he is going to use the lazo, keeps a small coil in 
his bridle-hand, and in the other holds the running noose, which 
is made very large, generally having a diameter of about eight 
feet. This he whirls round his head, and by the dexterous move- - 
ment of his wrist keeps the noose open; then, throwing it, he 
causes it to fall on any particular spot he chooses. The lazo, 
when not used, is tied up in a small coil to the after part of the 
recado. The bolas, or balls, are of two kinds: the simplest, 
which is chiefly used for catching ostriches, consists of two 
round stones, covered with leather, and united by a thin plaited 
thong, about eight feet long. The other kind differs only in 
having three balls united by the thongs to a common centre. 
The Gaudio holds the sraallest of the three in his hand, and 
whirls the other two round and round his head ; then, taking 
aim, sends them like chain shot revolving through the air. The 
