[140] el poncho. The poncho used by the gauchos is a thick woolen blanket of oblong shape, with a slit in the center so that it may fall over the wearer’s shoulders. It is an inseparable accouterment of the gaucho. It is his winter coat, his raincoat, and his shield to boot, for in his dueling, to which he is much given, the gaucho fights with the knife in one hand and the poncho wrapped around the other hand and arm.
[141] se veía salir, there was seen emerging.
[142] tomado de la cola, clinging to the tail.
[143] la sangrienta lucha, i.e., the struggle between the unitarians and federalists. V. Introduction.
[144] Andando esta historia, As this history goes on.
[145] En el capítulo primero, i.e., of the author’s Facundo, from which this and the preceding selection are taken.
[146] No se olvide, Let it not be forgotten.
[147] que en éstos. Translate as if it were y que en éstos.
[148] a su tiempo, at the proper time.
[149] ocupa. The subject is labrador.