Ch.V. south AMERICA. 243 



fit arifes from the hide, the tallow, and the grafTa, 

 a fufficient proof of their prodigious fatnefs when 

 killed. But an idea of the fertility of this country- 

 may be beft formed from the value of a live beaft, 

 which, when fit to be killed, may be purchafcd for 

 four dollars ; a price vaftly beneath that in any other 

 part of India; and may be fufficient to remove the 

 unjuft reproach of the poverty of this province. For 

 "were the induftry of the people equal to the fertility of 

 the foil, this kingdom would be the moft opulent of 

 any in America. 



The manner of flaughtering the beafts render 

 it a favourable diverfion to the perfons employed in 

 performing it, and it muft be owned that their 

 dexterity is really furprizing. The cattle intended 

 to be killed are drove into an inclofure. At the 

 gate are the Guafos on horfeback with their fpears 

 two or three toifes in length, and at one end a 

 very fliarp piece of fleel in the form of a half 

 moon, the points of which are about a foot diftant 

 from each other. Every thing being ready, the gate 

 of the inclofure is opened, and a beaft turned out, 

 which naturally betakes itfelf fo Plight, but is im- 

 mediately purfued by a Guafo, who without check- 

 ing his horfe hamflrings it in one leg, and then 

 immediately in the other. He then alights, and 

 haviiag difp»tched his capture, fkins it, takes out 

 the tallow, the fat for the GralTa, and cuts up the 

 flefh for faking and drying. This done he wraps up 

 the tallow in the hide, and loading it on his horfe^ 

 carries it to the farm ^ returning again for the flelhi. 

 After this he fets out on another expedition. Some- 

 times they turn out at once as many beafts as there 

 are Guafos ready to kill ihem. And this is the daily 

 exercife till all the cattle appointed for that year's 

 flaughter are difpatched. An European is furprized 

 not only at their dexterity in hamftringing the beaft, 

 when both are on full fpeed, but alfo lee one man 



R 2 ' alone 



