March, 1834. 



WILD CATTLE. 



247 



the horse, when left to itself without its rider, did not soon 

 learn, for its own safety, to keep the lazo tight ; so that, if 

 the animal moves forward, the horse moves just as quickly 

 so much away ; otherwise, it stands motionless leaning on 

 one side. This horse, however, was a young one, and 

 would not stand still, but gave in to the cow as she 

 struggled. It was admirable to see with what dexterity St. 

 Jago dodged behind the beast, till at last he contrived to 

 give the fatal touch to the main tendon of the hind leg ; 

 after which, driving his knife into the head of the spinal 

 marrow, the cow dropped as if struck by lightning. He cut 

 off pieces of flesh with the skin to it, but without any 

 bones, sufficient for our expedition. We then rode on to 

 our sleeping-place, and had for supper carne con cuero,^' 

 or meat roasted with the skin on it. This is as superior to 

 common beef, as venison is to mutton. A large circular 

 piece taken from the back, is roasted on the embers with 

 the hide downwards and in the form of a saVcer, so that 

 none of the gravy is lost. If any worthy alderman had 

 supped with us that evening, "carne con cuero,^^ without 

 doubt, would soon have been celebrated in London. 



During the night it rained, and the next day (l7th) was 

 very stormy, with much hail and snow. We rode across 

 the island to the neck of land which joins the Rincon del 

 Toro (the great peninsula at the S.W, extremity) to the rest 

 of the island. From the greater number of cows which have 

 been killed, there is a large proportion of bulls. These wander 

 about by twos and threes, or by themselves, and are very 

 savage. I never saw such magnificent beasts ; they truly re- 

 sembled the ancient sculptures, in which the size of the neck 

 and head is but seldom equalled among tame animals. The 

 young bulls ran away for a short distance, but the old ones 

 did not stir a step, except to rush at man and horse ; and many 

 of the latter have thus been killed. One old bull crossed a 

 boggy stream, and took up his stand on the opposite side to 

 us. We in vain tried to drive him away, and failing, were 

 obliged to make a large circuit. The Gauchos in revenge 



