GAUCHOS GAMBLING. 41 



ceremony. On starting, the vast Pampas lay 

 stretching before us like a smooth sea, with 

 nothing to obstruct the view. After crossing the 

 Puente de Marques, we changed horses at the 

 Canada de Escobar, six leagues, and soon after 

 arrived at the town of Luxan, three leagues 

 further, where we had breakfast at the Fonda or 

 Inn. It was full of Gauchos, all engaged in their 

 evil propensity of gambling. In one room was a 

 billiard-table, where about half a dozen were bet- 

 ting : in the corner of the room we were in, was a 

 card-table, thronged with betters, whose deposits 

 were on the table ; their eager countenances 

 plainly showed the anxiety of mind for the fate 

 of what they had just laid down. I was glad to 

 get away from this scene of uproar, for their 

 irritable dispositions often lead to unpleasant 

 consequences, on the slightest provocation hav- 

 ing immediate recourse to their knives ; so much 

 so, that any Gaucho found in the town of Bue- 

 nos Ayres with his knife about his person^ is 

 subject to a heavy penalty, and imprisonment. 



