42 DESCRIPTION OF A GAUCHO'S FAMILY. 



We completed twenty-two leagues this day^ and 

 slept at the post of La Cruz. 



26 jf^. Was a bitter cold morning, thermome- 

 ter at 34% with the well-known pampero or S W. 

 wind blowing ; at twelve leagues from this post^ 

 after crossing the river Arricife^ we arrived at 

 the post of the same name ; there is a deep en- 

 trenchment dug round it, and a wall of mud^ 

 six feet high, as a protection against the incur- 

 sions of the Indians : the owner was the stoutest 

 man J ever saw in my life, a complete merry 

 John Bull; he possesses much land and cattle, 

 and is very rich. Passing through the same 

 dreary flat country, leaving the village of Arri- 

 cife on the left^ which consists of eighteen or 

 twenty mud huts^ we changed horses at Ponte- 

 zeulas, six leagues, and arrived at Las Manan- 

 tiales^ or the Springs, five leagues, where^ not 

 being able to get a further relay of horses, (being 

 sunset,) we were obliged to remain for the night. 

 This is not a regular post-house,* but oor laugh- 



Not liriving a post-room. 



