Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1892-07-23

his principal amuSemcntS are tanning
ferocious colts and lassoing dogs and
birds.
In many instances the gaucho traces
descent from prominent Spanish fam
lilies. Their wild lives on the pampas,
however, separate them from the civ
ilization which exists in the South
American republics. Their religious
tendencies are strong, and in almost
every gaucho hut may be found a
small image or picture given to the
owner by one of the priests of Mendoza
or Cordoba.
Gauchos will carry their offs spring
for miles across the pampas, and face
the dreaded pampero or cyclone of the
plains, in order to have their little
ones formally baptized. In like man
ner they will carry their dead strapped
across a horse for burial in consecrated
ground.
Sir Francis Head, famous traveller,
who spent a great deal of time among
them, pays tribute to their genuiue
hospitality. In the summer time,
when their huts are infested with ileas
and binchuehas or bugs rs big as black
beetles, the entire family sleep on the
grass in front OF their hut.
When a traveller arrives at a gaHcho
habitaton after bedtime the custom
is for him to throw his saddle, or reca-
do, next to one of the sleepers. All
that he can see is a lot of bare feet and
ankles The guests supper is cooked
on big iron spit, and he is cordially
invited to seat himself on the skeleton
Of horses head to enjoy it. The
members of the family sit around on
similar stools and, with long knives,
cut large mouthfuls from the roasted
hauucn.
The hut is lighted by ii lamp made
of bullOck's tallow and the visitor can
see his brides, spurs and lassDs hun 9
from pegs of bones on the walls. The
free and easy life seems to agree with
the children. who are plump, good
natured and black-eyed.
They do not bother their heads
much about clothing, and playfully
fight while they eat. Meanwhile, the
fow,, perched in a corner, looks down
upon the diners. The gaucho never
turns a wayfarer away from his hum
bic hat, and is open-handed in his
hospitality. His endurance is wonder
full. He will ride thirty leagues a day
without showing fatigue, and will
brand cattle from sunrise to sunset
without eating mouthful of food.
Occasionally after nightfall he viii
ride to some lonely pulperia or drink
ing shop, to pass away few hours
with boon companions Music and
dancing are always furnished by the
proprietor, 1t is at these fandangoes
that a hot word or jealous look will
bring two gauchos face to face with
the eyer-ready knife drawn. When
these dances are most unrestrainsd it
is not unusual for two swarthy rivals
TO sing verses about each other to the
accompaniment of a guitar, while a
crowd of their companions form a
circle around the wall of the drinking
place.
The spectators vigorously applaud
each hit made by the contestants as
verse follows verse. The singers drink
cana, alive wine, until it affects
one of EN- so much that he resorts
to bite taunts, which are replied to
in the same spirit. The inevitable
row follows. Each rival draws his
knife. 1t is then war 70 the death.
And some friend of the one who is
killed carries the dead man, strapped
to his horses back, across the pampas
to his late home
The gaucho dearly loves has horse.
When he wants to mount he places one
end Of his lance on the ground beside
the animal, catches the weapon with
one baud at a point above his head,
and with a deyterous spring seats him
self securely on his horses back. He
will clutch the main of a galloping
steed and land on his back with the
ease Of an acrobat.
Every once in a while the pampas
Indians swoop down on the gaucho
huts in the absence Of the owners, set
fire to the stockades, and massacre the
women and children. When the gau-
chos return they organize a hunt for
vengeance, and in turn spare not the
Indian women or children.
The country oven which the gaucho
holds sway is made up of groves of
palms of countless species, miles of
clover and cacti, towering thistles and
flowers Of great beauty and infinite
variety. Above is a soft sky, and the
atmosphere is SO pure that malaria is
unknown.