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THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 



algarroba tree, which resembles a locust 

 pod. The method of manufacture does 

 not sound attractive, as the squaws masti- 

 cate the beans and expectorate them into 

 an earthen vessel, where the mixture is 

 allowed to ferment in the sun. 



TEN THOUSAND CATTLE IN THE ROUND-UP 



We found the scene of the rodeo to be 

 an open plain with a brushy-banked creek 

 looping about two sides of it. Rodeos 

 had been held here for several years, and 

 the grass was worn away over many 

 acres. Here we were joined by Knut- 

 son's assistant foreman, a Paraguayan, 

 and the latter's six-year-old son, a most 

 interesting little chap. During the rodeo 

 he "rode herd" assiduously, his shrill 

 treble ringing out wherever things were 

 most exciting. Only a few weeks before, 

 when his father had been thrown from 

 his horse and was about to be gored by 

 an angry cow, the boy had saved the 

 man's life by rushing his horse so fiercely 

 against the cow's flank as to knock it 

 completely off its feet. 



A few gauchos were already on hand, 

 guarding some two thousand cattle which 

 had been driven in from the south the 

 night before. Soon, far in the distance 

 we could see a great cloud of dust rising, 

 and we knew that the main herd was ap- 

 proaching. The pillar of dust grew 

 nearer and larger, until at length we 

 could spy the first of the cattle and hear 

 the gauchos in the rear whooping and 

 yelling, as they urged the herd forward. 

 Then we were in the midst of the dust, 

 with wild long-horned cattle all around us. 



It was an hour or more before the last 

 of the herd arrived and was milled into 

 a circle with the others, by which time 

 the total number was nearly ten thousand. 



The exhibition of lassoing which en- 

 sued was well worth the trip. Knutson 

 claims that the gauchos excel the old-time 

 American cowboys at the art of roping, 

 as the latter had better-trained ponies, 

 which enabled them to use a shorter rope, 

 never over sixty feet. 



These gauchos were using seventy-two- 

 foot lassos, and the manner in which they 

 noosed running calves, usually having to 

 throw through narrow openings in the 

 confused, constantly shifting mass of 

 cattle, was marvelous. 



The lassos were all hand-braided from 

 rawhide and were slightly tapered, being 

 heavier at the noose end. They are never 

 oiled, as it would make them too limber, 

 but sometimes, when a steer has been 

 killed and cut open, the coiled lassos are 

 held for a few moments inside the steam- 

 ing body cavity, which serves to stiffen 

 and preserve them. 



As the calves were roped and dragged, 

 stiff-legged and protesting, from the 

 herd, the mother cows became frantic 

 with rage. They will not bother a man 

 on horseback, but will instantly attack- 

 one if on foot. A fat old bull which had 

 been gored in a fight caused the most 

 trouble, and finally had to be held down 

 by three lassos, each with a cow pony 

 straining at the end. 



Finally all the cattle had been inspected, 

 the gauchos drove them off in small 

 bands, and soon the plain was deserted 

 for another year. Knutson and I rode 

 slowly back to the ranch and a much- 

 belated lunch, and the next day returned 

 to Puerto Pinasco through a hot, muggy 

 rain. There I bade him farewell and 

 embarked on the long journey down river 

 to Asuncion and Buenos Aires. 



Notice of change of address of your Geographic Magazine should be re- 

 ceived in the office of the National Geographic Society by the first of the month to 

 affect the following month's issue. For instance, if you desire the address changed 

 for your December number, the Society should be notified of your new address not 

 later than November first. 



