THE PAMPAS. 



213 



an ordinary English sportsman might have 

 charged without any scruple ; but it appears 

 that the Indians are unacquainted with the art 

 of leaping; although in their flat plains they 

 cannot be excelled in other feats of horse- 

 manship. We found a body of lancers here ; 

 but they were ill equipped, and looked half- 

 starved. I should not have felt much more 

 secure for their presence in the village, and I 

 doubt if they had the least intention of risking 

 a conflict with the Indians outside the walls. 



The post-hut was further on, and close to a 

 wood of fig-trees. When we galloped up to it 

 nobody was to be seen ; but by the time we 

 had dismounted, several people, including the 

 postmaster, emerged from the recesses of the 

 wood, after having assured themselves that we 

 were not Indians, by sundry peeps at us through 

 the thickets where they had sought refuge on 



