ARRIVAL AT A POST-HUT. 159 



horse. There will be some, but no great 

 variation in the expense, in the different pro- 

 vinces through which we have to pass. 



Soon after the abovenamed adventure, a 

 severe thunderstorm wetted us to the skin. 

 During the continuance of it we passed through 

 a straggling village, called Luxan, — which in- 

 cludes a churchy and some pulperias, or eating 

 and drinking shops. These places were full of 

 half-drunken gauchos, who amused themselves 

 as we went by, in hooting at us, and quizzing 

 our appearance. I was not surprised at their 

 merriment ; for the truth is that our costume 

 was somewhat ridiculous, and made us appear 

 more like " half horse, half alligator/* than like 

 gauchos. 



Here w r e are at a post-hut, waiting for the 

 horses which some gauchos are in the act of 

 lassoing for us in the coral. The sun has quite 



