Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1871-04-20
HIS PATAGONIAN WIFE.
(Concludcd).

Our preparations occupied nearly {
week but we were in an admirable
condition for the enterprise. We haC
twelve excellent, wcI-brokcn horses
which enabled us to place light bur
den on each, and afforded ample trans
portation for all our goods. had ;
dOuble-barreled shotgun and a very
fine Sharp's rife-the Spencer did no
exist in those days-which, with a pai
Of Colts revolvers, abundance of am
munition, and the two guns Of my at
tendants, induced me to believe on
party fully capable of victorious con
tention against pair of rascally, al
most unarmed, Irdians.
parted with Fairfield with great re
gret. He was a splendid fellow, and
can never feel sufficiently grateful fol
bis repeated acts of kindness. No, ont
cent would he receive for our excellent
outfit, and | promised to write him {
faithful account Of my journey should
get through.
We pushed boldly iuto the Indian ter.
ritory, steering westerly course by
compass, and making about thirty mile.
"A day, although we had no means o
measuring. AT that rate Of progress i
would occupy twenty-seven days to
reach the Chilian Audcs, the distance
being about seven hundred miles
Large bands Of Patagouians frequently
range as far north as the line OF Oul
track, aud scour the plains in chase o.
the cassowary, nutria, aud other game
The skin Of the cassowary is stripped
off entire, tanned with great skill, so as
TO preserve the splendid feathers, whic
are then dyed in many brilliant colors
and finally made up into gorgeous robes
which command high prices. Nuria
skins are also valuable, resembling ON
beaver, and are priced by the indians
who use them for garments. The lama
is also sought for its flesh.
On the afternoon of the fifth day out
our attention was drawn to u large clouC
of dust on the western horizon, aud We
Immediately halted to prevent raising
one of our own; but too late-we hat
already been observed. We soon per.
ceived band Of seventy Indians riding
furiously down upon us, and braudish
ing their spears as they came. They
stretched out into a long liue, which as
sumed a semi circular form as they ad
vanccd, with the evident intention o.
surrounding us. Resistance was out o
the question. To shed drop Of lheil
blood would insure our destruction; sc
we quietly dismouuted, and walking tl
the front | pulled open my shirt bosom
aud waited for the spear thrust which
certainly expected. My two compan
ions were brave men, and they stepped
in front of their horses to meet lhcil
doom. Down came the sNvagcs like at
avalanche, large anl powerfully buil
man, evidently their leader, riding il
the centre, aud coming straight at me
When his lance was within five feet O
my body, he suddenly threw it up, auc
refining his horse back on his launches,
said, in good Spanish: "Who are you
and whence do you Gomez" His follow
ers had also halted, and waited his com
mand. 1--WE are North Americans"
replied, "and come from Bnenos Ayres.
"What are you doing in my country 2
"We were crossing it on our road tc
Chilli" AT this he laughed outright
"You are fools Do you expect tc
reach Chill alive ! The country swarm.
with my warriors, who would certaiul,
kill you all. But where is this Nowl
America you tails abont7" | asked hin
to dismount, which he did, and taking
the point Of my knife, l drew II sort o
map i'll the sand showing him where
my country was, and its position witt
respect to Buenos Ayres. But why
have you come so great a distance
What brought you to Bueuos Ayres
and why are you going to Chili!'
explained TO him that the Bueuos Ayre
ans had some things which we wanted
and that we had. others that they haC
not, together with some slight iuforma
ton relative to commerce. Until thel
| had not observed the approach of {
young girl, probably seventeen years o
age, who had also dismounted, and was
listening with rapt attention. eff you
had been Bueuos Ayreans, would have
killed you" said the chief; "but | have
no quarrel with your people, Take my
advice, and get back as soon as possible.
The girl then spoke with u mos; musica
voice, and said, in CasiIiau "No, ia.
ther, don't send them back, for they are
Likely to meet another band OF our peo.
pie, who will not spare them. They
wish to 90 to Chill, and you know thai
we must soon 90 that way ourselves.