HINTS TO TRAVELLERS. 281 



they have no idea of being driven, but may be 

 led very easily ; but as to bribery, (that being 

 a vice which has not yet crept amongst the sim- 

 ple gauchos,) had I attempted it, they would not 

 have understood me; and I found from expe- 

 rience, that my cigars carried greater weight 

 with them, in procuring a favour, than all my 

 dollars would have done. There is certainly a 

 nobleness in these men, far surpassing what a 

 European might imagine. Often have I read in 

 their intelligent countenances, all that their pride 

 would speak, when offered money to do any 

 thing; seeming to say — No ! Pll do it for you, 

 but I won't take your money for it." Should we 

 find more than this in civilized England ? 



Again, when I wanted a good horse, I would 

 take my bridle in my hand to the corral, offer 

 the peon that might be there a paper cigar, and 

 hand him my own, at the same time, to light it 

 from ; then give him my freno," bridle, with the 

 remark, ^^Estoy muy cansado," I am very tired," 

 and it would be quite sufficient; I would be sure to 



