The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1899-03-09

and most important towns are stations OF the
first class, while the mere stopping places,
where no towns exist, are denomlnated sta
tions of the third class.
The time train remains at q station Is
governed by the station agent, who rings a
gong as signal to the conductor when the
time has arrived for the train to leave. The
speed is about 20 miles an hour, and the
management Of the train seemed TO lie sys-
temalic and effective.
Immediately after leaving Rio Grande the
country is very low and fiat, being less than
six feet above the level of the sea. This low
land is a peninsula, and is trayersed by the
railroad for about % miles, until PelO!as Is
reathed, where the railroad crosses the Sac
GoncalO River On this peninsula there are
two third-class stations This is nGt a val
liable section Of the country for any purpose,
as large part of ii is covered with water IN
the wet season. At this time it presented 4
varied appearance, being covered with grass
In some places and water In others, with here
and there short chains OF low white sand
hills, entirely nude of vegetation except at
the base, where clumps OF the most beautiful
cacti were to be seen growing Some cacti
reach The hight of ID feet and were in bloom,
their beautiful colors contE sting strangely
with the white background Of the sand-hills.
Pelotas is a prosperous city Of 20 600 people.
1t Is the chief cattle market, and the center
of the xGrqae or dried-beef industry of this
section of Brazil After leaving this place
We began TO enter the interior, the line OF
road extending westward close to the Pirat-
my River for quite distance; thence along
the heads of the tributary streams 10 the
.jaguarao River, and finally short distance
before il reaches Bage it passes from the
basin which is discharged into the Lakes
Mirino and Patos on the east 10 the one dis
charging into the Uruguay River on the west,
and strikes the headwaters OF the River
Negro. The country is a treeless plain, with
the exception OF some small trees and bushes
growing along the streams and few scat
tered palms.
Grass grows everywhere. The entire coun-
try Is one vast pasture range, on which large
herds OF cattle are TO be seen grazing in
whatever direction the eye may turn. Some
herds are tended by herders. while others are
within large fields surrounded by wire
fence. These large tracts of land devoted
TO grazing are called esfaHcios. and the
owners estanceirOS, q free, hospitable and
courteous people. They aIe born horsemen,
and are constantly in the saddle, going about
the country at a fast gallon, with their Ioose-
flowing poachos streaming in the wind as
they ride. They are to he seen at every
station, with their jingling spurs, silver
mounted saddles and brides. They dress in
loose trousers, and wear colored sashes
around the waist, high top boots, and broad
brimmed hats, presenting quite contrast in
appearance to the dress of their countrymen
who reside in the towns and cities.
AT noon the train stopped to allow the
passengers TO get dinner at a station called
Ceno Chato, where substantial meal was
served and time given the passengers TO eat
The Brazilian always takes plenty time to
eat his meals, as well as to do eyerything else