CHILI. 195 
extended crescent, driving the wild horses towards the river with 
shouts. All were armed with the lasso, which was swinging over 
their heads, to be in readiness to entrap the first that attempted to 
break through the gradually contracting segment ; the dogs serving 
with the riders to head the horses in. They continued to advance, 
when suddenly a horse with furious speed broke the line, passing 
near one of the horsemen, and for a moment it was thought he had 
escaped, the next he was jerked round with a force that seemed 
sufficient to have broken his neck, the horseman having, the moment 
the lasso was thrown, turned round and braced himself for the shock. 
The captured horse now began to rear and plunge furiously to effect 
his escape. After becoming somewhat worn out, he was suffered to 
run and again suddenly checked. This was repeated several times, 
when another plan was adopted. The dogs were set on him, and off 
he, went at full run, in the direction of another horseman, who threw 
his lasso to entangle his legs and precipitate him to the ground. 
The dogs again roused him, and off he again started, and was in like 
manner brought to a stand ; after several trials he became completely 
exhausted and subdued, when he stood perfectly still and allowed his 
captors to lay hands upon him. The shouts of the men, the barking 
of the dogs, and the scampering of the horses, made the whole scene 
quite exciting. 
Shortly afterwards it was suspected their peon was leading them 
astray ; this was evident by their crossing and recrossing the river, 
and wandering at random on a road which was apparently but little 
travelled. After a toilsome route of three and a half hours they found 
themselves surrounded by many branches of the river, whose banks 
were but a few inches above the water. The peon then acknowledged 
himself bewildered, and that he had missed his way. Crossing the 
streams was attended with some danger, for owing to their rapidity 
and depth they were near sweeping the horses off their legs. Return- 
ing a league or two they fortunately met a muleteer, who put them in 
the road, but their horses were now so exhausted that they were 
compelled to seek lodgings at a rancho. After applying at several 
they succeeded in getting a place to lie in, after making many pro- 
mises of liberal payment. A similar course, notwithstanding a positive 
refusal or denial of having any provisions, procured them a casuela, 
served in a large wooden bowl, with wooden spoons. This is a sort 
of Chilian chowder, with a plentiful supply of garlic, onions, Chili 
pepper, &c, and one of the favourite dishes of the country. In 
