280 



HINTS TO TRAVELLERS. 



can alone influence them to do what he wants. 

 As to bribery, they have no idea what it means, 

 and do not understand it. A man will gain their 

 goodwill much more by a timely present of a few 

 cigars, than he would by offering them four or 

 five dollars. Frequently, after a hard day^s ride^ 

 have I arrived at a post, ravenous for the want 

 of something to eat, not having (which was fre- 

 quently the case) tasted food for the whole day ; 

 and, to my mortification, in answer to all my en- 

 quiries for what was to be had, received the mo- 

 notonous, appalling answer of No hay, Senor/^ 

 there is nothing. It would be uttered with that de- 

 gree of non-chalance sufficient to vex any man, par- 

 ticularly when he is hungry and tired ; but I knew 

 my alternative, and would sit quietly for a quarter 

 of an hour or so, enter into conversation with the 

 gaucho, give him all the news, present a few 

 cigars to his family, then slip out — " Senor, tengo, 

 mucha hambre," '^I am very hungry," and all 

 would be settled ; if there really was any thing 

 to be had, I would be sure to get it. The fact is. 



