erage,--water; but, happily, the tastes
of our adventurers were simple.

The Gaucho hut in which they had found shelter was a very humble
dwelling built of mud. It contained only one room, in which the whole
family resided. Like other Gaucho huts--which are nearly all alike--it
was covered with long yellow grass, and bore so strong a resemblance to
the surrounding country, that, at a little distance, it might easily
have been mistaken for a hillock. The kitchen of the establishment was
a detached shed a few yards off. After sunset the hut was lighted by a
feeble lamp, made of bullock's tallow, which brought into strong relief
the bridles, spurs, bolas, and lassos which hung from bone pegs on the
walls. Other objects of interest were revealed by the primitive lamp.
In one corner a large dog lay sleeping. A naked negro child--a sort of
ebony cupid--lay asleep beside it, with its little head pillowed on the
dog's haunch. In another corner a hen was sitting on eggs, while its
companions, guarded by a noble cock, roosted on one of the rafters, and
several children, of ages ranging from four to sixteen, were seated or
standing about awaiting supper. Last, but not least in importance, a
Gaucho infant hung suspended from the rafters in a primitive cradle of
bullock's skin, the corners of which were drawn together by four strips
of hide. The place would have been insufferably close but for the
fortunate circumstance that a number of holes in the dilapidated roof
allowed free ventilation. They also allowed free entrance of rain in
bad weather, but--Gauchos are not particular!

Although indifferent as to appearances, those Gauchos of the Pampas--
many of whom are descendants of the "best" old families in Spain--retain
much of the manners of their forefathers, being hospitable and polite
not only to strangers but to each other.

When supper was ready the great iron spit on which the beef had been
roasted was brought in, and the point of it stuck into the dried mud
floor. The master of the hut then stepped forward with the air of a
hidalgo and offered Lawrence the skeleton of a horse's head to sit upon.
Quashy having been provided with a similar seat, the whole household
drew in their horse-heads, circled round the spit, and, drawing their
long knives, began supper. They meant business. Hunger was the sauce.
Water washed the viands down. There was little conversation, for large
mouthfuls were the order of the evening