May 182T. 



' TOLDOS ' TOME. 



93 



farther back there was a luxuriant growth of grass, affording 

 rich and plentiful pasture for the horses, among which we 

 observed several mares in foal, and colts feeding and frisking 

 by the side of their dams : the scene was lively and pleasing, 

 and, for the moment, reminded me of distant climes, and days 

 gone by. 



The ' toldos** are all alike. In form they are rectangular, 

 about ten or twelve feet long, ten deep, seven feet high in 

 front, and six feet in the rear. The frame of the building is 

 formed by poles stuck in the ground, having forked tops to 

 hold cross pieces, on which are laid poles for rafters, to sup- 

 port the covering, which is made of skins of animals sewn 

 together so as to be almost impervious to rain or wind. The 

 posts and rafters, which are not easily procured, are carried 

 from place to place in all their travelling excursions. Having 

 reached their bivouac, and marked out a place with due regard 

 to shelter from the wind, they dig holes with an iron bar or 

 piece of pointed hard wood, to receive the posts ; and all the 

 frame and covpr being ready, it takes but a short time to erect 

 a dwelling. Their goods and furniture are placed on horse- 

 back under the charge of the females, who are mounted aloft 

 upon them. The men carry nothing but the lasso and bolas, to 

 be ready for the capture of animals, or for defence. 



Marians toldo was nearly in the middle, and next to it was 

 her brother's. All the huts seemed well stored with skins and 

 provisions, the former being rolled up and placed at the back, 

 and the latter suspended from the supporters of the roof ; the 

 greater part was in that state well known in South America 

 by the name of charque (jerked beef) ; but this was princi- 

 pally horse-flesh, which these people esteem superior to other 

 food. The fresh meat was almost all guanaco. The only 

 vessels they use for carrying water are bladders, and suffi- 

 ciently disagreeable substitutes for drinking utensils they 

 make : the Fuegian baslcet, although sometimes dirty, is less 

 offensive. 



About two hundred yards from the village the tomb was 

 erected, to which, while Maria was arranging her skins and 



