Ch. IX. S O U T H A M E R I C A. 445- 



the celerity with which thofe of America run over- 

 mountains and precipices. 



The hunting is performed by a great number of 

 people, who are divided into two clafles ; one on horfe- 

 back, the other on foot, who are generally Indians. 

 The bufinefs of the latter is, to rouze the beafi: and 

 that of the others to hunt it. They all, at break of 

 day, repair to the place appointed, which is generally 

 on the fummit of the paramos. Every one brings 

 his greyhound and the horfemen place themfelves on 

 the higheft peaks, whilfl: thofe on foot range about 

 the breaches, making a hideous noife in order to ftart 

 the deer. Thus the company extend themfeves three 

 or four leagues, or more, according to their numbers. 

 On the ftarting of any game, the horfe which firft 

 perceives it fets off ; and the rider, being unable to 

 guide or flop him, purfues the chace fometimes down 

 fuch a fteep flope, that a man on foot, with the great* 

 eft care, could hardly keep his lege ; from thence up 

 a dangerous afcent, or a long fide of a mountain, that 

 a perfon, not ufed to this exercife, would think it ^ 

 much fafer to throw himfelf out of the faddle, than 

 commit his life to the precipitate ardor of the horfe. 

 Thus they continue till they come up with the game, 

 ©r till, after following it four or five leagues, the 

 horfes tire. Thofe in the other ftations, on perceiving 

 one horfe on its fpeed, immediately ftart ; and thus 

 the whole company are foon in motion ; fome haften-. 

 ing to meet the beaft, and others following the chace ; 

 fo that in fuch multitudes it is very feldom his good 

 fortune to efcape. The horfes here do not w^it for 

 the riders to animate them ; they fet forward imme- 

 diately on feeing another on full fpeed on a different 

 mountain, or at the ftiouts of the huntfmen, or cries of 

 the dogs, though at ever fo great a diftance, or even 

 by obferving in a dog the leaft motion that he fcents 

 the game. One fuch circumftance is fufficient fur 

 thefe horfes; and it then becomes prudence in the 



rider 



