MODE OF TliAVELLING. 4^ 



The day before we started, the capataz came to 

 me for some money to purchase hides, in order to 

 prepare the carriages in the usual way. The hides 

 were soaked, and then cut into long strips, about 

 three-quarters of an inch broad, and the pole, as 

 also almost all the wood-work of the carriage, were 

 firmly bound with the wet hide, which, when dry, 

 shrunk into a band almost as hard as iron. The 

 spokes of the wheels, and, very much to our asto- 

 nishment, the fellies or the circumference of the 

 wheels were similarly bound, so that they actually 

 travelled on the hide. We all declared it would 

 be cut before it got over the pavement of Buenos 

 Aires, but it went perfectly sound for seven 

 hundred miles, and was then only cut by some 

 sharp granite rocks over which we were obliged to 

 drive. 



With respect to provisions, we were told (truly 

 enough) that there is little to be had on the Pampas 

 but beef and water ; and a quantity of provisions, 

 with cherry brandy, &c. &c., was collected by the 

 party, some of whom, I believe, fancied that I 

 was going to take them, not to El Dorado, but to 



that undiscovered country from Avhich no travel- 



