THE SERTANEJO. 



131 



back to show it to me, regardless of thus in- 

 creasing his journey four or five miles. I asked 

 him when we arrived at the well to stay and dine 

 with me, for although I had no great dainties to 

 offer, still he carried only what provision his 

 boroacas contained. These are small leathern 

 bags, one of which hangs on each side of the 

 saddle. He would not, however, dismount, and 

 immediately turned his horse and went his way. 

 My guide had remained behind, as his horse was 

 rather lame, and now he joined us. We passed 

 over some stony ground, and the well itself was 

 situated among rocks, between two of which the 

 horses passed and descended to it. 



I may give some description of my friend, who 

 turned back to show me the well, and this may 

 be taken as the usual appearance of a travelling 

 Sertanejo. He rode a small horse with a long 

 tail and mane ; his saddle was rather raised be- 

 fore and behind j his stirrups were of rusty iron, 

 and his bit was of the same ; the reins were two 

 very narrow thongs. His dress consisted of long 

 pantaloons or leggings, of tanned but undressed 

 leather, of a rusty brown colour, which were tied 

 tight round his waist, and under these are worn 

 a pair of cotton drawers or trowsers, as the seat is 

 left unprotected by the leather. He had a 

 tanned goat-skin over his breast, which was tied 

 behind by four strings, and a jacket also made of 

 leather, which is generally thrown over one 



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