ii8 BAHIA BLANCA TO BUENOS AYRES chap. 



neither kept out the wind nor rain ; indeed in the latter case the 

 only effect the roof had, was to condense it into larger drops. 

 They had nothing to eat excepting what they could catch, such 

 as ostriches, deer, armadilloes, etc., and their only fuel was the 

 dry stalks of a small plant, somewhat resembling an aloe. 

 The sole luxury which these men enjoyed was smoking the 

 little paper cigars, and sucking mate. I used to think that the 



MAt6 pots and BAMBILLIO. 



carrion vultures, man's constant attendants on these dreary 

 plains, while seated on the little neighbouring cliffs, seemed by 

 their very patience to say, " Ah ! when the Indians come we 

 shall have a feast." 



In the morning we all sallied forth to hunt, and although 

 we had not much success, there were some animated chases. 

 Soon after starting the party separated, and so arranged their 

 plans, that at a certain time of the day (in guessing which they 

 show much skill) they should all meet from different points of 

 the compass on a plain piece of ground, and thus drive together 

 the wild animals. One day I went out hunting at Bahia Blanca, 

 but the men there merely rode in a crescent, each being about 



