THE PAMPAS. 



229 



Feb, 5. — We had a stage of forty-five miles 

 to perform before bedtime, and the sun had 

 already set before we got on our horses. I 

 mounted here, for the first time, a restive 

 horse. He kicked violently, and refused to start 

 until he felt the length of my heavy spurs in 

 his sides ; upon which he gave up the contest, 

 and proceeded with a tolerably good grace. I 

 thought the brute entirely subdued, and had 

 made up my mind that he intended to go 

 quietly the rest of the way ; but having several 

 times occasion to dismount and adjust the 

 saddle, his ill-humour as often returned, and I 

 had each time to conquer his rebellion. I men- 

 tion this incident only from its being a re- 

 markable exception to the general character of 

 the horses; for it certainly afforded me no 

 amusement, though it did to every body else. 



This stage was so long, that in spite of the 



