150 



FIRST DAY^S JOURNEY. 



proper order for a long voyage, and our wants 

 would not be all felt, and the remedies sug- 

 gested, until we were fairly off ; so that the 

 first day's cruise was a sort of trial, to know 

 how we were to trim for the rest of the trip. 

 One thing we had determined on, — not to shave 

 until we got to Mendoza ; first as a protection 

 against the sun and wind, and secondly that we 

 might look all the fiercer in the event of meet- 

 ing with any enemies on the road. 



The sun had nearly set when we left the 

 last trace of garden cultivation, which extends 

 several miles from Buenos Ayres, and we at 

 last found ourselves galloping at a good pace 

 on the turfy plain. The baggage-horses were 

 collected and driven in front of us, by our 

 gigantic guide, and a little gaucho postboy. 

 Presently one of the loaded horses fell under 

 his burden, consisting of two flexible hide 



