50 



MALDONADO. 



1832-3. 



ing, a larg6 earthenware jug of water served the whole party. 

 Yet this man was the owner of several square miles of land^ 

 of which nearly every acre would produce corn^ and^ with 

 a little trouble_, all the common vegetables. The evening 

 was spent in smoking^ with a little impromptu singings ac- 

 companied by the guitar. The signoritas all sat together in 

 one corner of the room^ and did not sup with the men. 



So many works have been written about these countries^ 

 that it is almost superfluous to describe either the lazo or the 

 bolas. The former consists of a very strong, but thin, well- 

 plaited rope, made of raw hide. One end is attached to the 

 broad surcingle, which fastens together the complicated gear 

 of the recado, or saddle used in the Pampas ; the other 

 is terminated by a small ring of iron or brass, by which 

 a noose can be formed. The Gaucho, when he is going 

 to use the lazo, keeps a small coil in his bridle hand, 

 and in the other holds the running noose, which is made 

 very large, generally having a diameter of about eight 

 feet. This he whirls round his head, and by the dex- 

 terous movement of his wrist keeps the noose open ; then, 

 throwing it, he causes it to fall on any particular spot he 

 chooses. The lazo, when not used, is tied up in a small 

 coii to the after part of the recado. The bolas, or balls, are 

 of two kinds : the simplest, which is chiefly used for catching 

 ostriches, consists of two round stones, covered with leather, 

 and united by a thin plaited thong, about eight feet long. 

 The other kind difi'ers only, in having three balls united by 

 the thongs to a common centre. The Gaucho holds the 

 smallest of the three in his hand, and whirls the other two 

 round and round his head; then, taking aim, sends them 

 like chain shot revolving through the air. The balls no 

 sooner strike any object, than, winding round it, they cross 

 each other, and become firmly hitched. The size and weight 

 of the balls varies, according to the purpose for which they 

 are made: when of stone, although not so large as a big 

 apple, yet they are sent with such force as som_etimes to 

 break the leg even of a horse. I have seen the balls made 



