51
The Gaucho differs in many respects from the other rough riders of the only partially
civilized sections of the earth. He is the product of a peculiar scheme of existence, and of
savage conditions of life, that obtain in no part of the world save on the boundless Llanos of
South America.
The Gauchos are the descendants of the early Spanish colonizers of the South Ameri-
can wilds. The fiery Hispanian temperament, the infusion of the native Indian blood,
together with the wild lonely life on the ocean-like pampas, are the conditions responsible for
the production of the Gauchos.
The civilization that the Spanish colonists took with them to the Llanos gradually
became subdued by the savagery of the new situation, until their descendants, the Gauchos,
were as wild and ferocious as the aborigines, the Indians. They were, forsooth, compelled
to adopt in no small degree the manners and customs of these latter as a means of subsist-
ence.
Like the North American Indian, the Cow-boy, the Vaquero, the Cossack, and the
Prairie Scout, now for the first time in history his companion horsemen, the Gaucho is a near
approach to the mythical centaur. Like them the Gaucho spends the greater portion of his
life on horseback, and is associated with the wild equines of the pampas in even a more in-
tense degree than any of the equestrian races.
In no ther part of the world has man been so completely dependent on the horse as
on the South American plains. The pampas without horses would be, for the uses of man, as
an ocean without ships or boats. Hence this Gaucho breed of centaur is the natural growth
of peculiar surroundings.
As the Gauchos are reputed to be the most expert lassoers in the world, considerable
interest is manifested in their arrival, not only by the public, but by the Cow-boys, Indians,
etc. Apart from their wild fantastic personality of dress, manner and equipment, and their
horsemanship, the Gauchos will be interesting as the first to introduce to the public the use of
the "bolas" for the capturing of wild animals. This instrument of the chase has been adopted
by the Gauchos from the South American Indians, who, from time immemorial, used it for
the capture of ostrichs, guanacos, and other big game.
The "bolas" consists of a number of rawhide thongs fastened to a central thong, and
with an iron ball at each of the ends. The Gaucho can hurl this at a flying horse, cow or
ostrich from a distance of sixty feet, and cause it to inextricably entangle about the legs,
bringing the victim helplessly to the ground. This, therefore, rather than the lasso, is his
favorite weapon for the chase or fighting in war.
When the Dictator Rosas many years ago conquered Buenos Ayres, his success was
largely due to the terror inspired by the reputation of his horde of Gauchos and Pampa
Indians.
It may be interesting to state that from their primitive mode of existence, the Gaucho
makes nearly every thing connected with his "outfit" even the rude saddle, from raw-hide
the lasso, the "bolas" and even his boots--which are made from the skin (taken from the
knee down, and shpaed to the leg and foot while warm) of a freshly killed colt, sewed at the
toe, thus forming gratically a leather stocking without heel or sole. They are fond of music,
are good dancers, retaining many repsects the poetic traditions and tendencies of their
Castillian ancestors.
Enough has been said here, however, of their peculiarities. They will prove a welcome
acquisition to the "Wild West," for they, no less than the Cossacks, have a distinct role of
their own to play in this truly gigantic enterprise of a "Congress of the World's Rough
Riders."
FOREIGN TOURS AND TRIUMPHS.
Since the visit of "BUFFALO BILL'S" Wild West to England and its remarkable en-
gagement in London, at West Brompton, in 1887, a history and tour have been made such as
no organization of its magnitude and reguirements ever accomplished.
A slight reference to this will be instructive and interesting, and the practical mind
can, partially, at a glance, recognize the difficulties and arduous duties involved in its com-
pletion. A volume would be more fitting to relate its travels, its trials, and triumphant ex-
periences. After the production in an especially erected mammoth building at Manchester,
of an allegorical, pantomimic, and scenic representation of the history of American settlement,
a return to the United States was made in a chartered steamship, Persian Monarch, of 6,000 tons
