154 



CHILI. 



mouth one of the powerful bits of the country, 

 straps a saddle on his back, and, bestriding him, 

 removes the poncho ; upon which, the astonished 

 horse springs on his legs, and endeavours, by a 

 thousand vain efforts, to disencumber himself of 

 his new master, who sits quite composedly on his 

 back ; and, by a discipline which never fails, re- 

 duces the horse to such complete obedience, that 

 he is soon trained to lend his speed and strength 

 in the capture of his wild companions. 



During the recent wars in this country, the 

 lasso was used as a weapon of great power in the 

 hands of these people, who make bold and useful 

 troops, and never fail to dismount cavalry, or to 

 throw down the horses of those who come within 

 their reach. There is a well-authenticated story 

 of a party of eight or ten of them, who had never 

 seen a piece of artillery, till one was fired at them 

 in the streets of Buenos Ayres. Notwithstanding 

 the effect of the fire, they galloped fearlessly up 

 to it, placed their lassos over the cannon, and, by 

 their united strength, fairly overturned it. 



Another anecdote is related of them, which 

 though possible enough, does not rest on such 



