[300] los leones de Necochea. Reference to mounted troops of this famous leader during the war of independence. Necochea was in command of the Argentine forces at the battle of Junín (1824), where he and his mounted grenadiers covered themselves with glory at a moment when the success of the battle seemed to be in danger.
[301] The apparent contradiction in dates, 6 de mayo and 31 de marzo (134, 10), is due to the fact that a part of the author’s letter, at the end of the second paragraph, has been omitted, and that the third paragraph refers to events which took place the year following the first date.
[302] nuestra bandera, i.e., the Argentina flag, the colors of which are sky-blue and white.
[303] días de capa, lit., days of cloak, i.e., of clouds; trans., bad weather.
[304] cabo, acabador. Notice pun on cabo, end or cape, and acabador, that which puts an end to anything.
[305] Aconcagua, province of Chile opposite the Argentine province of Mendoza.
[306] del bípedo delantero, i.e., del arriero.
[307] para adelante o para atrás, forward or backward.
[308] me parecía... revés, for it seemed to me that the animal was headed in a direction opposite to mine.
[309] con envidia del aficionado a jardines, an object of envy to the lover of gardens.