Roughriders of the Pampas: A Tale of Ranch Life in South America

by F. S. Brereton

"There are some fifteen thousand beasts," was the answer to his enquiry on that point, "and for six weeks now the gauchos have been busy branding the calves. Of course we make no attempt to keep stray animals from making out of the rancho, for that would be a hopeless task. Certain men are always stationed on the borders, and if they see a herd on the point of leaving they turn them back. The single ones, and occasionally a score or more of beasts, wander at night, when they have been disturbed by some unusual noise, and they, of course, are lost. Perhaps they stray back again, or others come from the neighboring rancho. In any case such a loss is nothing. There is always a small exchange of beasts going on at the borders."

"But supposing branded animals stray?" asked Dudley. "What happens to them?"

"That depends on the neighbors who find them," was the answer. "Due west of us there is merely open pampas, with no living owner, and there I keep a very particular watch, for Indians hold the country. Elsewhere branded beasts which wander are driven back when it is convenient, while my gauchos do the same with neighbors' animals. In the end we are all satisfied, and of course the knowledge that beasts will stray makes us extra careful about the branding. I am making for the far western corner of the rancho, where there is a big herd surrounded by gauchos, and where branding is now going on as fast as possible. You will see something to open your eyes."

The sight which Dudley saw when late that evening they arrived on the western border of the rancho was indeed a novel and most interesting one. There were some fifty gauchos in all, widely separated, and broken up into twos. Of these groups of two, one man was always mounted, while at the hour at which they arrived the gaucho off duty for the time had strayed from his comrade to those nearest at hand, and had now squatted over a fire of thistle tops, smoking and eating.

"That is how the herd is watched," explained Mr. Blunt. "The men must have rest, for night and day the watch must be kept. So two of them take turn and turn about, and when one is off duty getting a rest and food, or a sleep, his horse is enjoying the same privileges. We will rest here, and I will show you how to bivouac for the night. Hop off your mount, and strip saddle and bridle from it. That's the way. Now take the rope attached to the halter, and hobble its fore legs as I have already shown you how to do."

Dudley slid from his saddle in a manner which showed that he was used to the work, and in a very few seconds had stripped the beast of all its gear save the head stall, the rope attached to which was used for hobbling. Then he gave the horse a vigorous smack on the flank, and sent it away to graze and rest till morning.

"Now put your saddle up on the cantle. So! That's the way. It will not fall over easily, and you will see that the pads which protect the horse's back from chafing are well exposed, and have every chance to dry, for in this climate they are nearly always moist after a ride. Now your poncho goes into the hollow between the pads and flaps, your head finds it a wonderfully comfortable pillow, while the blanket over all makes things snug and warm for the night."

To show him how it was done, Mr. Blunt placed his own saddle in position, and threw himself down on the ground, drawing his blanket about him, and placing his head on the poncho between the flaps of the saddle.

"Your saddle keeps the wind away on a breezy night," he explained, "and is close at hand in case you happen to want it. If it rains, as is not often the case, you hang the blanket over the cantle, and there you are, under a tent which will keep you fairly dry. Now, Dudley, skip along and gather some thistle tops. There is little wood in these parts, and so one has to find a substitute. Look at the men. I rather fancy Pietro and his comrades have been talking."

That, in fact, was the case, and as the two were seen cantering up towards the herd of cattle and their guards, quite a number of the men made their way forward to meet them. They nodded to their master, and looked on critically as our herb slipped from his saddle.