"SOON AFTER HIS EAGER QUESTION THEY PASSED A GROUP OF THEM."
He did not have to call on his reserve of patience; indeed, soon after his eager question they passed a group of them, crouched on the ground around a fire of dry thistles, over which hung a can, suspended by wire from a tripod, and which held the water for their morning máte. They arose to their feet as the Colonel galloped past and greeted him with vivas.
"Do they often use those murderous looking knives on each other, Uncle?" asked Francisco; the sight of their weapons having subdued his zeal somewhat. They were rougher looking men in their working clothes than when they came to the city dressed for a lark.
"Seldom, Niño; unless they are intoxicated. They are not very civilized and they have no education whatever. They fairly live on their horses' backs and cannot be persuaded to do any work that must be done outside their saddles."
They were, indeed, fierce in appearance. Their knee-high boots were made of rawhide; they wore no trousers, but a striped blanket held around the waist with a belt, then brought between the legs and fastened again to the belt in front, formed the covering of the lower part of the body. This is called the chirapa and when walking it gives the wearer a bulky appearance, not unlike a Turk.
As these were peon gauchos, or low-class cowboys, they were not so picturesque as the gentleman gaucho, who is entirely different in appearance and character.
The mayor domo rode up to them within the first hour, and his costume was that of the caballero class or gentleman gaucho.
He also wore the chirapa, but it was over long white cotton trousers, the edges of which were embroidered and finished with hand-made lace. Instead of the rawhide belt of the peon gaucho, his was a strip of hogskin doubled, the inside forming a pocket, which was stitched into compartments, these being made secure with clasps made of silver coins; from all of this hung a festoon of coins encircling the entire waist. The large clasp in the front was of solid silver, carved to represent the crest of Argentina. Several knives were thrust through his elaborate belt, and his riding whip was of closely braided rawhide, with a heavy silver handle.
Francisco eyed him curiously, but with evident admiration. This was more to his liking, and he rode between this gentleman of the Pampas and his soldier uncle with great pride. Almost, he was persuaded to be a gaucho, but a side glance at his idolized uncle brought quick repentance to his heart.