RIO NEGRO. 103 
made in 1832, when they met with such an overwhelming defeat, that 
they have not ventured to make another ; yet the garrison is always 
kept in anxiety for fear of attacks. 
The weapons usual in their warfare are a long lance and the 
hallos, such as is used in taking the ostrich and throwing cattle, which 
they use with great dexterity. This consists of a thong of hide four 
feet in length, with a leaden hall at each end, which the horseman 
grasps in the middle, and gives the balls a rotary motion by whirling 
them above his head, then dashing on to the attack, he throws it when 
within range with unerring aim, and seldom fails to disable his 
enemy. The Indians who are most feared are the Chilenos. The 
Tehuiliches, notwithstanding their immense size, are considered little 
better than cowards. 
All the information gained here tended to confirm the general 
impression that the Tehuiliches or Patagonians are above the 
ordinary height of men, generally above six feet ; and the minister 
asserted that he had often seen them above seven English feet, We 
had not any personal opportunity to verify this statement, the Indians 
being only in the habit of visiting this post once a year, to obtain 
supplies, viz., in the month of March, at which time a vessel usually 
visits the place. 
There are a few huts or toldos forming a small settlement of Indians 
on the opposite side of the river. They are converted, and are termed 
Indios Mansos, are a mixture of all the tribes, and so much changed 
in habits and dress from their former condition and mode of life, that 
an accurate idea could not be formed of their natural character. 
They were none of them above the middle height ; their limbs were 
usually full and well formed ; their complexion a brownish copper, 
with coarse straight black hair, growing very low on the forehead : 
this is suffered to grow long, and hangs down on both sides of the 
face, adding much to the wildness of their appearance. Their fore- 
heads are low and narrow towards the top, their eyes small, black 
and deep set, Some were observed with their eyes set, Chinese- 
like. The resemblance was somewhat increased by the width 
of the face, which was a particular characteristic. The nose is 
usually a little flattened at the root, and wide at the nostrils, the 
lips full, and the chin not prominent. The expressions of their 
countenances betoken neither intellect nor vivacity. The men were 
o-enerally decked out in tawdry finery, partly after the Spanish 
fashion ; the women had only the chilipa to cover their nakedness. 
