THE PAMPAS. 



75 



was also entangled in the sheep-skin which was 

 above my saddle — saw by the panting of the 

 horse's flank and nostrils that he was too tired to 

 be off with me. Mounted and cantered him till 

 he fell down on my other leg, and I was then lame 

 on both legs — overtook a boy driving some loose 

 horses — took one of them, and my horse was driven 

 among the flock, until we came to the post. Post- 

 master very kind, and ordered a Gaucho to give 

 me an easy-going horse, as both my legs hurt me 

 very much — started with a boy, but our horses 

 were done up before we got to San Luis — obliged 

 to walk part of the distance, and then by kicking 

 and spurring got into San Luis just as the sun 

 set. — See description of the post-house and town of 

 San Luis. 



At San Luis was advised by groups of 

 people, Hot to go on by myself, as the courier and 

 postilion (from Buenos Aires), with their horses 

 and a dog, had just been found on the road with 

 their throats cut — advised to join the courier who 

 was just setting out for Buenos Aires. Accord- 

 ingly, next morning started with the courier and 

 three peons as guards, all armed with old pistols 



