252 



FALKLAND ISLANDS. 



March, 1834. 



the Gauchos, who have from infancy almost lived on horse- 

 back, say that, under similar circumstances, they always 

 suffer. St. Jago told me, that having been confined for three 

 months by illness, he went out hunting wild cattle, and in 

 consequence, for the next two days, his thighs were so stiff 

 that he was obliged to lie in bed. This shows that the 

 Gauchos, although they do not appear to do so, yet really 

 must exert much muscular effort in riding. The hunting wild 

 cattle, in a country so difficult to pass as this is on account 

 of the swampy ground, must be very hard work. The Gau- 

 chos say they often pass at full speed over ground which would 

 be impassable at a slower pace ; in the same manner as a man 

 is able to skate across thin ice. When hunting, the party en- 

 deavours to get as close as possible to the herd without being 

 discovered. Each man carries four or five pair of the bolas ; 

 these he throws one after the other at as many cattle, which, 

 when once entangled, are left for some days, till they become 

 a little exhausted by hunger and struggling. They are then 

 let free and driven towards a small herd of tame animals, 

 which have been brought to the spot on purpose. From 

 their previous treatment, being too much terrified to leave 

 the herd, they are easily driven, if their strength lasts out, to 

 the settlement. 



The weather continued so very bad, that we deter- 

 mined to make a push, and try to reach the vessel before 

 night. From the quantity of rain which had fallen, the sur- 

 face of the whole country was swampy. I suppose my horse 

 fell at least a dozen times, and sometimes the whole six were 

 floundering in the mud together. All the little streams are 

 bordered by soft peat, which makes it very difficult for the 

 horses to leap them without falling. To complete our dis- 

 comforts, we were obhged to cross the head of a creek, in 

 which the water was as high as the backs of the horses, and 

 the little waves, owing to the violence of the wind, broke 

 over us, and made us very wet and cold. Even the iron- 

 framed Gauchos professed themselves glad when they 

 reached the settlement, after our little excursion. 



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