You told me in your letters, Hardy, that the young people could all
ride. I have horses in any number, and have got in two very quiet
ones, with side-saddles, which I borrowed from some neighbors for
your girls; but if they prefer it, they can ride in the trap with
Mrs. Hardy."
"Oh, no, please," Maud said; "I had much rather ride."
Ethel said nothing, and her mamma saw that she would rather go with
her. Accordingly, Mrs. Hardy, Ethel. Sarah, and some of the lighter
bags were packed into a light carriage, Mr. Thompson himself taking
the reins, as he said he could not trust them to any one but
himself. Mr. Hardy, the boys, and Maud mounted the horses prepared
for them, and two of Mr. Thompson's men stowed the heavier trunks
into a bullock cart, which was to start at once, but which would
not reach the estancia until late at night.
As the party rode through the town they were struck with the
narrowness and straightness of the streets, and at the generally
European look of everything; and Mr. Thompson told them that nearly
half the population of Buenos Ayres are European. The number of
people upon horseback also surprised our young travelers; but
horses cost only thirty shillings or two pounds, and grass is so
abundant that the expense of their food is next to nothing;
consequently every one rides--even shepherds look after their sheep
on horseback.
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