THE PAMPAS. 



91 



always endeavoured to get at the history of the 

 huts which were burnt, although I always found 

 that the Gauchos thought very little about it ; and 

 that the story was sometimes altogether in oblivion, 

 before time had crumbled into dust the tottering 

 mud walls which were the monuments of such 

 dreadful cruelties. 



It appears that the Pampas Indians, who, in 

 spite of their ferocity, are a very brave and hand- 

 some race of men, occasionally invade " los Cris- 

 tianos," as the Gauchos always term themselves, 

 for two objects — to steal cattle, and for the plea- 

 sure of murdering the people ; and that they will 

 even leave the cattle to massacre their enemies. 



In invading the country, they generally ride all 

 night, and hide themselves on the ground during 

 the day ; or, if they do travel, crouch almost 

 under the bellies of their horses, who by this means 

 appear to be dismounted and at liberty. They 

 usually approach the huts at night at a full gal- 

 lop, with their usual shriek, striking their mouths 

 with their hands — and this cry, which is to inti- 

 midate their enemies, is continued through the 

 whole of the dreadful operation. 



