After riding for two hours longer Mr. Hardy consulted the Gauchos
if there were any stream near, but they said that it would be at
least two hours' riding before they reached another, and that that
was a very uncertain supply. Mr. Hardy therefore decided to halt at
once, as the men knew this part of the plain thoroughly, from
hunting ostriches on it, and from frequent expeditions in search of
strayed cattle. They had all lived and hunted at one time or
another with the Indians. Many of the Gauchos take up their abode
permanently with the Indians, being adopted as members of the
tribe, and living and dressing like the Indians themselves. These
visits are generally undertaken to avoid the consequences of some
little difficulty--a man killed in a gambling quarrel, or for
rivalry in love. Sometimes they make their peace again, satisfy the
blood-relations with a bull, secure absolution readily enough by
confession and a gift of a small sum to the Church, and return to
their former life; but as often as not they remain with the
Indians, and even attain to the rank of noted chiefs among them.
The men who accompanied the expedition were all of the former
class. All had taken to the pampas to escape the consequences of
some crime or other, but had grown perfectly sick of it, and had
returned to civilized life.
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