s of that
microscope, and insinuations were made to the owner that it would be a
pity to take such a beautiful pocket instrument back to Europe, in case
any accident should happen to the boat during the voyage, and the
microscope be lost.

The Delineator and The Wild Man appeared to be the chief favourites for
the prize, and knowing the acquisitive propensities of The Chaperon, all
were surprised to note his passiveness during the competition; however,
he explained his inertia by saying that his sleep had been disturbed by
visions for which no microscope was needed. He offered to sketch what he
had seen, but could give no more definite description in words than
"figures on the blind" and "streaming hair," so he was left alone to
recover his nerve. The Jehu then pointed out that his prophecy had
proved correct, and the misty rain had blown off, leaving a clear sky
and fine weather, so a start was made _en masse_ for the scene of the
ploughing operations. A slight lameness on the part of one of the steeds
made it necessary for the smaller coach to return for change of animals
after a few hundred yards. The Wild Man occupied the few minutes of this
delay to the best possible advantage. The owner of the house and
chattels was away, and The Wild Man, stimulated by The Chaperon made a
very productive tour of the rooms and verandah, resulting in great
satisfaction to himself.

When the coach was ready with fresh horses, and The Wild Man had
satisfied himself that nothing of value had escaped his observation,
another move forward was made, and on arriving at the ground the smaller
party found that the occupants of the first coach were already on the
plough, having ousted the colonists for the time being. This plough was
working on rough virgin ground, turning over more land in one hour than
two men and four horses can do in England in a whole day. Each member of
the party took their turn on the plough, and enjoyed the pleasure
derived from turning over the untouched soil, and of feeling that they
were helping to start the development of Nature's truest source of
wealth. The engine was drawing twenty disc-ploughs, and could plough
twenty-eight to thirty acres of land a day, week in and week out.

Until recent years land in the Argentine Republic has been ploughed in
small areas by animal labour, the farmer or colonist often employing the
members of his family to assist him, and thus saving expense. Owing,
however, to the imme