106 



THE PAMPAS. 



After being in the post-hut a few minutes, I 

 heard a sigh, and looking into the corner from 

 whence it proceeded, I saw an old sick woman 

 lying on the ground. Her head was resting on a 

 horse's skull, close to a great hole in the wall, and 

 when she earnestly asked me if I had any thing 



por remedio," I instantly advised her to move her- 

 self into a warmer corner. She was feverish and ill, 

 and seemed disappointed at the advice I had given 

 her — she did not understand what the hole in the 

 wall could possibly have to do with her illness, and 

 she again asked me if I had any " remedio." 



I had in my waistcoat pocket a little dirty paper 

 parcel of calomel and jalap, which I had promised, 

 much against my will, to carry with me, and which 

 I had already twice carried across the Pampas. I 

 did not exactly know how much there was of it, 

 but I had a great mind to shake a little of it into 

 the old woman's mouth, for I thought (as she had 

 certainly never tasted calomel before) it would pro- 



