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108 THREE YEARS IN THE PACIFIC. 



the rains had been backward, we anticipated that the roads 

 would be good. 



The usual mode of travelling is in a gig. The vehicle used 

 here, differs in nothing from that of the United States, except 

 that the wheels are clumsy, and of a stronger construction. It 

 frequently happens that the gig, from rough treatment, is sadly 

 shattered, and in consequence, almost covered with thongs of 

 hide, running in different directions, to keep it from tumbling 

 to pieces. The one selected for our journey, had a neat green 

 body, hung low, with a gilt wreath running round the panels; 

 the top was broad, and hung forward so much, that it afforded 

 us ample protection both from sun and rain. 



The gear of the team is rather peculiar. The horse, placed 

 in the shafts, is harnessed in the ordinary manner, with the 

 exception of having a short leading rein, held by a postillion, 

 who rides a horse attached on the left side by a swingle-tree. 

 His saddle, like all those of the country, rises high before and 

 behind, affording a secure seat, and is composed of several 

 pieces ; first, a rough wooden tree is put on over two or three 

 back-cloths, and then as many "pillons," or sheep skins dress- 

 ed with the wool on, and dyed of various colors, are placed 

 over it. The whole is secured by a girth, made of a dozen thin 

 strips of hide worked into large rings at each end, and attached 

 to the saddle by similar thongs. The stirrups are pyramidal 

 shaped blocks of wood, carved in some curious pattern, and 

 sometimes ornamented with plates of silver, having holes on 

 one side to accommodate the feet. The reins are of plaited 

 hide, terminating in a thong six or eight feet in length, which 

 answers all the purposes of a whip. The bit is very powerful, 

 and capable of controlling the most vicious horse. At the sad- 

 dle-bow is carried a long knife, used both for feeding and de- 

 fence ; the *<lazo," or noose of hide, without which the horse- 

 man would be frequently at a loss, is carried behind. The pos- 

 tillions wear straw hats, over Madras or silk handkerchiefs 

 knotted about the head, the ends hanging down behind. A 

 short jacket, coarse pantaloons, betas, great spurs, and the 

 poncho, sometimes knotted carelessly round the waist, or hang- 



