TRIBES OF THE GRAN CHACO. 703 



points was invariably entered into. The men greatly exceeded 

 the women in number, in consequence of the unnatural custom 

 prevailing among them of putting to death the female children. 

 Old women acted the part of doctors. 



Their dead were buried outside the doors of their houses, 

 and a considerable time was spent in bewailing their loss. 

 Though they fought bravely with bows and arrows, as well as 

 with spears or clubs, they were of a peaceable disposition, and 

 never made war except in self-defence. 



The great ambition of a Ghaco Indian is to possess a horse, 

 saddle, and gun. Once mounted, he soon becomes a bold 

 rider. 



Their mode of crossing a river is curious. As their canoes 

 cannot carry their animals over, they first drive the horse into 

 the river up to his shoulders in the water, then launch the 

 canoe — after tying the animal's head to the top of the gun- 

 wale — with the children and luggage on board. As the horse's 

 feet are off the ground, he cannot injure the canoe. When 

 travelling, however, without canoes, they form small rafts, into 

 which they put their children ; and lance in hand, and with 

 l;ow and quiver at their backs, they bestride their steeds and 

 tow them across,-— a curious spectacle to witness. 



The children go perfectly naked ; indeed, so do the people 

 generally, except those who come into the settled districts. 

 The women wear their masses of black hair almost covering 

 their heads and shoulders. They dress in a short skirt, with 

 a scarf over the shoulders. " The old women," observed 

 Captain Kennedy, " are terrible to behold, they having all the 

 hard work to do. They even paddle the canoes, while the 

 men and young women sit looking on." 



Their villages consist of rows of wretched hovels. They 



