A VOYAGfi TO 



traces were left of the track which they pursued* 

 The herdsman's abode has generally been protected A 

 by poverty, having no dwelling for the greater part, ' 

 but a hut built of clay, or formed of raw hides. The 

 population of the country, may be said to live in the 

 plains and on horseback. A Gaucho, with a piece 

 of roasted beef, (which is almost the only food,) tied 

 to his saddle skirt, is amply provided for several days. 

 Here is a singular contrast, with the vast expense 

 at which the Portuguese are compelled to maintaini 

 their armies, while Artigas, is able to purchase, withi 

 a few hides collected from the people, the arms and 

 ammunition which he may require. 



1 cannot see how it is possible for the Portuguese 

 to make any further progress in the conquest of this 

 country, than that which they have already made. 

 What difference is there between a march of fifty thou- 

 sand men and one thousand, over this desert waste? 

 The mildness of the climate is such, that the natives! 

 can live in the open air the whole year round; and the! 

 immense herds which roam through the country, fur- 1 

 nish them with ample means of subsistence; at the! 

 same time that the parties which continually hover| 

 round the march of their enemies, deprive them of| 

 this resource; they may succeed in breaking up the 

 towns on the river La Plata, such as Maldonado, 

 Monte Video, Colonia, together with villages on the 

 Uruguay, Rio Negro, &c. but many years must roll 

 away before they become peaceably possessed of this 

 country so as to establish colonies. 



To those who have lived on the borders of New 

 Spain, and have seen the Waehinangosj a description 

 of the Gaucho is scarcely necessary, except that he is 



