The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-07-12

outpost OF civilization In The sout, of the Argentine
Confederation.
favihe "aterei ny u turbid river from the noun
tains feginentof cavalry occupies a substantial
LOT, I.o when sne inhabitaats are sometimes com
peeu 10 Jake refuge from the Indians, who come m
large numbers nom the south to steal cattle and
oommia otner depredatiOns. Early yesterday morn
ing the Colonel Commanding despatched an officer
two leagues to prepare for a grand ostrich chase
ana an nour later, after taking coffee we were en
az ,or .he Pampas where It was said we should
unu game. Our cavacade consisted OF the regi-
mental officers and part of squadron and large
NUMBER OF gentlemen with their servants, all
suite and the officers carried revovers and the others
lassos and bO.nS 1t is unnecessary to enter into any
OF the use OF the lasso but the o3.a IL
ssts oil three thongs of raw hide, about yard long,
small, strong and flexible, united at one end,
anu each having at the otner extremity a round
stone about the size OF turkeys egg nclOsed In
thln rawhide covering. The hOrseman takes one OF
these stones In his right hand gathers up the thong
until he start the bOla whirling above his head
and when 1t has attained sufficient velocity lets go In
manner that sends the bO,o revolving horizontally
through the air, like three-spoked wheel. One
hundred yards Is not considered too Oug distance
for man on horseback to throw at an object, and
although the pursued and pursuer may be running
AT full speed the 0Od seldom fails OF winding round
the animal and stopping its flight. As were
riding to the hunting ground large white heron
rose from the river bank and crossed the road about
nity yards ahead or our column, dying some thirty
feet high. heard a horse galop up behind me- some
thing WINGED over our heads, and the bOld Of one
round and round its body and wings bringing Ii
helpless to the ground. These things are used also
Ia taxing wild horses and cattle; but for such pur-
poses wooden balls instead OF stones are used,
not to lnJure the animals limbs. | have seen wild
morse mat was frantcay gaoping OF caught around
the legs at the first throw of the OOia and after
fruitleSs attempt Kick loose fall down completely
entanged by the thongs.
On reaching the vicinity of the ostrich fields we
stopped Tor breakfast at a gauchO'S hut, which the
officer sent out earlier had arranged for u.s. young
heiier was roasting In the skin on a large bed OF
niuWlns Goals anu was soon served 10 the group,
VINO seated themselves on dried skins and pitched in
every one for himself. Each had a knife and fork
ana bread, salt and pepper stood close at hand. A
small barrel of wine stood in the midst of the party
from which every one helped himself al
hbttum. and when Justice had been done
the luscious ribs, watermelons peaches and a
variety OF South American fruits were produced.
me hunt was commenced about nine O'Clock by
the party all forming In semi-crce, the Minister
and suite IN the centre and officers and stretch
ing to the right and left, with intervals of one hun
dred yards. As we slowly advanced the line was
directed by the sound of the bugle, and we be-
gun TO beat up game. The hunting ground was
nothing more than vast sandy plain level as far as
the eye could reach and covered with low thorn
bushes. small animal, with habits something like
the prairie dog OF the West burrows in the sand ana
makes ugly holes for the horses to break into; but
practsed rider need not have much fear If his
morse does go entirely down the sand IL fine and
sou tat the worst injury TO be apprehended Is torn
clothing and severe scratching in the th0rns. The
rider can look well across the country, and In most
places the thOrns scattered that no
animal can pass at a distance OF hundred yards
without being seen. We had advanced about mile,
driving before foxes, hares and other animals 60
which we paid no attention, when | suddenly heard
shout on the left flank. and saw what at first struck
me as being twenty inch shot with a long handle
gong through the bushes ahead, right across my
front. II person had shouted in my ear with
effect could not have been more sudden on me.
Away went, with half a dozen others, In pursuit;
but the ostrich left us far behind in an insant and
we lost sight OF him until a few moments later,
when he struck the right flank OF our semcircle and
was turned back In the centre again. The hunt now
became exciting. We soon had dozen Ostrches
within our lines, and the bugle was sounded to
close In. The extremites, about two miles apart,
soon united, and AZ we closed up every one had to
be on the alert TO prevent the Ostrches from darling
through the intervals. At length great rush was
made with rev0lvers, lassos and 60tas, and after
nan an nOur or racing shouting and ground and
lofty tumbing, we succeeded In rallyng the party
again with ten splendid Ostriches captured. Three
times the semi-crce was formed and at three O'clock
AFTER having ridden over more than fifty miles we
arrived at camp again with thirty ostrich SKINS seve
raj live young ones and number Of animals picked
These ostriches are about five feet HIGH and during
portion OF the year have very fine pumage though
not equal to the ostrich of Africa. On nearly all the
hacendas a number OF dom0sticated Ostriches are
kept, and we have secured six to take home to the
legation with us on our return.
We left san Rafael In the afternoon, escorted by a
troop Of cavalry armed with breach loading rifles and
struck out the borders OF the Indian country
toward the Planchon Pass fifty leagues distant. Five
leagues from san Rafael we passed the last watering
place that could be depended on, although guide
said that water might be found three leagues further
Unfortunately, however, the trail was lost before
dark, and after wandering about among precipitous
ravines for several hours were compelled 10
bivouac and wait for daylight to show us our posi-
ton. Here l desire to warn all travellers In the
interior Of South America against depending any
thing that guide tells them unless the statements
are substantiated by circumstantal evidence. He
has no idea OF distances, and always tells his en-
ployer what he thinks may be pleasant to
hear, without the slightest regard for veracity.
II he Is fatigued he will magnify the distance
to the regular hating place pretend 20
lose the way on purpose to compel stop and he is
never positive In hts assertions when he Is him.
self uncertain ignorant OF the real condition OF
the route. Next morning. after our annoying ex-
perence In the dark among the guches OF the desert,
we sent out scouts and finally found the trail again.
but animals had not had any water for eighteen
hours and we had forty leagues Of almost barren
plains TO cross. To proceed at once was impossible,
and parties were sent out to look for water. About
eleven O'Clock we found some holes I'm the rocks
half filled with water from the rains Of many
months past and we bivouacked again until four
p NJ, and then set out across the dreary waste pro-
vlded with new guide-a quaint, deaf old man. the
perfect image OF an Arab Just at night we crossed
iali OF wateT but now .. the sun had . dried
inch white scs salt sova TS an G
thousand acres. That night we lost the trail again.
and were forced TO halt untl morning. All next day
we hurried along over the parched pampas, our
animals suffering terribly from want OF drink, and
just at night we struck the base OF the Cordilleras
water and pasture The next day we passed another
formation, ana encamped well up IN the mountains
on the borders Of the guanaco hunting grounds
near the hut OF an Old hunter who for a silk hand
kerchief agreed to accompany US with his dogs three
days Next morning we got out after guanacos
THIS animal Is species OF deer that feeds far up on
the mountain ridges and can only be hunted with
success by those passionaey fond or the chase and
reckless OF danger Armed with Sharp's rifles and
mounted upon hardy mules accustomed to the Cor
deras we climbed to the summit OF lofty chain
and there awaited for the hunters and dogs to drive
the guanacos up from the ravines, where they we're
feeding on the tender grass After firing once
upon the herd they all scatter and every
one then darts away on his mule over rocks down
dizzy declivifies and round perous clifYs, firing
rapidly as the startled animals ny In all directions.
In u few hours we had killed large number The
General shot ten In o few minutes, none of which
were hit at less than two hundred yards. Next day
we went on up 10 the higher peaks In the midst OF
the quarries Here we all turned out, working with
our servants, force OF about dozen, and before
night nearly hundred splendid animals had IA len.
II must not be supposed that u easy shooting. The
hunter Will not get single guanaco unless he be
good shot at long range and shuts his eyes TO the
danger. I shudder when think OF some OF the
I.l.sg.