The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-06-14

westward, on the same shore of New Bay,
the Argentine Government once tried to
strike water by driving, but gave it up at
the depth of 100 meters. South of the Chu-
but, at Atlas Point, there are also wells, but
along the coast there are not many more
watering spots except at the rivers. Inland
are a few lakes. The mud puddles give the
main supply.
We slept one night on bed of sand, loan
and calcareOus matter, with innumerable
fieas springing over us. have soiourned on
the coast of the Brazilian province of Rio
Grande do Sui, where the soil is composed of
naught but fine, white, dry sand, and vet
even there the fleas, thick as they are, cannot
approach in numbers those of the eastern
side of middle Patagonia.
Early In the morning we were ready for
the chase 1t is interesting to contrast the
eauchos saddle gear with the slender outfits
of the Welshmen. He first puts on the
horses back two pieces of wood, about 20
inches long. that fit into the hollows by the
horses backbone. They are held together
by thongs aud bound down by surcingle.
Over these he puts blankets and skins to a
number seemingly limited only by his
wealth. There may be as many as eight or
ten, and over this mass he passes another
broad surcingle. On top Of the whole he SITS
rather than straddles, not altogether unlike
the manner IN which one sits on a camel's
back. AT night his saddle is unstrapped and
becomes his bed.
When we were all in the saddle-or its sub
stitute-we spread out somewhat and moved
obliquely in the direction of the river where,
we conjectured, our game had been to drink
Before long we sighted two guanacos on their
way back TO the camp to Craze. The dogs
and horses saw them too, and we were off
1t was straight-away gallop, our horses
straining every nerve aud muscle to the ut
most. We lost sight of the feet creatures,
but deserted them again from slight eleva-
ton running in another direction. We were
thus able to ride over shorter leg of the
triangle than the one they trayersed. Pres
emily we succeeded in coming well up on
the fleeing animals But again they drew
away, and again we headed them off by go
ing down the steep side of q ravine. Here
the horses had little foothoId. The loose
soil slid from under their feet so rapidly
that they were compelled to abandon loco
motion Of their own. With legs spread out
and the riders leaning well toward the hill
side TO assist In maintaining an upright
position they reached the bottom as part of
small avalanche. By manuvers of this
character we gained ground on the much
fatigued game, and, though our horses were
blown, we at last oyerhauled the pair. mo-
ment later first one and then another native
swung the fatal bolas. The animals fell
with their legs bound fast, and the long, ex-
hausting chase ended.
The bolas is peculiar weapon. Heavy
balls, half as large as ones fists, are fastened
one TO either end of a leather thong. Some
times the bolas has three balls-two lighter
ones attached one to either end of short
thong and heavier ball to one end of q
longer thong, the other end of which joins
the middle of the shorter thong. When
sufficient impetus has been gained by twrl-
ing these balls about the head they are let
20 to Irvine about the legs of whatever they
may have been properly directed at
Whoever desires to experiment with these
weapons would do well to ride horse that
will keep his head down and out of the way.
For his own sake he would act wisely in
practicing on foot for time, since his first
attempts are apt 10 involve him very much.