114 



THE PAMPAS INDIANS* 



tlieir horses^ and they then instantly move to a 

 more verdant spot. They have neither bread, fruit, 

 nor vegetables, but they subsist entirely on the flesh 

 of their mares, which they never ride ; and the only 

 luxury in which they indulge, is that of washing 

 their hair in mare's blood. 



The occupation of their lives is war, which they 

 consider is their noble and most natural employ- 

 ment ; and they declare that the proudest attitude of 

 the human figure is when, bending over his horse, 

 man is riding at his enemy. The principal weapon 

 which they use is a spear eighteen feet long ; they 

 manage it with great dexterity, and are able to give 

 it a tremulous motion which has often shaken the 

 sword from the hand of their European adversaries. 



From being constantly on horseback, the Indians 

 can scarely walk. This may seem singular, but 

 from their infancy they are unaccustomed to it. 

 Living in a boundless plain, it may easily be con- 

 ceived, that all their occupations and amusements 

 must necessarily be on horseback, and from riding 

 so many hours the legs become weak, which natu- 

 rally gives a disinclination to an exertion which 

 every day becomes more fatiguing ; besides, the 



