^24 



NOTES ON BRAZIL. 



eighteen years of age, to catch an ox for the supply of the family. We 

 had no dogs nor fire-arms; the leader had his balls carelessly thrown 

 over his Lumbillio, and one other, as well as himself, had a Lasso. 



I was riding near the young man, when a Partridge rose a few yardtj 

 to our left. In an instant his spurs were applied to his horse's side, the 

 balls swinging in his right hand, and he leaning forward in full speed. 

 When the horse had made about twenty springs he discharged the balls, 

 and struck the bird. I marked its fall, and rode up to him, persuaded 

 that he was seeking it a few yards short of the spot. He was obstinate, 

 as we imagined, in his opinion, but he was right ; for, after much search- 

 ing, the bird was found in the midst of some rushes, trodden into the 

 ground by the horse. We strangers could not help expressing our 

 astonishment at the proof which he had given of an accurate eye and a 

 dexterous hand. He received our compliments with great indifference, 

 seeming to tliink that he had done nothing extraordinary ; and his com- 

 panions were evidently of the same opinion. Half civilized men 

 commonly excel in the ruder arts, and almost as commonly despise 

 the more cultivated for their want of adroitness. 



After a ride of three or four miles, on a large open plain, we found 

 about four hundred head of cattle, rode gently round to bring them into 

 a more compact body, and made the animal which was to be chased 

 distinctly known to every individual of the party. Our settled object 

 was to drive him to the house ; and to render the sport as complete as 

 possible, the Lasso was not to be used until there appeared a probability 

 that he would otherwise escape. Some of the people then dashed into 

 the midst of the herd, attentively observing the selected animal. One 

 half of the oxen were thus driven, at once, from the spot, and others, 

 which chose to do so, were pei'mitted to follow without molestation ; 

 but wherever the victim turned, a horseman met him and stopt his 

 career. The work was easy until the remaining group was reduced to 

 about twenty, which then made violent attempts to rejoin their com- 

 rades, and fiercely attacked the huntsmen who intercepted them. In a 

 short time four of them, being hard pressed, plunged into some w^atery 



