THE PAMPAS. 



261 



trying to bring their horses back to the corral, 

 which is the most difficult part of their work, for 

 the poor creatures had been so scared there that 

 they are unwilling to return to the place. It was 

 amusing to see the antics of the horses ; they 

 were jumping and dancing in different ways, 

 while the right arms of the Gauchos were seen 

 flogging them. At last they brought the horses 

 back, apparently completely subdued and broken 

 in. The saddles and bridles were taken off, and 

 the young horses immediately trotted towards the 

 corral to join their companions, neighing one to 

 the other. Another set were now brought out, 

 and as the horses were kept out a very short time^ 

 I saw about fort}^ of them mounted. As they 

 returned to the corral it was interesting to see the 

 great contrast which the loss of the mane, and the 

 end of the tail, made between the horses which 

 had commenced their career of servitude, and 

 those which were still free. 



The horses of the Pampas are like the common 

 description of Spanish horse, but rather stronger. 

 They are of all colours, and a great number are 

 pie-bald. When caught, they will always kick at 

 any person who goes behind them ; and it is often 



