228 



JOURNEY ACROSS 



assistance. We had no difficulty in effecting 

 this, the dragoon immediately turning posti- 

 lion ; and we soon arrived at Represa. 



After a long delay at this post for fresh 

 horses, having given up all hopes of recovering 

 the stolen goods, I perceived the swarthy coun- 

 tenance of the young gaucho cantering out of 

 a wood, and making directly for the post-hut, to 

 which he had followed us at a respectful distance. 

 I instantly darted up to him and seized my 

 bridle and sword, which as he readily restored, 

 I could not help coupling the transfer of pro- 

 perty with the expression of an opinion that 

 unless he wished to receive a severe drubbing, 

 if not a more serious punishment for his pranks, 

 from our hasty-tempered dragoon (who had 

 sworn to be revenged upon him), he had better 

 canter back into the wood ; a hint which he 

 took without loss of time. 



