148 A SINGULAR CORTEGE. 



same influence myself, and ceased to moralize 

 and repent. 



All the servants in the quinta, and some 

 strangers besides, had assembled in the yard, to 

 see us start ; and no doubt the scene was lively 

 and grotesque enough. Three baggage-horses, 

 very difficult to be loaded, from the length of 

 the tent-poles, which could not be set right ; 

 my servant, the Patagonian guide, the postilion, 

 Dr. M — — , and myself; these were the sum- 

 total of the travelling party ; and for a mile or 



two we were accompanied by Dr. L , and 



another gentleman, who both enjoyed exceed- 

 ingly our getting under way, and our fanciful 

 rigging. Great straw hats, lashed on with 

 white handkerchiefs, to keep the sun off ; white 

 ponchos ; pistols, a small double short-barrel 

 gun, and a sword ; great white leather boots, 

 and prodigious spurs ; a long moustache, and 



