OF THE PAMPAS. 



19 



the ponchos, and I afterwards found that many other 

 persons, as well some as hens sitting upon eggs, 

 were also in the hut. In sleeping in these huts, 

 the cock has often hopped upon my back to crow 

 in the morning ; however, as soon as it is daylight, 

 everybody gets up. 



The life of the Gaucho is very interesting, and 

 resembles that beautiful description which Horace 

 gives of the progress of a young eagle: — 



Ollm juventas et patrius vigor 

 Nido laborum propulit inscium, 

 Vernique jam nimbis rernotis 

 Insolitos docu^re nisus 

 Venti paventem; mox in ovilia 

 Demisit hostem vividus impetus, 

 Nunc in reluctantes dracones 

 Egit amor dapis, atque pugnse. 



Born in the rude hut, the infant Gaucho receives 

 little attention, but is left to swing from the roof 

 in a bullock's hide, the corners of which are drawn 

 towards each other by four strips of hide. In the 

 first year of his life he crawls about without clothes, 

 and I have more than once seen a mother give a 

 child of this age a sharp knife, a foot long, to play 

 with. As soon as he walks, his infantine amuse- 



C 2 



