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Entered nccording to A.t of the Parliament of Canada, in the year one thousand eight Hundred and nmcty-.une, bv Griffith, Farran, Browne & Co., LiM.TEn, London, England, in tht (JfiiLe of the Minister of Agriculture. II 83Q616 CONTENTS thousand eight llTEn, London, CHAP. I. MRS. hardy's resolution IT. THE START . III. A NEW LIFE . IV. THE I'AMl'AS. V. THE settlers' HOME VI. A TALE OF THE MEXICAN WAK VII. SETH CONTINUES HIS NARRATIV ADVENTURE VIII. FARM WORK AND AMUSEMENTS IX. NEIGHBOURLY VISITS AND ADVICE X. THE LOST CATILE . XI. QUIET TIMES. XIL A STEADY HAND XIII. THE INDIAN ATTACK . XIV. TERRIBLE NEWS XV. THE PAMPAS ON FIRB XVI. AT THE STAKE XVII. RESCUED XVIII. BACK TO OLD ENGLAND AIJAIN 6 E OF THE MEXICA FACE 9 34 44 62 77 98 118 136 146 179 195 212 227 250 276 292 310 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS UK COULD FKEI, THK HKKATII Ol' TIIF, INDIAN'S IIOKSK FlO)Uispici THE l)0(;s STRANG UPON IT SETil, WITHOUT I-UKITIKR INTRODUCTION, WENT ON THE (ilKIS FIRING SIMUI.TAN EOUSIV "count TEN BETWEEN EACH SHOT" THEN EACH TOOK A WINDOW "put VOUR PONCHOS OVER YOUR OWN HEADS AS WELL AS YOUR horses' "... "white MAN GOOD, TAWAINA FRIEND. (OME TO lAKF HIM TO child" ..... 56 83 159 215 259 295 OUT ON THE PAMPAS OR THE YOUNG SETTLERS CHAPTER I MRS. hardy's resolution " W "k '^ r T" '^'"'''"^ °^' ^^^^ ^" Mrs. Hardy asked silence on ht^r'^"' ^"^ ^^^"^"^' ^^^^^ ^ """-"^ ^^"^ «' Well, my dear, I was thinking of a good many things In make of the boys; and that led to such a train of thoughts about ourselves and our circumstances, that I hardly knew where I was when you spoke to me." ^ Mr. Hardy spoke cheerfully, but his wife saw at once that It was wuh an effort that he did so. She put down th work upon which she was enea-ed ind mnv- i I , - ^''^ his hv th. fi u. '''^ ^^'^ ^^^^"" nearer to h.s by the fire. "It .s a se.ious question, Frank, about the 10 Out on the Patnpas boys. Charley is fifteen now, and Hubert fourteen. I wonder myself sometimes what we shall do with them." "There seems no opening here in England for young fellows. The professions are crowded, even if they were not altogether beyond our means : and as to a clerkship, they had better have a trade, and stick to it : they would be far happier, and nearly as well paid. The foct is, Clara,"— and here Mr. Hardy paused a little, as if to gain courage to say what he feared would be very disagreeable to his wife,—" the fact is, we are altogether too crowded here. The best thing for the children, by far, and I think the bjst thing for ourselves, would be to emigrate." Mrs. Hardy gave a litde sigh, but said nothing, and sat lo .king quietly into the fire, as her husband went on, "You see, my dear, I am just, and only just, earning enough for us to live upon. Nor is there any strong probability of an increase of business. The boys, as you say, are growing up, and I see no prospect of giving them a fair start in life. Abroad it is altogether different : we can buy land and stock it for next to nothing. We should live roughly, certainly; but at least there is no fear for the future, and we should start our boys in life with a fair certainty of success. Still, Clara, I do not of course mean that I have made up my mind upon the subject. It is far too serious a matter to decide upon hastily. I only threw out the suggestion ; and if you, after thinking it over, are against it, there is an end of the matter." Mrs. Hardy was silent for a little, and a tear sparkled on her cheek in the firelight; then she said, «' I am not surprised, Frank, at what you have said. In fact I have expected it for some time. I have observed you looking over books upon foreign countries, and have seen that you often sat thoughtful & I Mrs. Hardys Resolution ti I wonder ing fc'llows. altogether had better vpj)ier, and Mr. Hardy he feared is, we are 2 children, )uld be to ?, and sat on, "You igh for us ity of an owing up, Abroad it for next It at least r boys in io not of 2 subject. I only I it over, ?d on her lurpri.sed, ted it for )ks upon loughtful and quiet. I guessed, therefore, what you had in your mind. Of course, dear, as a woman, I shrink from the thought of leaving all our friends and going to quite a strange country, but 1 don't think that I am afraid of the hardships or dis- comfort. Thousands of other women have gone through them, and there is no reason why I should not do the same. I do think with you that it would be a good thing for liie boys, perhaps for the girls too ; and that, when we have got over the first hardships, we too should be happier and more free from care than we are now. So you see, Frank, you will meet with no opposition from me ; and if, after deliberation, you really determine that it is the best thing to do, I shall be ready to agree with you. But it is a hard thought just at first, so please do not say any more about it to-night." Mr. Hardy was an architect, as his father had been before him. He had not, however, entered the office at the usual age, but when eighteen had gone out to the United States, to visit an uncle who had settled there. After spending some time with him, the love of adventure had taken him to the far west, and there he had hunted and shot for nearly three years, till a letter, long delayed on the way, entreated him to return to Engl-..id, as his father's health was failing. He at once started for England, and found that his father was in a feeble state of health, but was still able to carry on the business. Frank saw, however, that he was unequal to the work, and so entered the office, working hard to make up for lost time. He was a good draughtsman, and was shortly able to take a great burden off his father's shoulders. He had not been long at home, however, before he fell in love with Clara Aintree, the daughter of a clergyman ; and his father making over to him a share in the business, they were 13 Out on the Pampas marned ,ust as Frank atlained his twentyfourlh year, his wife be,ng about nineteen. Two years after the Lrr 'e M Hardy sen.or died, and from that time Frank had earned on the busmess alone. >-. Hardy Mrs. Hardys Resolution 13 agreec" that the Argentine Republic, in its magnificent rivers Its boundless extent of fertile land, in its splendid climate, it^ cheap labour, and its probable prospects, offered the greatest advantages. The decision once arrived at, it was determined to announce It to the children, who had up to this time no idea of the great change decided upon. Breakfast was over, and the boys whose holidays had just begun, were about to leave the table' when their father said, -Wait a moment, boys; there is somethmg we want to talk to you about." The boys resumed their seats. " Vour mamma and I have been wondering what you boys are to become, and we do not see any ope.mgs likely to occur here. Now, what should you say to us all emigrating ? " II What ! going abroad, j.apa ? » they both exclaimed joyously. ** Yes, boys ; settling in the backwoods or in the prairies » "Oh, that would be jolly," Chariey said; "I know, papa, havmg fights with Indians, and all that sort of thing. Oh it would be glorious ! " & > "Well, Chariey," his father said, smiling, "I do not know that we shall have fights with Indians, nor do I think it would be very jolly if we did. But we should have to rough it, you know. You boys would have to work hard, to help me in everythmg, and to look after the cattle and sheep " "Whatfun! what fun !" the boys both shouted ; "weshould like It of all things in the worid." "And what do you think of it, Maud and Ethel?" their mamma asked the two little girls, who were looking very sur- prised, but rather doubtful as to the pleasure of the fights with Indians which their brothers har^ oken so d^.-.h-dly about. Vou will have to be two very useiui little women, and will have H to help Out on i/ic Pampas o neip me just as the boys will have to help your n.n. V likely we may not be able to get a servint V T\ ^^' shall have to do everything " ''''''' ''^"^ ''^^^" ^'^^ That will be fine over twelve, while her sister ' "^''^'""^''^'" ^'-^id Maud, who was rath J could cook, b ut \\as just eleven. " J d ler you should cook, and ;>"d do all the hard work, and Eth on't think could scrub I'ly the table, and th could wash up, and at sort of thing. That would be line maninia." called for order. ^^ ^^^- ^^rdy "Now, silence all, and listen to me. This affair is ... • we star,. In „,e l^ Z f "'°" "'' °" """= '>=f"-= whom we are gl S r ' '?«""«^' "^ ""-■ P"P'« »"•»"« it wen beforrt::'"';: ■ :zrr °" "-" " ^"-* wo* .ogether a, g.a„™ar Zc el L'":; T'"; T" and get so„,e Spanish teacher to live Hhe h„ 1 "^ 'he language with us until we go I^t ' "'"' ''"^^ Jewell that you should an^^l^l^^l^^^'r V'" 'he paddock next to our garden andh, ',, '"' ''"''^ which wil, he here to-daf foj ih gir %°"^":' " ^"'^ already ridden a little, and sh,l ow h " '' ''"'= riding school. I „,„ yesterdt Mr S , '" T""' '" *= if he would allow ,ne to J.I ' """ "''"='' "" a'low me to make an arrangement with his head papa. Very ^ncl then we > was rather floirt think -oiild scrub sh up, and lid be fine, r sister, did iroarious in Mr. Hardy is a serious 'e shall all :, and look I have •r eight or nie before pie among 1 to speak IS we will I will try 'nd speak -e, it will ive hired a pony, >ys have ;ht in the ked him his head *; Mrs. Harays Resolution |e gardener for ;■„„ ,o go there to learn gardeninR. He at once ZxVT\ ""™ "'""'^'='' "■'"' "" '-■•''^'''■■"- 'l>-^' you are u.... n,„o. A, „,„e you will come in to breakfas,. Krom brea fast to dmner you will have to yourselves, except upo" ■he days you take r.ding lessors; and I should wish you to pend tl„s tune at your usual studies, except Latin, which will be of no use to you. From two till half-past four you are to earn carpentering. I have made an agreement with Mr Jones to pay hun so n.uch to take you as a sort of apprentice or the next nine months. ,„ the evening we wi, a, t^ ogether at .pan.sh. I, will be hard work ; but if you want o be of any real use to me. i, is absolutely necessary that ou hould be able to use a sp.ade and to do rough earpent ring T he t,me draws on, too, I shall ask one of the farmers nearto e. you go out w„h his men and get some notion of plougl i ' » ell, what do you say to all that ? " * Hubert looked a little downcast at this recital of the pre- -rzr: tr t t "''°* ^^ ^"""'^^-« »« on':: w k h d : ":; *■""■ ^T^ """■ ^ ^^ -y. »= sha., have t do it a. on ? ": " " ""'■' """■" '° ^"-o™ one. 1 to vl ?■ "'■ °' '°"'''' ™ *'""d be of no use alall to you unless we knew something about work." „ ^'t "''" "'" ™ "" ''"'"■ '"™™a > » Maud asked. Not a very great deal, my dear," Mrs. Hardy said Spanish to begin with, then cooking I shall te,,, anyrate, to make simple dishes and pud „ ' f!";, 1 vegetables properly. I shall myself practise: ' it ^^ you learn to attend to poultry; and that is all I know of at present, except ,ha. you must both take pain, to irpi; i6 Ot4t on the Pampas yourselves at sewing. We shall have to make everything for ourselves out there." "I suppose we shan't do any more regular lessons, mamma?" "Indeed you will, Maud. You do not imagine that your education is finished, do you? And you cannot wish to grow almost as ignorant as the poor Indians of the country. You will give up the piano, and learn Sjjanish instead of French, but that will be all the difference ; and I shall expect you both to make as much progres as possible, because, although I shall take you both out I here, and shall teach you whenever I find time, your lessons must of necessity be short and irregular. And now you can all go out into the garden and talk the matter over." "But you have not told us yet where we are going to, papa," Charley said. "We are going to farm upon the banks of one of the great South American rivers— probably the Parana, in the Argentine. Republic." Mr. and Mrs. Hardy watched their children ^rom the window. They went out in a group to the siuniripr- house ir the corner of the garden, all talking exciicdl>. Ihen Maud ran back again to the house, and in a minute or two returned with the schoolroom atlas, and, opening it upon the table, they all clustered over it in eager consultation. M),s. Hardy turned to her husband with a smile. "You vil' :^ave to get up the subject, Frank, so as to be able to -nsver the in u.uerable questions you will be asked." " I shall always refer them to you." There was quite a talk in B when it was known that Mr. Hardy was going to emigrate with his wife and family. :e everything for regular lessons, lagine that your lot wish to grow ■ country. You tead of French, expect you both use, although I you whenever I >rt and irregular. n and talk the 5 are going to, )ne of the great n the Argentine. dren ^rom the inTtripr- house ir . Ihen Maud or two returned 1 the table, they I smile. "You to be able to e asked." vas known that dfe and family. ^/fs. Hardy s Resolution 17 He, and his father before him, had been so long established i" the town, that there were few people who did not know nim, more or less. _ Emigration in the year ,851 was far less common than 't IS now, and the interest was proportionately greater. Charkv and Hubert became ciuite popular characters among their lat,' schoolfellows, who, whenever they met them, would always stop to have a talk about the distant country to which they were gomg. The boys, however, had now but little time for alk.ng ; for upon the week after their father had Hrst told them of h,s mtention, they had set-to regularly at the work he had ,a,d down for them. They rose every morning at five, had a shoe of bread and a cup of milk, and were off to the gardeners, where they worked hard until half-past eight. Mr Hardy had requested that they should be specially instructed n the ra,smg of vegetables, and in the planting and pruning of fruu-trees. The culture of flowers could be of no utiHty. The cl.gg.ng made the boys' backs ache at first, and blistered their h mds, but they stuck to it manfully, and soon became accus- tomed to the work, returning to breakfast with glowing cheeks and tremendous appetites. In the afternoon ,hey might be seen in the carpenter's shop w Uh the,r coats and waistcoats off, working away with saw or Although both made good progress in both pursuits yet the,r tastes d.ffered ; Charley preferring the carpentering, whil Hubert was the gardener's most promising pupil. The former was therefore christened the head carpenter by his sisters while the latter was promoted to the post of chief gardener ' Four or five months of this work made a visible difference m the boys appearance. They both widened out across the i8 Out on the Pampas shoulders, their arms became strong and muscular, and they looked altogether more healthy and robust. Nor did their appearance belie them j for once when spending a holiday in the cricket-field with their former schoolfellows, wrestling matches being proposed after the game was over, they found that they were able to overcome with ease boys whom they had formerly considered their superiors in strength. In the meantime Mr. Hardy had succeeded in obtaining the services of a young Spanish lady, who had come to England to learn the language, as governess ; and of an evening the whole family worked at Spanish, and made such i)rogress that they were soon able to establish the rule that no other language should be spoken at meal-times. The girls here soon surpassed their brothers, as they had the advantage of morning lessons in the language, besides which young children can always pick up a language sooner than their elders; and they had many a hearty laugh at the ridiculous mistakes Charley and Hubert made in their efforts to get through a long sentence. In six months, however, all could speak with tolerable fluency. Maud and Ethel were as amused and as diligent at learning household work as their brothers were in their departments, and might have been seen every afternoon in the kitchen, in their little white pinafores, engaged in learning the mysteries of cooking. ^ One day, after they had been so engaged for about four months, Mrs. Hardy said at breakfast, " I am going to try an experiment. I have given the cook leave to go out for the day. Mr. and Mrs. Partridge are coming to dinner, and I intend handing over the kitchen to the girls, and letting them make their first essay. We are going to have soup, a leg of ular, and they Nor did their g a holiday in )\vs, wrestling er, they found ys whom they th. obtaining the le to England 1 evening the progress that )ther language oon surpassed ^rning lessons 1 can always and they had Charley and ong sentence, dth tolerable :nt at learning departments, le kitchen, in the mysteries jr about four oing to try an out for the :linner, and I [ letting them soup, a leg of Mrs. Hard/s Resolution i mutton with potatoes and spinach, a dish of fried cutlets and a cabmet pudding. I shall tell Sarah to lift any sauc p n y u n^ay want on or off the fire, but all the rest I shall 1 your hands. The boys will du.e with us T L ; :; k" half-past five, punctually." "' """ ^^ The little girls' eyes flashed with pleasure, and they ouite t~:'f" t^'^"^''^^^'^^ i.^portance'and dl^^uly: the task before them. At lunch the boys pretended to eat an extra c,uant.ty, saying that they felt very doubtful about L" d.nner. In the afternoon Mrs. Hardy felt strongly tempted to go mto the kitchen to see how things were getting orTsh The dinner was a great success, although the soud was r.fh hot, tr.. „he., in her anxiety, having lef too m:^;; ^^ in ; and the cabinet puddin-^ came ud all over fh r u ^ of preseni,,, i. .Hap, , ^^,^ tZ:^:^::^', ha .„g shaken it .,o violently ,ha. i. had come ou. ^hha Ws We. .„. „ j.r,t '.fi: ;r -*;«;- wh..- rocks, lookin, ..her shy, and very scorch d '^ f.om ehe,r anx.ous peeping ineo pots to see that all wa on well, they were received with a cheer bvheV ' "^ .heir friends .ere no. a li.„e astont: 'hel la; I' d.nner they had partaken of had been en.ir.l cooked by these little women. "' ^"'"''"^ "'"^ After four months' Kardenino- Mr u. .j with a fanner who hved a m di^a„. d' " T' "" ""'' men. for them ,„ l>r,.,kf,s,Aer ',."''"" "™"8" at work from six n he ' " """^ ™" ''="«i"<^d from S.X m the mornmg until twelve. Here they 20 Out on the Pampas obtained some idea of harnessing and driving horses, of ploughing, and of the other farming operations. They now only went four days a week to the carpenter's, for their papa had one day said to them when they were alone with him before dinner, " Do not put on your working clothes this afternoon, boys. I am going to take you out with me, but do not say anything about it at dinner. I will tell you why afterwards." Rather surprised, they did as he told them, wondering where they could be going. Their father said nothing on the subject until they reached the town, which was a (juarter of a mile distant from tht;ir house. Then he said, " Now, boys, you know we are going out to a country of which a great portion is still unsettled ; and as land is a good deal cheaper at a short distance from the inhabited parts, we shall perhaps have no one within many miles of us. Now, it is just possible that at first the Indians may be disposed to be troublesome. I do not suppose that they will, but it is just as well to be prepared for everything. There is no reason why you boys should not be able to shoot as straightly as a man, and I have therefore bought two carbines. They are the invention of an American named Colt, and have a revolving breech, so that they fire six shots each. There is a spare chamber to each, which is very quickly shifted in place of the one discharged ; so that each of you could fire twelve shots in a very short time. They will carry up to five hundred yards. They are a new invention, but all accounts agree that they are an excellent one. I have obtained leave from Mr. Harcourt. who lives three miles from here, to put up a target at the foot of some bare hills on his property, and we will walk over there twice a week to practise. I used to be considered a first-rate shot with a rifle when I was a ig horses, of arpenter's, for iy were alone /our working : you out with r. I will tell idering where )n the subject ter of a mile w, boys, you eat portion is )er at a short 5 have no one le that at first e. I do not i prepared for hould not be refore bought jrican named fire six shots 5 very quickly each of you ley will carry ntion, but all lave obtained from here, to his property, tise. I used hen I was a Mrs. Hardy's Reso/ution 21 young man in America, and I hav^ an, a usp T ^^ . . 'ina 1 nave got down a rifle for mv own with .he >nd „. raTL':';^"' ""' "' *"" '-- any .rouble two brace of Tnifc i ■ resides these were barrelled gl f , ,f' " !" " '""^ ^^"'^^''^''^ ^-ble- and .h J „„: !i: f : -"-. '; case of neces.., "ea. case, and ,he boys carried the^e and a ho T '''"■' '" while Mr. Hardy took his .,,!,°"'' '"'°''°f cartridges, .heir shooting grL,°d ""'• ' '"" '" ""cy «"«-" off .0 ■•ngtii'::: an'd".hr ™;r "'™ " '"^ -- °'- '"* -°"- amoved .he™ to «re a Lt ,:::; ^™;,;r« "•'* ^""^ °"'^' -her wild, owing ,o the diffic t ^he , 7^ Tr"'^ withou. shutting their eves ■ h,„ r, T °' '"""i 4ey beeame very steldv L ,i! " " '""""'' P™'-- -ake pre..v cer,.J„7fbu . '" T °' """ """^^ '""'^ all .his Mrs. Hardy and the ■ 7^ " '" ''""''"'' '"rds. Of ' and the g.rls knew nothing ; but there was 22 I a Out on the Pampas not the same secrecy observed witli reference to their shot- guns. These they took liome with them, and Mr. Hardy said that he understood that the plains of South America swarmed with game, and that, therefore, it was well that the boys should learn how to shoot. He insisted, however, that only one gun should be taken out at a time, to diminish the danger of accidents. After that the boys took out their guns by turns when they went to work of a morning, and many a dead black- bird soon attested to their improving skill. f 1^ x& » their shot- Hardy said ica swarmed boys should nly one gun ; danger of ns by turns dead black- CHAPTER II THE START J T was nearly a year after he had made up his mind to arrangrmT' T^ ""'■ ""'''' ^'' '''' '^ "^ ^^ ^ rangements. I hen came the great business of packin. ud This IS no tnfling matter when a family of six ZT nrf.v.i f T. "® '^^"'d convey such heaw ''irge , and the boys, who had now left nff tu ■ c • carpentering lesson, worked a. home a^ nil ' ""' had the satisfaceion of turnin! .heT nf "'"''""«-'''''■ """ -u,„ :„ add. jrie ;;o:r;:;;: r -n?o7L: r::ri"' r"^" ^^ ^'^-'"^"'^■ various kinds' ThTseKad if ' '"' ""' °' "^"^ "' -p..ar.i„,..r.::Lro::rr:--;- 24 Out on the Pampas was a sad business ; for althuugh the boys and their sisters were alike excited and delighted at the thought of the life before them, still they could not but feel sorrowful when the time came to leave all the friends they had known so long, and the house they had lived in ever since they could remember. ' This over, Mrs. Hardy and the children went to Liverpool, where they were to embark ; while Mr. Hardy remained behind for a day or two, to see to the sale of the furniture of the house. The day after he joined the family they embarked on board the Barl>adoes, for Rio and Buenos Ayres. Greatly were the girls amused at the tiny litde cabin allotted to them and their mother —a similar little den being taken possession of by Mr. Hardy and the boys. The smartness of the vessel, and the style of her fittings, alike impressed and delighted them. It has not been mentioned that Sarah, their housemaid, accom- panied the party. She had been left early an orphan, and had been taken as a nursemaid by Mrs. Hardy. As time went on, and the little girls no longer required a nurse, she had remained as housemaid, and, having no friends, now willingly accompanied them. Mr. Hardy had, to her great amusement, insisted upon her signing a paper, agreeing, upon her master's raying her passage, to remain with him for a year ; at the end of which time she was to be at liberty to marry or to leave them, should she choose. Knowing the scarcity of young Englishwomen in the country that they were going to, and the number of Englishmen doing well in the towns or as farmers, Mr. Hardy had considered this precaution to be absolutely necessary ; as otherwise Sarah might have married and left them within a month of her arrival. At the end of a year her so doing would not matter so much, as by that time the party would be A The Start 25 leir sisters jf the life when the long, ar,J lember. ' Liverpool, ed behind the house. on board ^ were the and their of by Mr. I, and the them. It d, accom- )han, and As time nurse, she nds, now her great ing, upon lim for a liberty to e country len doing onsidered ise Sarah h of her ould not -ould be comfortably settled in their new home; whereas, during the necessary hardship at first, it would be a great comfort having a faithful and reliable servant. The last looks which the party cast toward England, as the Welr.h coast sank in the distance, were less melancholy than those of most emigrants. The young people were all full of hope and excitement; while even Mrs. Hardy felt but little dispos.d to give way to sorrow, as it had been arranged that in three or four years, if all went well, she should bring her daughters over to England to finish their education. Very lo-.ely was that first evening, and as they sat in a group together upon deck, the little girls remarked that they did not think that the sea was anything like as terrible as they had expected, and that they did not feel the least sea-sick. Their father smiled. " Wait a little, my dears ; there is an old proverb, ' Don't halloo until you are out of the wood.' " The next day was still perfectly calm ; and when, towards evening, the children were told that they were now fairly get- ing into the Bay of Biscay, they could scarcely believe the intelligence. "Why, one would think, Maud," her father said, "that you were disappointed at its being calm, and that you really wanted a storm." " Oh, papa, I do think it would be great fun ; it would be so curicus not to be able to walk about, and to see everything rolling and tumbling. Don't you think so, boys ? " "Yes, I think so, Maud; great fun," Charley said. "Well, young people," the captain, who had been standing by watching the sun, now fast nearing the horizon, and who had overheard their remarks, said, "if it is any satisfaction to you, I can tell you that you are very likely to have your wish 26 Out OH the rain has l!ut I question if you will like it as much as you gratified. expect." ^ "Ah, you expect wind, Captain Tr.vor?" M,-. Hardy said. have been thinking niyseif that the almost oppressive Hness of to-day, and the look of the sunset, and thlse black loads banking up in the south-west, meant a change. U'hat does the glass say ? " & «• "It is falling very rapidly," tiie captain answered. "AVe are m for a sou'-wester, and a stiff one too, or 1 am mistaken." Now that it appeared likely that their wishes were about to be gratified, the young Hardys did not seem so pleased as they had expected, although Charley still declared manfully that he was quite in earnest, and that he did «ish to see a real storm at sea. As the sun set, the party still leaned against the bulwarks watching ,t and the great bank of clouds, which seemed every moment to be rising higher and higher. There was still nearly a dead calm around them, and the heavy beat of the paddles as they lashed the water into foam, and the dull thud of the engine, were the only sounds that broke the stillness. Now aiid then, however, a short puff of wind ruflied the water, and then died away again. "Look at that great cloud, papa," Hubert said; "it almost looks as it it were alive." " Yes, Hubert, it is very grand ; and there is no doubt about there being wind there." The great cloud bank appeared to be in constant motion its shape was incessantly shifting and changing ; now a great mass would roll upwards, now sink down again ; now the whole body would seem to roll over and over upon itself; then small W % The Start V " We 1 am A portions would I,reak off from the mass, and sail off by themselves, getting thinner and thinner, and disappearing at last m the shape ol fine streamers. Momentarily the whole of the heaving, swelling mass rose higher and higher. It was very grand, but it was a terrible grandeur; and the others were quite inclined to agree with Ethel, who shrank close to her father, and put her hand in his, saying, "I don't like that cloud, papa ; it frightens me." At this moment Mrs. Hardy, who had been down below arranging her cabin, came up to the group. " \\-hat a dark cloud, Frank ; and how it moves ! Are we going to have a storm, do you think ? " " Well, Clara, I think that we are in for a gale ; and ,t you w.ll take my advice, you will go down at once while it is calm and see that the trunks, and everything that can roll about' are securely fastened up. I will come down and help you' Boys, you had better go down and see that everything is snu. m our cabin." ^ ^ In a quarter of an hour the necessary arrangements were completed, but even in that short time they could feel that a change was taking plac-e. There was now a steady but decided roHing motion, and the young ones laughed as they found it difificult to walk steadily along the cabin. Upon reaching the deck they saw that the smooth surface Of the sea was broken up by a long swell, that the wind now came in short but sharp puffs, that the bank of clouds covered nearly half the sky, and that the detached scud was now flying overhead. The previous stillness was gone : and between the sudden gust, the roar of the wind in th. upper region could be heard. Ihe sun had set now, and a pall of deep blackness seemed to hang from the cloud down to the sea; but at the 28 Out on the Pampas line where cloud and water touched, a gleam of dim white light appeared. In preparation for the coming storm, the sailors had put on thick waterproof coats. Many of the passengers had gone below, and those who remained had followed the sailor,'-' example, and had wrapped themselves up in mackintoshes. Every moment the gusts increased in frequency and power, and the regular line of swell becamj broken up into confused white-headed waves. The white gleam under the dark cloud grew wider and broader, and at last, with a roar like that of a thousand wild beasts, the gale broke upon them. Just before this, Mr. Hardy had taken Mrs. Hardy and the girls below, promising the latter that they should come up later for a peep out, if they still wished it. Charley and Hubert were leaning against the bulwark when the gale struck them. For a moment they were blinded and half choked by the force and fury of the spray r.nd wind, and crouched down behind their shelter to recover themselves. Then, with a hearty laugh at their drenched appearance, they made their way to the mainmast, and then, holding on by the belaying pins, they were able to look fairly out on the gale. It was dark— so dark that they could scarcely see as far as the fore- mast. Around, the sea was white with foam ; the wind blew so fiercely that they could scarcely hear each other's voices, even when they shouted, and the steamer laboured heavily against the fast rising sea. Here Mr. Hardy joined them, and for some little time clung there, watching the increasing fury of the gale ; then, drenched and almost confused by the strife of winds and water that they had been watching, tl\ey made their way, with great difficulty, down into the cabin. Here the feeling of sea-sickness, which the excitement of . The Start 29 the scene had kq)t off, increased rajjidly ; and they were glad to slip off their upper clothes, and to throw themselves upon their bertlis before the paroxysm of sickness came on. When questioned afterwards as to the events of the next thirty-six hours, tlie young Hardys were all obliged to confess that that time was a sort of blank in their memory—a sort of horrible nightmare, wh.n one moment they seemed to be on their heads, and the next u|)on their feet, but never lying down in a comfortable position, when sometimes the top of the cabin seemed under their feet, sometimes the floor over their head. Then, for a change, everything would go round and round ; the noise, too— the groaning and the thumi)ing and the cracking, the thud of the waves and the thump of the paddles, and the general quivering, and shaking, and creaking, and bewilder- ment ;— altogether, it was a most unpleasant nightmare. They had all dim visions of Mr. Hardy coming in several times to see after them, and to give them a cup of tea, and to say something cheering to them ; and all four had a distinct idea that they had many times wished themselves dead. Upon the second morning after the storm began, it showed some signs of abating, and Mr. Hardy said to his sons, "Now, boys, make an effort and come up on deck. It's no use lying there; the fresh air will do you good." Two dismal groans were the only response to this appeal. "Yes, I know that you both feel very bad, and that it is difficult to turn out ; still, it is worth making the effort, and you will be very glad of it afterwards. Come, jump up, else I shall empty the water-jug over you. There, you need not take much trouble with your dressing," he went on, as the boys, seeing that he was in earnest, turned out of their berths with a grievous moan. "Just hold on by something, and get 30 Out on tlir Piviihas your heads over the biisin ; I will empty the juEfs on them. There, now you will feel better; slip on your clothes and come up." It was hard work for Charley and Hubert to obey orders, for the ship rolled so tremendously that they could only proceed with their dr ssiiii? by fits and starts, and were more than once interrupted by attarks of tlieir weary sea-sickness. However, their father stayed with them, hel])ing and joking with them until they were ready to go up. Then, taking them by the arm, he assisted them up the stairs to the deck. Miserable as the boys felt, they could not sujjpress an exclamation of admiration at the magnificent scene before them. The sea was tossed up in great masses of water, which, as they neared the ship, threatened to overwhelm them, but which, as she rose on their summits, passed harmlessly under her, hurling, however, tons of water ujjon her deck. The wind was still blowing fiercely, but a rift in the clouds above, through whicli the sun threw down a bright ray of light upon the tossing water, showed that the gale was breaking. The excitement of the scene, the difficulty of keeping their feet, and the influence of the rushing wind, soon had the effect which their father predicted. The boys' looks brightened, their courage returned; and although they still had an occasional relapse of sickness, they felt quite different beings, and would not have returned to the blank misery of their cabins upon any consideration. They were soon able to eat a piece of dry toast, which Mr. Hardy brought them up wit!i a cup of tea at breakfast-time, and to enjoy a basin of soup at twelve o'clock, after which they pro.ounced themselves as cured. By the afternoon the force of the wind had greatly abated, The Start 31 and although a heavy sea still ran, the motion of the vessel was perceptibly easier. The sun, too, shone out hrigluh and cheeringly, and Mr. Hardy was able to bring the little girls, who had not siiflcred so severely as their brothers, ui)on deck. Two more days of line weather (unte recruited all the party ; and great was their enjoyment as the Barhadocs entered the 'I'agus. and, steaming between its picturesque banks and past Cinlra, dropped her anchor off Lisbon. As our object, however, is tcj relate the adventures of our young settlers upon the i'ampas of La Plate, we must not delay to describe the pleasure they enjoyed in tiiis their first experience in foreign lands, nor to give an accoiuit of their sul)se(iuent voyage across the Atlantic, or their admira- tion at the sui)erb luirbour of Rio. A few days' further steaming and they arrived at the harbour of Buenos Ayres, where the two great rivers, the Uruguay and the Parana,' unite to form the wide sheet of water called the River La - Plate. It was night when the narbadoes dropped her anchor, and it was not until the morning that" they obtained their first view of their future home. Very early were they astir, and as soon as it was broad daylight, all four of the young ones were up on deck. 'I'heir first exclamation was one of disapjjointment. The shores were perfectly flat, a ul, seen from the distance at whi. h they were anchored, little excx'pt the spires of the churches and the roofs of a few of the more lofty houses could 1 e seen. After the magnificent harbour of Rio, this (hit, un- interesting coast was most disappointing. " ^^'hat a distance we are anchored from the shore ! " Hubert said, when they had recovered a little from their first feeling. "It must be three or four miles off." 32 Out on the Pampas "Not so much as that, Hubert," Maud, who was just a httle fond of contradicting, said; "not more than two miles, I should thmk." * Hubert stuck to his opinior.; and as the captain came on deck they referred the matter to him. " The distance of objects across water is very deceiving " he said. "It IS from eight to nine miles to those buildings you see." ° Maud looked rather crestfallen, and Charley asked, "Why do we anchor such a long way off, captain?" " Because the shore is so flat that there is no water for us to get m any closer. In a couple of hours you will see boats coming out to fetch you in ; and unless it happens to be high tide, even these cannot get to the beach, and you will have to land in carts." "In carts. Captain Trevor?" they all repeated; "that will be a strange way of landing." "Yes, it is," the captain answered. "I think that we can safely say that the Argentine Republic is the only country in the world where the only way to land at its chief city is in a cart." The captain's boat was by this time lowered, and he at once started for shore with his papers. Soon after ten o'clock he returned, followed by a number oi boats. He brought also a letter to Mr. Hardy from an old friend who had been settled for some years near Buenos Ayres, and whose advice had decided him to fix upon that country as the scene of his labours. It contained a warm welcome, and a hearty congratulation upon their safe arrival. This letter had been written two or three days previously, and had been left at the office of the steamship company. If "that The Start 33 It said, however, that the writer would hear of the arrival of the steamer, and would have everything in readiness to take them out to his place upon their landing. Mr. Hardy had been in frequent communication with his friend from the time that he had determined to emigrate, and Mr. Thompson's letters had contained the warmest assurance of a welcome, and an invitation to make his house their home until they had one of their own to go into ; and now this kind letter, coming off so instantly after their arrival, cheered them all much, and made them feel less strange and to some extent at home in the new country, at once. I CHAPTER III A NEW LIFE ^IDE was fortunately high, and the boat containing the ± Hardys and the lighter portion of their luggage was able to get up to the landing-place without the carts being called mto use. As they approached the land they were hailed in a hearty voice, and greetings were exchanged between Mr. Hardy and his friend Mr. Thon.pson-a sun- burnt-looking „,an with a great beard, in a Panama hat and m a suit of spotless white. Inn7'''; "^l """'''"'' "•' '' they landed, "you hardly look a day older than you did when I last saw you-let me see-fourteen years ago, just as this big fellow was b<*ginning to walk. And now, if you please, we will be off as soon as we can, for my estancia is fifteen miles away. I have made the best arrangements I could for getting out; but roads are not a strong point in this country, and we seldom trust our- selves in wheeled vehicles far out of the town. You told me in your letters, Hardy, that the young people could all ride I have horses in any number, and have got in two very cjuiei ones, with side-saddles, which I borrowed from some neigh- bours for your girls ; but if they prefer it. they can ride in the trap with Mrs. Hardy." 84 A New Life -^ "Oh no, please," Maud said ; '' I had much rather ride." Ethel said nothing, and her mamma saw that she would rather go with her. Accordingly, Mrs. Hardy, Ethel, Sarah and some of the lighter bags were packed into a light carriage' Mr. Thompson himself taking the reins, as he said he could not trust them to anyone but himself. Mr. Hardy, the boys and Maud mounted the horses prepared for them, and two of Mr. 7 hompson's men stowed the heavier trunks into a bullock- cart, which was to start at once, but which would not reach the estancia until late at night. As the party rode through the town, they were struck with the narrowness and straightness of the streets, and at the generally European look of everything; and Mr. Thompson told them that nearly half the population of Buenos Ayres are European. The number of people upon horseback also surprised our young travellers ; but horses cost only thirty shillings or two pounds, and grass is so abundant that the expense of their food is next to nothing; consequently every- one rides-even shepherds look after their sheep on horse- back. The horses seemed very quiet, for in front of most of the offices the horses of the merchants could be seen fastened by a head-rope to a ring, grooms not being considered a necessity. Once out the town, the riding horses broke into a canter • for the road was so good that the horses in the light carriage were able to go along at full speed. As they proceeded they passed many houses of the rich merchants of the place, and all were charmed with the luxuriance and beauty of the gardens Orange and lemon trees scented the air with their delicious perfumes ; bananas, tree-ferns, and palms towered above them • lovely butterflies of immense size, and bright little humming- 36 Out on the Pampas birds, flitted about among a countless variety of flowers. The delight of the young ones was unbounded. Presently they left the mansions and gardens behind, and drove out fairly into the country. Upon either side the plains stretched away as far as the eye could reach, in some parts under the plough, but far more generally carpeted with bright green grass and many-coloured wild flowers. Everywhere could be seen droves of horses and cattle, while dotted here and there over the plain were the estancias of the proprietors. It was a most delightful ride. The horses went very quietly, but the boys found, to their surprise, that they would not trot, their pace being a loose, easy canter. The last five miles of the distance were not so enjoyable to the party in the carriage, for the road had now become a mere track, broken in many places into ruts, into which the most careful driving of Mr. Thompson could not prevent the wheels going with jolts that threatened to shake its occupants from their places, and they felt as if every bone in their bodies were broken by the time they drew up at their host's estancia. Here Mrs. Thompson came out to greet them. She had been a great friend of Mrs. Hardy in their young days, and great was their pleasure at their again meeting after so long a separation. Mr. Thompson had already explained that his wife would have come over to meet them, but that at the time .le had left home it was not known that the Barhadoes had arrived. She was due, and, as a measure of precaution, the horses and cart had for the last two days been in readiness, but the exact date of her arrival was of course uncertain. Mr. Thompson's estancia was a large and ^ icturesque building. It was entirely surrounded by a wide verandah, so A New Life 37 that at all hours of the day relief could be obtained from the glare of the sun. In front was an extensive garden ; and as Mr. Thompson had made it one of his first objects when he built his house to plant a large number of tropical trees and shrubs, these had now attained a considerable size, and afforded a delicious shade. At a short distance behind the house were the houses of the men, and tlie corrals, or enclosures, for the cattle. The interior Vvas handsomely furnished in the European style, except that the floors were uncarpeted, and were composed of polished boards. Everywhere were signs that the proprietor was a prosperous and wealthy man. Mr. Thom^.son had only one son, a lad of about the same age as Charles Hardy. To his care Mrs. Thompson now assigned the boys, while she conducted Mrs. Hardy and her daughters to their rooms. In half an hour the party reassembled at dinner, to which they all did ample justice, for their long row and ride had given them the keenest of appetites. They were waited upon by an Italian man-servant; and Mrs. Thompson said that there were a good many of this nation in Buenos Ayres, and that, although they were not considered good hands for rough work, they made excellent servants, many of them having been waiters in hotels or stewards on board ship before coming out. During dinner the conversation turned chi'^fly upon English friends and affairs, and upon the events of the voyage. After it was over, George Thompson proposed to the boys to take a stroll round the place before it became dark. The gentlemen lit their cigars and took their seats under the verandah ; and the two ladies, with Maud and Ethel, went out into the garden. The converbation of Mr. Hardy and his friend ■ \\ 38 Out on the Pampas turned, of course, upon the country, its position and prospects and upon the advantage which the various districts offered to new-comers. Presently the dusk came on, followed rapidly by darkness, and in half an hour Ethel came to summon them to tea. The boys had already come in, and were full of delight at the immense herds of cattle they had seen. As they sat down to the tea-table, covered with delicate English china with a kettle over a spirit-lamp in the centre, and lit with the subdued light of two shaded moderator lamps, Maud said, "It is not one bit like what I expected, papa, after all you have told us about hardships and working- it seems just like England, except the trees and flowers Ind butterflies." "Do not be afraid, Maud," her father said, laughing,-for her voice had a tinge of disappointment in it,— "you won't be cheated out of your hardship and your work, I promise you Mrs. Thompson will tell you that it was a very different sort of place when she first came here." "Yes, indeed," Mrs. Thompson said, smiling; "this was considered a very lonely place when we first settled here. We had a little hut with two rooms, and it was more than six months before I could get a woman-servant to come out, and then it was only one of our shepherds' wives, who knew nothing of cooking, and who was only useful in drawing the water and sweeping the floors. In time the country became more settled, and there are stations now sixty or seventy miles beyond ns." The next week was spent in riding over the estate, which consisted of four square leagues,-that is to say, was six miles each way,— and in examining the arrangements of the enclosures for the cattle. At the end of that time Mr. Hardy started on A New Life 39 a tour of inspection through the provinces most likely to suit, provided with numerous letters of introduction from his host. While he was away the boys were to assist upon the estate, and to accustom themselves to the work and duties of the life they were to lead. Into this they entered with the greatest zest, and were in the saddle from morning till night, getting more and more sunburnt from constant exposure, until, as Mr. Thompson told them, they looked like two young guachos. The guachos are the natives of the country. They are fine-looking men, with Spanish faces. Their dress is very picturesque. They wear loose calzoncillas, or drawers, worked and fringed round the bottom. Above this is a sort of shawl, so arranged that it has the effect of very loose trousers. These shawls are generally of bright colours, woven in stripes, and sometimes of black cloth edged with scarlet. The white calzoncillas show below this garment, and above, a coloured flannel shirt is worn. The boots are long and are made of undressed leather. They wear a broad leathern belt, with pockets in it ; in this a knife, too, is always stuck. Upon fete days they come out with gay silver ornaments upon themselves and their horse-trappings. Their saddles are very clumsy and heavy, and are seldom used by Europeans, who, as Mr. Hardy had done, generally bring English saddles from home. After an absence of a month, Mr. Hardy returned with the welcome news that lie had made his choice, and had bought at the public auction a tract of four square leagues, upon a river some twenty miles to the south of the town of Rosario, and consequently only a few days' journey from Buenos Ayres. Mr. Thompson looked ? little grave when he heard the Ir, cation of the property, but he only said that he ^vas very glad that his friend had fixed upon a spot which would make it easy for the families to see something of 40 Out on the Pampas each other. After the first greetings were over, Mr. Hardy proceeded to satisfy the curiosity of his hearers as to the new property. "It is six miles square," he said, "that is, about twenty-five thousand acres, and I bought it for about sixpence an acre. There is a good-si^ed stream runs through it ; there are a good many trees, considering that it is out on the Pampas; there are several elevations, which give a fine view over the plain, and upon one of these our future home will stand. A small stream falls into the larger one, and will, I think, be useful. There is an abundance of game; ducks, geese, and swans swarm upon the river. I saw a good many ostriches out on the plains. And, lastly, the soil appears to be excellent. A great point is, that it is only distant twenty miles from Rosario, a most rising town ; so that the value of the land is sure to increase yearly, as new settlers come around us." ^^ "That is a most important point," Mr. Thompson said. "Rosario is the most rising town in the country, and the land around it is certain to be very much sought after in a few years." "Are there any settlements near, Frank?" Mrs. Hardy asked. " The next plot to ours belongs to three young Englishmen, and the ground between us and Rosario is also principally occupied by English ; so that we shall have neighbours near, and I do not suppose that it will be long before we have them all round us." " If the advantages of the place are so great, Frank, how is it that you have got it so very cheaply? I understood from Mr. Thompson that land in a rising neighbourhood, and that A New Life 41 was likely to increase in value, was worth two or three shillings, or even more, an acre." Mr. Hardy hesitated. "Well, Clara, the land is at present upon the extreme verge of the settlements, and the Indians are apt sometimes to be a little troublesome, and to drive off a few horses or cattle. No doubt tlie thing has been exaggerated; still, there is something in it, and the con- sequence is, people are rather afraid to bid, and 1 have got this splendid tract of land for about five hundred pounds ; and, not improbably, in ten years it may be worth ten times as much." " A great proportion of these Indian tales are built up upon very small foundations," Mr. Thompson said cheeringly ; and Mrs. Hardy's face, which had been a little serious, cleared up again, and in listening to her husband's account of his travels she forgot all about the Indians. The boys, however, by no means did so ; and as they were going to bed, Charley said, "I think there is some chance of a row with the Indians, Hubert, for I noticed that Mr. Thompson looked grave when papa first said where he had bought the land. Depend upon it, we shall have some fun with them after all." They would have thought it still more likely, had they heard the con- versation between their father and Mr. Thompson after the ladies had gone to bed. "Why, my dear Hardy, how came you, with a wife and family, to think of buying land so exposed to the Indian attacks ? Every season, when they come down, they sweep off the horses and cattle from the outlying settlements, and njurder the people if they get a chance. I look upon it as madness." " There is a good deal in what you say, Thompson, and I ' \\ 42 Out on the Pampas thought the whole matter over before I bought it. There is a risk-a great risk, if you like ; but I hear the Indians seldom attack the houses of the settlers if they are well prepared and armed. They do occasionally, but very seldom. I shall be well prepared and well armed, and have therefore no fear at all for our person^ safety. As to our animals, we must protect them as well as we can, and take car chance. It is only for two or three years at most. After that, we shall have settlements beyond and around us; and if emigration keeps on as f anticipate, and if, as x believe, Rosario is to become a very large and important place, our land will e-entually be worth one pound an acre, at the very lowest. I shall take care not to invest my whole capital in animals, so that I cannot be ruined in one blow. I think that, at the end of five years, you will agree with me that i have done wisely." "I have no doubt that your property will increase very much in value, as you say, Hardy, and that, in the long-run, your speculation will be a very successful one; but it is a terrible risk, I think." "I do not think so, Thompson. We shall be a pretty strong party : we shall have certainly two men besides our- selves. The boys could bring down their man at three hundred yards, and I should do considerable execution among a body of Indians at six or seven; so I have no fear, not the least in the world." In another two days Mr. Hardy and the boys, accompanied by Mr. Thompson, went down to Buenos Ayres, and took up their quarters at the hotel for a night. At parting, Mr. Thompson presented them with a couple of fine dogs, Which he had bred from English mastiffs : Mr. Hardy had A New Life 43 brought a brace of fine retrievers with him. Then, vvitii a hearty adieu and mucli hand-shaking, they said "Good- bye" as the steamer moved off from the shore. The heavy Uiggage was to follow in a sailing vessel upon the following day. i i -I CHAPTER IV S|i| n I THE PAMPAS -pHE voyage up the river Parana was marked by no J- particular incident. The distance to Rosario from Buenos Ayres .s about two hundred and fifty miles, which was performed by the steamer in about a day and a half. Th nver IS nearly twenty miles in breadth, and is completely and the banks but poorly wooded. Our travellers were there^ fore glad when they arrived at Rosario. The boys were d.sappo.nted at the aspect of the town, which, although a nsing place, contained under a thousand inhabitants, and looked miserably poor and squalid after Bueno ■ Ayres Here they were n.et by a gentl- :an to whom Mr. Thompson had •ntroduced Mr. Hardy, and with whom he had stayed on h's first vsit to Rosario. He had brought horses for Lmselves and bullock-carts for their luggage. "What! are these your ^ boys, Mr. Hardy? I had not expected to have seen such big fellows. Why, they will be men m no time." Charley and Hubert deserved Mr. Percy's commendation They were now sixteen and fifteen : ea , old respectively and were remarkably strong, well^own lad., looking at iLt a The Pampas 45 year older than they really were. In a few minutes the luggage was packed in two bullock-carts, and they were on their way out to Mr. Percy's station, wnich was about half- way to the camp of Mr. Hardy. The word camp in the Pampas means station or property ; it is a corruption of the Spanish word cawpos, literally plains or meadows. Here they found that Mr. Percy had most satisfactorily performed the commission with which Mr. Hardy had intrusted him. He had bought a couple of the rough country bullock-carts, three pair of oxen accustomed to the yoke, half a dozen riding horses, two milch cows, and a score of sheep and cattle to sup[)ly the larder. He had hired four men— a stock-keeper named Lopez, who was called the capatdz, or head man, a tall, swarthy fellow, whose father was a Spaniard, and whose mother a native uoiiian; two labourers, the one a Ger- .an, called Hans, who had been some time in the colony, the other an Irishman, Terence Kelly, whose face the boys remembered at once, as having come out in the same ship with themselves. The last man was an American, one of those wandering fellows who are never contented to remain anywhere, but are always pushing on, as if they thought that the farther they vent, the better they should fare. He was engaged as carpenter and useful man, and there were few things to which he could not turn his hand. Mr. Hardy was pleased with their f.ppearance; they were all powerful men, accustomed to work. Their clothes were of the roughest and most miscellaneous kind, a mixture of European and Indian garb, with the exception of Terence, who still clung to the long blue-tailed coat and brass buttons of the "ould country." They waited the next day at Mr. Percy's station, and started the next morning before daylight, as they had still ten 46 Out on the Pampas miles to travel, and were desirous of getting as early to the ground as possible. ^ The boys were in the highest spirits at being at last really out upon the Pampas, and as day fairly broke they had a hearty laugh at the appearance of their cavalcade. There was no road or track of any kind, and consequently, instead of following m a file, as they would have done in any other country, the party straggled along in a confused body First came the animals-the sheep, bullocks, and cows. Behind hand ''^'IT'^ '\ ^'^ g"-ho dress, and a long whip in his hand wh.ch he cracked from time to time, with a report Hke hat of a p,stol-not that there was any difficulty in driving the animals at a pace sufficient to keep well ahead of the bullock^arts, for the sheep of the Pampas are very much more actr^e beasts than their English relations. Accustomed to feed on the open plains, they travel over a large extent of ground, and their ordinary pace is four miles an hour. When frightened they can go for many miles at a speed which will tax a good horse to keep up with. The first bullock-cart was driven by Hans, who sat upon the top of a heap of baggage his head covered with a very old and battered Panama hat,' through several broad holes in which his red hair bristled ouj ma most comic fashion, and over his blue flannel shirt a large red beard flowed almost to his waist. Terence was walking by the side of the second cart in corduroy breeches and gaiters and blue coat, with a high black hat, battered and bruised out of all shape, on his head. In his hand he held a favourite shillelah, which he had brought with him from his native land, and with the end of which he occasionally poked the ribs of the oxen, with many Irish ejaculations, which no doubt alarmed the animals not a little. The Yankee rode W' The Pampas aj sometimes near one, sometimes by another, seldom exchanging a word with anyone. He wore a fur cap made of fox's skin; a faded blanket, with a hole cut in ihe middle for the head to' go through, fell from his shoulders to his knees. He and Lopez each led a couple of spare horses. The mastiffs trotted along by the horses, and the two fine retrievers, Dash and Flirt, galloped about over the plains. The plain across which they were travelling was a flat, broken only by slight swells and a tree here and there; and the young Hardys wondered not a little how Lopez, who acted as guide, knew the direction he was to take. After three hours' riding, Lopez pointed to a rather larger clump of trees than usual in the distance, and said, "That is the camp." 'I Hurrah ! » shouted the boys. " May we ride on, papa ? » "Yes, boys; I will ride on with you." And off they set, leaving their party to follow quietly. "Mind how you gallop, boys; the ground is honeycombed with armadillo holes, and if your horse treads in one, you will go over his head." "I don't think that I should do that," Charley, who had a more than sufficiently good opinion of himself, said; "I can stick on pretty tightly, and"- he had not time to finish his sentence, for his horse suddenly seemed to go down on his head, and Charley was sent flying two or three yards through the air, descending with a heavy thud upon the soft ground. He was up in a moment, unhurt, except for a knock on the eye against his gun, which he was carrying before him ; and after a minute's rueful look, he joined heartily in the shouts Of laughter of his father and brother at his expense. "Ah, Charley, brag is a good dog, but hold-fast is a better. I never 48 Out on the Pampas saw a more literal proof of the saying. There, jump up again, and I need not say look out for holes." They were soon off again, but this time at a more moderate pace. This fall was not, by a very long way, the only one which they had Sefore they had been six months upon the plains; for the armadillos were most abundant, and in the long grass it was impossible to see their holes. In addition to the armadillos, the ground is in many places honeycombed by the bischachas, which somewhat in size and appearance resemble rabbits, and by a little burrowing owl. The Hardys soon crossed a little stream, running east to fall into the main stream, which formed the boundary of the property upon that side ; and Mr. Hardy told the boys that they were now upon their own land. There was another hurrah, and then, regardless of the risk of falls, they dashed up to the little clump of trees, which stood upon slightly rising ground. Here they drew rein, and looked round upon the country which was to be their home. As far as the eye could reach, a flat plain, with a few slight elevations and some half dozen trees, extended. The grass was a brilliant green, for it was now the month of September. Winter was over, and the plain, refreshed by the rains, wore a bright sheet of green, spangled with innumerable flowers. Objects could be seen moving in the distance, and a short examination enabled Mr. Hardy to decide that they were ostriches, to the delight of the boys, who promised themselves an early hunt. "Where have you fixed for the house, papa ?" Hubert asked. "There, where those three trees are growing upon the highest swell you can see, about a mile and a half farther. We will go on at once; the others will see us." Anolher ten minutes took them to the place Mr. Hardy The Pampas aq had pointed out, and the boys both agreed that nothing could be better. At the foot of the slope, the river which formed the eastern boundary flowed, distant a quarter of a mile or so from the top of the rise. To the right another stream came down between the slope and another less elevated rise b.^yond. This stream had here rather a rapid fall, and was distant about three hundred yards from the intended site of the house. The main river was thirty or forty yards across, and was now full of water; and upon its surface the boys could see flock .icks, geese, and other b-rds. In some places the bank .,as bare, but in others thick clumps of bushes and brushwood grew beside it. They now took off" the saddles and bridles from their horses, and allowed them to range as they pleased, knowing that the native horses were accustomed to be let free, and that there was no fear of their straying away. " Now, boys," Mr. Hardy said, " let us begin by getting our first dinner. You go straight down to the water; I will keep to the right. You take Dash, I will take Flirt." In another ten minutes the reports of the guns followed close upon each other, and the boys had the satisfaction of knocking down two geese and eight ducks, which Dash brought ashore, besides others which escaped. In five minutes more they heard a shout from their father, who had bagged two more geese and three ducks. "That will do, boys ; we have got plenty for the next day or two, and ve must not alarm them by too much slaughter." " Four geese and eleven ducks, papa, in five minutes," the boys said, when they joined Mr. Hardy • " that is not bad shooting to begin with." 4 so Out on the Pampas m Not at all, boys. What with think that, at a pinch. a pinch, we cou Id wild fowl and armadillos, I live for some time upon the produce of the estate." " You don't mean to say, papa, that they eat the armadillos ? » Hubert said, with a look of suspicion. "They do indeed, Hubert, and I am told that they are not at all bad eating. Now let us go up to the rise again ; our carts must be nearly up." By theth.e they reached the three trees, they found that the rest of the cavalcade was within a quarter of a mile, and in a few minutes they came up. Tte cattle and sheep required no attending. Immediately they found that they were not required to go any farther, they scattered and began to gra.e. The oxen were unyoked from the carts, and all hands set-to to unload the miscellaneous collection of goods which had been brought up. Only the thmgs which Mr. Hardy had considered as most indispensable for present use had been brought on, for the steamer from Buenos Ayres did not carry heavy goods, and the agricultural implements and other baggage were to come up in a sailing vessel, and were not expected to arrive for another week The carts contained three small portmanteaus with ihe clothes of Mr. Hardy and the boys, and a large case containing the carbmes, rifles, and ammunition. There was a number of canisters with tea, coffee, sugar, salt, and pepper; a sack of flour; some cooking pots and frying pans, tin plates, dishes and mugs; two sacks of coal and a quantity of firewood' shovels, carpenter's tools, a sickle, the framework of a hut with two doors and windows, three rolls of felt, a couple of dozen wooden posts, and two large coils of iron wire, n'hile the Others were bu.sy unloading, the German had cut some turf ^ :f our The Pampas -_ ui":"' ^ '™^'' '-''^-' -' "^^ -on . Wight fl,e ;_■ Shall we pluck the di.cks ? » Charley asked. .,M '. '^•'""" """""S" l-i-^k" than that," the Yankee ^a.d. and ,ak,ng „p „„e of the ducks, he cut off its lead and rtX ingl n A™"; "'° ™' " "" ""' P"' "- P-- '"'0 duck7 a 1 r ""'''' ""^ P'="'""«>e other ducks, a hitle pepper and salt shaken over them and in ! wonderful^ short ti„,e the first hatch was ready 1 f Z ound and sat down on the grass ; the tin pla es ZeZ tabuted but were only used by Mr, Hardy and his son! the fowls rj I "'™'- ''■''' "P-^'--"'"" °f running the fowk had been pleasant to look at, and would at any othe had 1 I " "™' "' '"''' ^PP^*« ^ b"' *eir long ride had made them too hungry to be particular. The ,e™lt of th,s prmnt,ve cooking was pronounced to be excelled i after drinking a mug of tea, all felt ready for work ' "' What IS to be done first, papa ? " to start off u, the nigh,, and rernrn to their old home ■• an<.whi;fL!':rz:iT,;r"'^"r-^^^^^ hi^ Shoulder, the others went to „.o:::^^r;irLtr:d 52 Out on the Pampas nch, and the holes were dug to the required depth in a shorter time than would have been considered possible. The wire was stretched and :astened, and before sunset everything was m readiness. The animals were driven in, and the entrance, vyhich was narrow, was blocked up with brushwood from the river. Then followed another half-hour's work in getting up a small shelter, with the cases and some of the felling, for Mr. Hardy and his sons. By this time all were really tired, and were glad when Hans summoned them to another meal, this time of one of the sheep. Then Mr. Hardy and the boys, takmg their mugs of tea, retired into the shelter prepared for them, and sat and talked over the ever- of the day, and as to the work for to-morrow; and then, wrapping themselves up in their blankets, laid down to sleep, listening for some time dreamily to the hum of conversation of the men, who were sitting smoking round the fire, and to the hoarse roar of the innumerable frogs in the stream below. In the morning they were up and abroad with daylight, and a cup of hot coffee and a piece of bread prepared them for work. Mr. Hardy, his boys, and the Yankee set-to upon the framework of the two huts ; while the others went down to the stream and cut a quantity of long, coarse rushes, which they made mto bundles, and brought up to the place of the house in a bullock-cart. The framework for the huts, which were each about fifteen feet square, was all ready fitted and numbered: it took, therefore, a very short time to erect- and when one was done, Mr. Hardy and the Yankee set-to to erect the other at a distance of from forty to fifty yards, while Charley and Hubert drove in the nails and secured the work already done. By dinner-time the work was complete, and a perfect stack The Pampas t-i of rushes had been raised in readiness. A great number of long rods had been cut from the bushes, and as the most of them were as flexible and tough as willows, they were well suited for the purpose. After dinner the whole party united their labour to get one of the huts finished. The rods were split in two, and were nailed at intervals across the rafters of the roof Upon them the long rushes were laid, and over all the felt was nail'^d The sides were treated in the same way, except fiat the rushes were woven in and out between the wattles, so as to make quite a close, compact wall, no felt being nailed on it The other house was treated in the same way ; and it was not until the thud night that both huts were finished and ready for occupancy. Mr. Hardy and his sons then took possession of the one near the brow of the hill. This was to be merely a temporary abode, to be removed when the house was built. The men had that lower down, and rather nearer to the cattle. Beds of rushes were piled up in three corners, and the boys thought that they had never passed such a delicious night as their first m their new house. The next day Mr. Hardy told his boys that they should take a holiday and ride over the place. The press of work was over, and things would now settle down in a regular way. Hans and Terence had taken a contract to dig the holes for the posts of the strong fence which was to surround the house, including a space of a hundred yards square. This precaution was considered to be indispensable as a defence against the Indians. Seth the Yankee, had similarly engaged to dig a well close to the house No supervision of them was thcefore necessary. Lopez was to accompany them. Each took a double-barrelled gun and a Out on the Pampas 54 revolver. The day was very fine-about as hot as upon a warm day in June in England. Mr. Hardy prorosed that they should first ride westerly as far as the property extended SIX miles from the river; that they should then go to the south until they reached that bou.idary, and s! ould follow that to the river, by whose banks they should return, and bring back a bag of wild fowl for the larder. Quite a pack of dogs accompanied them -the two mastiffs, the setters, and four dogs, two of which belonged to Lopez, and the others to Hans and Seth. These last, seeing that their masters had no inten- tion of going out, determined to join the party upon their own account. These dogs were all mongrels of no particular breed, but were useful in hunting, and were ready to attack a fox, an animal which swarms upon the Pampas and does great damage among the young lambs. For the first three or four miles nothing was seen save the boundless green plain, extending in all directions ; and then -upon ascending a slight rise, they saw in the dip before them' two ostriches. Almost simultaneously the creatures caught sight of their enemies, and went off at a prodigious rate followed by the dogs and horsemen. For a time their pace was so fast that their pursuers gained but little upon them Presently, however, the dogs gained upon one of them, and' by their barking and snapping at it, impeded its movements! The horsemen were close together, and the boys had drawn out their revolvers to fire, when their father cried, " Don't fire boys ! Watch Lopez." ' At this moment the guacho took from the pommel of his saddle two balls like large bullets, connected with a long cord. These he whirled round his head, and launched them at the Till-: l)(ii;s SPKAm; ri'0\ IT, 50 os: an du kil hat < hac « seer Mr. the) kills But Aj barki prud( masti evide "It r revoh Th( leapec Prince colour he Was dogs s with it hold. immed The Pampas dust r1 , ' """"'"' *' bird was do»„ in the tZ !:Z ^r^ '"""' '"" '° •"» ground the dogs had iit:[Z\Turzr' ""' '"^ "' '^"^- -^ '' Is ehe flesh good? "Mr. H.,rdy a.,l Prince nd Ro a t ' ^ ^'"""^ ™'"=''"'^'>' ■" f™' "f colour as the Zstiff aT ".'"""'' " """'"' *- ^^^ he was a nulhT P' "P' ''="■'">' ^'°°d ''o '"gh • but ne was a much heavier animal, and longer in the back ' tZ ^^z irs. ^r "^° "- «-• -«'-' "i;:: -■ pn:;t"t:i'';i!7-^:j--d caught ™-diate,y rolling over and iver on the ^Idt fZ^Z 58 Ou. on the Pampas mass. Mr. Hardy and r,opez at once leapt from their horses and rushed to the spot; and the former, seizing his oppor- tunity, placed his pistol close to the lion's ear, and terminated the contest in an instant. The animal killed was a puma, called in South America a lion ; which animal, however, he resembles more in his colour than in other respects. He has no mane, and is much inferior in power to the Afn. an lion. They seldom attack men ; but if assailed, are very formidable antagonists. The present one was, Lopez asserted, a remark- ably large one. Mr. Hardy's first care was to examine the dogs. Prince's shoulder was laid open by the stroke of the claws, and both dogs had numerous scratches. Flora had fortunately seized him by the neck, and he had thus been unable to use his teeth. Mr. Hardy detei mined to return home at once, in order to dress Prince's shoulder ; and leaving Lopez to skin the puma, the rest took their way back. When they arrived, the wounds of the dogs were carefully washed, and a wet bandage was fastened with some difficulty upon Prince's wound. Leaving all the dogs behind, with the exception of the retrievers, Mr. Hardy and the boys started for a walk along the river, leading with them a horse to bring back the game, as their former experience had taught them that carrying half a dozen ducks and geese under a broiling sun was no joke. They were longer this time than before in making a good bag ; and after- experience taught them that early in the morning or late in the evening was the time to go down to the stream, for at these times flights of birds were constantly approaching, and they could always rely upon coming home laden after an hour's shooting. Upon the present occasion, however, they did not 77/^ Pampas jg do badly, but returned with a swan, three geese, and twelve ducks, just in time to find the men preparing for dinner. The next morning the two bullock-carts were sent off with Hans and Terence to Rosario, a. ^nch the posts for the fence, together with two more coi' , of wire, which had been left there from want of room in the :nr:; when they came up. Charley was sertt with them, in ordf that I .; might find out if the sailing vessel had arrived with ..le ploughs and heavy baggage. While he was away, Mr. Hardy and Hubert were occupied in making a complete exploration of the property, and in erecting a storehouse for the goods. In five days Charley returned with the carts he had taken, and with four others which he had hired at Rosario, bringing the heavy baggage, which had come in the day after he had arrived there. The goods were placed for the present in the new store, and then all hands set to work at thi; fence. Hans and Terence had already dug the holes ; and the putting in the posts, ramming the earth tightly round them, and stretching the wires, took them two days. The usual defence in the outlying settlements against Indians is a ditch six feet wide and as much deep; but a ditch of this width can be easily leapt, both by men on horse- back and on foot. The ditch, too, would itself serve as a shelter, as active men cuuld have no difficulty in getting out of it, and could surround the house by creeping along the bottom of the ditch, and then openly attack all round at once, or crawl up unperceived by those who were upon the watch on the other side. The fence had none of these disadvantages. It was six feet high. The wires were placed at six inches apart for four feet from the bottom, and at nine inches above that. Then the iJ TTTT'BIIMliuiuM 66 Out on the Pampas I i upper wires were not stretched quite so tightly as the lower ones rendering it extremely difficult to climb over. In this way an attacking party would have no protection whatever and would, while endeavouring to climb the fence, be helplessly exposed to the fire of those in the house. Those who got over, too, could receive no assistance from their comrades without, while their retreat would be completely cut off. The gateway to the fence was an ordinary strong iron gate which Mr. Hardy had bought at Rosario, and to which strong pointed palings, six feet long, were lashed side by side with intervals of six inches between them. This was the finishing touch to the fortification; and all felt when it was done that they could withstand the attack of a whole tribe of Indians The carts were again sent off to Rosario to bring back some more wood, from which to make the framework of the house Hubert this time accompanied them, as Mr. Hardy wished the boys to become as self-reliant as possible. He was also to hire three peons, or native labourers. Before he started, the plan of the future house was discussed and agreed upon. In the middle was to be the general sitting- room, fifteen feet square; upon one side was the kitchen, fifteen by ten and a half; upon the other, the servants' bed- room, of the same size; behind were three bedrooms, twelve feet by fifteen each, all ope..ing from the sitting-room. The house, therefore, was to form a block thirty -six feet bv thirty. ^ Upon the si ;. next to the kitchen, and opening from it a small square tower with two storeys in it was to stand li was to be ten r>et square ; the lower room to be a laundry and scullery, and the one above, approached by straight wooden steps, to be li...: storehouse. The roof was to be flat The Pampas gj with a parapet three feet high. From this a clear view could be had over the country for miles, and the whole circuit of the fence commanded in case of attack. The walls o: the house were to be of adobe, or mud, the internal partitions of sun- baked bricks. CHAPTER V , THE settlers' HOME JUST before commencing the house, Mr. Hardy heard that a sale of stock was to take place at an estancia about twenty miles to the west of Rosario, in consequence of the death of Its owner. He therefore took Lopez and the newly hired peons, and started. He was likely to be away five days The boys were to do what work they judged best in his absence. They determined to set about brick-making. For- tunately, Hans was accustomed to the work, and knew the way that the natives of the country set about it ; the American Seth knew nothing about it, but he was always willing to turn his hand to anything. First, a piece of ground was cleared of grass, and was levelled for the reception of the bricks when made; then some ; ' uiks were knocked together so as to form a rough table. Two brick moulds were made, these being larger than those used in England. A piece of ground was chosen near. The turf was taken off, the soil was dug up, and the peons drove the bullocks round and round upon it trampling it into a thick mud, some water being thrown in when necessary. As it was sufficiently trampled, Terence carried it in a trough and emptied it on to the table close by, where Hans and Seth The Settlers' Home 63 fashioned it in the moulds, turning the bricks out on to a plank a foot wide and six feet long. When this was full, the boys took each an end and carried it off to the prepared ground, where they carefully removed the bricks with two little slabs of wood, and placed them on the ground to dry, returning with the empty plank to find another one filled for them. It was hard work for all, and from eleven until three the heat was too great to allow them to work at it; but they began with day- light, and, taking a nap during the heat of the day, were ready to work on again as long as it was light. The bricks were, of course, to be dried by the sun, as fuel was too scarce for them to think of burning them ; but this was of little consequence, especially as they were to be used indoors, the heat of the sun being quite sufficient to make very fair bricks without the use of fire. By the afternoon of the fifth day they had made a quantity of bricks which would, they calculated, be ample for the construction of the partition walls of their house. The boys had just deposited the last brick upon the drying ground, and were moving away, when Hubert cried, "Stop, Charley ! don't move a step." Startled by the suddenness and sharpness of the cry, Charley stood without moving, and was surprised to see his' brother pick up one of the wet bricks in both hands, and da^h it upon the ground immediately in front of where they were walking. "I've killed him!" Hubert cried triumphantly; and Charley, looking down, saw a snake of about three feet long writhing in the grass, his head being completely driven into the ground under the force of the lump of wet clay. Two or three stamps of their heavy boots completed the work. And 64 Out on the Pampas the men coming up to see what was the matter, Hans said that Charley, who would have trodden upon the reptile in another insta.nt had not his brother called out, had had a very narrow escape, for that the snake was the vivora de la crux, so called from a mark Uke a cross upon his head, and that his bite was almost always mortal. It was a pretty snake, with bands of red, white, and black upon his body. Charley grew very pale at the thought of the narrow escape he had had, and wrung his brother very hard by the hand ; while Hubert was half inclined to cry at the thoughts of what might have happened. The sun was just setting when they saw a crowd of objects in the distance ; and the boys at once saddled their horses and rode off to meet their father and to assist to drive in the animals. They found, upor: reaching him, that he had Lought a thousand sheep, fifty cattle, and twenty horses ; three of these last being remarkably well bred, and fast, and bought specially for their own riding. Upon their arrival at the house, the sheep were turned into the enclosure, the horses were picketed, and the cattle left to roam at their will, as it was not thought probable that they would attempt to return to their distant homes, especially after two days' fatiguing march. Mr. Hardy was very much pleased at the sight of the long rows of bricks lyihg in front of the house, and gave great credit to all for the amount of work which had been done during his few days' absence. The next morning he assigned to ' t. one their share of the future work. Lopez and one of m* peons went out with the horses, cattle, and sheep \hz\ a time it would not be necessary to have two men employed for this work, as the cattle and horses, when they once became accustomed to their new home, would never wander very far. The Settlers' Home 65 Charley, Hubert, and Terence were to take three yoke of oxen and the three ploughs, and to commence to get the land in order for cultivation; the ground selected as a beginning being that lying below the house near the river. Mr. Hardy, Hans, and the two peons were to work at the house, and Seth was to finish the well, which, although begun, had been stopped during the press of more urgent work, and the water required had been fetched from the stream in a b .rel placed in a buliock-cn.rt. The \\ay in which adobe or mud houses are constructed is as follows :— The mud is prepared as for brick- making ; but instead of being made into bricks, it is made at once into the wall. The foundation having been dug out and levelled, two boards are placed on edge, eighteen inches or two feet apart. These are kept in their places by two pieces of wood nailed across them. The space between these boards is filled with mud, in which chopped hay and rushes have been mixed to bind it together. The boards are left for a day or two, while the builders procetJ with the other part of the wall. They are then taken off, and the heat of the sun soon dries the wall into a mass almost as hard as a brick. The boards are then put on again higher up, and the process repeated until the walls have gained the desired height. In a fortnight's time the walls were finished, and t' -2 bullock- carts were despatched to Rosario to fetch lime, as Mr. Hardy had determined to plaster the inside walls to keep in the dust, which is otherwise continually coming of mud walls. By this time a considerable extent of land was ploughed up, and this was now planted with maize, yam or sweet potato, and pump- kins. A small portion, as an experiment, was also planted with potato seeds ; but the climate is almost too warm for the potato to thrive. 5 66 Out on the Pampas Upon the return of the carts with the lime, the partition walls were built with the bricks. Th^> walls fmisi -d, all hands went to work at the roof. This Mr. Hardy had intended to have had regularly thatched; but durin-- his last Msit 'o R isario he bad heard that the Indians frequendy endeavoured in th«.'ir attacks to sot fire to the roofs, and he therefore deteiniined to use tiles, 'llvi can - had to make two journeys to Rosario to get sufficient til-s and lath. But at last all was finished : the walls were plasieir^d inside and whitewashed out; the floor was levelled, ^oeuten down hard, and covered with a mixture of clay and lime, which hardened into a firm, level floo-. It was exactly two months from the date of their artival at the farm that the doors were hung and the finishing touch put to the house, and very pleased were they all as they gave three cheers for their new abode. The tower, they all agreed, was an especial feature. It was built of adobe up to the height of the other walls, but the upper storey had been built of bricks two-thick and laid in mortar. The top had been embattled ; and the boys laughed, and said the house looked exactly like a little dissenting chapel at home. It was a joyful day when a fire was first lighted in the kitchen chimney, which, with that in the sitting-room, was lined with bricks ; and the whole party sat down to a dinner of mutton, and wild fowl of three or four sorts. The same evening Mr. Hardy told the boys that he should start the next day to bring up their mamma and the gir^s, who were all getting very impatient indeed to be out u^ ■ . fhe Pampas. He explained to them that he should brin- • > uon bedsteads with beddu.g, but that he relied ui ';i\ li^ .-m to increase their stock ui" tables and benches, ar ' io put up shelves, which would do until regular cupboards siyd upon our mettle, too. See how nicely the boys have cooked the breakfast. These spatch-cock ducks are excellent, and the mutton chops done to a turn. They will have a great ;h us, if we, the professed cooks, do not do at least as wel^ "Ah, but look at the practice they have been wing, mamma." " Yes, Maud," Hubert said ; " and I can tell you it is only two or three things we can do well. Ducks and geese done like this, and chops and steaks, are about the limits. If we tried anything else, we made an awful mess of it. As to nng, The Settlers' Home 71 puddings, we never attempted them ; and shall be very glad of something in the way of bread, for we are heartily sick of these flat, flabby cakes." " Why have you only whitewashed this high middle wall half-way up, Frank ? " " In the first place, my dear, we fell short of whitewash ; and in the next place, we are going to set to work at once to put a few light rafters across, and to nail felt below them, and white- wash it so as to make a ceiling. It will make the rooms look less bare, and, what is much more important, it will make them a great deal cooler." " You get milk, I hope ? " "Yes," Charley said; "two of the cows of the last lot papa bought are accustomed to be milked, and Hubert and I have done if till now; but we shall hand them over to you, and you gin., ill have to learn." ^ Maud and Ethel looked at each other triumphantly. *' Perhaps we know more than you think," Ethel said. "Yes," Mrs. Hardy said; "the girls are going to be two very useful little women. I will tell you a secret. \\ ..,le you boys were at work of a morning, the girls, as you know, oft.u walked over to Mr. Williams, the farmer's, to learn as much as they could about poultry, of which he kept a great many. Mrs. Williams saw how anxious they were to learn to be useful, so she offered to teach them m milk, and to manage a dairy, and make butter and cheese. And they wcrked regularly, till Mrs. Williams told me she tliought that they could make butter as well as she could. It ha been a great secret, for the girls did not wish even their papa to know, so that it might be a surprise " "Very well done, little girls," Mr. Hardy said; 'it is a 72 Out on llie Pampas surprise indeed, and a mo,,t pleasant one. Mamma lent vour r: T"^' -' -- - --h as Whispered a .IZlZ ...ce he, arnved, and they promised readily enough to malce a rough eliurn with the least possible delay By ten o'elock the earts arrived protect™ of God upon their household Afterwards Ms Har y and the g.rls were taken over the plaee, and shown the s.il'"'" r""'i' ^""'"' ""' """^ '"■'■"' "P' P^P^." Charley said. It was damp enough when we put in the crops and ■-.rsr',:: 7''^"^^ "■" ' '-' «"" «>eywer: ::„ tuu lute, and will be burnt up." ''Ah but I have a plan to prevent that," Mr. Hardy said. •See if you can think what it is." Neither of the boys could imagine. "When I first described the place to you, I told you that there was a main stream with a smaller one running into it and that I thought that this last would be ^ y use ul I e^mined the ground very carefully, and I found Iha th small stream runs for some distance between two slight sweUs i riie Settlers' Iloine n which narrow in sharply to each other just below the house Now find that a dan, of not more than fifty feet wide and eight feet high will make a sort of lake a (juarter of a mile long and averaging fifty yards wide. From this the water will How over the whole Hat by the river in fr.nt of the house and away o the le ft, and w-e shall be able to irrigate at least three or four hundred acres of land. Upon these we shall be able to ra.se four or five crops a year, and one crop in particular, the alfalfa a sort of lucern for fattening the cattle in time of drought when the grass is all pan:hed up. At that time cattle ordmanly worth only three pounds can be sold, if fat. for nine before uf''""^'" ^'" '"' '''' '"'^'' '^''' '' " ^'''^"^ ^^^^^^^^^ The boys entered enthusiastically into the scheme, and the party went at once to inspect the spot which Mr. Hardy had fixed upon for the dam. This, it was agreed, should be commenced the very next day; and Mr. Hardy said that he had no doubt, if the earth was properly puddled, or stamped when wet, that it would keep the water from coming through. ° In the afternoon Mrs. Hardy, Maud, and Ethel were taken a ride round the property, and were fortunate enough to see some ostriches, to tne great delight of the girls. At tea Mr. Hardy said, " There is one very important pomt connected with our place which has hitherto been unaccountably neglected. Do any of you know what it is r The boys and their sisters looked at each other in great perplexity, and in vain endeavoured to think of any important omission. ^ " I mean," their father said at last, " the place has no name. 74 Out on the Pampas I suggest that we fix upon one at once. It h only marked in the Government plan as Lot 473- Now, what name shall it be?" Innumerable were the suggestions made, but none met with universal approbation. At last Mrs. Hardy said "I have heard in England of a place called Mount Pleasant though I confess I do not know where it is. No^, what do you say to Mount Pleasant ? It is a mount, and we mean It to be a very pleasant place before we have done with it." The approval of the suggestion was general, and amid great applause it was settled that the house and estate should Hereafter go by the name of « Mount Pleasant." In the morning the boys were at work at two wheel- barrows, for which Mr. Hardy had brought out wheels and iron -work ; and Mr. Hardy and the men went down to the stream, and began to strip off the turf and to dig out a strip of land five -and -twenty feet wide along the line where the dam was to come. The earth was then wetted and puddled ^hen the barrows were completed they were brought into rt'ork ; and in ten days a dam was raised eight feet high three feet wide at the top, and twenty-five feet wide at the bottom. In the middle a space of two feet wide was left, through which the little stream at present ran. Two posts, with grooves in them, were driven in, one upon either side o) this; and thus the work was left for a few days, for the ^m to bake its surface, while the men were cutting a trench for the water to run down to the ground to be irrigated. A small sluice was put at the entrance to this, to regulate the quantity of water to be allowed to flow, and all was now t n r 1( c i' >< i^ The Settlers' Home yt in readiness to complete the final operation of closing up the dam. A quantity of earth was first collected and puddled and piled on the top of the dam and on the slopes by its side, so as to be in readiness, and Mrs. Hardy and the giris came down to watch the operation. First a number of boards two feet long, and cut to fit the grooves, were slipped down into them, forming a solid wall and then upon the upper side of these the puddled earth was thrown down into the water, Terence standing below m the stream and pounding down the earth with a rammer The success was complete. In a couple of hours' time the gap m the dam was filled up, and they had the satisfaction of seeing the little stream overflowing its banks and widening out above, while not a drop of water made its escape by the old channel. While this work had been going on, the boys had been engaged up at the house. The first thing was to make a churn, then to put up some large closets and some more shelves, and the bullock - carts had to be sent to Rosano for a fresh supply of planks. This occupied them until the dam was finished. The girls had tried the.r first experiment at butter, and the result had been most satisfactory. The dinners, too, were pronounced to be an immense improvement upon the old state of things. Soon after the dam was finished, Hans, who had been too long a rover to settle down, expressed his desire to leave • and as Mr. Hardy had determined to lessen his establish- ment, -as, now that the heavy work was over, it was no longer necessary to keep so many hands, -he offered no objection to his leaving without the notice he had agreed to 76 Out on the Pampas give. Wages were high, and Mr. Hardy was desirous of keeping his remaining capital in hand, in case of his sheep and cattle being driven off by the Indians. One of the peons was also discharged, and there remained only Lopez, Seth, Terence, and two peons. rous of is sheep of the Lopez, CHAPTER VI A T.M,E OF THE MEXICAN WAR M ^- j^"^"^^^^ ''''' '•''^ther surprised at Seth Harper, the ^^± Yankee, ha^ing remained so long in his service, as he man had plainly stated, when first engaged, that he thought ,t likely that he should not fix himself, ts he exprled u, for many weeks. However, he stayed on, and had evidently taken a fancy to the boys; and was still more interested m the girls, whose talk and ways must have been strange and very pleasant to him after so many years' wander- ing as a sohtary man. He was generally a man of few words us.ng signs where signs would suffice, and making his answers,' when obhged to speak, as brief as possible. This habit oi taciturnity was no doubt acquired from a long life nassed either alone, or amid dangers where an unnecessary ^ound might have cost him his life. To the young people, however, he would relax trom his habitual rule of silence. Of an evemng, n1.en work was over, they would go down to the bench he had erected outside his hut, and would ask him to eil them tales of his Indian experiences. Upon one of these occasions Charley said to him, - But of all the near escapes that you have had, ..vhich was the most hazardous yo« ever had ? Which do you consider was the nar.rowe.st touch you ever had of being killed ? " i'7 78 Out on the Pampas Seth considered for some time in silence, turned his plug of tobacco n. his mouth, expectorated two or three time^ a! was h,s custom when thinking, and then said, '^Thar'no altogether an easy question to answer. IVe been Inea wjped out such scores of times, that it ain't no easy job t TZ wh,ch was the downright nearest. In thinking it over I con another ,t am't noways easy to say now. But I think that at the t.me, I never so much felt tha.: Seth Harper's tL ft gomg down had come, as I did in an affair near San Louis' ^^^^And how was that, Seth? Do tell us about K Maud ^'^It's rather a long story, that is," the Yankee said bettet as''f' ''""' ''"'" '''"'^^ •^^^'^' ^''' ^-^^' ^^^ the better as far as we are concerned, if you don't mind telling " No, r don't mind, nohow," Seth answered. « I'll just think It over, and see where to begin." There was a silence for a i.. n.inutes, and the young Hardys composed themselves comfortably for a good lon^ sittmg, and then Seth Harper began his story. ' ''Better than five years back, in '47, I were fighting in Mexico. It wasn't much regular up and down fighting we had, though we had some toughish battles too, but it were .sk.rm,shn.g here, skirmishing there, keeping one eye always open, for man, woman, and child hated us like pison, and it was httle mercy that a straggler n.ight expect if he got caught a..y from his friends. Their partisan chiefs, half-soldier half- r«bber, did us more harm than the regulars, and mercy was never given or asked between them and us. Me and Rube Pearson worked mostly together. We had 'fit' the Indians A Tale of the Mexican War 79 out on the prairies for years side by side, and when Uncle Sam wanted men to lick the Mexicans, we concluded to go in together. We 'listed as scouts to the ' Rangers,' that is, we agreed to fight as much as we were wanted to fight, and to go on in front as scouts, in which way we had many a little scrmimage on our own account; but we didn't wear any uniform, or do drill, which couldn't have been expected of us We shouldn't have been no good as regulars, and everyone knew that there were no better scouts in the army than Rub Pearson and Seth Harper. Lor', what a fellow Rube was, to be sure ! I ain't a chicken," and the Yankee looked down at his own bony limbs, "but I was a baby by thci side of Rube He were six feet four if he were an inch, and so broad that he looked short unless you saw him by the side of another man I do believe Rube Pearson were the strongest man in the world. I have heard," Seth went on, meditating, «'of a chap called Samson. Folks say he were a strong fellow. I never came across anyone who had rightly met him, but a good many have heard speak of him. I should like to have seen him and Rube in the grips. I expect Rube would have astonished him. Rube came from Missouri-most of them very big chaps do. I shouldn't wonder if Samson did, though I never heard for certain." The young Ha-ays i.ad great difficulty to prevent them- selves from laugl ag aloud at Seth's idea on the subject of Samson. Charley, bov.e-.er, with a great effort, steadied him- self to say, "Samson died a great many years ago, Seth. His history is in tht Bible." "Is it, though?" Seth said, much interested. "Well now what did he do ? " ' "He carried away the gates of Gaza on his back, Seth." 80 Out 071 the Pampas Seth remained thoughtful for some time - It all A a on how big the LMtes wpm " K. -a , ' depends b ••"<- feULCb were, he said at nsf- " t'u j. •hero is a .et.y heavyi.h one, .„, Ru PeaJo^l^, f™ earned away two sich ^<^ tho^ , ^^-irson could have then,, wj. else da ht do"; "" "" ^"'"^' °" '"^ '"" "^ Seih? "■" '"""'' '" '"" ™'*' --^ »« broke .ho™ asunder, Seth did not appear to attach much importance t„ ,i • . 'n " '^ '"""= '" *'=• ""^ •' h: ',:!',L'd*%'i"'r "'^'" -^'^ ^-^ '""^°- -^ - -•■ astonish^ Then he T"; T *^" """■''" '" *-' -akingfunorJe'L" °'^'^*-P'^-" The young Hardys could stand i, no longer, but wen. off '7 f;r7 °f l-Sltte, which even th! urp i d a,°d offended looks of the ignorant and simple-minded bule^d Yankee coud not checlf «« „«■ j j . ""' anrevia entreafs or . ^"^ ™' '''=■ '"'''<='', that no entreat,.., or explanations were sufficient to mollify him and the story w.as abruptly broken off. It was not for „ o 'th^ days that the boys' e.xpl.an.ation and assurance sufficed a"d t^im: 'rsaid-" "^ -^"-^ "- "^* -'- --" •or myself. I can just remember that my mother nut a great store on her Bible, and called it the good boo k/can' ead myself and shouldn't have tin,c to dolt if I could ■ ,o i ' io'n rj^de": rtf r;:; t:: t ' r^^>' -^^ ■'-"-^ - in -%r •;.::::;::-• ---;;^=ne»cep. ». i^stoo ..efor me .o try and lear^' a 'L: o^ '„ r, mes llTdt "' '°r" """" ™'''"e' -" I "-h some times I had been taught ; and yet it's better as it is A 2„ settlements.' N.f:?::;rr:;-^'-;-^^ .e others will co^e over to ^. ,„. .„, ^J^^ ^^^ «uh that yam I ^ just begiming.- " ^" 82 Out on the Pampas After tea the young Hardys went down to the hut, outside which they found Seth awaiting their arrival. They were now comfortably seated, and Seth, without further introduction, went on. " One day our captain sent for Rube and me, and says, ' I've got a job for you two scouts. It's a dangerous one, but you won't like it any the worse for that, I know.' '• ' Not a bit,' said Rube, with a laugh. He was the lightest- hearted fellow, was Rube ; always gay and jolly, and wouldn't have hurt a squirrel, except in stand-up fight and as a matter of business. "'What is it, Cap?' said I. 'You've only got to give us the word, and we're off.' '"I've had a message,' he said, 'from Colonel Cabra of their service, that he is ready to turn traitor, and hand us over some correspondence of Santa Anna, of which he ha^i somehow got possessed. Being a traitor, he won't trust anyone; and the only plan we can hit upon is, that he shall make a journey to San Miguel, thirty miles north of this, as if on business. I am to make an expedition in that direction, and am to take him prisoner. He will then hand over the papers. We shall bring him here, and, after keeping him for a time, let him go on parole. No suspicion will therefore at any future time arise against him, which there might be if we met in any other way. The papers are very important, and the affair must not be suffered to slip through. The country between this and San Miguel is peaceful enough, but we hear that El Zeres' band is out somewhere in that direction. He has something like two hundred cut-throats with him of his own, and there is a rumour that other bands have joined him. Now I want you to go on to-morrow to San Miguel. Go in there after dusk, I it, outside were now •oduction, ays, ' I've , but you i lightest- wouldn't a matter ) give us I^abra of i us over somehow ne; and L journey iness. I I to take 'Ve shall : him go me arise her way. not be ind San band is like two re is a ant you :r dusk, SK'III, \\ n lliILl' 111; I iii:k I.N I Koiirci j,,x. »VKNT ON. tas.- A Tale of the Mexican War 85 "rnall wine- is. It only and take up your quarters at this address. It ,' shop ma street off the market. Get up as M, .^ it onlv requires a big cloak and a sombrero. You can both peak Spanish well enough to pass muster ^mv ii , .h,s road You ,vill find ou. in ,he firs, place whether Cabra has amved, and in ,he ne.t place whether El Eere, i in ,he nc,gh .ourhood. I .hall only bring forty „en, as Tl „ , * .e to be supposed tha, I an, going on more than a mere Z ing expedition. You understand ? ' ZZ '""' ^^'' "■" *> "■' ' ^"^ -<• - -"' off to our " I can't say I altogether liked the job. It was i 1„„„ rom headquarters, and, do what thiy „a Z ^^Z fight more than, say, ten or a dozen. I was rather. \ .0 see by Rube's face tha. he rather li ed t ^1 7. rmd out till late that night what it was phased hm ]Z Z truth came out. ' '"^ "'We had better start early, Seth ' said h. • . daybreak.' ' ^'^ ^^ > ^^y at "'What for, Rube?' I sqid 'tk^ n / gci you into a scrape some day ' dol s'',l '?''"■ '' ™ "« '"°"«'^ 'o ^<^' "•« of it if it does, Seth; but you know I did feel unconnion soft tH! wk\ W^^ 'I'l « \ \"W'.ri'' X ^\ ^y--' :\*'^' ■1 ■•r 'f^ v„ ^^^^^^^M f- ^^^^1 .. »' r-^.. 1 ■ :'. i * >%. ^> IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) k // / :a /A ^ 1.0 I.I 11.25 U 116 ^^ 11 i. Ui- Sdences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. MS80 (716) 872-4503 !^\ "^ \ M m •^ \ c\ '■^^ lV c/. :/^ 86 Out on the Pampas Pepita, and really thought of marrying and taking her back to Missouri.' " ' Only she wouldn't come, Rube ? ' "'Just so, Seth,' said he, laughing. 'So we agreed we would be the best friends ; and she asked me, if ever I went out to San ISIiguel, to go and see her. She said her father was generally out, but would be glad to see me if he were in. She lives in a small hacienda, a league this side of the town.' " I saw that it was of no use to argue, but I didn't like it. The Mexican women hated us worse than the men did, and that warn't easy to do ; and many of our fellows had been murdered after being enticed by them to out-of-the-way places. Still, in the present case, I did not see thai the girl could have expected that Rube would be there unless the rest of us were near at hand, and I did not attempt to oppose Rube's wishes. "So next morning off we started, and by ten o'clock we rode up to the door of the place which Rube said answered to the description Pepita had given him. It was a pretty place, with trees round it, and might have been the residence of a small proprietor such as Pepita liad described her father to be. As we rode up to the door it opened, and I saw at once that Rube were right, for a dark-eyed Mexican girl came out and looked at us inquiringly. " ' What can I do for you, senors ? ' she asked. '"Don't you remember me. Dona Pepita?' Rube .said, laughing, as he lifted the sombrero which had shaded his face. "The girl started violently. 'Ah, Senor Americano, is it you ? I might have known, indeed,' she said, smiling, ' by your size, even wrapped up. This, of course, is Senor Seth : you are always together. Rut oome in,' she said. '"Who have you got inside, Dona Pepita?' Rube asked. A Tale of the Mexican War 87 ' I know that I can trust you, but I can't trust others, and I don't want it known I am here.' '"The house is empty,' Pepita said. 'My father is out. There is only old Jacinta at home.' "At this moment an old woman made her appearance at the door, and a*- a word from Pepita took our horses, while Pepita signed to us to enter. "'Excuse me, seiiora,' I said. 'We will go first and see our horses stabled. It is our custom ; one never knows when he may want them." "I thought Pepita looked annoyed, but it was only for a moment, and then she said something in one of the country dialects to the old woman. She nodded her head, and went off round to the back of the house, we leading our horses and following her. I'he stables, I observed, were singularly large and well kept for a house of its size; but, to my surprise, instead of going to the long range of buildings, the old woman led the way to a small slied. " ' Ain't these stab'cs ? ' said I. "She shook her head, and said in Spanish, *They were once, but we have only two horses. Now they are used as a store for grain. The master has the key.' "I could not contradict her, though I believed she was telling me a lie. However, we fastened our horses up in the shed, put the pistols from our holsters into our belts, and, taking our rifles in our hands, entered the house. "Pepita received us very warmly, and busied herself assisting . the old woman to get us something to eat ; after which she and Rube began love-making, and it really seemed as if the girl meant to change her mind, and go back with Rube, after all. There was nothing, in fact, to justify my feeling uneasy, \? 88 Out on the Pampas except that, while Pepita had promised me v/hen I entered the house not to tell the old woman who we were, I was convinced that she had done so by the glances of scowling hatred which the old hag threw at us whenever she came into the room. Still I was uneasy, and shortly made some excuse to leave the room and saunter round and about the house, to assure myself that Pepita had spoken truly when she had said that there was no one there except the old woman and herself. I found nothing to excite the smallest suspicion, and was therefore content to return to the room and to throw myself lazily down and go off for a siesta, in the wakeful intervals of which I could hear that Pepita had given way, and that the delighted Rube was arranging with her how she should escape and join him when the army retired ; for of course neither had any idea that her father would consent to her marrying one of the hated enemies of his country. *' At three o'clock I roused myself, and soon after the old woman came into the room with some lemonade. I observed that Pepita changed colour, but she said nothing, and a moment after, making some excuse, she left the room. I was about to speak to Rube on the subject, when the window was darkened with men. Five or- six shots were fired at us, and with a yell a crowd of Mexicans rushed into the room. "As they appeared, Rube sprang up with the exclamation, 'Trapped, by thunder!' and then fell flat on his back, shot, I believed, through the head. " I rushed to my rifle, seized it, but before I could get it to my shoulder it was knocked from my hand. Half a dozen fellows threw themselves upon me, and I was a prisoner. I didn't try to resist when they laid hands on rie, because I I was A Tale of the Mixican War 89 knew I should have a knife in me at once ; and though I knew my 'fe was not worth an hour's purchase-no, nor five minutes'-after I was caught, still, upon the whole, it was as well to live that five minutes as not. " There was such a hubbub and a shouting at first that I couldn't hear a word, but at last I picked up that they were a party of the band of El 7e;rcs, who was in the neighbour- hood, and had been fetched by a boy that traitress Pepita had despatched for them directly we arrived. Pepita herself was wife of one of the other chiefs of the band. Much fun was made of poor Rube and myself about our courting. I felt mad with myself for having been caught so foolishly. I couldn't feel angry with Rube, with him lying dead there, but I was angry with myself for having listened to him. I oughtn't to have allowed him to have his own way. I warn't in love, and I ought to have known that a man's head, -vhen he's after a gal, is no more use than a pumpkin. While I was thinking this out in .ny mind I had my eyps fixed upon poor Rube, whom no one thought of noticing, when all of a sudden I gave quite a start, for I saw him move. I couldn't see his face, but I saw a hand stealing gradually out towards the leg of a man who stood near. Then there was a pause, and then the other hand began to move. It wasn't at all like the aimless way that the arms of a badly hit man would move, and I saw at once that Rube had been playing 'possum' all along." "Doing what, Seth?" Ethel asked. '•Just pretending to be dead. I held my breath, for I saw he had come to the conclusion that he could not be ovei looked much longer, and was going to make a move. "In another minute there was a crash and a shout as the 90 Out Oil tlic Pampas two men full to the grouinl w iih their lei^^s knorkcd clean from under them, catchinjf liold of odier men and drai;giiig them down with them. From the midst of the confusion Rube leapt to his feet and made a rush for the window. One man he levelled with a hlow of his fist; another he caught up as if Ik had been a baby, and hurling him against two others, 'i)rought them on the ground together; and then, leaping over their bodies, dashed through the window before the Mexicans had recovered from their astonishment. I could have laughed out loud at the yell of rage and amazement with which they set off in pursuit ; but two or three of them remained to guard me, and I might have got a knife in my ribs, so I kept (|uiet. I did just feel so glad to see Rube was alive, that I hardly remembered that" it warn't likely that either he or I would be so long; for I did not for a moment expect that he would make good his escape. The odds were too great against it, especially in i)road daylight. luen on horseback, it would be next to impossil)le. No one but Rube would have attempted such a thing; but he never stopped to think about odds or chances when his dander was up. In less than no time I heard a shot or two, then there was a silence for a time, then a shout of triumph. I knew it was all over, and that Rube was taken again. "He told me afterwards that he had made a dash round to the stable, where he had found seven or eight Mexicans looking after the horses ; that he had knocked down one or two who were in his way, had leapt upon the nearest animal, and had made off at the top of his speed, but that a dozen others were after him in an inst;^nt : and seeing that he would be lassoed and thrown from his horse, he had stojiped and' thrown up his arms in token of surrender. Rube's hands A Tale of t//r Mc.ximti War 91 were bound lightly hcliiiid liim, ami he was led hack into the room. "He gave a loud laugh when he saw me. 'That waS a l)oy's trick, wasn't it, .Seth ? Jkit I coukh/t have helped it if I had been shot a minute afterwards. There were those fellows' legs moving about me just as if I was a log of wood. The thoughts came across me, " \ good sharp rap above the ankle and over you'd go " ; and when I'd once thought of it, I was obliged to do it It was fun, though, Seth ; wasn't it?' "'It was, as you say. Rube, a boy's trick, and just at present is hardly the time for that. IJut don't let us say any- thing we don't want overheard. Rube; some of these fellows may understand.' "'Right you are, Seth. I am main sorry, old boss, that I've got you into this scrai)c, but I expect we shall get out again somehow. I don't think Rube Pearson is going to be wiped out yet.' " I hoped not too. I warn't a bit tired of life, but I did not sec my way out of it. However, I had one comfort : I knew if any two men could get out of an ugly mess, those two men were Rube and I. "We were now told to sit down on the ground in one corner of the room, two fellow.s taking up their station by our sides. Then there was a hot discussion about our fate, which warn't exactly pleasant to listen to. Some were in favour of hanging us at once, but the majority were for taking us tp the main body under El Zeres himself, because the chief would be so glad to have us in his power. He had frequently vowed vengeance against us, for we were known as the most active scouts in the army, and had led troops in his pursuit many a time, and had once or twice come very near to catching him. 92 Out on the Pampas He had vowed solemnly to his patron saint, that if we fell into his hands he would put us to death with unheard-of tortures • and as El Zeres was rather celebrated that way,-and it was the anticipation of an unusual treat which decided the majority to reserve us,-it warn't altogether pleasant to listen to. But we put a good face on the matter, for it would never have done to let those Mexican varmints see that two backwoodsmen, who hod 'fit' them and beaten them time after time, were afraid to die when their time came. Presently there was a little stir and Pepita came into the room. I rather think that, though the girl hated us like pison, she didn't like to come into the room where one of us was, she thought, laying dead. Now she came in, looking, I will say for her, uncommonly pretty She came straight up to us, and looked us full in the face. I paid no attention to her, but Rube nodded cjuite cheerfully. Well, setiora, so you were making fools of us, after all » Well, I ain't the first chap that's been fooled by a pretty woman; that's one comfort, anyhow. I suppose our engage- ment IS to be considered at an end, eh ? ' and he laughed " ' American dog ! ' the girl said, with her eyes flashing with rage, 'did you think you were so good-looking that the women of the nation you tread upon are all to lose their hearts to you ? We are Mexicans, and we hate you ! ' and she stamped her foot with passion. "Rube laughed unconcernedly. 'Well, senora, after what you now permit me to see of you, I am really thankful that you are so kind and lenient. Thunder ! what a fate mine would have been if you had taken it into your head to marry me ! ' "There was a general laugh among the men at the cool way in which Rube treated the girl, and tlie enraged Pepita A Talc of the I\re.xican War 93 struck him a box on tlie oar. It was a hearty one, but Rube's foce hardly changed, and he said, still smiling— "'We have a custom in the States, I'epita, that when a gal boxes a man's ears, he has a right to give her a kiss. Vou are reversing that; I had the kisses this afternoon, and now I have got the hrx on the ear.' "There was again a roar of laughter among the Mexicans and the enraged woman drew a knife, and would have stabbed Rube to the heart had she not been seized by the men standing round her and forced from the room. We were kept in that room under a guard, so watchful that any attempt to escape was out of the question, until three o'clock the next morning. The horses were then saddled, and we were soon off. Rube and I riding in the midst of the party with our hands tied before us, so that we could just hold the bridle. We had found out from the conversation that El Zeres with his band was about twenty-five miles distant. Upon our ride, I found an opportunity for the first time since our capture for a talk with Rube. " ' What do you think of it, Seth ? ' " ' Looks bad. Rube,' I said. ' If we find El Zeres in camp, I expect he will make short work of us; if he is away, I suppose we shall get till to-morrow morning. If we are 'to escape at all, it must be to-night.' "'Escape !' Rube said scoffingly; 'of course we are going to escape. The question is, Which one of all the ways open to us are we to choose ? ' and he laughed merrily. '"I don't quite see all the ways yet, Rube; however, we shall see what sort of a place we are put in to-night, and can then come to some conclusion. There comes the sun.' 94 Out on the Pampas " It was about nine o'clock when we rode into camp • and as we appn. -lied it, we acloiowlclycd that a better place agi-nst a sudden surprise could hanllv have been c-hosen. The ground was Hat for miles round,' but the site of the camp rose in a slight mound, of nearly circular forn, and perhaps one hundred yards across. The .entral part was thirty feet or so above the general level. Round this the band of ICl Zeres was encamped. Rube and I guessed them at four hundred strong. There was an attempt at military order, for, by the bundles of wearing apparel etc It was evident that the men slept round a series of bivouac fires, extendmg in a circle round the foot of the mound Withm the line of f.res the horses were picketed in two rows In the centre of the circle, upon the highest point of the rise, was a small house. As we approached, we could see a Htir m the camp. A party of men were mounting their horses as if for an expedition. ' '"I hope E\ Zeres is on the point of starting somewhere, Kube, I said, 'and that he is in too great a hurry to stop to amuse himself with us, as he has threatened. It will dve us another day.' '"I hope so,' Rube said; 'it's hard if we don't manage to make tracks if we get twenty-four hours.' " On reaching the camp we were ordered to alight ■ and upon Its being known who we were, there were as many shouts ol triumph as if we had been generals. '"We are (juite celebrated characters, Seth,' Rube said with his usual lausjh. ' "'Ah,' said I, 'we could do without such celebrity iust at present.' " ' I don't know,' Rube said. ' If we were mere American yl Ta/r of till' Mcxutui War 95 solcliors. thiv u.-uld rut our throats at onri' ; as it is, they may kci'p us (or a iiiort- ccrL'monial killing.' "As we were talking, we were being led up towards the centra! luit, which wa.-, evidently the abode ol the chief. He wa.s standing at the door, tapping his riding-hoot imi)atiently with a heavy whip. .\ man was hoKling his horse in readi- ness. One of the other leaders was standing talking to him. 'jehoshaphat!' sa'd I, 'he is going out. We arJsale tor a whik'.' "Kl /eres was a slight, wiry man, with a small, wicked- looking eye, which gave one the 's(iuerms' to look at, and a thin mouth curved up in a cruel smile. He was the savagest and most bloodthirsty of all the Mexican partisans. The man with him was a tall, swarthy, ferocious-looking villain. "{•■J /ert's looked at us for some time without a word. 'I'hen he said, ' I've g.u you at last; I've been on the lookout for you for a long time past." '"It hasn't been oin- fauli we haven't met before,' said Rube; which was true enough, for we had given him n close chase several tiiDes. i;i /ures only gave an evil snii!e, but the other Mexican exclaimed savagely, ' \-ou dog, do you dare to answer?' and struck Rube across the face with all his force with his heavy whip. " Rube turned (juite white, atid then, with a tremendous effort, he broke the cowhide thongs which fastened his hands— not new rope, mind you, but cowhide -just as if it had been so much grass, and went right at the fellow who had struck him. The Mexicans gave a cry of astonishment, and threw themselves upon Rube, El Zeres shouting at the top of his voice, « Don't draw a knife, don't draw a knife! I'll hang any man who iiijures him.' 96 Out on the Piniifas "R"l.n ha,l sot tho fdlo.. by the throat with both hind, and . ough the crowd of n.en who threw .hcmselve "In ,t down too. I knew ,t was all over with hin,. J was n^i.e nnd Jon, ,,,a„d help; but thouKl, 1 t„,«ed and strain dt^ or a wh.le they lay ,„ a strngf-ling mass on the ground and r^:';'- *;°; -'^f- '" "-" f- a n,o„,e„t and go tohtsfea, Ado.en „,en were t,,,„n l,i„, i„ a nromen. : but h was bhnd w,th rage, and woul.l not have n.inded if had been a , onsand. Those who eame in front went down, as if hot, before the blow, of his fists; but others leapt on him from behmd, and then the struggle began again. I .e" , w . .e a thmg before, and never shall again. I. was dow ri^t aw^ul. They eould no. hold his arms. Their weight, over and over agam. got him upon the ground, and over and over agam he w..s up on his feet; but his arnrs, somehow, they coud not hold and the work he did with d.em was awfuT Anytl^g he h,t went down, and when he cot.ld not hi. he gnpped. t was like a terrier with rats ; he eaugh, 'em by the throat, and when he did, it was all up with them. Soufe thetn „,ade a grab for their knives, but they had no time to use them^ In a moment their eyes would seem to start from thetr heads; and then, as he threw 'em aw.ay, they fell in a dead lump. How long this went on I ean't say, -some mtnutes, though.-when a Me.vican snatehed the laL, whieh every Me.x.can carries, from the saddle of El Zeres> horse, and dropped the noose over Rube's neck. In another moment he was lyrng half strangled upon the ground, and a do.e„ hands bound h,s hands behind him and his feet together with cowhide thongs. Then they stood looking at him as if he was some A Talc of the Mexican War 97 devil. And no wonder. Seven Mexicans lay dead on the ground, and many more were lying panting and bleeding around. 'I'ho Mexicans are an active race of men, but not strong— nothing like an average American— and Rube at any time was a giant even among us scouts ; and in his rage he seemed to have ten times his natural strength. EI Zeres had never moved ; and except shouting to his men not to use their knives, he had taken no part whatever in it— watching the struggle with that cruel smile, as if it had only been a terrier attacked by rats. When it was over he mounted his horse, and said to one of his lieutenants who was standing near, ' I nuist go now. I leave these men in your charge, Pedro. Fasten that one's hands behind him ; then take them inside. Put them in the inner room. Clear my things out. Take ten picked men, and don't let anyone in or out till I return. I shall be back before daybreak. I shall amuse myself to-day with thinking how I shall try the nerves of these Americanos. I can promise you all a handsome amusement of some sort, anyhow.' And he rode off. "I have often faced death, and ain't afraid of it; but the unruffled face and the cruel smile of that man made my flesh creep on my bones, as I thought of what Rube and I had got to go through the next day. And now," Seth said, breaking off, "it's getting late, and I haven't talked such a heap for years. I will fmish my yarn another night." Very warm were the young Hardys in their thanks to Seth for this exciting story from his own experience, and great was the discussion among themselves that arose as to how the two Americans could possibly have made their escape from their terrible predicament. CHAPTER Vri SETH CONTINUES HIS NARRATIVE OF THE MEXICAN ADVENTURE n^HE next evening the young Hardys again took their seats A by Seth, and, without any delay, he went on with his story. "After El Zeres had ridden off, the lieutenant, Pedro, selected ten from the men around,-for pretty well the whole camp had gathered round us, -and told them, in the first place, to clear the house of the hammock and other belongings of El Zeres, and when this was done, to carry Rube in. Bound and helpless as he was, there was a visible repugnance on the part of the men to touch him, so great was the fear which his tremendous strength had excited. However, six of them took him up and carried him into the hut— for it was little more— and threw him down like a log in the inner room. I walked in of my own accord, and sat down on the ground near him. i . heard Pedro give orders to some of the men outside to take away the dead bodies and bury them, and for the rest to go down to their camp lires. Then he entered the house with his other four men. "The house was just the ordinary Mexican hut. It con- tained two rooms, or rather, one room partially divided into 98 Sctk continues his Narrative of Mexican Adventure 99 tw.a the inner compartment forming the sleeping-room of the family. There was no door between the rooms, nor was there any window; the light entering through the wide opening into the outer room. The outer room had no regular windows, only some chinks or loopholes, through which a certain amount of light could come; but these were stopped up with straw,— for the Mexicans are a chilly people,— and as the door was always oj^en, plenty of light came in through it. The house was not built of adobe, as are most Mexican huts it of stones, with the interstices plastered with mud. "Never in my life did I feel that the game was up as I did when I sat down there and looked round. The men were seated on the ground in the next room, in full view of us, and every now and then one walked in to look at us. Heli)less as we were, they had an uneasy doubt of what we might do. Rube still lay at full length on the ground. For a (luarter of an hour I did not speak, as I thought it best to let him cool and quiet down a bit ; and I thought and thought, but I couldn't, for the life of me, think out any plan of getting clear away. At last I thought I would stir Rube up. ' How do you feel. Rube ?' ' Well, I feel just about tired out,' Rube said; 'just as if I had walked a hundred miles right on end. I've been a fool again, Seth, sure enough; but I've given some of them goss, that's a comfort. I'll just take a sleep for a few hours, and then we'll see about this business. Hollo, there ! ' he shouted in Spanish ; ' water.' l-br a while no one attended to him ; but he continued to shout, and I joined him, so that the men in the next room were obliged to leave off their talk to do as we wanted them. One of them got up and took a large . whi-h side they take the dog. Let's take our own sid.;/ C. ;t ve got; i;. a we hadn't run a quarter of a mile before we heard a tramping of horses coming along by the stream. We stopped to listen, for we Seth con times his Narrative of Mexican Adventure 1 1 1 knew If they had the dog witl> ihem, and if he was on our side of the river, we were as tTood as dead. ' If they take the trail, Seih,' Rube said, 'it's all up with us. Don't let's run any more. VVc ar< men enough to shoot the four first who come up, and 1 only hope one of them may be I<:i Zeres ; that'll leave us a pistol each, and we will keep them for ourselves. Better do that, by a long way, than be pulled to pieces with hot pincers.' 'A long way. Rube,' I said. 'That's agreed, then. When I give the word, put the barrel against your eye and fire ; that's a pretty safe shot.' As the Mexicans got to the place where we had got out, we stopped and held our breath. There was no pause— ( n they went ; another minute, and we felt certain they had passed the spot. ' Saved, by thunder ! ' Rube said ; and we turned and went off at a steady trot that we could keep up for hours. ' How long shall we get, do you think, Seth ?' 'That all depends how long they follow down stream. They can't tell how far we are ahead. I should think they will go two miles down ; then they will cross the stream and come back ; and if they don't happen to be on the right side of the stream as they pass where we got out, they will go up another twu or three miles, and near as much down, before they strike tl . trail. ,', c're pretty safe of half an hour's start, and we might get, if we're lucky, near an hour. We ain't safe yet, Rube, by a long way. It's near thirty miles from Pepita's to the camp. We've come sixteen of it good-eighteen, I should say ; we have got another twelve to the roael, and we ain't safe then. No, our only chance is to come across a hacienda and get horses. There are a good many scattered about , but it's so dark, we might pass within fifty yards and not see it. There won't be a streak of daylight till four, and it ainl two yet.' •Not far off, Seth.' By this time we had got our wind again. 112 Out on the Pampas and quickened up into a fast swing; but our work had told on us, and we couldn't have gone much over seven miles an hour. Several times, as we went on, we could hear a trampling in the dark, and knew that we had scared some horses ; but though we had a lasso we had brought with us, we might as well have tried to catch a bird with it. In an hour we heard the dog again, but it was a long way behind. There was nothing for it now but hard running, and we were still seven miles from the road, and even that didn't mean safety. I began to think we were going to lose the race, after all. In another quarter of an hour we stopped suddenly. 'Thunder!' said Rube; 'what's that ? ' Some animal, that had been lying down, got up just in front of us. ' It's a horse ! Your lasso, Rube ! ' Rube, how- ever, had made a tremendous rush forward, and, before the animal could stretch himself into a gallop, had got close, and grasped him by the mane. 'It's no go,' Rube said, as the horse made a step forward; 'he's an old un, dead lame.' 'Don't leave go, Rube,' I said. ' He'll do for our turn.' He was a miserable old beast, but I felt that he would do as well as the best horse in the world for us. Rube saw my meaning, and in a minute we were both astride on his back. He tottered, and I thought he'd have gone down on his head. Kicking weren't of no good; so I out with my knife and gave him a prod, and off we went. It weren't far, some two hundred yards or so, but it was the way I wanted him, right across the line we were going. Then down he tumbled. 'All right,' said r. ' You've done your work, old man ; but you mustn't lay here, or they may light upon you and guess what's been up.' So we lugged him on to his feet, gave him another prod, wb-rch sent him limping off; and on we went on our course^ sure that we were at last safe, for we had thrown the bloodhound « t Seth continues his Narrative of Mexican Adventure 1 1 3 altogether off our trail. For a mile or so we kept right away from our course, for fear that they should keep straight on, and, missing the scent, lead the dog across the trail, and so pick it up again ; then we turned and made straight for the road. ' I don't think, Rube,' I said after a while, ' that we shall strike the road far off where we left it at Pepita's.' 'No I expect not, Seth. We had better bear a little more to the south, for they will most likely make for Pepita's, and day will soon be breaking now.' • We'd better not strike the road at all, Rube ; likely enough, they will follow it down for a few miles in hopes of picking us up.' 'I hope they will,' Rube said ; * and I expect so. Won't it be a lark, just ? ' * What do you mean, Rube ? ' ' Mean ? Why, didn't the Cap tell us to leave San Miguel before daybreak, and to ride to meet him ? It warn't likely that he meant us to ride more than ten miles or so ; so that he will be within that distance of San Miguel by an hour after daybreak, and will be at Pepita's half an hour later. If them fellows ride on, they are safe to fall into as nice a trap as'— ' Jehoshaphat ! ' said I. 'You're right, Rube. Let's make tracks. It can't be more than another four or five miles to the road, and day will break in half an hour.' ' How strong do you reckon them, Seth ? ' « Fifty or sixty,' said I, 'by the regular sound of the horses.' 'Thats about what I guessed,' Rube said. 'There are forty of our chaps, and they will be fresh. We'll give 'em goss.' " We had now long ceased to hear the baying of the dog, which had been most unpleasantly clear when we got off the old boss that had done us such a good turn. We made sure, too, that we were well ahead, for they would likely wait an hour in trying to pick up the trail again. Daylight came at last ; and when it was light enough to see, we stopped and took a 8 114 Out on the Pampas look from a shght rise, and there, across the plain, we could see the road just where we expected. Nothinc,^ was moving upon ,t, nor, looking back, could we see any sign of th« Mexicans. Away to the left, a mile or so, we could see a clump of trees, and something like the roof of a house among them. This, we had no doubt, was Pepita's. About a mile down the road the other way was a biggish wood, through which the road ran. 'Let's make for that wood, Rube, and wait; the Cap will be up in another half-hour, and it ain't hkely the Mexicans will be along much before that. They're hkely to stop for a drink at Pepita's.' In another ten minutes we were in shelter in the wood, taking care not to get upon the road, m case the Mexicans should come along with the hound before our men. We hadn't been there twenty minutes . before we both heard a trampling of horses; but it was a minute or two more before we could decide which way they were coming. At last, to our great comfort, we found it was the right way. Just before they came up. I had an idea I caught a sound from the other way. but I couldn't have sworn to It We lay till the troop came fairly up. as it might be another party of Mexicans ; but it was all right, and we jumped out.^with a cheer, into the middle of them. Mighty surprised they were to see us, on foot, and all dust and sweat. Rube's face, too, was tied up ; and altogether we didn't look quite ourselves. They all began to talk at once; but I held up my hand urgent, and, when they saw it was something particular they shut up, and I said to the Cap, 'Don't ask no questions,' Cap; 1 11 tell you all arterwards. El Zeros with about fifty of his men will be here in about three minutes. I reckon. They've ridden thirty miles, and the beasts ain't fresh ; so it's your own fault ,f one gets, away.' The Cap didn't waste a moment in Seth continues his Narrative of Mexican Adventure 1 1 5 words. He ordered half his men to ride back two hundred yards, and to charge when they heard his whistle ; and he and the rest turned off into the wood, which was very thick, and screened 'em from anyone passing. Rube and I, not having horses, were no good for a charge ; so we went on in the wood, as near as we could guess, half-way between them, so as to be ready to jump out and join in the scrimmage. It all takes some time .^ tell, but it didn't take two minutes to do, and in another minute we could hear the Mexicans close. On they came : we knew now that they had passed the Cap, and we clutched our rifles tight and peered out through the leaves. On they came, and we could see El Zeres riding first, with the bloodhound trotting along by the side of his horse. Just as he was opposite, we heard a loud, shrill whistle, and the Mexicans halted with a look of uneasiness. They weren't left to wonder long, for in a moment there was a trampling of horses, and down came our fellows on both sides of them. Just before they got up we stepped forward with our rifles up. ' El Zeres ! ' Rube shouted ; and, startled as the Mexican was, he looked round. He had just time to see who it was, wheri Rube's ball hit him in the head, and down he went as dead as a stone. The hound turned and came right at us with a deep growl of rage. I sent a ball through his chest and rolled him over, and just as I did so our fellows came down upon the Mexicans. It was a fierce fight, for the Mexicans were in a trap, and knew that there was no mercy for them. Rube and I sprang out, and paid a good many of 'em off for the scare they had given us. \\c wiped them right out to the last man, losing only six ourselves. I don't know as ever I see a better scrimmage while it lasted. After it was over, Rnhe and I mounted two of their horses, and rode on with the rest of thera ii6 Out on the Pampas to San Miguel ; but before we started off we told our story to the Cap, and he sent a couple of men back with a despatch to the general, asking for five hundred men to destroy El Zeres' band at a blow. We stopped at Pepita's, and I never see a girl have a much worse scare than we gave her. She made sure it was El Zeres, and came running out to see if he had caught us ; and when she found that she had fallen into the hands of the Rangers, and that we were among them, she was as white as a shirt in a minute. She was plucky enough, though ; for as soon as she could get her tongue, she cursed us like a wild woman. I expect she made sure we should have shot her for her treachery, — and a good many of our bands would have done so right on end, — but the Rangers never touched women. However, she warn't to go scot free ; so we got fire, and set the house and stable in a blaze. As we rode off, Rube shouted out, * If you change your mind again about coming with me to Missouri, you just drop me a line, Pepita.' I thought, as I looked at her, it was lucky for Rube she hadn't a rifle in her hand ; she'd have shot him if she had been hung for it a minute afterwards. We rode on to San Miguel, took Colonel Cabra prisoner, with his papers, and sent him back under an escort. At dusk the same day we got on our horses and rode back to where Pepita's house had stood, and where our captain expected the troops he had sent for. In half an hour they came up. They had a couple of hours to rest their horses, and then Rube and I led them straight to the Mexican camp. No doubt they heard us coming when we were close, but made sure it was El Zeres, and so didn't disturb themselves ; and it warn't till we had wheeled round and fairly surrounded them that they smelt a rat. But it was too late then, for in another minute we were down upon them Seth continues his Narrative of Mexican Adventure 1 1 7 and I don't believe twenty out of the whole lot got away. It was, altogether, one of the most successful businesses in the whole war. And I think that's about all the story." "Oh, thank you very much, Seth. It is a most exciting story. And what became of Rube ? " " Rube married a year after we got back to the States, and took up a clearing and settled down. It was then I felt lone- some, and made up my mind to go south for a while. I promised Rube that I would go and settle down by him after a bit, and I've concluded that it's about time to do so. I've saved a few hundred dollars out here, and I am going to start to-morrow morning at daybreak to catch the steamer at Rosario. I shall go up straight from Buenos Ayres to New Orleans, and a steamer will take me up the river in three days to Rube's location. Good-bye, all of you. I told your father this afternoon." There was a hearty leave-taking, and many expressions of regret at his leaving; -^nd after a shake of the hand, and many good wishes, the young Hardys went up to the house, really sorry to part with their Yankee friend. CHAPTER VIII FARM WORK AND AMUSEMENTS ALTHOUGH but two months had elapsed since the ground was ploughed up and planted, the progress made by the crop of maize and pumpkins was surprising. The former, especially, was now nearly six feet high. This rapid growth was the result of the extreme fertility of the virgin soil, aided by the late abundant supply of water, and the heat of the sun. The maize had given them all a great deal to do ; for, when it was about six inches high, it had to be thinned out so that the plants were nine or ten inches apart. This had been done by the united strength of the party, Mr. Hardy and the boys working for two hours each morning, and as much in the evening. The girls also had assisted, and the peons had worked the whole day, except from eleven to three, when the heat was too great even for them. Many hands make light work, and in consequence the whole ground under maize cultivation was thinned in little over a week. Latterly the maize had grown so fast that the boys declared they could almost see it grow, and, at the end of two months auer sowing, it was all in flower. The maize, or Indian corn, strongly resembles water -rushes in appearance, and the feathery blossom also resembles that of the rush. Indian corn forms 118 Farm Work and Amusements im the main article of food in South America, and in all but the Northern States of North America. It is equally useful and common in India, and in other tropical countries. Scarcely less IS It used in Italy, and other parts of Southern Europe It was first mtroduced into Europe from the East by the great family of Polenta, who ruled the important town of Ravenna for nearly two hundred years. Ground maize is still called Polenta throughout Italy ; and the great family will live in the name of the useful cereal they introduced, when all memory of their warlike deeds is lost except to the learned. One evening when Mr. Hardy, with his wife and children was strolling down in the cool of the evening to look with pleasure upon the bright green of their healthy and valuable crops, Hubert said— "Isn't Indian corn, papa, the great yellow heads covered with gram-like beads one sees in corn-dealers' shops in' England ? " ^ "Yes, Hubert." "Well, if that is so, I cannot make out how those long delicate stems can bear the weight. They bend over like corn to every puff of wind. It does not seem possible that they could bear a quarter of the weight of their heavy yellovv "Nor could they, Hubert; but nature has made a wise and very extraordinary provision for this difficulty. All other plants and trees with which I am acquainted have their fruits or seeds where the blossom before grew. In maize it is placed :n an entirely different part of the plant. In a verv short time you will see -indeed you may see now in most of the plants-the stalk begin to thicken at a foot or eighteen inches from the ground, and in a little time it will burst; and 120 Out on the Pampas the head of maize, so enveloped in leaves that it looks a mere bunch of them, will come forth. It will for a time grow larger and larger, and then the plant will wither and die down to the place from which the head springs. The part that remains will dry up until the field appears covered with dead stumps, with bunches of dead leaves at the top. Then it is ready for the harvest." " What a strange plant, papa ! I quite long for the time when the heads will come out. What are you going to plant upon that bit of land you have got ready for sowing now ? It is about six acres." "I mean to plant cotton there, Hubert. I have sent to Buenos Ayres for seeds of what are called Carolina Upland, and I expect them here in a few days." "But it takes a great deal of labour, does it not, papa?" "The calculation in the Northern States, Hubert, is that one man can cultivate eight acres of cotton, assisted by his wife and children at certain periods ; and that, as his labour is not always required, he can with his family cultivate another eight or ten acres of other produce ; so that about half of a peon's labour will be required, and in the hoeing and picking time we can all help." "Is not machinery required to separate the seeds from the cotton } " Charley asked. "It is not absolutely necessary, Charley, although it is of course economical when the cultivation is carried on upon a large scale. The variety I am going to try is sometimes called 'bowed' Carolina, because it used to be cleaned by placing It upon a number of strings stretched very tight, which were struck with a sort of bow, and the vibration caused the seed to separate from the cotton. I have a drawing of one of these ?'» Farm Work cwd Amusements 121 contrivances in a book up at tlie house, and when the time comes, you boys shall make me one. It will be work for us to do mdoors when the weather is too hot to be out. Of course If I find that it succeeds, and pays well, I shall take on more hands, get proper machinery, and extend the cultivation I intend to plant the rows rather wide apart, so as to use the l.ght plough with the ridge boards between them, instead of hoeing, to save labour." "How much cotton do they get from an acre?" Mrs Hardy asked. " In the Southern States they expect twelve hundred pounds upon new ground-that is, twelve hundred pounds of pods which make about three hundred of cleaned cotton. When I have got the cotton fairly in the ground, I mean to plant an acre or two of tobacco, and the same quantity of sugar- cane, as an experiment. But before I do that, we must mak^e a garden up at the house. That is a really urgent *' Couldn'c we grow rice here, papa ? " "No doubt we could. Hubert ; but I do not mean to try ft. To succeed with rice, we should have to keep the ground on which It grew in a state of swamp, which would be very unhealthy. That is why I do not irrigate the fields oftener than IS absolutely necessary. Anything approaching swampy or even wet lands, in a climate like this, would be almost certain to breed malaria. Besides, we should be eaten alive by mosquitoes. No, I shall certainly not try rice. Other tropical productions I shall some day give a trial to. Ginger vanilla, and other things would no doubt flourish here. I do not oelieve that any of them would give an extraordinary rate of profit, for though land is cheap, labour is scarce. Still it 122 Out on the Pampas would be interesting, and would cause a little variety and amusement in our work, which is always an important point; and no doubt there would be generally some profit, though occasionally we may make a total failure." Very often at daybreak the girls would go down with their brothers to the river, and watch the waterfowl on its surface ; they were so amusing as they dabbled and played in the water,' unsuspicious of danger. Their f^ivourites, though, were the beautiful scarlet flamingoes, with their slender legs, and their long, graceful necks, and whose great employment seemed to be to stand quiet in the water, where it was only two or three inches deep, and to preen their glossy red feathers. Over and over again the girls wished that they could get a few waterfowl, especially flamingoes, to tame them, in order that they might swim on the dam pond and come and be fed ; and the boys had several talks with each other as to the most practicable way of capturing some of them. At last they thought of making a sort of enclosure of light boughs, with an entrance into which birds could easily pass, but through which they could not easily return, and to scatter grain up to and into the enclosure, to entice the birds to enter. On explaining this plan to Mr. Hardy, he said that he had no doubt that it would succeed in capturing birds, but that when caught it would be impossible to tame full-grown wild fowl, and that the only plan was to find their nests, and take the eggs or very young birds. This they determined to do ; and as the bushes close to the river were too thick to permit an examination from the shore, they started one morning early, and, going down to the river,' entered it, and waded along for a considerable distance. They discovered two swans' nests, and several of different descrip- tions of ducks. In some the birds were sitting upon their eggs, Farm ]Voik ami Amusements 123 in others the young brood wvre just hatched, and scuttled away into the bushes with the parent birds upon being disturbed. Charley and Hubert made no remark at breakfast upon the success of their expedition ; but when Charley went two days after to Rosario, he procured from Mr. Percy, who kept a qurintity of chickens, two sitting hens. These were placed wi^h their nests in the bullock-cart in a hamper; and Mrs. Hardy, who had no idea of the purpose to which they were to be put, was quite pleased, on their arrival at Mount Pleasant, at this addition to the stock. Indeed, it had been long agreed that they would keep hens as soon as the maize was ripe. The next morning the boys went again, and brought back twenty eggs of various kinds of wild duck, including four swans' eggs,— to obtain which they had to shoot the parent birds, which furnished the larder for days,— which they placed under the hens in place of their own eggs, and then took the girls in triumph to see this commencement of their tame duck project. The little girls were delighted, and it was an immense amuse- ment to them to go down constantly to see if the eggs were hatched, as of course no one could tell how long they had been sat upon previous to being taken. They had remarked that four of the eggs were much larger than the jthers, but had no idea that they were swans'. In the course of a few days six of the young ducklings were hatched, and the hens were both so unhappy at their difficulty of continuing to sit while they had the care of their young ones on their mind, that one hen and all the little ones were removed to a distance from the other's nest, and the whole of the eggs were put under the remaining hen. The four swans and five more ducks were safely hatched, when the hen refused to sit longer, and the remaining eggs were lost. Now that the swans were safely 124 Ou/ OH the Pampas hatched, the boys told their sisters what they really were, and their delight was extreme. In a few days they were all taken down to the dam, and soon found their way into the water, to the great distress of their foster-mother, who was obliged to stand upon the bank calhng in vain till the little ones chose to come ashore. A hencoop was soon knocked together from an old box, and this was placed near the dam, and ere long the hens became accustomed to the fancy of their charges for the water, and would walk about picking up insects while the little ones swam about on the pond. Twice a day the girls went down to feed them with grain and bits of boiled pumpkin,-for the pumpkins soon began to come into bearing,— and the ducklings and cygnets, which last were at present but little larger than the others, would swim rapidly towards them when they saw them, and would feed greedily out of their hands. It was not for some weeks later that tho desire for young flamingoes was gratified. The boys had bean out for a ride, and coming upon the river, where it was wide, with flat sandy banks, round which the timber grew, they determined to tie up their horses and enter the stream, to see if they could get some more eggs. With some difficulty they made their way through the bushes, and, getting into the water, waded along until a turn in the river brought them in sight of the flat bank. There were some twenty or thirty flamingoes upon it, for these birds are very gregarious. Some were standing in the water as usual, but the boys could not make out what some of the others were doing. On the flat shore were several heaps of earth, and across them some of the birds were apparently sitting with one leg straddling out each side. So comical was their asf^ect, that the boys burst into a laugh, which so scared the rami Work and Amu sent cuts 125 flamingoes that tlicy all took flight instantly. The hoys now waded up to the spot, and then got ashore to see what these strange heaps were for. 'I'o their great delight they found that they were nests, and upon the top of several of them were eight or nine eggs carefully arranged. The legs of the flamingo are so long that the bird is unable to double them up and sit upon his nest in the usual fashion. 'I'he hen bird therefore scrapes together a pile of earth, on the top of which she lays her eggs, and then places herself astride to keep them warm. The boys had an argument whether they should take away two nests entire, or whether they should take a few eggs from each nest ; but they decided upon the former plan, in order that each of the young broods might be hatched simultaneously. Upon the boys reaching home with their treasure, their sisters' delight was unbounded, and the hens were soon placed upon their new charges, and, both being good sitters, took to them without much difficulty. When the young broods were hatched, the girls were greatly disappointed at the appearance of little greyish fluffy balls, instead of the lovely red things they had expected, and were by no means consoled when their father told them that it would be three or four years before they gained their beautiful colour. However, they became great pets, and were very droll, with their long legs, and slender necks, and great curved bills. They became extremely tame, and would, after a time, follow the girls about, and stalk up to the house of their own accord to be fed, their food always being {)laced in water, as they never feed by picking upon the ground, for which, indeed, the peculiar construction of their beak is entirely unfitted. They were perfectly fearless of the dogs, which, on their part, were too well trained to touch them ; and their funny way and their I 126 Out on the Pampas extreme tameness were a source of constant amusement to ihe whole family. But we must now retrace our steps. After the important work of gettmg a certain amount of land under cultivation the next most urgent business was the formation of a garden The land mside the enclosure round the house was first ploughed up and then dug by hand, the turf being left in front of the house to serve as a lawn. The rest was planted with seeds brought from England,-peas, beans, tomatoes, vegetable marrows cucumbers, melons, and many others, some of which were natives of warm climates, while others were planted in small patches as an experiment. Fortunately, the well supplied an abundance of water, whose only drawback was that, like most water upon the Pampas, it had a strong saline taste, which was, until they had become accustomed to it, very disagreeable to the Hardys. As the well had been dug close to the house on the highest part of the slope, the water was conducted from the pump by small channels all over the garden ; and the growth of the various vegetables was surprising. But long before these could come into bearing, a welcome supply was afforded by the yams and Indian corn. The yams resemble a sweet potato ; and if the Indian corn is gathered green, and the little corns nibbed off, boiled, and mixed with a little butter, they exactly resemble the most delicate and delicious young peas. The young potatoes, too, had come in, so that they had now an abundance of vegetables, the only point in which they had before been deficient. Their drink was the matfe, which may be termed the national beverage of Paraguay, Brozil, and the Argentine Republic. It is made from the leaves of the mate yuba, a plant which grows in Paraguay and Brazil. The natives generally drink it without sugar or milk, sucking it up Farm Work and Amusements 12/ from the vessel in which it is made, through a small tube. It IS, however, greatly improved by the addition of sugar and T: °h' w"-^'"' "'""■ '"^'^ ^^^^"y -f^-« the bitter taste which distinguishes it. None of the party liked it at first; but as they were assured by those in the country that they would like it when they became accustomed to it they persevered, and after a time all came to prefer it even to Jea Occasionally one or other of the boys went over to Rosa'rio with the cart, and Mr. Hardy bought some hundreds of young fruit trees,-apple, pear, plum, apricot, and peach,-some of which were planted in the garden at the sides and in rear of he house, others in the open beyond and round it; a light ZTcT """.'^'"' '"^ "^ ^° '^^p ^^^ ^^"'^ ^-- 1-- pass ng. Clumps of young palms, bananas, and other tropical trees and shrubs, were also planted about for the future adornment of the place. Fences were erected round the cultivated ground, and an enclosure was made, into which the cattle were driven at night. These fences were easily and cheaply made. The wire cost little more at Rosario than it would have done in England, and the chief trouble was thrown tT^ "''f ""' "^'^ °' ^'^^^^^^ -°^' ^-- the town. This wood grows abundantly upon the upper nver, and is there cut down and floated in great rafts down to Kosano. It is a tough wood, which splits readily, and is there- fore admirably suited for posts. It is of a reddish colour, and has a pretty grain when polished. All the furniture was made It ; and this, from constant rubbing by Sarah and the girls, now shone brightly, and had a very good effect The ceilings were now put to the rooms, which were greatly niproved in appearance thereby, and the difference in tempera- ture was very marked. A very short time after the capture of 128 Out on the Pampas ill i the wild fowls' eggs, it was unanimously agreed diat chickens were indispensable, and a large hen-house was accordingly built at a short distance from the dam, as it was considered as well not to have any buildings, with the exception of the men's hut. near the house. The hen-house was quickly built as It was a mere framework covered with felt, with bars across It for the fowls to perch upon. The fioor was made, as that of the house had been, of lime and clay beaten hard ; and a small cut was made to the dam by which water could, at will, be turned over the floor to keep It dean and neat. The next time the cart went to Rosario it brought back fifty fowls, which had only cost a few dollars Henceforth eggs and omelettes became a regular part of the breakfast, and the puddings were notably improved. The chickens gave very little trouble, as they foraged about for themselves, finding an abundance of insects everywhere and getting in addition a few pots of Indian corn every morn- . ing, Maud and Ethel took it by turns, week about, to take charge of the hen-house; and a great pleasure was it to them to watch the numerous broods of young chickens, and to hunt up the eggs which, in spite of the nests temptingly prepared for ' them, the hens would frequently persist in laying in nests of their own in the long grass. The hens had, however, a numerous foe, who were a great trouble to their young mistresses. These were the skunks an animal of the weasel tribe, but much resembling squirrels in appearance, and possessing a most abominable smell ; so much so, that the dogs, who would attack almost anything, would run away from them. They were at first exceedingly common, and created terrible depredations among the hens. The girls were m despair, and called in their brothers to their assistance Farm Work and Amtisemeuts T29 The boys shot a good many, for the animals were very tame and fearless : but their number was so great that this method of destruction was of slight avail. They then prepared traps of various kinds— some made by an elastic stick bent down, with a noose at the end, placed at a small entrance left purposely in the hen-house, so that, when the skunk was about to enter, he touched a spring, and the stick released, flew into the air, carrying the animal with it with the noose round its neck ; other traps let fall a heavy piece of wood, which crushed the invader ; and in these ways the skunks were pretty well got rid of, the most unpleasant work being the removal of the body from the trap. This had to be effected by taking hold of it with two pieces of wood, for the odour was so powerful, that, if the body was touched, the smell would remain on the hands for days. They \: d no'v added another species of domestic animal to their stock, but this was the boys' charge. Mr. Hardy, when the pumpkins began to ripen, bought six pigs. They were of little trouble, for although a sty was built for them, they were allowed to wander about as they pleased by day, another wire being added to the fence round the cultivated land, to keep them from trespassing. The crop of pumpkins was enormous ; and Mr. Hardy determined that no pigs should be killed for eighteen months, by which time, as these animals increase rapidly, there would be quite a large herd of them. Although an immense deal of hard work was got through during the four months which followed the completion of t.c house and the arrival of Mrs. Hardy and her daughters, it must not be supposed that it was not mingled with plenty of relaxation and amusement. There were few days when one or other of the boys did not I 130 Out on the Pampas go out with his gun for an hour either before sunrise or after sunset, seldom failing to bring home a wild fowl or two of some kmd or other. And sometimes of an afternoon they would go out for a ride with their sisters, and have a chase after an ostrich, or a run after the grey foxes, which abounded, and were very destructive among the young lambs. Once or twice dunng these rides the boys brought a puma to bay , but as tney always carried a ball in one of their barrels, with these and thcMr revolvers they soon despatched their unwelcome visitors They hnd contrived an apparatus with straps and a sort of little pocket in which the muzzle of the gun went, so that it hung .rom the saddle down in front of their leg ; the stock of the gun bemg secured by a strap against the pommel of the saddle, at the other side of which was their revolver-holster, ■hi. WPS an inconvenient way of carrying the gun in some respects, a<= the strap had to be unfastened to get at it, and the chance of a shot thereby lost; but they considered it preferable to the mode they had at first adopted, of riding with their guns slung behind them. This they gave up, because, with the utmost care, they occasionally got a fall, when galloping, from the armadillo holes, and the shock was greatly increased from the weight of the gun, besides the risk to anyone riding near of the gun exploding. When riding quietly, and upon the lookout for game, they carried the gun in readiness upon their arms. It was after one of ^hese rides, when Hubert had brought down with a bullet a swan which was making for his bed in the river, that Maud said at tea— "I wish we ould shoot too; it would be a great amuse- ment, and I should enjoy my rides a good deal more if I knew that i could take a shot in case a lion or a deer came out » ise or after vo of some 'f would go e after an nded, and :e or twice y ', but as these and ; visitors. 1 a sort of so that it e stock of lel of the 3r-holster. in some :, and the ^referable heir guns with the ing, from sed from iing near ipon the 3on their brought ;d in the amuse- " I knew 'Ut." I Farm Work and Amusements 133 "Well, girls," Mr. Hardy said, "I had always intended that you should learn to shoot. We have had so much to do since you canie here that I did not think of it, and I had besides intended to wait until one of you expressed a desire to learn. I brought out three light rook-shooting rifles, on purpose, for you and your mamma, and you can begin to-morrow morning if you like." " Oh, thank you, papa ; thank you very, very much ! That will be nice ! " both the girls exclaimed, clapping their hands in their excitement. "And what do you say, mamma? " Mr. Hardy asked. " No, thank you," Mrs. Hardy said ; " I have plenty to do, and, with a husband and two sons and two daughters to defend me, I do not consider that it is essential. But I think that it will be a nice amusement for the girls." And so next morning, and nearly every morning afterwards, the girls practised with the light rifle at a mark, until in time their hands became so steady, that at short distances oi sixty or seventy yards they could beat their brothers, who were both really good shots. This was principally owing to the fact that the charge of powder used in these rifles was so small that there was scarcely any recoil to disturb the aim. It was some time before they could manage to hit anything flying ; but they were very proud one evening when, having been out late with the boys, a fat goose came along overhead, and the girls firing simultaneously, he fell with both bullets in his body. After this, they too carried their rifles out with them during their rides. Anyone who had known Maud and Ethel Hardy at home would have scarcely recognised them now in the sunburnt- looking lassies who sat upon their horses as if they had never II I 134 da on the Pampas known any other .eae in their lives. Their dress, ,00. would have been most curious ,0 Kngiish eyes. They ,vo e w de the heat. The.r dresses were very short, and n,ade of brown holland, „„h a garibaldi of blue-coloured flannel. They wore red flannel knickerbockers, and gaiters c„n,ing up above th! knee of a very soft, flexible leather, ntade'of'eer s kin 1 hese gauers were an absolute necessity, for the place literally «r™edw,th snake, and they constantly found *em in tl garden when go.ng out .0 gather vegetables. Most of these snakes were harnrlcss; but as son,e of then, were very deady the protec,,on of the gaiters was quite necessary. The girls did no l,ke the™ at flrst, especially as their brothers couM ,tt help ,ok,„g the,, a little, and Hubert said that they reminded hm, of two yellow-legged partridges. However, thev soon became accustomed to them, and felt so much more comfortable about snakes afterwards, that they would not have given them up upon any account. The boys always wore high boots for the same reason, and had no fear whatever of the snakes; but Mr. Hardy ins s.ed that each of them should always carry in a small inner pocket o .he,r coats a phial of spirits of ammonia, a small surgic kn, e, and a p,ece of whipcord ; the same articles being always kept ,„ read,ness a, the house. His instructions were that Z case of a b,te, they should firs, suck the wound, then tie the wh,pcord round the limb above the place bitten, and that they should then cut deeply into the wound cros,,ways, open it Is much as poss,ble, and pour in some .spirits of ammonia; that they should then pour the res. of the ammonia into their ^ter- bottle wh,cl, they always carried slung over .heir shoulders, and should dr,nk .. off. If these directions were instantly and t'. 00, would vore wide 3 keep off of brown 'h'jy wore bove the ers' skin. e literally n in the of these y deadly, ■ girls did 3uld not eminded ley soon ifortable en them ion, and insisted ■ pocket surgical ; always that in tie the at they n it as \; that • water- ulders, ly and Farm Work and Amusements 135 thoroughly carried out, Mr. Hur«iy had little fear that the bite even of the deadliest snake, would prove fatal. In additioi,' ne ordered, that in case of their being near home, they should' upon their arrival, be made to drink raw spirits until they could not stand, and that, if they were son,e distance away from home, and were together, the one bitten should lie down while the other galloped at full speed to take back a bottle of brandy, and order assistance to be sent. This remedy is well known throughout India. Anyone bitten by a poisonous snake IS made to dnnk spirits, which he is able to do without being affected by them, to an extraordinary extent ; a man who at ordinary times could scarcely take a strong tumbler of spirits and water, being able, when bitten, to drink a bottle of pure brandy without being in the least affected by it. When the spirit does at last begin to take effect, and the patient shows signs of drunkenness, he is considered to be safe, the poison of the spirit having overcome the poison of the snake. CHAPTER IX ' ) 11 NMGHBOURLV VISITS AND ADVICE IT must not be supposed that the Hardys, during the whole of this time, were leading a perfectly solitary life. Upon the contrary, they had a great deal of sociable companionship. Within a range of ten miles there were no less than four estancias owned by Englishmen, besides that of their first friend, Mr. Percy. A ride of twenty miles is thought nothing of out on the Pampas. The estate immediately to the rear of their own was owned by Senor Jaqueras, a native. The tract upon the east of his prope. ty was owned by three young Engli ihmen, whose names were Herries, Cooper, and Farcjuhar. They had all been in the army, but had sold out, and agreed to come out and settle together. The south-western corner of their property came dov.-n to the river exactly opposite the part where the north-eastern corner of Mount Pleasant touched it ; their house was situated about four miles from the Ilardys. To the west of Senor Jaqueras, the estate was owned by two Scotchmen, brothers of the name of Jamieson : their estancia was nine miles distant. In the rear of the estate of Senor Jaqueras, and next to that of Mr. Perry, were the properties of Messrs. Williams and Markham : they were both about ten miles the whole fe. Upon tanioiiship. than four their first ht nothing o the rear tive. The iree young Farquhar. md agreed i ciov.n to rth-eastern IS situated of Senor 1, brothers line miles leras, and )f Messrs. ten miles H Neighbourly Visits ami Advice 137 from Mount Pleasant. These gentlemen had all ridden over to call upon the new-comers within a very few days of Mr Hardy's first arrival, and had offered any help in their power* Ihe Hardys were much pleased with their visitors, who were all young men, witii the frank, hearty manner natural to men free Irom tlie restraints of civilised life. The visit, had been returned in a short time, and then for a while all communica- tion with the more distant visitors had ceased ; for the Hardys were too busy to spare time upon distant rides. One or other ot the party at Canterbury, as the three Englishmen had called the.r estanca, very fre.juently dropped in for a talk, and Mr Hardy and the boys often rode over there when work was done. ( anterbury was also a young settlement,-only four or five months, indeed, older than Mount Pleasant,-so that its owners, (,ke themselves, had their hands full of work • but sometn..es, when they knew that the Hardys were particularly .uard at work, one or two of them would come over at day- break and gi, e their assistance. During the final week's work espeaally just before Mrs. Hardy's arrival, all three came over and lent their aid, as did the Jamiesons. As soon as Mrs. Hardy had arrived, all their neighbours came oyer to call, and a very friendly intercourse was quickly estabhshed between them. As there was no spare bedroom at Mount Pleasant, some hammocks were made, and hooks were put mto the sitting-room walls, so that the hammocks could be sung at night and taken down in the morning. I he i.ngl,sh party always rode back to Canterbury, as the distance was so short, and the Jamiesons generally did the same ; but Messrs. Percy, Williams, and Markham usually rame over m the afternoon, and rode back again next morning. ° 138 Out OH t/ic I'avipas ^^ hen the press of work was over, tlie boys and theV sisters often eantered over to Canterbury to tea, and some- times, but more seldom, to the jamiesons' estancia 'J'he I.ght-hearted young Englishmen were naturally more to their f^iney tlian the quiet and thougluful Seotelunen. The latter were, however, greatly esteemed by Ux. and Mrs. Hardy who perce,ved in tliem a fund of quiet good sense and earnesiness. Upon Sunday morning Mr. Hardy had service, and to this the whole of their friends generally came. It was held early so that the Jamiesons and the iCnghshmen could ride back to the.r homes before the heat of the day. the other three remaming to dine, and returning in the cool of the evening Canterbury was entirely a sheep and cattle farm. The owners had five thousand sheep, and some hundreds of cattle J but they had comparatively a good deal of time upon their hands, as stock and sheep farming does not require so much personal care and supervision as must be be'^towed upon agricn'tural farms. The Jamiesons, on the contrary were entirely occupied in tillage; they had no sheep, and only a few head of cattle. Mr. Hardy was remarking upon this one d to Mr Percy who replied, "Ah, the poor ^ellows are very unfortunate' They brought out a foir capital, and had as large a stock of sheep and cattle as the Canterbury party have. About six months, however, before you arrived, ~ yes, it's just a year now, -the Indians swept down upon them, and carried off every animal they had. They attacked the house, but the Jamiesons defended themselves well ; and the Indians were anxious to get off with their booty, and so they beat a retreat. Pursuit was hopeless; every horse had been driven off and they had to walk six miles to the next hacienda to give the s and the'r I, and some- ancia. The ore to their The latter Hardy, who earnestness, and to this held early, I ride baek other three he evening, farm. The undreds of time upon : require so J bestowed 3 contrary, sheep, and Mr. Percy, ^fortunate. a stock of About six Jst a year :arried otf ^ but the ians were a retreat. 1 off, and give the A'eig/iboNr/y Visiu and Adduce 139 news : and long before a oartv rnnlH k India,. „... ,.,„,„, „„ poSi" ;:;«"' ';^-'-. *e hundred sheen md n .1 Pursuit. I wo or three to .ha Ja„,ies„ns of >l,dr can, , f '"" """""'" •l-y had in their sll- T ' """ '"""""' "" 10 woA ivitl, a will Tl ,; ''™" ^ '"■°' ""'J »« y "J lake |,| , o. &onnjt,niiis i|„;v are „„:.., r a year or t„o, llicn ,1,,.,. „,^ ,,„,, ... '"-> '^ 'i""-'! for or six years ago, jus, ^r,;, , r , '™"''''-""">' "P"". Five •i."- «i.„ d^t,,;.";-:;",: „ : r:,:r;r "i"^ "■'-■* The sheep ,hey less seldon, take Ik ■ , , l' "" "''• - fast. b„. ,hey do drive d,en, „, s i ,e '''T™"' '^^^^' shepherds were ki|,„,, ,„, ,,„ „^ Z^^J ^''^'^ """^ .■•"=> burn,, and the inn.a.es n.urde " """""' f-'.^- seuler. and eo„se„.e„dy ':"„,„,;"" ::r;*^ estancia is strong and well bnilf .,,,1 '^^Po^e^d. Vour and good shots, " Y„n are I V „ Z '"' '" '"" ''"'-'' rron, sndden surprise. The do^ .^T 7"' "'^=' '^'^>^ •^■'::';/'>r''*'»'-'"-'''-o-.h;v.J:rh:ess''"""-^'"™^ Ihank you, l\-rcv • I dmii , i v r '■''-"->? ' .Shall lake \()ur advicp t " '"!'" "■''" ' -^"d heard when I l,„„d« 'pKee JT"^" heanng nothing of Indians all thi.; ,i e ' , , " forgotten it. I ujll nn.r.. r , / ' "^^ almost i^^'llprepaie for defence without the loss of 140 Out on the Pampas a day. The house has only one vulnerable point-the doors and shutters. I will measure them this afternoon, and will get you to take over a letter and forward it to Rosario by the first opportunity, for some sheets of thin iron to cover them with." Mr. Percy promised to forward the letter the very next day by a bullock-cart he was sending in, and also that the same cart should bring them back. He said that if a conveyance were sent over in two days' time for them, they would be m readiness at his place. This conversation caused Mr. Hardy great uneasiness. It was a possibility he had been quite prepared for, but he could not feel ;hat the danger was really at hand without an anxious feeling. His thousand sheep had cost him two hundred and fifty pounds, and his catt'le as much more. Thp lambmg season had come and gone, and the flock of sheep had doubled in number. The cattle, too, had greatly increased, and the sheep were nearly ready for shearing. Altogether the value of the stock was over one thousand pounds^ The loss would not be absolute ruin, as he had still six hundred pounds of his original capital in the bank at Buenos Ayres; • but it would be a very serious loss. Mr. Hardy had been alone with Mr. Percy when the conversation took place, but he determined at once to take the boys into his entire confidence. He therefore called to them to come out for a stroll down to the dam, and' told them word for word what Mr. Percy had related to him. Charley's eyes brightened at the thought of the excitement of a fight with Indians, for which, when in England, eighteen months before, he had longtd ; and his fingers tightened upon his gun as he said, " All right, papa ; let them come." Hubert's •the doors , and will osario by to cover I'ery next that the that if a lem, they [easiness. , but he without him two •e. The leep had icreased, ogether, s. The hundred i Ayres ; len the to take illed to id told m. itement ighteen d upon [ubert's Neighbourly Visits and Advice 141 face grew a little paler, for l^e was not naturally of so plucky IZXvT ' ' ^^'"" " '" '^"^'^^^- "— -' h: only said Well, papa, if they do come, we shall all do our best " I am sure you will, my boy," said his father kindly. " ],,t there is no fear if it comes to fighting. We three, with ou arms, can thrash a hundred of them. What I am thinking of .s our cattle, and not ourselves. We will take good against a sudden surprise; and it's more than a whole trl could do, to take Mount Pleasant if we are prepared." Do you mean to tell mamma and the girls, papa?" I mean to tell them that it is necessary for a time to be on then- guard, that the girls are on no account to vltu o nde out alone, and that they must not stir out of th enclosure even as far as the hen-house, without first of al going up to the top of the lookout to see that all is clea Ve must see that, in future, the sheep and cattle and houses aie all driven at night into their wire enclosures,-we have not been very particular about the cattle lately,- nd tha the gates are fasten d and padlocked at night. I w 1 pu e hem to get them out. Our own three horses I will L'e t uture kept within our own enclosure, so that they may b a ways at hand, night or day. I bought them with a'pecia eye to Indians; they are all remarkably fost, and, whether Te run away or pursue, can be relied on. And now bo come up to the house, and I will open the mysterious box." ' ' rhe box of which Mr. Hardy spoke was a long case which had ..ver been opened since their arrival. No'entrTit es o his children could induce Mr. Hardy to say what we it contents, and the young ones had often wondLd a d puL d over what they could be. It had come, therefore, to be kno n in the family as the mysterious box. 142 Out on the Pampas li J I i [ With greatly excited curiosity the boys now walked towards the house ; but there was a slight delay, for, as they approached, Maud and Ethel came running to meet them. "Is anything the matter with the dam, papa? We have been watching you having such a long talk with the boys. What is it all about?" Mr. Hardy now told tliem as much as he thought proper of the state of things, ... .J gave them their instructions. The girls, who had no idea there was any real danger, and who had besides an unlimited confidence in their father and brothers, were disposed to look upon it as fun, and Mr. Hardy had to speak quite seriously to be sure that his orders would be strictly attended to. The boys then informed them that the mysterious box was to be opened, and the whole party went up to the house. The box had been placed in the storeroom on the upper floor of the tower, aud the boys took up screw-drivers and hammers to open it. The latter tools were not necessary, as t'ne case was very carefully screwed up; and when the top was taken off, it was found that there was an inside case of tin, soldered up. As the boys were cutting through t! is, they expressed their opinion that, from the extreme care taken, the contents must be very valuable. Still Mr. Hardy would give no clue ; and when the case was finally opened, the astonishment of all was unbounded to find that it con- tained four doz n large rockets and a dozen blue-lights. One dozen of these rockets were ordinary signal rockets, but the rest were covered with strong tin cases. " Fireworks ! " they all exclaimed in intense surprise. "What have you brought fireworks all this way for, papa?" "I will tell you, my dears. I knew that the Indians of NeigJtboufly Visits and Advice 143 3 towards jroaclied, We have :he boys. ht proper ns. The and who ther and and Mr. his orders ned them he whole :he upper ivers and lecessary, A^hen the iside case )ugh t! is, ;nie care [r. Hardy ( opened, at it con- Its. One , but the surprise, ipa?" idians of the Pampas were horse Indians, and the idea struck me, that as they could never have seen rockets, they would be horribly scared at night by them. Rockets, you know, are used in war; and even if the riders are not frightened, it is quite certain that the horses would be horribly alarmed by one or two of these rushing fiery things charging into their midst. I therefore had them specially made for me by a pyrotechnist in London. One dozen, as you see, are ordinary rockets of the largest si/e ; \}v-\' f:ontain coloured balls, which will give out a most brillian \ One of them thrown :nto the air, even where we beiicve any Indians to be, will light up the plain, and give us a fair view of them. The other three dozen are loaded with crackers. As you see, I have- had a strong case of tin placed over the ordinary case ; and one of them striking a man, will certainly knock him off his horse, and probably kill him. The roar, the rush, the train of fire, and finally the explosion and the volley of crackers in their midst, would be enough to frighten their horses altogether beyond control. What do you think of my idea ? " " Capital, capital ! " they all cried. "But huw, papa," Hubert asked, "will you manage to make, your rockets go straight at the Indians? All the rockets I ever saw went straight up into the air." "Yes, Hubert, because they were pointed up. A rocket goes whichever way it is pointed. Rockets in war are fired through a tube, or from a trough. We will use the trougli. Set to at once, boys, and make a trough about four feet long, without ends. It must stand on legs high enough to raise it above the level of the wall round the top of the tower. Let there be two legs on the front end, and one leg behind ; and this leg behind must have a hinge, so that, when it stands 144 Out on tJie Pampas upright, it will be six or eight inches higher than the front, in case we want to fire at anything close at hand. When we want to elevate the head of the rocket to fire at anything at a distance, we pull the hind leg back, so that that end is lower than the front. Put a spike at the end of the leg, to let it have a firm hold on the floor." Charley thought a moment, an 1 then said, "I think, papa, it would be firmer, and more easily managed, if we made two legs behind, with another one sliding up and down between them, and with holes in it so that it can be pegged up and down as we like." "That would be certainly better, Charley. Put your idea down upon paper, and let me see exactly what you mean before you begin." Charley dia so, and Mr. Hardy pronounced it to be ex- cellent ; and by night the trough was finished, and placed in position at the top of the lookout. Mr. Hardy, in the course of the evening, explained to his wife that n was possible the Indians might venture to make a dash to cai-y off some of the cattle, and that, therefoie, he had ordered the girls to be on the lookout, and to adopt every precaution upon moving out. To them he made an addition to his former instructions, namely, that not only should they look out before leaving the enclosure, but that, if one went out, the other should go up to the top of the tower every quarter of an hour to see that everything was still clear, and that if both were out, Sarah should do the same. The boys needed no instructions to load their revolving carbines, and the pistols and a double-barrelled gun were handed over both to Lopez and Terence, with instructions to carry them always with them. Lopez required no orders on this score. He w 'S NeigJihonrly Visits and Advice 145 knew what Indians were, and had a perfect horror of them. Their friends at Canterbury were also put upon their guard, as their estates were also very much exposed. Three days passed over, and then the light iron plates arrived for the door and window-shutters. Before they were nailed on, large holes were cut in them for firing through, corresponding slits being cut in the woodwork. When they were fastened in their places, all felt that Mount Pleasant could defy any number of assailants. Orders were given to Terence, that in case of the dogs giving the alarm at night, the occupants of the hut were to retire at once to the house ; to which he replied characteristically— " Sure, your honour, I suppose I may stop for a bit and pepper the blackguards till they get close to me." " Not at all, Terence.; you are to retire at once to the house. When we are once all together, we shall be able to decide, according to the number of the enemy, as to whether we shall sally out and pepper them, or stand upon the defensive." And so, every one having received their instructions in case of emergency, things went on pretty much as before. 10 T CHAPTER X THE LOST CAl TLE A FORTNIGHT passed without the slightest incident oi /~V alarm. The rules which Mr. Hardy had laid down were strictly observed. The sheep and cattle were carefully secured at night ; two or three of the native dogs were fastened up, down at the fold ; one of the mastiffs was kept at the men's hut, while the other's kennel was placed by the house; the retrievers, as usual, sleeping indoors. A flagstaff was erected upon the lookout, with a red flag in readiness to be run up to summon those who might be away on the plain, and a gun was kept loaded to call attention to the signal. The boys, when they went out for their rides, carried their carbines instead of their guns. The girls fulfilled the duties of lookouts, going up every half-hour from daybreak to dusk ; and the call of " Sister Anne, do you see horsemen ? " was invariably answered in the negative. One day, however, Mr. Hardy had ridden over to Canterbury to arrange with his friends about hiring shearers from Rosario for the united flocks. The boys and Terence were in the fields ploughing, at a distance of half a mile from the house, when they were startled by the sound of a gun. Looking round, they saw both the girls standing upon the The Lost Cattle H7 tov;er. Maud had just fired the gun, and Ethel was pulling ud the flag. ^ ^ ^ "Be jabers ! aiH the Indians have come at last ! " Terence exclaimed, and they all three started at a run. Maud turned round and waved her hand to them, and then she and Ethel continued looking over the plain. At this moment they were joined on the tower by Mrs. Hardy and Sarah. "It is all right," Charley, who was of an unexcitable temperament, said. " The Indians must be a long way off, or the girls would be waving to us to make haste. Take it easy ; we shall want to keep our hands steady." So they broke from the headlong speed at which they had started, into a steady trot, which in five minutes brought them up to the house. " What is it ? " they exclaimed, as they gained the top of the tower. " Oh dear, oh dear ! " Ethel said. "They have got all the animals." "And I fear they have killed Gomez and Pedro/' Mrs. Hardv added. It was too evidently true. At a distance of six miles the boys could see a dark mass rapidly retreating, and numerous smgle specks could be seen hovering round them. Two miles from the house a single horseman was galloping wildly. The girls had already made him out to be Lopez. The boys and Terence stood speechless with dismay. The Irishman was the first to find his tongue. " Och, the thundering villains ! " he exclai.v.ed ; "the hathen thieves! And to think that them a bating. not one of us was there to give I, I 148 Oui on the Pampas liai "What will papa say?" Hubert ejaculated Charley said nothing, but looked frowningly, with ti.htly closed hps, after the distant mas, while hs hands losed "I was downstairs," Maud said, "when Ethel, who had us gone up, called down, .Come up, Maud, quick y; I think t aTmt"': "'^ """""■' ' '™ "" *= ^'^P^- -<' > - o„r an.mals a long way off, nearly four miles, and I saw a the left. They were rather nearer to us than the cattle were wouldTt': ""r *^ "'"'^^ "' *^ ground, so that th ^ would not have been seen by anyone with the cattle; then as they go. qu„e near the animals, I saw a sudden stir Th beasts began to gallop away, and three black specks-who I ^appose were the men-separated themselves from them a;d wen, off stdeways. One seemed to get a start of the other two These were cut off by the black mass, and I did not see anythmg more of them. Lopez got away ; and > .ugh som of the others rode after him for about a mile, the- could no overtake h.m. Directly I saw what it was, I caught up "he gun and fired, and Ethel ran up the flag. That's ^ j se^":::d-r iftrd—' or^"^'-^ r -^^ .He other, She suspect^Xl::hr;r:„^g: and so called at once to Maud. The animals were now quite out of sight, and the whole pary went down to meet Lope, who was Just riding up to the enclosure. He was very pale, and hi. horse was covered with foam. The Lost Cattle ,^^ '49 qultirn/'' '"" '"'^'' '°^^^^^" ^^^^ ^^- H-dy'« first Inl! "^^ "°?"7' '''°''^" '^"^ ^ '^'^"^''d think so. The Indians caught them ; I heard a scream » .n.I M shuddered. "Santa Virgine »- and he '" V .'• "^"^ piouslv— "wh.f . . '''■°''^^ himself P'ou ly what an escape! I will burn twenty pounds of candles upon your altar." pounas ot asked"". Z " *'' '"" ""^ '"'""-* '-l'-?" Charley looLu.,. °" '"" " "^"'^"'"'^ "<"-'! '0 '™'- I was farther away than I o„vho were approaching Mr. Hardy and the boys had both d,s„,cun,cd, so tlKtt the horses were between them and the rnd,a„s, , e saddles serving as rests for their firearms. 1, e hundred yards, Charley?" his father asked quietly. A lutle over, papa ; nearly si.v, I should say." cracked td r'f r°"" '™ """*■ ^^^ "^- hi^ rifle cracked , and a yell of astonishment and rage broke from the indtans, as one of their chiefs, conspicuous from an oM soTdi:: LiiT'- Tr'^ - -'» ^^^ * soiaiei.s, tell Jroni his horse. " Hurrah ! " f -harley cried " Shall we fire now, papa ? ■■ J^c, C arley... Mr, Hardy said, as he re,oad;d' his rifle; wa, .11 they are four hundred yards ofl-, the,, fire slowly Count ten between each shot, and take as steady an aim's down. _ Steady, Hubert; you missed that time. There, that's ^p'^^r;:\3;:L::t:~rst " Done, papa." Charlpv said a- th^ f«r^ i • , iii-y saiG, a. the two beys simultaneously and utter- wards the r positions lall try my ters firing one, their of horse- boys had them and rms. juietly. his rifle from the an old with the Da?" lis rifle; ' slowly, aim as >undrels e, that's an after 3US fire late the leously 'OI'M- iix ,j, ;i\m:i;\ kacii shot." The Lost Cattle i6i fired their last shot, when the leading Indians were about two hundred and fifty yards distant. "Chaij-e your chambers and mount," Mr. Hardy said, as he agaip. took aim with his rifle. The enemy was not more than a hundred and fifty yards distant, when they leapt into their saddles and 'started at a gallop. " Steady, boys ; keep your horses well in hand. Never mind their balls; they could no more hit a man at this distance from the back of a horse than they could fly. There is no chance of their catching us ; there won't be many horses faster than ours, and ours are a good deal fresher. Keep a good lookout for holes." Both pursuers and pursued were now going over the ground at a tremendous pace. The Indians had ceased firing, for most of those who had guns had discharged them as Mr. Hardy and his sons had mounted, and it was impossible to load at the speed at which they were going. During the first mile of the chase Mr. Hardy had looked round several times, and had said each time, " We are holding our own, boys ; they are a good hundred yards behind. Keep your horses in hand." At the end of another mile, his face brightened as he looked round. ''All right, boys; they are tailing off fast. Three- quarters of them have stopped already. There are not above a score of the best mounted anywhere near us. Another mile and we will give them a lesson." The mile was soon traversed, and Mr. Hardy saw that only about twelve Indians had maintained their distance. "Now is the time, boys. When I say halt, draw up .-nd jump off, but take very steady aim always at the nearest, 1 62 i I I •' f I Oui o/i the Pampas Don t throw away a shot. They are only a hundred yards off, and the revolvers will tell. Don't try to use the second chaniber; there is no time for that. Use your pistols when you have emptied your carbines. Halt ! " Not five seconds elapsed after the word was spoken before Charley s carbine rang out. Then came the sharp cracks of the carbmes and pistols in close succession. The Indians hesitated at the tremendous fire which was opened upon them, then halted. The delay was fatal to them. In little over half a mmute the eighteen shots had been fired. Five Indians lay upon the plain ; another, evidently a chief, had been carried off across the saddle of one of his followers, who had leapt off when he saw him fall ; and two others were evidently wounded and had difficulty in keeping their seats. ' "Now, boys, change your chambers, and take a shot or two after them," Mr. Hardy said, as he again reloaded his nile. The boys, however, found by the time they were ready that the flying Indians were beyond any fair chance of hitting • but their father took a long and steady aim with his deadly rifle, and upon its report a horse and man went down. But the rider was in an instant upon his feet again, soon caught one of the riderless horses which had galloped off with its companions, and followed his comrades. "Well done, boys," Mr. Hardy said, with a hearty pat on their shoulders. ''You have done gallantly for a first fight, and I feel proud of you." Both boys coloured with pleasure. " How many have we killed ? " "I think seven fell at our first attack, papa, and six here, counting the one they carried off, besides wounded." The Lost Cattle 163 "Thirteen. It is enough to make them heartily wish themselves back. Now let us give the horses ten minutes- rest, and then we will stir them up again. We must not lose time; it will be sunset in another three-quarters of an hour." Half an hours riding again brought them up to the Indians, who had stopped within a mile of their former halting- place. "The moon will be up by one o'clock, boys, and they mean to remain where they are till then. Do you see that hollow that runs just this side of where they are? No doubt there is a small stream there." This time the Indians made no move to retreat farther. They knew now that their assailants were only three in number. They were armed, indeed, with weapons which, in their terrible rapidity of fire, were altogether beyond anything they had hitherto seen; but in the darkness these would be of no avail •against a sudden rush. But if the Indians did not run away, neither did they, as before, attack their assailants. Their horses had been placed m the middle of the cattle, with a few Indians standing by them to keep them quiet. The rest of the Indians were not to be seen, but Mr. Hardy guessed that they were lying down in the long grass, or were concealed among the animals. "The rascals have got a clever chief among them, boys. Except those half-dozen heads we see over the horses' backs, there is nothing to see of them. They know that if we go close' they can pick us oft" with their guir and .bows and arrows,' without giving us a single fair shot at them. Don't go any nearer, boys; no doubt there are many of their best shots hidden in the grass." " We could scatter the cattle v . ■ h a rocket, papa." '-^^■f 164 Out on the Pampas "Yes, we could, Hubert, but we sliould gain nothing by it- they have got men by their horses, and would soon get the herd together again. No, we will keep that for the night. Hallo ' to the right, boys, for your lives." Not a moment too soon tlid Mr. Hardy perceive the danger The chief of the Indians, expecting another attack, had ordered twenty of his best mounted men to separate them- selves from the main body, and to hide themselves in a dip of the ground near the place where the first attack had takeh place They were to allow the whites to pass, and were then to f. How quietly, and fall suddenly upon them. Complete success had attended the manr^uvre ; and it was fortunate that the party had no firearms, these having been distributed among the main body with the cattle, for they were within forty yards of Mr. Hardy before they were seen It was, in fact, a repetition of the manoeuvre which had proved so successful in their attack upon the cattle. They were not immediately in the re.i of Mr Hardv but rather to the left. As Mr. Hardy and his sons turned 'to fly a number of Indians sprang upon their feet from among the grass, and discharged a volley of guns ana a.rows at them. Fortunately the distance was considerable. One of their arrows, however, struck Mr. Hardy's horse in the shoulder while another stuck in the rider's arm. Another went ou-'' the calf of Hubert's leg, and stuck in the flap of the sa e. There was no time for word or complaint. They ouried their spurs in their horses' sides, and the gallant animals feeling that the occasion was urgent, seemed almost to fly' In a mile they were able to break into a steady gallop, the enemy being now seventy or eighty yards behind. ' Mr. Hardy had already pulled the arrow from his arm, and f The Lost Cattle 165 Hubert now extracted his. As he stooped to do so, his father, who had not noticed that he was wounded, saw what he was doing. "Hurt much, old man?" "Not much," Hubert saidj but it did hurt a -ood deal nevertheless. ' "I don't want to tire our horses any more, boys," Mr Hardy said; "I shall try and stop those rascals with one of my revolvers." So saying, he drew one of his pistols from his holster, and turnmg round in !iis saddle, took a steady aim and fired. At the same ins.;,.,t, however, his horse trod in a hole, and fell, Mr. Hardy being thrown over its head with tremendous force. The boys rein J their horses hard in, and Hubert gave a loud cry as h, saw his "-ther remain stiff and unmoved on the ground. The India.i up a wild yell of triumph. "Steady, Hubert. Jump off. Pick up papa's pistol. Arrange the horses in a triangle round him. That's right. Now don't throw away a shot." The nearest Indian was scarcely thirty yards off, when Charley's bullet crashed into his brain. The three im- mediately following him fell in rapid succession, another chiefs arm sank useless to his side, while the horse of another fell, shoi through the brain. Both the boys were pale, but their hands were as steady as iron. They felt as if, with their father lying insensible under their protection, they could not miss. So terrible was the destruction which the c. ntinued fire wrought among he leaders, that the others instinctively checked the speed of their horses a., they approached the httle groAip, from which fire and balls seemed to stream 1 66 Out on the Panip, as and bngan to discharge arrows at the boy,,, hanging on the ot er s,de of their horses, so that by their foes .hey eo W not be seen, a favourite mu«uvre with the Indians. As from the holsters, and, taking aim as the Indians showed a h«ad or an arm „„,:cr their horses' necks or over their backs the,r twelve barrels added to the Indians scatter d over the ground. ^tuerea _ 'Now Hubert, give me the two last revolvers, and put the two fresh chambers into the carbines " Seemg only one of their foes on the defence, the Indians agam made a rush forward. Charley shot the two first with a revolver, but the others charged up, and he stooped a moment to ayo.d a spear, rising a little on one side' and dischargmg wuh both hands his pistols at the Indians who were now close. "Quick, Hubert," he said, as he shot w.h h.s last barrel an Indian who had just driven hi spear into the heart of Mr. Hardy's horse The animal fell dead as it stood, and the Indians with a sliloed"' r ''•' °'""^^ '"^' ^' ^h^^ ^^ -' Hubert slipped a carbme mto his brother's hand, and the two again aTance" ^"^'' "'' "'"' '''^ '° ''^^'^' '''' ^"^''"«' The continuation of the fire appalled the Indians, and the seven that survived turned and fled. " I will load, Hubert," Charley said, trying to speak steadily. See to papa at once. Empty one of the water-gourds upon his face and head." ^ Hubert looked down with a cold shudder. Neither of the boys had dared to think during that brief fight. They had had many falls uefore on the soft turf of the Pampas, but The Lost Cattle 167 no hurt had resulted, and both were more frightened at the insensibility of their father than at the Indian horde, which were so short a distance away, and which would no doubt return in a few minutes in overwhelming force. Great, then, was Hubert's delight, when, upon looking round, he saw that Mr. Hardy hud raised himself with his arms. "What has happened?" he said, in a confused manner "Are you hurt, papa?" Hubert asked, with tears of joy runnmgdown his face; "you frightened us both so dreadfully Please drink a little water, and I will pour a httle over your face." Mr. Hardy drank some water, and Hubert dashed some more m his face. "That will do, Hubert," he said, with a smile; "you will drown me. There, I am all right now I was stunned, I suppose. There you are," and he got up on to his feet; "you see I am not hurt. And now, where are the Indians?" "There, papa," said the boys, with pardonable triumph, as they pointed to thirteen dead Indians. Their father could not speak. He grasped their hands warmly. He saw how great the danger must have been, and how gallantly his boys must have borne themselves. "The Indians may be back in a few minutes, papa. Your horse IS dead, but there is one of the Indians' standing by his dead master. Let us catch him and shift the saddle " The animal, when they approached it, made no move to take flight, and they saw that his master's foot, as he fell had become entangled in the lasso, and the well-trained beasi had stood without moving. In throe minutes the saddles were transferred, and the party again ,eady for fight or flight. i68 Out on the Pampas *' What next, papa?" "We turned to the right, and rather towards home when ^.arted,sotheIndianhaItin,p.eeistot^ '■Ves, papa; as near as may be," Charley said, making ou, .he po,„u with some difficulty on the poeke.-coZr one of which they each carried, a. the danger o b ingT; upon the pathless Pampas is very great "We had ridden about two miles when 1 got my fall so a cou. ,0 see whether we have returned home, and our track W.1 ead them to believe that we have. I. is dusk now. W shall get three ho.,s' rest before we have to move '• Place "'Th'"'?;,"' '"' """"' ""^ ^^'^^'i *- halting- place. The saddles were again loosened, a little Indian corn motstened with wa.er, given .o .he horse, and anothe ^^ meal aken by themselves. The boys, by Mr. Hardy's orders though sorely against their own wishes, then lay down to gel a couple of hours' sleep; while ^,r. Hardy wen't back abo: a hundred yards along the trail they had made on coming, and hen turned as.de and sat down a. a distance of a few ;ards tojvatch, ,„ case any Indian slrou.d have followed up their boys. Charley he fourd fast asleep. The pain of Hubert's wound ad kept him awake. Mr. Hardy poured some wl oyer the bandage, and then, waking Charley, gave them mstrucnons as to the part they were to play Both of them felt rather uncomfortable when they heard Aat they were to be separated from their father. They raised The Lost Cattle i6y 3me, when ith-east of 1, making - compass, "Jeing lost ny fall, so de now a send out 3ur track ow. We halting- an corn, ler slight s orders, n to get :k about ing, and iw yards up their I to the lubert's le water i them f heard f raised to tnu letter. They then mounted tlieir horses -Huhert yal o s!. f " 'f"° "* ''^'P=' '''^P'"8 a hundred yards or so to the west of the track by which they had come. rhey rode tn su,gle file, and they had taken the precaution of fastening a p.ece of tape round their horses' nostril, and mouth, to prevent their snorting should they appro.acl, ny of th e,r own speces The night was dark, but the stars sho "o ou clear and br.ght. At starting, Mr. Hardy had opened hi w ch. and had felt by the hands that i. was ten o'do After some time he felt again. "^'ock. It was just half an hour from the time of their starting. Now, boys weare somewhere close to the place of your fight. In another ten minutes we must separate » At the end of that time they again closed up. Now, boys, you see that bright star. That is nearly due east of us; go on as nearly as you can guess for ten minute" at a walk as before. You will then be within a mile of the et^emy. Then get off your horse. Mind, on no accoun whatever are yon to leave their bridles, bu stand wthon hand on .He saddle, ready to throw yourself into it. K two blue-hghts, and give me one. Don't speak a word bj Itsten as tf your lives depended upon detecting a sound a ndeedtheydo. You are to remain there untifyou see Ih I have atrly succeeded, ..„d then you are to dash in behind the cattle and fire off your revolvers, and shout so qmcken the.r pace as much as possible. I do not th k I s the least fear of the Indians following ; ,he rockets wil a' e hem ,00 much. When you have chased the herd fo abo two mtles, draw aside half a mile on their side, and the i I70 in Out on tlie Pampas for the Indians passing in pur.:uit of the cattle ; wait ten mmutes and then blow your dog-whistle-a sharp, short note I you hear Indians following you, or think there is danger" blow twice, and go still farther to the right. God bless you' boys. I do^ t think there is much fear of your falling upon any sccacs; they have been too badly cut up to-day, and must look upon our guns as witches. I need not say keep together and. ,f attacked, light a blue-light and throw it' down • ride a short way out of its circle of light, and I will come 'straight to you through everything. Don't be nervous about me mere is not the least danger." In another minute the boys lost sight of their father, and turning their horses, proceeded in the direction he had ordered Every now and then they stopped to listen, but not a sound couM they hear Their own horses' hoofs made no noise as they fell upon the soft turf. At the end of the ten minutes, just as Charley was thinking of stopping, they heard a sound which caused them to halt sn^ultaneously. It was the low baa of a sheep, and seemed to come from directly ahead of them. Charley now alighted, nd Hubert brought his horse up beside him, keeping his place however, m the saddle, but leaning forward on the neck of hh horse; for he felt that, if he got off, he should be unable to regain his seat hurriedly in case of alarm "About a mile off, I should say, by the sound," Charley whispered; "and just in the direction we expected " The spot Charley had chosen for the halt was a slight hollow running east and west; so that, even had the moon been up' Here, their carbines cocked and ready for instant use. they Tht Lost Cattle remained seanding for what appeared to H,™ ing with the ™ost intense J^^Z for l^ Z^ T. ™.htteUotthe,ai,nreor.cceasort,::;Sr turning west, he kept along for another mil/T T^^ "' *at he 3 po.iC rir^^t jr atr-c "ri:e^tte^;:r„r"' =- -"^ by the sound of the baaing ^The ship 17; """'^^ ^ .eading h,. horse, he gL.an/a pr'heTthtr ""? r':;,r^:ra:?:i:;:--T-^^^^ ^t-^i^:-tihS"-E~f.^ and at about that distance ^ '^^' ^^^^^'^°" narrow sloping ban!<, with a hollo, for the „ tt ' calculating the exact distance, and the ng ^ ' '"t '"r "hr:;:„t:;;r .77 -'-- - - -- r- the dis.ant'c.:t^:r;as;:r ^ ^""' ''""""-« ™- o*ers^.r„c;ar.lxx' Tottrr ^"*^ ■ -""P^^'f-^'tstiain of bnliiant sparks behinrl.-c ,i a.™s, over the Indian can,. Five 'or si^ironrLr 172 Out on the Pampas white light broke from it, and gradually fell towards the ground, lighting up the whole surrounding plain. A yell of astonishment and fear broke from the Indians, and in a moment another rocket rushed out. Mr. Hardy watched its fiery way with anxiety, and saw with delight that its direction was true. Describing a slight curve, it rushed full at the black mass, struck something, turned abruptly, and then exploded with a loud report, followed instantly by a cracking noi«e, like a straggling fusilade of musketry. It had scarcely ceased befo-e the third followed it, greeted, like its predecessors, with a yell from the Indians. Its success was equal to that of its predecessors, and Mr. Hardy was delighted by the sound of a dull heavy noise, like distant thunder, and knew that the success was complete, and that he had stampeded the cattle. He now ran to his horse, which was trembling in every limb and struggling wildly to escape, soothed it by patting it, loosed its bonds, sprang into the saddle, and went off at full gallop in the direction by which he had come. He had not ridden very far before he heard, in the still night air, the repeated sound of firearms, and knew that the boys were upon the trail of the cattle. Mr. Hardy had little fear of the Indians pursuing them ; he felt sure that the slaughter of the day by the new and mysterious firearms, together with the effect of the rockets, would have too much terrified and cowed them for them to think of anything but flight. He was, however, much relieved when, after a quarter of an hour's riding, he heard a single sharp whistle at about a few hundred yards' distance. " Hurrah, papa ! " the boys said, as he rode up to them. "They have gone by at a tremendous rush — sheep and cattle The Lost Cattle 173 and all. We started the moment we saw your first rocket, and got up just as they rushed past, and we joined in behind and fired, and yelled till we were hoarse. I don't think they will stop again to-night." " Did you see or hear anything of the Indians, boys?" "Nothing, papa. When the first rocket burst, we saw several dark figures leap up from the grass — where they had been, no doubt, scouting — and run towards the camp; but that was all. What are we to do now?" " Ride on straight for home. We need not trouble about the animals ; they won't stop till they are back. We must go easily, for our horses have done a very long day's work already. They have been between fifty and sixty miles. I think that we had better ride on for another hour. By that time the moon will be up, and we shall be able to see for miles across the plain. Then we will halt till daybreak, — it will only be three hours, — and the horses will be able to carry us in at a canter afterwards." And so it was done. In an hour the moon was fairly up, and, choosing a rise whence a clear view could be obtained, the horses were allowed to feed, and Mr. Hardy and Hubert lay down to sleep, Charley taking the post of sentry, with orders to wake the others at daybreak. The day was just dawning when he aroused them. " Wake up, papa. There are some figures coming eve*- the plain." Mr, Hardy and Hubert were on leir feet in an instant. "Where, Charley?" " From the north, papa. They m.ust nave passed us in their pursuit of the cattle, and are now returning- -empty-banded, anyhow ; for there are only seven or eight of them, and they are driving nothing before them." 174 Out on the Pampas By this time all three were in the saddle again. " Shall we attack them, papa ? " "No, boys ; we have given them quite a severe lesson enough A the same time, we will move a little across, so that we can get a good sight of them as they pass, and make sure that they have got nothing with them." ^ " They ar.: coming exactly this way, papa." . 1 us " ' '"" "'' ^""''^ "^""Sh when they for" """"""^ ^^ "°* '° ^°' ^^"^'-'"g straight "Get your carbines ready, boys ; but don't fire till I tell you 1 hey must belong to some other par^y, and cannot know whai has happened. No doubt thev uke us for Indians " "I don't think they are Indians at all," Hubert said, as the figures rapidly approached. " Don't you, Hubert ? We shall soon see. Halloo ' » JHalloo! hurrah!" came back to them; and in another five minutes they were shaking hands heartily with their chree friends from Canterbury, the Jamiesons, and two or three other neighbouring settlers. They told them that Farquhar, as soon as Lopez brought news of the attack, had sent mounted men off to all the other sttlements begging them to meet that night at Mount Pleasant. By nine o'clock they had assembled, and, after a -nsultat^on, had agreed that the Indians would be satisfied w th their present booty, and that therefore no guard would be necessary at their own estancias. A good feed and four hours' rest had been given to their horses, and when the moon rose they had started. Two hours The Lost Cattle 175 after leaving they had seen a dark mass approaching, and had prepared for an encounter ; but it had turned out to be the animals, who were going towards home at a steady pace There seemed, they said, to be a good many horses among them. ^ Assured by this that some encounter or other had taken place with the Indians, they had ridden on with much anxiety and were greatly relieved at finding Mr. Hardy and his boys safe. The whole party now proceeded at a rapid pace towards home, which they reached in four hours' riding. As they came in sight of the watch-tower, Mr. Herries separated himself from the others, and rode thirty or forty yards away to the left, returning to the others. This he repeated three times, greatly to Mr. Kardy's surprise. " What are you doing, Herries ? " he asked. "I am letting them know you are all well. We agreed upon that signal before we started. They would be able to notice one separate himself from the rest in that way as far as they could see us, and long before they could make out any other sort of signal." In a short time three black spots could be seen upon the plain in the distance. These the b..y.s very shortly pronounced to be Mrs. Hardy and tlie girls. When they approached, the rest of the party fell back, to allow Mr. Hardy and his s-ir.s to ride forward and have 'tl.e pleasure of the first meeting to themselves. Needless is it to tell with what a feeling of delight ^.nd thankfulne.ss Mrs. Ha.dy Maud, and Ethel received therr.. After tae first congratuia- tions, the erirls nhtjprvfiH fhqf- M»- tJ"-- '- 1 1 »-•- i.^u .i.t^i iUi. riaitij- ::au uis mxTTi ooun■'"« -™sible Mrs Hardy could no, restrain herself from sobbing in her ht band's arms at tl:e thought of his fearful danger lie H gtrls cried sore and kissed their brothers and all Ti f -wded round the.n and .rung theiri:: ^ r;;.^::^' sort of „g, .„d g,v,ng vem to a series of wild war-whoops It was some tmie before all were sufficiently calm to 'listen :.tt:,:r.::"°^'''"'-''^'-»----~ thauhl" "" "'T' ° """"'' "■"' "='''. »d " was agreed renew the contest, as they would be heloles. on ' -, I «>at if by a spy they founa ot,t that their *horserw:::';,e; 178 Out on the Pampas they might endeavour to recover them. It was therefore agreed that. they should be driven over at once to Mr. Percy's, there to remain until a purchaser was obtained for them. In the afternoon the party dispersed, with many thanks from the Hardys for their prompt assistance. jrefore ercy's, 1. In >m the CHAPTER XI QUIET TIMES "\ FTER a storm comes a calm": a saying true in the ^ 1^ case ot the Hardys, as in that of mo.t others. All their neighbours agreed that, after the very s, vera loss of the Indians, and the capture of the whole of their horses, there was no chance whatever of another attack, at anyratc for many months. After that it was possible, and indeed probable, that they would endeavour to take vengeance for their disastrous • defeat; but that at present they would be too crippled and disheartened to think of it. The settlers were now, therefore, able to give their whole attention to the farm. The first operation was the sheep- sheanng. Four men had been hired u. do the shearing at Canterbury, and then to come over to Mount Pleasant. Charley rode over to their neighbours' with Mrs. Hardy and his sisters, Mr. Hardy and Hubert remaining at home -the latter laid up with the wound in his leg. It was an amusing sight to see three or four liundred sheep driven into an enclosure, and then dragged out bv the sheai rs 7 hese men were paid according to the number shorn, and were very expert, a good hand getting through a hundred a day They were rather rough, though, in their work, and the girls soon *4o IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) h A W/ ^ <^^ J :/_ ^ 7d 1.0 I.I 128 112^ 1^ ■ 56 H2 US 2.2 1^ i 2:0 IL25 ■ 1.4 - 6" 1.6 <^ /: %!i 11- _x- jnic Scisices Corporation 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 * fc ^ ^ m i8o C>ut on the Pampas I went away from the shearing-place with a feeling of pity and disgust, for the shearers often cut the sheep badly. Each man had a pot of tar by his side, with which he smeared over any wound. A certain sum was stopped from their pay for each sheep upon which they made a cut of over a certain length ; but although this made them careful to a certain extent, they' still wounded a great many of the poor creatures. A much more exciting amusement was seeing the branding of the cattle, which took place after the shearing was over. The animals were let out, one by one, from their enclosure, and, as they passed along a sort of lane formed of hurdles, they were lassoed and thrown on to the ground. The hot branding- iron was then clapped against their shoulder, and was received by a roar of rage and pain. The lasso was then loosened, and the animal went off at a gallop to join his companions on the plain. Some caution was required in this process, for sometimes the animals, upon being released, would charge their tormentors, who then had to make a hasty leap over the hurdles ; Terence, who stood behind them, being in readiness to thrust a goad against the animals' rear, and this always hod the effect of turning them. For a few days after this the cattle were rather wild, but they soon forgot their fright and pain, and returned to their usual ways. Mr. Mardy had by this time been long enough in the country to feel sure of his position. He therefore determined to embark the rest of his capital in agricultural operations. He engaged ten native peons, and set-to to extend the land under tillage. The water-courses from the d^m were deepened and lengthened, and sid- channels cut, so that the work of irrigation could be effectually carried on over the whole of Quiet Times I8i the low-lying land, the water being sufficient for the purpose for nearly ten months in the year. Four ploughs were kept steadily at work, and the ground was sown with alfalfa or lucern as fast as it was got into condition. Patches of Indian corn, pumpkins, and other vegetables, were also planted. Mr, Hardy resolved that, until the country beyond him became so settled that there could be little danger from Indian incursions, he would not increase his stock of sheep and cattle, but would each year sell off the increase. He also decided upon entering extensively upon dairy operations. He had already ascertained that a ready sale could be obtained, among the European lesidents of Rosario and Buenos Ayres, of any amount of butter and fresh cheeses that he could produce, and that European prices would be readily given for them. Up to the present time the butter made had been obtained from the milk of two cows only, but he now determined to try the experiment upon a large scale. A dairy was first to be made. This was partially cut out of the side of the slope, and lined with sun - baked bricks. Against the walls, which projected above the ground, earth was piled, to make them of a very considerable thickness. Strong beams were placed across the roof j over these rafters was nailed felt, whitewashed upon both sides to keep out insects. Upon this was placed a considerable thickness of rushes, and, over all, puddled clay was spread a foot deep. Ventilation was given by a wide chimney rising behind it, and Hght entered by two windows in front. The whole of the interior was whitewashed. In this way a dairy was obtained, which, from the thickness of its walls, was cool enough for the purpose during the til 1 82 Out on the Pampas :rr:r::r :;:; r '° "-'^ - *- --<'"■ Half a dozen cows which had recently calved were now separated fro™ the herd, and driven into the wide L of he enclosure. One by one they approached the narrow end, and when one had reached the extremity and Z begun to devour the alfalfa, of which they ar ty fond a ^r was let down behind her, so that ,he could now neilr advance, retreat, or turn round. One of the boys now began cautiously and guietlv to ™.lk her, and the cows in few cases offered any ^^.^ One or .wo animals were, however, vety obstrepero "; r:her\r:^„^vr:ir:,,'- -^^ -- 'o ue nuiKed, with as much rCL'ularitv .„, u i- ,. would have done. ■'egularuy ,s Enghsh cows The wives of the peons were now taurht to milk- anH more and more cows were gradually added to the lu'mber unt.l ,„ s,.v months there were fifty cow, in f„n ,? Maud and Ethel had now no longef any:., "to'" o'S te house, Mrs. Hardy undertaking the entire u.anagen" hiran'tir ""' "^ '"" ^" *'- - *--■ che!t "Their ""'"' """^ ■"•° """-• P-"y into fre.,h cheeses. These were sent off once a week to catch ,h, steamer for Buenos Ayres. ^fr. „ardy had a Ct c^ Quiet Times 183 made for one horse, and by this conveyance the butter — starting as soon as the sun went down — arrived in Rosario in time for the early boat to the capital. It was sent in large baskets made of rushes, and packed in many layers of cool, fresh leaves ; so that it arrived at Buenos Ayres, forty hours after le.-.ving Mount Pleasant, perfectly fresh and good. . The skim milk was given to the pigs, who had already increased to quite a numerous colony. Although they had been planted less than a year, the fruit- trees round the house had thriven in a surprising manner, and already bore a crop of fruit more than sufificient for the utmost wants of the household. Peaches and nectarines, apricots and plums, appeared at every meal, either fresh, stewed, or in puddings, and afforded a very pleasant change and addition to their diet. As Maud said one day, they would have been perfectly happy had it not been for the frogs. These animals were a very great nuisance. They literally swarmed. Do what they would, the Hardys could not get rid of them. If they would but have kept out of the house, no one would have minded them ; indeetl, as they destroyed a good many insects, they would have been welcome visitors in the garden; but this was just what they would not do. The door always stood open, and they evidently considered that as an invitation to walk in. There they would hide behind boxes, or get under beds, and into water -jugs and baths, and, in fact, into every possible corner. They would even get into boots; and these had always to be shaken before being put on, in case frogs or insects should have taken up their abode there. It used at first to be quite a matter of difificulty to know 1 84 Out on the Pampas what ,0 do with ,he frogs after ' ^"^ "' Of int/oductiZ T :i' :/:rT"" ""t^ ~"" '"'^^-^ 'he, inspected the country ' '"'^'^ "'"' ""='" "'>*■ Their household, too, had received an increase A -i.e . o„ -:^-- ™.^ e«, h. jucst, .\ir. Haidy agreed to receive his 1 86 Out on the Pampas son for a year, to learn the business of a Pampas farmer, before he embarked upon his own account. A small room' was accordingly cleared out for him, and Mr. Hardy never had any reason to regret having received him. He was a pleasant, light-hearted young fellow of about twenty years of age. One change, however, had taken place which deserves mention. Sarah one day came to her mistress, and with much blushing and hesitation said that Terence Kelly had asked her to marry him. Mrs. Hardy had long suspected that an attachment had sprung up between the Irishman and her servant, so she only smiled and said, "Well, Sarah, and what did you say to Terence? The year you agreed to stop with us is over, so you are at liberty to do as you like, you know." " Oh, ma'am, but I don't want to leave you. That is just what I told Terence. ' If master and mistress are willing that I shall marry you and stay on with them as before, I won't say no, Terence ; but if they say that they would not take a married servant, then, Terence, we must stay as we are.' " «I have no objection at all, Sarah, and I think I can answer for Mr. Hardy having none. Terence is a very good, steady fellow, and I know that Mr. Hardy has a high opinion of him ; so you could not make a marriage which would please us more! We should be very sorry to lose you, but we could not in any case have opposed you marrying whom you liked ; and now we shall have the satisfaction of keeping you here with us." And so it was settled ; and a fortnight afterwards, Terence and Sarah had two days' holiday, and went down to Buenos Ayres, where there was an English church, and came back again man and wife. After that each went back to work as usual, and the only change was that Terence now took his npas farmer, small room iy never had s a pleasant, ■ age. ch deserves 1 with much id asked her ::hment had so she only you say to 5ver, so you That is just willing that 1 won't say 2 a married can answer )od, steady un of him ; e us more, lot in any id now we IS." s, Terence o Buenos ame back work as took his Q»iei Times jg most suitable. ^ ^ ^ '""'^ °' '«'.->vhicl, was the The cotton crop had proved a success ■ the fi„u u j ■ . been covered with cotton plants whTch h /h » '" ""'' bright yellow blossom and ha7;^ f " ^'" ""° ' balls of white fluir Tl, ■ \ ''" "'"'='' "'* "»ny upon atar a'tatfuI'T^' u'T" '^ "-" '°*d before it was fJshed I't "f " '"" ^""'^ "■^"^ »* Hardy's ant cip^H ^ ,, "'' "''' '''"" ^-^^d ^r. .be pods and s'Th,; ^n^T "' ''""''"« "' ^°"°" "°'" «on.and had ^^!:t^z:zr':rTV'"'' grass that they at first made 4h T J ' I ^' '^' ^"^ despair of ever finishing it bu with ' ' "''"' '° more adroit. Still i, 1! , \ ^"""'"^ ""^y be me during the heat teZ 21 T ^'°° «'"' ' '»"-' I' had been a dirty worktoo .hl", T'™' °" ^™'"'" '''""^■ got everywhere, and a^t he e^H r ' ""'^^ "^ """f ^^ party had 'oo^ed liS t^ ^'^/^P'-^ J""- wor. the •more than a quarter of fh« '"'^^^^' before were heartily ,1 f th o^ ZT ' "' ™^ *^"=^' "«^ pod eo an Englishmatrro' Md t^r'^::;^"" '" ''' was attempting to raise cotton near Buen„ a ""'*'"e'7' ^"d the pronts had been consider^ if ''''■ '"*°"S" mined that the experiment I ,J ""■'"'imously deter- to the present. ' ' ''""^ "°' "^ '^P^ted, at anyrate 4eotri":::r,:rr^ -■ «» «- of ..antinga been required for other „ '''■""""''*' S"""'' ''"""« other purposes. He had not, however. i88 Out on the Pampas abandoned the idea; and about two months before the marriage of Terence and Sarah, he had planted some tobacco, which was, upon their return from Buenos Ayres, ready to be picked. The culture of tobacco requires- considerable care. The ground is first prepared with great care, and is well and thoroughly manured ; but tliis was not required in the present case, as the rich virgin soil needed no artificial aid. It is then dug in beds something like asi)aragus beds, about two feet wide, with a deep trench between each. The seeds are mised in a seed-bed, and when nine or ten inches high, they are taken up and carefully transplanted into the beds, two rows being placed in each, and the plants being a foot apart. There are various methods of cultivation, but this was the one adopted by Mr Hardy. The plants grew rapidly, the ground between them being occasionally hoed and kept free from weeds. When they were four feet high the tops were nipped off, and any leaves which showetl signs of disease were removed. Each stem had from eiglit to ten leaves. When the leaves began to turn rather yellow, Mr. Hardy announced that the time for cutting had arrived, and one morning all hands were mustered to the work. It consisted merely in cutting the stems at a level with the earth, and laying the plants down gently upon the ground. By breakfast-time the two acres were cleared. They were left all day to dry in the sun, and a little before sunset they were taken up, and carried up to one of the store-sheds, which had been cleared and pre- pared for the purpose. Here they were placed in a heap on the ground, covered over with raw hides and mats, and left for three days to heat. After this they were uncovered, and hung up on laths from the roofs, close to ea(^h other, and yet Qnitt Times 189 siifTicicntly far apart to allow the air to cirnilate between them. Here they nniaincd until they were quite dry, and were then taken down, a damp covering l)eing chosen for the ojjeration, as otherwise the dry leaves would have crunii)led to dust! They were again laid in a heap, and covered up to allow them to heat once more. This second heating reciuired some days to accomplish, and this operation required great attention, as the tobacco would liave been worthless it the plants had heated too much. In ten days the operation was com{)lete. The leaves were then stri{)ped off, the upper leaves were placed by themselves, as also the middle and the lower leaves ; the higher ones being of the finest (piality. They were then tied in Inmdles of twelve leaves each, and were packed in layers in barrels, a great pressure being applied with a weighted lever, to press them down into an almost solid mass. In all they filled three barrels, the smallest of which, containing sixty pounds of the finest tobacco, Mr. Hardy kept for his own use and that of his friends ; the rest he sold at Buenos Ayres at a profitable rate. The venture, like ih t of the cotton, had proved a success, but the trouble and care required had been very great, and Mr. Hardy determined in future to plant only sufficient for his own use and that of the men employed upon the estate. The next experiment which was perfected was that with the sugar-cane. \n this, flir more than in the others, Mrs. Hardy and the girls took a lively interest. Sugar had been one of the few articles of consumption which had cost money, and it had been used in considerable quantities for converting the fruit into fine puddings and preserves. It was not contemplated to make sugar for sale, but only for the supply of the house; two I90 Out on the PaiHfas ^>cres, therefore, was the extent of the plantation. Mr Hardy procured the cuttings from a friend who hud a small sugar plantation near iJuenos Ayres. The cultivation of sugar is simple. The land having been got u, perfect order, deep furrows were ploughed at a distance of nve feet apart. In these the cuttings, which are pieces of he upper part of the cane, containing two or three knots, were a.d at a distance of three feet apart. The plough was then taken along by the side of the ftn-row, so as to till it t,p again and cover the cuttings. In sugar plantations the rows of canes are close together, but Mr. Hardy had rhosen this distance, as It enabled his horse-hoe to work between them, and thus keep the ground turned up and free from weeds, without the expense of hard labour. In a short time the shoots appeared above the soil. In four months they had gained the height of fourteen feet, and their glossy stems showed that they were ready to cut. "Now, Clara," Mr. Hardy said, "this is your manufacture, you know, and we are only to work under your superintend- ence The canes are ready to cut : how do you intend to crush the juice out? Because that is really an important question." The young Hardys looked aghast at each other, for in the pressure of other matters the question of apparatus for the sugar manufacture had been quite forgotten. " Have you really no idea how to do it, Frank ? " "No, really I have not, my dear. We have certainly no wood on the place which would make the rollers; besides, it would be rather a difficult business." Mrs. Hardy thought for a minute, and then said, "I should think that the mangle would do it." Quiet 7'imes Ujl There was a grii.Tal exclamation of " Capital, mamtna!" and then a burst of lau-htn at the idea of making su^ar with a mangle. The mangle in (luestion was part of a patent wash- ing apparatus which Mr. Hardy had brought witii him from England, and consisted of two strong iron rollers, kept together by strong springs, and turning with a handle. "I do think that the mangle would do, Clara," Mr. Hardy said, " and we are all much obliged to you for the idea. I had thought of the great washing copper for boiling the sugar, but the mangle altogether escaped me. We will begin to-morrow. Please get all the tubs scrubbed out and scalded and put out in the sun to dry." "How long will it take, papa?" "Some days, Ethel ; we must only cut the canes as fast as the boiler can boil the juice down." The next day the work began. The canes were cut at a level with the ground, the tops were taken off, and the canes cut into lengths of three feet. They were then packed on a bullock-cart and takea up to the house. They were next passed through the mangle, which succeeded admirably, the juice flowing out in streams into the tub placed below to receive it. When all the canes had been passed through the mangle, the screws were tightened to increase the pressure and they were again passed through ; by which time, although the juice was not so thoroughly extracted as it would have been by a more, powerful machine, the quantity that remained was not important. As the tub was filled, the contents were taken to the great copper, under which a fire was then lighted The crushing of the canes was continued until the copper was nearly full, when Mr. Hardy ordered the cutting of the canes to be discontinued lor the day. The lire under the copper 192 Out on the Pampas n vva, fed with the crushed canes, which burnt very freely. Mr. Hardy now added a small quantity of lime and some sheep's blood, which last ingredient caused many exclamations of horror from Mrs. Hardy and the young ones. The blood, however, Mr. Hardy informed them, was necessary to clarify the sugar, as the albumen contained in the blood would rise to the surflice, bringing the impurities with it. The fire was continued until the thermometer showed that the syrup was within a few degrees of boiling, and the surface was covered with a thick, dark-coloured scum. The fire was then removed and the liquor allowed to cool, the family now going about other work, as so large a quantity of liquor would not be really cold until the next day. The following morning the tap at the bottom of the boiler was turned, and the syrup came out bright and clear,— about the colour of sherry wine. The scum descended unbroken on the surface of the liquor; and when the copper was nearly empty the tap was closed, and the scum and what little liquor remained was taken out. The bright syrup was now again poured into the boiler, the fire relighted, and the syrup was kept boiling, to evaporate the water and condense the syrup down to the point at which it would crystallise. It required many hours' boiling to effect this, any scum which rose to the surface being carefully taken off with a skimmer. At last it was found that the syrup on the skimmer began to crystallise, and Mr. Hardy pronounced it to be fit to draw off into the large washing tubs to crystallise. A fresh batch of canes was now crushed, and so the process was repeated until all the canes were cut. It took a fortnight altogether, but only five days of this were actually occupied in cutting and crushing the canes. As the sugar crystallised it was taken out— a dark, Quiet Times 193 3ely. Mr. ne sheep's lations of he blood, to clarify tvould rise e fire was syrup was s covered 1 removed ng about : be really the boiler r, — about )roken on as nearly tie liquor o\v again syrup was ;he syrup required )se to the ^t last it rystallise, into the :anes was il all the only five crushing —a dark, pulpy-looking mass, at which the young Hardys looked very doubtfully- and was placed in a large sugar hogshead, which had been procured for the purpose. In the bottom of this eight large holes were bored, and these were stopped up with pieces of plantain stalk. Through the porous substance of these stalks the molasses or treacle slowly drained off As the wet sugar was placed in the cask, layers of slices of plantain stems were laid upon it, as tlv- spongy substance draws the dark colouring matter out fr...., the sugar. The plantain grows freely in South America, and Mr. Hardy had planted a number of this graceful tree near his house ; but these had not been advanced enough to cut, and he had therefore pro- cured a sufficient quantity from a friend at Rosario. It was three m.onths before the drainage of the molasses quite ceased ; and the Hardys were greatly pleased, on emptying the hogs- head and removing the plantain stems, to find that their sugar was dry, and of a very fairly light colour. I'he sugar-canes did not recjuire planting again, as they will grow for many years from the same roots ; and although the canes from old stools, as they arc called, produce less sugar than those of the first year's planting, the juice is clearer, and requires far less trouble to prepare and refine. Before another year came round, the boys made a pair of wooden rollers of eighteen inches in diameter. These were covered with strips o^hoop iron, nailed lengthways upon them at short ini>Mvals from each other, thereby obtaining a better grip upon the canes, and preventing the wood from being bruised and grooved. These rollers were worked by a horse mill, which Mr. Hardy had ordered from England. It was made for five horses, and did a great deal of useful work, grinding the Indian corn into fine flour for home consumption and for sale to neighbouring 13 194 Out on the Pampas A»>o„g ,he™ was ,he c„,,v:L "o „ t J hT'^'lr bean, of flax, hemp, and coffee I„ all or ,h , u™"'"' more or less success ■ but Z J^ 1 ^™ '" °'«»'"«J and .he necessityof de™. „ ,,0' "''' "' "''"'"'"^ '»b°"' increasing floe^ herded Z^^ i^ "•^""™;° '"» from carrying .hem ou. on a a^g si," K ""''' '™ served .he purpose for whi.h 1, However, .hey of giving oLrof in, f I ''"""P""'' '""'«°'>'' *=™- g g objecs of mterest and amusement to his childrea ts and s the table, anilla ained bour, the liim they m — u CHAPTER XII A SIEADV HAND TTwas now more than oigl.toen month,, since the Hardy, A had been tairly established at Mount Pleasant. A stranger who had passe,! along at the time the house was (irst fin^hed. would certainly fail to recognise i, now. Then it was a bare untnviting structure, looking, as has been said, like a small dBsenttng chapel built on the top of a gentle rise wtthout tree or shelter of any kind. Now it appeared to se from a mass of bright green foliage, so rapidly had the trel! grown especially the bananas and other tropical shrubs planted upon each side of the house. At the foot of the slope were some sixty or seventy acres of cultivated ground, while to ihSr "'iT " '""' ''"''"' ='""«''- -^'»-t m which the mtlch cows, the cattle, the sheep, and the pigs were severally driven at night. ^^ Everything was prospering beyond Mr. Hardy's most sangutne expectations. More and more land was monthly betng broken up and irrigated. Large profits had been reahsed by buy.ng lean cattle during the dry season, fatteZ them upon alfalfa, and sending them down to Rosari; for ^e The P.gs had multiplied astonishingly , and the profits from ehedatrywe.. tncrcasing da.ly as more cows were constant^ f I i ■t y 196 Out on the Pampas added. The produce of N[ount Pleasant was so valued at botli Rosario and Buenos Ayres. that the demand, at most remunerative prices, far exceeded the supply. Additions had been made to the number of peons, and the farm j)iesented quite an animated ai)pearance. The two years which had elapsed since the Hardys left i-ngland had effected a considerable change in their appear- ance. Charley was now eighteen -a squarely-built, sturdy young fellow. From his life of exposure in the open air he looked older than he was. He had a strong idea that h. was now becoming a man ; and Ethel had one day detected hmi exanuning his cheeks very closely in the glass, to see if there were any signs of whiskers. It was a debated question in his own mind whether a beard would or would not be becommg to him. Hubert was nearly seventeen ; he was taller and slighter than his brother, but uas younger both in appear- ance and manners. He had all the restlessness of a boy and lacked somewhat of Charley's steady perseverance. The elder brother was essentially of a practical disposition He took a lively interest in the affairs of the farm, and gave his whole mind to it. If he went out shooting, he d-'d so to get game for the table. He enjoyed the sport, and entered heartily into it, but he did so in a business sort of way. Hubert was a far more imaginative boy. He stuck to the work at the farm as conscientiously as his brother did, but his attention was by no means of the same concentrated kind. A new butterfly, an uncommon insect, would be irresistible to him ; and not unfrequently, when he went out with his gun to procure some game which Mn Hardy had wanted upon the arrival of some unexpected visitor, he would come back in a high state of triumph with some curious little bird, which he valued at (.1, at most IS, and the lardys left -ir appear- ilt, sturdy )en air, he 1 that he )' detected , to see if 1 (juestion d not be was taller n appear- boy, and sposition. and gave did so to entered :k to the I, but his :ind. A istible to s gun to ipon the ack in a /hicli he A Steady Hand jq- had shot after a long chase, the requirements of the household bemg altogether forgotten. Maud was fifteen. Her constant out-of-door exercise had made her as nimble and active as a young fawn. She loved to be out and ai)out, and her two hours of lessons with her mamma m the afternoon were a grievous penance to her Ethel wanted three months of fourteen, and looked under twelve. She was quite the home-bird of the family, and liked notinng better than taking her work and sitting by the hour quietly talking to her mother. The time was now again approaching when the Indian fora3's were to be expected. It was still a month earlier than the attack of the year before, and Mr. Hardy, with the in- creased number of his men, had not the least fear of any successful assault upon Mount Pleasant ; but he resolved, when the time came, to take every possible precaution against attacks upon the animals. He ordered that the iron gates of the enclosures should be padlocked at night, and that some of he native dogs should be chained there as sentinels. He looked forw.ird with some little anxiety to the Indian moon, as It IS called, because, when he had ridden out with Lopez and two of their Canterbury friends to the scene of the encounter a ew days after it had taken place, they found that the I.id.ans had fled so precipitately upon the loss of their horses that they had not even buried the bodies of their friends, and that, short as the time had been, the foxes had left nothing but a few bones remaining of these. From the mocassins, how- ever, and from other relics of the Indians strewn about. Lone/ had pronounced at once that two tribes had been engaged in' the fray : the one. inhabitants of the Pampas - - u people which, although ready to murder any solitary whites, seldom 1 98 Out on the Pampas altack a prepared foe ; and the oeher, of Indians from ,he wes,of a far more warlike and courageous eharaeter Th former enl>e Lope, affirmed.-and the natives of the country yeed wtth hm, .ould no. of themselves have heen i S to attempt a fresh attack upon antagonists who had proved tX rmi '"^'^' ""' "■= '""" ™""' •« ''-- certatn to make some desperate attempt to wipe off the dis grace of the. defeat. Under these circumstances, althougl fjsoStrt "' °' '"=" p""-^' '° ^=^' °^-^ -'-^. >°- :«:; ^''^^ ''""""°" *°"" ^^ '^^- -■>- *<= time Late one afternoon, however, Mr. Fitzgerald had gone out for a nde with Mr. Hardy. Chariey'had gone d«„ to the dam „,th his gun on his shoulder, and Huberthld ndden toapool in the river a. some distance off, where e had the day before observed a wild duck, which h beUved o be a new sott. The cattle and flocks had just been driven . m by Lopez and two mounted peons at an earlier hour than usual, as Mr. Hardy had that morning given orders Z,* e mmals were aU to be in their enclosures before dus The labourers ,„ .He fields uelow were still at work ploughing w ,e m";" "■ ""''*-™°" ™*'"8 "'* Mrs. Hardy Presendy .he occupan.s of the parlour were startled by a sharp cry from Maud, and in another instant she flew into he room, rushed at a bound to .he fireplace, snatched dwn her light nfle from its hooks over the mantel ,„h ■ Mrs. Hardy and Ethel sprang to their feet, too surprised rl t!, Z^T '° '° ''"^*'"8' -d *- Mrs. Hardy repeated Maud's words, "Quick, Ethel, your rifle i» IS from the icter. The :he country been likely lad proved be almost >ff the dis , although ack, it was n the time had gone 5ne down ubert had where he 3 bel.eved en driven hour than that the sk. The loughing. . Hardy, for tea. rtled by flew into ed down I crying, nstant. urprised Hardy A Steady Hand jgo Ethel seized it, and with her mother ran to the door. Then they .saw a sight which brought a scream from both the>r hps. Mrs. Hardy fell on her knees and covered her eyes, while Ethel, after a moment's pause, grasped the rifle, which had nearly fallen from her hands, and ran forward though her limbs trembled so that they could scarcely carry her on. ^ The sight was indeed a terrible one. At a distance of two Jiundred yards, Hubert was riding for his life. His hat was ofi-, his gun was gone, his face was deadly pale. Behind him rode three Indians. The nearest one was immediately behind him, at a distance of scarce two horses' length • the other two were close to their leader. All were evidently gaining upon him. Maud had thrown the gate open, and stood by the post with the barrel of her rifle resting on one of the wires "Steady, Ethel, steady," she said in a hard, strange voice as her sister joined her; -Hubert's life depends upon your aim. Wait till I fire, and take the man on the right. Aim at his chest." The sound of Maud's steady voice acted like magic upon her sister; the mist which had swum before her eyes cleared off; hcMimbs ceased to tremble, and her hand grew steady Hubert was now within a hundred yards, but the leading Indian was scarce a horse's length behind. He had his tomahawk already in his hand, in readiness for the fatal blow Another twenty yards and he whirled it round his head with a yell of exultation. "Stoop, Hubert, stoop!" Maud cried in a loud, clear voice; and mechanically, with thr. wild war-whoop behind ringing in his ears, Hubert bent forward on to the horse's 200 Oitt on the Pampas mane. He could feel the breath of the Indian's horse against his legs, and his heart seemed to stand -till. Maud and her rifle might have been taken for a statue, so immovable and rigid did she stand ; and then, as the Indian's arm went back for the blow— crack ! and without a word or a cry the Indian fell back, struck with the deadly little bullet in the centre of the forehead. Not so silently did Ethel's bullet do its work. A wild cry followed the report- for an instant the Indian reeled in his saddle, and then, steadying himself, turned his horse sharp round, and with his companion galloped off. Hubert, as his horse passed through the gat? and drew up, almost fell from his seat; and it was with the greatest difficulty that he staggered towards Maud, who had gone off in a dead faint as she saw him ride on alone. Ethel had sat down on the ground, and was crying passionately, and Terence came running down from the house with a gun in his hand, pouring out Irish threats and ejaculations after the Indiar.s. These were changed into a shout of triumph as Charley stepped from behind the hen- house, as they passed at a short distance, and at the discharge of his double barrels the unwounded Indian fell heavily from his horse. Anxious as he was to assist his young mistresses,— for Hubert was far too shaken to attempt to lift Maud from the ground,— Terence stood riveted to the spot watching the remaining Indian. Twice he reeled in the .saddle, and twice recovered himself, but the third time, when he was distant nearly half a mile, he suddenly fell off to the ground. "I thought the murdering thief had got it," muttered Terence to himself, as he ran down to raise Maud, and, with / A Steady Hand 201 the assistance of Sarah, to carry her up to the house, against the doorway of which Mrs. Hardy was still leaning, too agitated to trust herself to walk. Hubert, now somewhat recovered, endeavoured to pacify Ethel, and the two walked slowly up towards the house. In a minute or two Charley came running up, and the peons were seen hurrying towards them. After a silent shake of the hand to his brother, and a short " Thank God ! " Charley, with his accustomed energy, took the command. "Hubert, do you and Terence get all the arms loaded at once. Lopez, tell the peons to hurry up the plough oxen, shut them in the enclosure, and padlock all the gates. I will warn you if there's any danger. Then bring all the men and women up here. I am going to run up the danger flag. Papa is out umewhere on the plains." So saying, and taking his Colt's carbine, he ran up the stairs. In a moment afterwards his voice was heard again. "Hubert, Terence, bring all the guns that are loaded up here at once,-quick, quick! "and then he shouted loudly in Spanish, " Come in all ; come in for your lives ! " In another minute they joined him on the tower with Mr. Hardy's long rifle, Hubert's carbine, and their double-barrelled shot-guns, into each of which Terence dropped a bullet upon the top of the shot. Hubert could scarcely help giving a cry. At a distance of a quarter of a mile, Mr. Hardy and Fitzgerald were coming along, pursued by at least a dozen Indians, who were thirty or forty yards in their rear. They were approach- mg from behind the house, and would have to make a sweep to get round to the entrance, which \n as on the right, on the side facing the dam. This would evidently give their pursuers a slight advantage. 202 Out on the Pampas I i I I I I They hold their own," Charley said, after a minute's silence; "there is no fear. Lopez!" he shouted, "run and see that the outside as well as the inside gates are open." It has been already said that a low wire fence had been placed at a distance of a hundred yards bcTond the inner enclosure, to protect the young trees from the animals It was composed of two wires, only a foot apart, and was almost hidden by the long grass. It had a low gate, corresponding in position to the inner one. Charley's c,uick eye saw at once the miportance of the position. "I think you might use the long rifle now," Hubert said • "It might stop them if they feel that they are in reach of our guns." " No, no," Charley said ; " I don't want to stop them. Don't show the end of a gun above the wall." Then he was silent until his father was within three hundred yards. He then shouted at the top of his voice, " Mind the outside fence mind the outside fence!" * Mr. Hardy raised a hand to show that he heard, and as he approached, Charley shouted again, "Sweep well round the fence, well round it, for them to try and cut you off." Charley could see that Mr. Hardy heard, for he turned his horse's head so as to go rather wide of the corner of the fence ''Now, Hubert and Terence, get ready; we shall have them directly." Mr. Hardy and his companion galloped past, with the Indians still fifty yards behind them. Keeping twenty yards from the corner of the fence, the fugitives wheeled round to the right, and the Indians, with a cry of exultation, turned to the right also to cut them off. The low treacherous wire was ^ Steady Hand 203 203 "Now," Ci,.rley said "02" h f™""'- ■'« eop „f ,„. t„,vo a ,,i n ?' "" '•■"''"^ "■«• '■™" O-vilcLred Indians. Tl e ' ■","""" *'"" "P™ "'o kicK.,, and .n,,K,„, d.. f, r::, ^^;5"'?""' -"' «■»"".■«.. 'o .iHir „,a.,„. as „,e deadly .'u „ . '"r " "'"'" ''""' 'h^- nr. cased, not ,n„,e ha M, ,':""""'■ ""^ '^'''"" =eats and galloped off. leaving JZIT ?!"""' "'^■'' 8>-tly „eap. .Seeing .„e. In ful Tl^ ,' ! " '" " •1"^- tower descended .0 reeeive Mr H !, "P""" °' Terence n.uch delighted a. hi ^g ! ' „"" ^d T ?'^"'^'^"'' skirmish. ^ ^^^ "^a his share in a H::iir:;::;ne::ri^"™"'"'*-'''^^- escape." " '"' *""==• "That was a near ^^^;Not a., neat a one as Huhert has had by a long way, "Indeed I "Mr H^^^ " • Mr. Hardy said anxiously " r . about it." "-iiousiy. Let „,e ij^.^^ ^y " We have not heard ourselves vet " n , "It occurred only a few minutes h f ^*' ""'""^'i- behaved splendidly, butTe 1 ? '"" ""■ '''""'"'' 7" 80 up ,0 theLusI hi I ", r" T " ^°" ftore are a few things to .see abouT firs ' w'" h'""'' "'" carry o„, what I told you before 1 ,he "^ ' " """' °"' ploughs, and see all secured ■ u '.u^ ""^" '" '""« ""= «-n. Kii,acouprofsh';'::rri:::r""""= house; we shall be a large nartv \r ■ "' "P '" *e Then let the peons all have' ..^peT Zr "''' '^ ""•^^■ "■ '" '-' "" -— ■ - ~ thTt rc:: Out on the Painfas fastened down by the cattle. Terence, take your place on the lookout, and fire a gun if you see anyone moving." Having seen that his various orders were obeyed, Charley went up to the house. He found the whole party assembled in the sitting-room. Maud and Kthel had (luite recovered, although both looked pale. Mrs. Hardy, absorbed in her attention to them, had fortunately heard nothing of her husband's danger, until the firing from above, followed by a shout of triumph, told her that any danger there was had been defeated. " Now, papa," Charley said, "you give us your account first." "I have not much to tell, Charley. Fitzgerald and I had ridden out some distance,— five miles, I should say,— when the dogs stopped at a thicket and put out a lion. Fitzgerald and I both fired with our left-hand barrels, which were loaded with ball. The beast fell, and we got olT to skin him. Dash barked furiously, and we saw a couple of dozen Indians coming up close to us. We stopped a moment to give them our barrels with buck-shot, and then jumped into our saddles and rode for it. Unfortunately, we had been foolish enough to go out without our revolvers. They pressed us hard, but I was never in fear of their actually catching us ; my only alarm was., that one of us might repeat my disaster of the armadiP',; h:'\ti. -lo I only tried to hold my own, thirty or forty yards ahead. I made sure that one or other of you would see us coming, and J should have shouted loudly enough, I can tell you, to warn yo as T came up. Besides, I knew that, at the worst, the arrp .. X lanrn g above the fireplace, and that we only wanted tin.- tv . -n ■ ', catch them up, and get to the door, to be able to de)\;n.. iba house ti!) you could help us. And now, what is your story, Charley?" A ShaUy Hand ■>o 20$ have even less than you, papa. I was down at the dam, am h , ,, hon-housc, and I was Just thinking that I could make a better arrangement for the nests, when I heard an Indian war-yell between me and the house. It was ^ owed ahnost direetly by two eraeks, which I -au,ed without hearing the slightest sound. Then there was a slight jarring noise. "They are getting over the fence," IMr. Hardy whispered Go down now everyone to his station. Keep the dogs qutet, and mtnd, let no one fire until I give the signal ■' Over ,r„d over again the clinking noise was repeated. Cauttous as the Indians were, i, was impossible even fo' then, o get over that strange and difficult obstacle without touching he w,res w«h their arms. Occasionally Mr. Hardy and he boys anc ed that they could see dark objects stealtag eow=rds the house through the gloom; otherwise aU was "Boys" Mr. Hardy said, "I have changed my mi„d. There w,ll be numbers at the doors and windows, /horn we cannot get at from here. Steal quietly downstairs, andtake your pos,t,o„ each at a window. Then, when the signal is g.ven, fire both your revolvers. Don't throw away a sho Darken all the rooms except the kitchen. Vou will L batt to take a,m through the loopholes; it will be quite li.ht outside. When von h,-,, »• j ^ ^ wnen you hare ^mptied your revolvers, come mind. The Tndian Attack 2\x straight up here, leaving them for the girls to load as you pass." •' Without a word, the boys slipped away. Mr. Hardy then placed on a round shelf nailed to the flagstaff, at about eight feet from the ground, a blue-light, fitting into a socket on t-.e shelf. The shelf was made just so large that it threw a shadow over the top of the tower, so that those standing there were ,n comparative darkness, while everything around was in bright hght. There, with a match in his hand to light the blue-hght, he awaited the signal. It was a long time coming-so long that the pause grew pamful, and everyone in the house longed for the bursting of the coming storm. At last it came. A wild, long, savage yell from hundreds of throats rose on the still night air and confident as they were in their position, there was not one of the garrison but felt his blood grow cold at the appalling ferocity of the cry. Simultaneously there was a tremendoul rush at the doors and windows, which tried the strength of frame and bar. Then, as they stood firm, came a rain of blows with hatchet and tomahawk. Then came a momentary pause of astonishment The weapons, instead of splintering the wood, merely made deep dents or glided off harmlessly. Then the blows redoubled and then a bnght light suddenly lit up the whole scene As It did so, from every loophole a stream of fire poured out repea.ed again and again. The guns, heavily loaded with buck-shot, told with terrible effect upon the crowded mass of Indians around the windows, and the discharge of the four barrels from each of the three windows of the room at the back of the house, by Fitzgerald, Lopez, and Terence, for a while cleared the assailants from that quarter. After the first 214 Out on the Pampas s yell Of astonishment and rage, a perfect quiet succeeded to their presence was urgently ..JZ, '""^ "^ '''' ''^^''' ^^'^-- Knowing the tremendous rush there would be at the door Charley and Hubert had posted themselves .t I V f ' holes, leaving the windows fn f.l """'"';•' '^^ '^s two loop- Dresen^ TK 7 "^ "^^'■'^ °^ themselves for the .liking .ha. i. „„u,d eo^e in, .h.w 2 Z'^l, "'J" bod,es agains. i.. Then wi.h .he faille of fe firs u h came .he storm of blows • anrl ,!,„ v ' pis.o,s .evened .h^gh .hV h^it i,iXl:^r„.r: was to enable them to see their foes ^ '^ As it came, they fired together, and two Indians fell A..- and ag.n they fired, until not an Indian ren^in d .tandW opposite the fatal door. I'hen eic-h tnni- ■ 7 '^'^"'^'"8 was one a. each side of .he dir'X: C^dlt: In this flgh. Sarah had certainly ,he honour of firs, blood She was a courageous woman, and .v,as deter„,ined .o Ho h best in defence of .he house A. , "-'n '"ed .o do her had p,aced .he end of t s^t it. Z'lXr'"'" *' of the attack it was white ho. <; I "" ™™™' "-■ P-sure Of .hen„t:s': ain^Tt'Th! ':c:^r,T "'"' """ Plunged it through the looph'ole with a h^ f '" Tf M aCr "' "bich rose e.n above the ':Z.:^X There was a iull .o profound, after the discharge of the last :»;-«^. THKN EACH TOOK A WINDOW. The Indian Attack 217 barrels of the boys' revolvers, as to be almost startling. Running npsta.rs, they fitted fresh chanihers to their weapons left ^the empty ones with their sister, and joined thei; "That's right, boys; the attark is beaten off for the present Now take your earbines. There is a band of Indians down bv the anunals. I heard tl,eir war-whoops when the others began' but the hght hardly reaehes so far. Now, look out ; I am going to send up a rocket over them. The cows are the most .mportant • so, Charley, you direct all your shots at any party there. Hubert, divide yours among the rest » In another mon^ent the rocket flew up into the air, and, as the bnght hght burst out, a group of Indians could be seen at he gateway of each of the enclosures. As the brilliant li-^ht broke over them, they scattered with a cry of astonishn.^n. before the hght faded, the twelve barrels had been fired among them. As the rocket burst, Mr. Hardy had gazed eagerly over the <-ountry, and fancied that he could see a dark mass at a distance of half a mde. This he guessed to be the Indians' horses By th.s time the blue-light was burning low, and Mr. Hardy stretching his hand up. lit another at its blaze, and planted the fresh one down upon it. As he did so, a whizzing of numer- ous arrows showed that they were watched. ^ One went * through his coat, fortunately without touching him ; another went right through his arm ; and a third laid Charley's cheek open from the lip to the ear. "Keep your heads below the wall, boys," their father shouted. "Are you hurt, Charley?" "Not seriously, papa, but it hurts awfully"; and Charley Stamped with rage and pain. 2l8 Out on the Pam/^as 'What has become of the Indir TT . . , , - ...wu....-, round the hou Hubert as -ed. "They are making „o fresh a.eack." No. Mr. Hardy said, "they have had enough of ie They are only wondering how ,hey are ,o ge, away. You s^^ the fence ,s exposed all round .0 our fire, for .he trees don' go w,,h,„ twenty yards of it. They are neither in front no beh,nd the house, for it is pretty open in both directions and we s ould see then,. They are no. at .his side of .he h;„se so .hey mus. be standing close to the wall between the wmdows, and must be crowded among the trees and sh™bs at he other end. There is no window there, so they are s fe a long as they stay q.iie.." ^ left".^!'r''t"""'"' T ''*'"'■ "''™'' y"" -"^b" we left two oopho,es m each room, when we built it, on purpose onlypu„„g ,„ p „f „.„„,^„_j ^^^ J 10^ clay .0 keep out the wind ? " "Of course we did. Hubert. I remember all about it now Run down and tell them to be ready to pull the wood out and to lire through wien they hear the next rocket go off 1 1 gomg .0 send ano.her light rocket over in the direction where saw the horses and directly I get the line I will send off What w,th the fire from below among them, and the fright hey w,Il get when they see the horses attacked, they are sSra to make a rush for it." In a minute Hubert came back with .he word that the men below were ready. In a moment a rocket soared far away ,o beh nd the house; and just as its light broke over the plain, another one swept over in the direction of a dark mass o^ ammals. seen plamly enough in the distance A ay of dismay burst from the Indians, rising in yet wilder M e house?" ;k." 3ngli of it. You see trees don't I front nor ctions, and the house, tween the I shrubs at ire safe as ember we I purpose, acks with Lit it now. i out and ^- I am on where send off at them, he flight are sure the men away to i plains, mass of t wilder T/ie Indian Attack 210 alarm as three shots were fired from the wall of the house into he.r crowded n.ass. Agan and ag-, .,s the dis. h e repeated, and with a yell of dismay, a wild rush was n.ade e fenee. 1 hen the boy. with their carbines, and Mr. t^, Mth the revolvers, opened upon them, every shot telling in t dense mass who struggled to surmount the fatal railin^. l'renz.ed with the danger, dozens atten,pted to ch^b them and, trong as were the wires and posts, there was a crack^g sound and the whole side fell, m another minute, ruggUng .ass there remained only some twenty m^.^nl form . Three or four more rockets were sent oft' in the chrecuon where the horses had been seen, and then alot e s.gnal rocket, whose light enabled them to see that L back mass was broken up, and that the whole plain wa cov d " Thank God, it is all over, and we are safe ! " Mr Hardv said solemn y. " Never i^rn in w.ii o t >• ^"^r. nard) ) ixeveragam will an Indian attack be miHp upon Mount Pleasant." ^°^ "It is all over now, my dear," he said to Mrs Hardv .. he went down the stairs; 'an much less than the balls of heavier calibre. It was evidently useless to remove the Indian who was dying • all hat could be done for him was to give him a little water, and to place a bundle of grass so as to raise his head. Half an hour later he was dead. The other wounded man was carried carefully down to one of the sheds, where a bed of hay .ns prepared for him. Two more wounded men were found down by the cattle enclosures, and these also Mr. Hardy considered nkely to recover. They were taken up and laid by their comrade. Three dead bodies were found here. These were all taken in the bullock-carts to a spot distant nearly half a mile from the house. ^ Here, by the united labour of the peons, a large grave was dug, SIX feet w,de, as much deep, and twelve yards long. In th.s they were laid side by side, two deep; the earth was filled "1, and the turf replaced. At Hubert's suggestion, two young palm trees were taken out of the garden and placed one at each end, and a wire fence was erected all round, to keep off the animals. It was a sad task ; and although they had been killed in an attack n which, had they been victorious, they would have shown no mercy, still Mr. Hardy and his sons were deeply grieved at having caused the destruction of so many It was late in the afternoon before all was done, and the party returned to the house with lightened hearts that the pamful task was finished. Here things had nearly resumed the. ordu.ary aspect. Terence had washed away the stains of blood; ..nd save that many of the young trees had been broken down, and that one side of the fence was levelled, no I I 222 Out on the Pampas one would have imagined that a sanguinary contest had taken place there so lately. Mr. Hardy stopped on the way to examine the wounded men. He had acquired a sliglit knowledge of rough surgery in his early life upon the prairies, and he discovered the bullet at a short distance under the skin in the broken leg. Making signs to the man that he was going to do him good, and calling in Fitzgerald and Lopez, to hold the Indian if necessary, he took out his knife, cut down to the bullet, and with some trouble succeeded in extracting it. The Indian never flinched or groaned, although the pain must have been very great, while the operation was being performed. Mr Hardy then carefully bandaged the limb, and directed that cold water should be poured over it froi i time to time, to allay the inflammation. Another of the Indians had 'his ankle-joint broken; this was also carefully bandaged. The third had a bullet wound near the hip, and with this Mr. Hardy could do nothing. His recovery or death would depend entirely upon nature. It may here be mentioned at once that all three of the Indians eventually recovered, although two of them were slightly lamed for life. All that care and attention could do for them was done; and when they were in a fit condition to travel, their horses and a supply of provisions were given to them. The Indians had maintained during the whole time the stolid apathy of their race. They had expressed no thanks for the kindness bestowed upon them. Only when their horses were presented to them, and bows and arrows placed in their hands, with an intimation that they were free to go, did their countenances chano-'^. o ■ Up to that titiic it is probable that they believed that they it had taken le wounded ugh surgery d the bullet ?. Making good, and Indian if bullet, and rhe Indian : have been rmed. Mr rected that to time, to IS had his iged. The h this Mr. ath would ree of the hem were could do )ndition to s given to le time the thanks for leir horses ed in their , did their that they T/te Indian Attack 323 were only being kept to be solem^Iyput to death. Their faces l>t up and wuhout a word they sprang on to the horses' back and dashed over the plains. Ere they had gone three hundred yards they halted .nd came back at e.ual speed, stopping abruptly before 1 e' ur pnsed and rather startled group. « Good man," the eldes of then. sa,d, po„.ting to Mr. Hardy. « Good," he r pe^^^^^^ -t,onmg to the boys. "Good misses," and 1.; included Mrs' H.rdy and the g.rls ; and then the three turned, and nevet slackened the.r speed as long as they were in sight The Indians of the South American Pampas" and Sierras are a very mfenor race to the noble-looking Comanche nd Apaches of the North Ameriean P...es. They are gener W short, wny men, with long black hair. They have fla Z ' w.jh high .heek-bones. Their complexion i^ iV.^^, colour, and they are generally extremely ugly ^^ In the course of the morning after the fight Mr. Cooper rod. Ttlk rh 7^r"''^'' '^"' ''-' ''^^'^ '-^^^' ^^^^^ ^^ For the next few days there was quite a levee of visitors who came over to hear the particulars, and to offer their congntula tions. All the outlying settlers were particularly pi a eT ' h was considered certain that the Indians would not ^ neighbourhood again for some time Motrin '"', ''' Government sales for the land beyond Mount Pleasant took place. Mr. Hardy went over to RoLrio attend them, and bought the plot of four square leagu" mmediately adjoining his own, giving the same price t!Z had paid for Mount Pleasant. The properties o 'each ide t ;i Out on the Pam/^as his were purchased by the two Edwards, and by an Englishman who had lately arrived in the colony. His name was Mercer • he was accompanied by his wile and two young children, and his wife's brother, whose name was Parkinson. Mr. Hardy had made their acquaintance at Rosario, and pronounced them to be a very pleasant family. They had brought out a con- siderable capital, and were coming in a week with a strong force to erect their house. Mr. Hardy had promised them every assistance, and had invited Mrs. Mercer to take up her abode at Mount Pleasant with her children, until the frame- house which they had brought out could be erected-an invitation which had been gladly accepted. There was great pleasure at the thought of another lady in the neighbourhood; and Mrs. Hardy was especially pleased for the girls' sake, as she thought that a little female society would be of very great advantage to them. The plots of land next to the Mercers and Edwards were bought, the one by three or four Germans working as a company together, the other by Don Martinez, an enterprising young Spaniard ; so that the Hardys began to be in quite an inhabited country. It is true that most of the houses would be SIX miles off; but that is close, on the Pampas. There was a talk, too, of the native overseer of the land between Canterbury and the Jamiesons selling his ground in plots of a mile square. This would make the country comparatively thickly populated. Indeed, with the exception of Mr. Mercer, who had taken up a four-league plot, the other new settlers had in no case purchased more than a square league. The settlements would therefore be pretty thick together. In a few days Mrs. Mercer arrived with her children. The boys gave up their room to her-they themselves, with Mr. nglishman LS Mercer : Idren, and Hardy had iced them ut a con- a strong sed them pulated. aken up no case ts would n. The ^ith Mr. The Indian Attack • 225 Fitzgerald and four peons, accompanying Mr. Mercer and the party he had brought with him, to assist in erecting his house and m putting up a strong wire fence, similar to their own for defence. This operation was finished in a week ; and Mrs Mercer to the regret of Mrs. Hardy and the girls, then joined her husband. The house had been built near the north-east corner of the property. It was therefore little more than six miles distant from Mount Pleasant, and a constant interchange ot visits was arranged to take place. Shortly afterwards Mr. Hardy suggested that the time had now come for improving the house, and laid before his assembled family his plans for so doing, whic:h were received with great applause. The new portion was to stand in front of the old, and was to . consist of a wide entrance-hall, with a large dining and drawing- room upon either side. Upon the floor above were to be four bedrooms. The old sitting-room was to be made into the kitchen, and was to be lighted by a skylight in the roof. The present kitchen was to become a laundry, the windows of that and the bedroom opposite being placed in the side walls, instead of being m front. The new portion was to be made of properly baked bricks, and was to be surrounded by a wide verandah Of the present bedr^^^s, two were to be used as spare rooms, one of the others being devoted to two additional indoor servants, whom it was now proposed to keep It was arranged that the ca.ts should at once commence going backwards and forwards to Rosario, to fetch coal for the brickmaking, tiles, wood, etc., and that an experienced brick- maker should be engaged, all the hands at the farm being fully occupied. It would take a month or six weeks, if wal calculated, before all would be ready to begin building; and 226 Out on the Pampas then Mrs. Hardy and the girls were to start for a long-promised visit to their friends the Thompsons, near Buenos Ayres, so as to be away during the mess and confusion of the building. An engagement was made on the following week with two Italian wjmen at Rosario, the one as a cook, the other as general servant, Sarah undertaking the management of the dairy during her mistress's absence. -promised 'res, so as ling. An vo Italian .s general iry during CHAPTER XIV TERRIBLE NEWS A NOTHER two years passed over, bringing increased 1 ^ prosperity to the Hardys. No renewal of the Indian attacks had occurred, and in consequence an increased flow of emigration had taken place in their neighbourhood. Settlers were now established upon all the lots for many miles upon either side of Mount Pleasant; and even beyond the twelve miles which the estate stretched to the south, the lots- had been sold. Mr. Hardy considered that all danger of the flocks and herds being driven off had now ceased, and had therefore added considerably to their numbers, and had determined to allow them to increase without further sales, until they had attained, to the extent of the supporting power of the immense GSt3.tG» Two hundred acres of irrigated land were under cultivation • the dairy contained the produce of a hundred cows- and' altogether, Mount Pleasant was considered one of the'fines! and most profitable estancias in the province. The house was now worthy of the estate; the inside fence had been removed fifty yards farther off and the vegetable garden to a greater distance, the enclosed space bein. i.,-^ •leas u re pie garde 227 22S Out on the Pampas Beautiful tropical trees and shrubs, gorgeous patches of flowers and green turf surrounded the front and sides; while behind was a luxuriant and most productive orchard The young Hardys had for some time given up doing any personal labour, and were incessantly occupied in the super- vision of the estate and of the numerous hands employed For them a long range of adobe huts had been built at some little distance in the rear of the enclosure. _ Maud and Ethel had during this period devoted much more tune to their studies, and the time was approaching when Mrs Hardy was to return with them to England, in order that they might pass a year" in London under the instruction of the best masters. Maud was now seventeen, and could fairly claim to be looked upon as a young woman. Ethel still looked very much younger than her real age; anyone, indeed, would have guessed that there was at least three years' difference between the sisters. In point of acquirements, however, she was quite her equal, her m .ch greater perseverance more than making up for her sister's quickness. A year previously Mr. Hardy had, at, one of his visits to Buenos Ayres, purchased a piano, saying nothing of what he had done upon his return; and the delight of the girls and their mother, when the instrument arrived in a bullcck-cart was unbounded. From that time the girls practised almosJ .ncessantly; indeed, as Charley remarked, it was as bad as living ,n the house with a whole boarding-school of girls After this Mount Pleasant, which had always been considered as the most hospitable and pleasant estancia in the district became more than ever popular, and many were the impromptu dances got up. Sometimes there were more formal affairs, and all the ladies within twenty miles would comp in These I I patches of sides ; while 1. p doing any I the super- loyed. For : some little much more when Mrs. ir that they of the best ly claim to )oked very vould have :e between '■ was quite m making 3 visits to f what he girls and llcck-cart, id almost s bad as f girls. Dnsidered ; district, ipromptu il affairs, These Terrible News ^ were more numerous than would have been expected The Jam.esons were doing well, and in turn going for . iisit to the. native country, had brought out two brigh yo n' Z^ women as their wives. ^<-utcn- Mrs Mercer was sure to be there, and four or five other E ^.s .adtes from nearer or „,ore distant estancias. So ten or twelve nat.ve ladies, wives or daughters of native pro pnetors would also cotne in. and the dancing would Z Z up un.,1 a very late hour. Then the lad.es would li do™ number of shake-downs mrprovised , while tl>e gentlemen ™u>d s,. and smoke for an hour or two, and then, d broke, go down for a bathe in the river These parties were looked upon by ail as most enjoyable affa rs ; and as eatables of all sorts were provided by the « ate -eir, they were a very slight expense, and were of fL u^^^ occurrence. Only one thing Mr. Hardy bargained for!^no wtnes or other expensive ucuors were to be drunk. He was dotng well,-far, indeed, beyond his utmost expectation.-b at the same .,me he did no. consider himself jusdfied "n spendmg money upon luxuries. Tea. therefore, and cooling drinks ntade from fruits, after he custon, of the country, were providJd ,„ abundan e fo Mr. Hardy had no objection to his young people having thei dances frequently; and in a country where all were livin! in a rough way and wine was an unknown lu«,ry, no one hissed '■ In other respects the supper ■ tables might have been admtred at an English ball. Of substantials there was abund- ance-turkeys and fowls, wild duck, and other game. The sweets were represented by trifle, creams, and blancmanges^ I i I 230 Out on the Pampas nectanne.. pmeapple, melon.,, and grapes. Amon. them were vases 0/ gorgecs flowers, nros. of ,hem .ropic t wnich Mr. Hardy had procured seeds Their neighbours at Canterbury were still their most »..ma.e friends; they were shortly, however, .0 LTne o th Mr. Cooper had heard si., ninths 'befor of h death of h,s two elder brothers in rapid succession, and he was now he,r to his fathc's property, which was very eLtonte < had been supposed that he would at once rcurn ,0 England and he was contmually talking of doing so ; but he had. unde; one excuse or other, put off his departure fron, time t; t me He was very frequently over at Mount Pleasant, and was generally a companion of the boys upon their excursion, I think Cooper is almost as m, -h here as he is at Canterbury," Charley said, laughing, one day bright flush of colour on her cheeks. She made no remark at the time, but spoke to Mr. Hardy about it at night "You see, my dear," she concluded, "we are still con- ■dering Maud as a child, but other people may look upon her as a woman." ^ • "I am sorry for this," Mr. Hardy said, after a pause. « We ought to have foreseen the possibility of such a thing. Now that It IS mentioned, I wonder we did not do so before Mr Cooper has been here so much, that the thing would have cera.n.y struck us, had we not, as you say, looked upon Maud • as a child. Agamst Mr. Cooper I have nothing to say. We both hke h.m extremely. His principles are good, and he would, m pomt of money, be of course an excellent match fo "We Now Mr. Terrible Nexus ■,,, our little girl. At the same time, I cannot permit anything like an engagement. Mr. Cooper has seen no other ladies for so long a tmu-, that it is natural enough he should fall in love mth Maud. Maud, on the other hand, has only seen the fifteen or twenty men who came here; she knows nothing of the world, and is altogether inexperienced. They are both goinfe to England, and may not improbab'y meet people whom they may like very much better, and may look upon this love- makmg m the Pampas as a folly. At the end of another two years, when Maud is nineteen, if Mr. Cooper renews the acqua.-,tance in England, and both parties agree, I shall of course offer no objection, and indeed should rejoice much at a match which would promise well for her happiness " Mrs. Hardy thoroughly agreed with her husband, and so the matter rested for a short time. It was well that Mr. Hardy had been warned by his wife for a week after this, Mr. Cooper met him alone when he was out riding and, after some introduction, expressed to him tha he had long felt that he had loved his daughter, but had waited until she was seventeen before expressing his wishes He said that he had delayed his departure for^England n this account alone, and now asked permission to pay his addresses to her, adding that he hoped that he 1 not altogether indifferent to her. Mr. Hardy heard him quietly to the end Mr' Vr '"''I"^^'^^ ' '^- -P-P-ed for what yoJ say. M. Cooper, although I had never thought of such a thing until two days since. Then your long delay here, and you! freciuent visits to our house, opened the eyes of Mrs. Hardy and myself. To yourself, personally, T can entertain no objection. Still, when I remember that you are only six-and- M 232 ! ! Out on the Pampas twenty and that for the last four years you have seen no one H.th whon. you could possibly fall in love, with the exception of my daughter, I ra,i hardly think that you have had sufficient opportun.ty to know your own nund. ^^•he^ you return to England you w.ll meet young ladies very nn.ch prettier and very nu|ch more accomplished than my Maud, and you may regret the haste which led you to forn, an engagement out here V ou shake your head, as is natural that you sliould do • but I repeat, you cannot at present know your own mind If thKS ,s true of you, it is still more true of my daughter. " She IS very young, and k.^ows nothing whatever of the world Next month she proceeds to ].:ngland with her mother, and for the next two years she will be engaged u,,on fmishing her education. At the end of that tin.e I shall mvself return to England, and we shall then enter into society. If at that t.me you are still of the san.e way of thinking, and choose \o renew our acquaintance, I shall be very happy, in the event of Maud accepting you, to .uave my consent. Hut I must ms.t that there shall be no engagement, no love-making, no understanding of any sort or kind, before vou start. I put it to your honour as a gentleman, that you will make no eli,.rt to meet her alone, a . that you will say nothing whatever to her, to .ead her to believe that you are in love with her. Only when you say good-bye to her. you may say that I have told you that as the next two years are to be passed in study to make up for past deficiencies, I do not wish her to enter at all mto society, but that at the end of that time you hope to renew the acquaintance." Mr. Cooper endeavoured in vain to alter Mr. Hardy's determmation, and was at last obliged to give the required promise. ^ Jci-iiblc Xews 23: Mr. and Irs. Ihudy were not s.rpris.l who,, two or .h,vc days after th.s, Xfr. Cooper ro,,e up and said that l^e had come to say good-bye; that he had recei^ed letters nrgin. -.to return at once, and had therefore nuule up his n ind to start by the next mail from liuenos Ayres The young Hardys were all surprised at this sudden deter- ni.nat,on. but there, was httle time to discuss it. as Mr. Cooper had to start the same night for Rosario. Very warm and earnest were the adieus; and the colour, uhch had rat er left Maud's face, returned with redoui^led fo^e as he held her hand, and said very earnestly the words Mr. Hardy had permitted him to use. Then he leapt into his sa.Idle and galloped off, waving his hand as he crosses family „ere laid. And Mr. Hardy having solenrnly pro- nounced such parts of the burial service as he renrembered over them, all standing by bare-headed and stern with sup pressed sorrow, the earth was filled in over the spot where a father, mother, brother, and two children lay together. Another grave was at the same time dug near, and in this the bodies of the three servants, whose remains !«d been found with the others, were laid. By this time it was eleven o'clock, and the number of hose present had reached twenty. The greater portion of them were English, but there were also three Germans a rVenc man, and four guacl.os, all accustomed .0 Indian 340 Out on llu Pampas "Ho- long dr. you ,hi„lc ie „il| be before all who intend to come can jom us ? " Mr. Hardy askod. There was a pause ; then one of the Jaraiesons said- have ^^0^'^ r'" '™' '"^ """"* "■"^'-^^ -• y^ "'-t have sent off before seven. Mo.t of us, on .„„ receipt of the message, forwarded it by fresh messengers on farther ■ but of course some delay occurred in so doin,, especUly atn, o us may probably have been out on the plains .-hen'the mesi; o t Our' T'T '° "'""" "™ ^'•■"' ""«'" '"^° ""e been out. Our fnends who would be likely .0 obey the summons a. once, all live within fifteen miles or so. ThL ma .r," r y "..les, gorng and returning. Allowing for the loss of time I have mentioned, we should allow five hours. That would bring ,t on to twelve o'clock." There was a general murmur of assent "In that case," Mr. Hardy .said, "I propose that we eat a meal as he..rty as we can before s,.arti„g. Charley, tell Terence to brmg the horses with the provisions here » The animals were now brought up, and Mr. Hardy found tha , ,„ addmon .0 the charqui and biscuit, Mrs. Hardy had sent a large supply of cold meat which happened .0 be f„ the :r;ir„:^"'^'^'«'^'-^°^'— ''---et.le.and The cold meat and bread afforded an ample meal, which was^ much needed by those who had come away withou; brelk By twelve o'clock six more had arrived, the last comer being Mr. Percy Each new-comer was filled with rage and horro! upon heanng of the awful tragedy which had bee'n enacted . '^"«^<= o clock ex.actly Mr. Hardy rose to his feet. " My fnends," he sa,d, "I thank you all for so promptly answerhg 10 intend to lid— i, you must -eipt of the ler; but of as many of he message have been summons akes thirty of time I hat would we eat a H Terence rdy found ardy had be in the ettle, and il, which ut break- ler being d horror cted. . "My iswering Terrible News 247 to my summons. I need say no words to excite your indigna- tion at the massacre that has taken place here. You know too, that my child has been carried away. I intend, with my sons and n.y friends f.on, Canterbury, going in search of her mto the Indian countn. My .^rst object is to secure her, my second to avenge my murdereu -riends. A heavy lesson, too given the Indians in -,ei own country, will teach them thai hey cannot with impuni!, .onanit their depredations upon us. Unless such a lesson is given, a life on the plains will be- come so dangerous that we must give up our settlements At the same time, I do not conceal from you that the expedition IS a most dangerous one. We are entering a country of which we know nothing. The Indians are extremely numerous, and are daily becoming better armed. The time we may be away IS altogether vague ; for if it is a year, I do not return until I have found my child. I know that there is not a man here who would not gladly help to rescue Ethel-not one who does not long to avenge our murdered friends. At the same time some of you have ties, wives and children, whom you may noj consider yourselves justified in leaving, even upon an occasion like this. Some of you, I know, will accompany me ; but if anyone feels any doubts, from the reasons I have stated-if anyone considers that he has no right to run this tremendous risk-let h,m say so at once, and I shall respect his feelings and my friendship and goodwill «ill in no way be diminished " As Mr. Hardy ceased, his eye wandered round the circle of stalwart-looking figures around him, and rested upon the Jam.esons. No one answered for a moment, and then the elder of the brothers spoke. " Mr. Hardy, it was right and kind of you to say that any who might elect to stay behind would not forfeit your respect 248 Out on the Pamfias and esteem but I for one say that he would deservedly forfeit VI e have all known and, I may say, loved you and your family From you we have one and all received very great kind" s^ an the warmest hospitality. We all know a,fd lovl iTe de ch d who has heen carried away; and I say that he who 1" behmd .s unworthy of the name of a man. For myself Ind brother, I say that if we fall in this expedition,-if wfnever set eyes upon our wives again,_we shall die satisBed that :i'r ™'^ ^™^ °" '^"'^ We are with you to the A loud and general cheer broke from the whole party as fte usually quiet Scotchman thus energetically expressed h,mself. And each man in turn came up to Mr. Hardy and gra.sped h,s hand, saying, " Yours till death." Mr Hardy was too much affected to reply for a short time ; then he bnefly but heartily expressed his thanks. After which he went on, "Now to business. I have here about three hundred pounds of eharqui. Let every man take ten pounds, as nearly as he can guess. There are also two pounds o b.scu,t a man. The tea, sugar, and tobacco, the kettle, and ejghty pounds of meat, I win put on to a spare horse, which Terence w,ll lead. If it is well packed, the animal will be able to travel as quickly as we can." . There mvis a general muster round the provisions. Each man took his allotted .^hare. The remainder was packed in two bundles, and secured firmly upon either side of the spare horse; the tobacco, sugar, and tea being enveloped in a hide and placec securely between them, and the kettle placed a^ the top ot all. Then, mounting their horses, the troop sallied out; and, .. Mr. Hardy watched them start, he felt that in Terrible News 249 fair fight by day they could hold their own against ten times their number of Indians. Each man, with the exception of the young Hardys, who had their Colt's carbines, had a long rifle; in addition to which all had pistols — most of them having avolvers, the use of which, since the Hardys had first tried them with such deadly effect upon the Pampas, had become very general among the English settlers. Nearly all were young, with the deep sunburnt hue gained by exposure on the plains. Every man had his poncho— a sort of native blanket, used either as a cloak or for sleeping in at will— rolled up before him on his saddle. It would have been difiicult to find a more serviceable-looking set of men; and the expression of their faces, as they took their last look at the grave of the Mercers, boded very ill for any Indian who might fall into their clutches. . CHAPTER XV THE PAMPAS ON FIRE -pHE par^ started at a canter,-.he pace which they knew time hi"" ™"'f "" *'= '° '^'^ "P f" *e Lge.. t.me,_ breaking every l,a|f.hour or so into a walk for ten mmutes, to gtv. the™ breathing ti„e. All were SJZnZ o strong servceable animals; but these had not in al cases been bought specially for speed, as had those of the Ha Z 'nrs:rerhotrr:r"^'°"-- - .Han the whites, and rrrrilsltdli^naT: i^^C horses, therefore, could travel as fast and as far L thoIe o the,r pursuers. The sheep would, it is true h, , brance; the cattle could scarcely U t^r^d so anV"""" probable that the firs, day they would ™aL a Xunre ^ Z :;a;t;:e:;itrui:;^^z^--^^^^^^^^^ strong body of troops fron, Rosar^ ' ' "' ""'""'"^ * For the next two days it was_^robable that they would make The Pampas on Fire 2c i 'l^^.T^t^^''°r''' '= *' ""'"'^'^ could accomplish, travel rap.dly, as no pursuit had ever been attempted in former instances. ^ There was no diiSculty in following the track. Mr. Mercer had possessed nearly a thousand cattle and five thousand heep, and the ground was trampled in a broad, unmistakable me Once or twee Mr. Hardy consulted his compass. The trail ran south-west by west. There was not much talking. The whole party were too mpressed with the frrible scene they had witnessed, and the tremendously hazardous nature of the enterprise they had undertaken to indulge in general conversation. Gradually however, the steady, rapid motion, the sense of strength and reliance in themselves and each other, lessened the sombre expression, and a general talk began, mostly upon Indian fights, in which most of the older settlers had at one time or Other taken a part. Mr Hardy took a part in and encouraged this conversation. He knew how necessary, in an expedirion of this sort, it was to keep up the spirits of all engaged ; and he endcavou^d. ,h rl! ore, .0 shake off his own heavy weight of care, and o give animation and life to them all. The spirits of the younger m'en rose rapidly, and insensibly the pace was increased, until Mr. Hardy, as leader of the party was compelled to recall to them the necessity of saving ^ an mals, many of which had already come from ten to fifteen miles before arriving at the rendezvous at the Mercers' After three hours' steady riding, they .arrived at the banks a small stream. There Mr. Hardy called a halt, for the purpose of resting the animals. 252 Out on the Pampas " I thmk," he said, " that we must have done five-and-twenty miles. We will give them an hour's rest, and then do another fifteen. Some of them have already done forty, and it will not do to knock them up the first day." Girths were loosened, and the horses were at work crv)ping the sweet grass near the water's edge. The whole party 'threw themselves down on a sloping bank, pipes were taken out and ht, and the probable direction of the chase discussed. In a short time Charley rose, and saying, " I will see if I can get anything better than dried meat for supper," exchan-ed his rifle for Mr. Hardy's double-barrelled gun, which was carried by Terence, and, whistling for the retriever, strolled off up the st-am. In ten, minutes the double barrels were heard at a short distance, and a quarter of an hour afterwards again, but this time faintly. Ten minutes before the hour was up he appeared, wiping the perspiration from his face, with seven and a half brace of plump duck. "They were all killed in four shots," he said, as he threw them down. "They were asleep in the pools, and I let fly right into the middle of them before they heard me." There was a general feeling of satisfaction at the sight of the birds, which were tied in couples and fastened on the horses. In two minutes more they were again in the saddles, Hubert saying to his father as they started, " There is one satisfaction papa ; we can't miss the way. We have only to ride far enough' and we must overtake them." * Mr. Hardy shook his head. He knew enough of Indian warfare to be certain that every artifice and mano^- ,-p .vould have to be looked for and baffled; for even .v .en je Wmg themselves safe from pursuit, Indians never nerlect to take every possible precaution against it. The Pampas on Fire 253 After riding for two hours loncer Mr H j gMchos, if there wer,. ,„„ ! ^^'^ ""'"'Ited the would teat elM ,„ ' T".""'' ''" '^^-y -i'' "'•^' it »d that t, 1 7 ^^ ^"' '"'""^ ""=>■ '^•-'^'='' »"°>ter, fore decd*d to ha .7 """""" ^""'"'- «'■ "ardy there! Man, Of the ^Z ^Z. '^'^f' *^ r""=- *e Indians, h- ng adopted as'Le^be. oheTbr-l"'* and dress ne like fhp Tn^- .. ' "^^ ^'^^"g "fe iike the Indians themselves. These v,-«,>c St^r liiiir ^ *^ co„se,ue„ces"rsorh ;: in love LZ^ t " '■'•■•"'''""« 'i"'""'- " for rivalrv b;old:,a.i:7:ra btir:'^ "I r^ '^^""' -"^^^ *' by confession and a . ift 'f ! ""n """"^ '"^"^ """^^ return to their former L h " T" '° *^ '^''"='>' "1 With the xndiansr;;;::^::::;- .x :r r; among them. °*^ "°^^d chiefs The men who accompanied the expedition were all of .h former class. All had taken to the P *^^ consequencesofsomecrime or other buhT '° ""^^ ^'^ sick of it, and had returned to n-'nl'T" ''^''"^ morals, they were not n« k "^ '^^^cl life. In pomt of Out on the Pampas directions. Mr. ilcrries proceeded vti-y captiously, nnd tlie wind being fortunately towards him, he was enabled to creep up tolerably close. The animals, wlii-h are extremely shy, had, however, an idea that diu.gcr was a i tout before he could get within a fair shot. As he knew that they vould be off in another instant, he at once practised a trick which he had often fi!\;n'l to be successful. He ti:. ew himself on his back, pulled a red handkerchief from his neck, ti;;d it to one of his boots so as to let it float freely in the -x:', and then threw up both legs in tlie form of a letter V, Then he began moving them slowly about, waving them to and fro. The deer, which were upon the point of flight, paused to gaze at this strange object ; then ihey began to move in a circle, their looks still directed at this unknown thing, to which they gradually kept approaching as they moved round it. At last they were fairly in shot, and Herries, whose legs were beginning to be very weary, sprang to his feet, and in another instant the foremost of the deer lay quivering in death. Taking it upon his shoulders, he proceeded to the camp, where his arrival was hailed with acclamation. A fire was already alight, made of grass and turf, the former being pulled up in handfuls by the roots, and making a fierce but short- lived blaze. A large quantity had been collected at hand, and the ducks were already cut up. Half a one was handed to each ; for every man is his own cook upon the Pampas. The other hunters shortly returned, bringing in another of the little deer; for the stag of the Pampas is of -nail size. They were speedily skinned by the guachos and • p, and all the party wer>: ^w engaged in roasting •"' :ok t i venison steaks on their si ■.■ ramrods over the fire. had The Pampas on Fire 255 When all were satisfied, a double handful of tea was thrown into the kettle, whieh was already boiling, pipes were lighted, and a general feeling of comfort experienced. The horses had been picketed close at hand, each man having cut or pulled a heap of grass and placed it before his beast; beside which, the picket ropes allowed each horse to crop the grass growing in a small circle, of which he was the centre. Mr. Hardy chatted apart for some time with the guachos, anxious to know as much as possible of the country into which he was entering. The others chatted and told stories. Presently Mr. Hardy joined again in the general conversation, and then, during a pause, said, "Although, my friends, I consider it most improbable that any Indians are in the neighbourhood, still it is just possible that they may have remained, on purpose to fall at night upon any party who might venture to pursue. At anyrate, it is right to begin our work in a business-like way. I therefore propose that we keep watches regularly. It is now nine o'clock. We shall be moving by five : that will make four watches of two hours each. I should say that three men in a watch, stationed at fifty yards from the camp upon different sides, would suffice." There was a general assent to the proposal. "To save trouble," Mr. Hardy went on, " I suggest that we keep watch in the alphabetical order of our names. Twelve of us will be on to-night, and the next twelve to-morrow night." The proposal was at once agreed to; and the three who were first on duty at once rose, and, taking their rifles, went off in various directions, first agreeing that one of them should give a single whistle as a signal that the watch was -^y, and that 256 Out on the Pampas two whistles close together would be a warning to retreat at once towards the centre. The watch also ascertained which were the next three men to be roused, and these and the succeeding watches agreed to he next to each other, in order that they might be roused without awakening their companions. In a few minutes there was a general unrolling of ponchos and soon afterwards only sleeping figures could be seen by the dim light of the smouldering fire. Mr. Hardy, indeed, was the only one of the party who did not fall to sleep. Thoughts of the events of the last twenty-four hours, of the best course to be adopted, and of the heavy responsibility upon himself as leader of this perilous expedition, prevented him from sleeping He heard the watch return, rouse the relief, and lie down in their places. In another half-hour he himself rose, and walked out towards the sentry. It was a young man named Cook, one of the new settlers to the east of Mount Pleasant. "Is that you, Mr. Hardy?" he asked, as he approached. "I was just coming ir. to wake you." " What is it, Mr. Cook ? » "^t strikes me, sir, that there is a strange light away to the south-west. I have only noticed it the last few minutes, and thought ,t was fancy, but it gets more distinct every minute » Mr. Hardy looked out anxiously into the gloom, and quickly perceived the appearance that his friend alluded to. For a minute or two he did not speak, and then, as the light evidently increased, he said, almost with a groan, " It is wh-it I feared they would do : they have set the prairie on f5re You need not keep watch any longer. We are as much separated from the Indians as if the ocean divided us" The P. 'ampas on Fire 257 Cook gave the two short whistles agreed upon to recall the other men on guard, and then returned with Mr. Hardy to the rest of the part. Then Mr. Hardy roused all his con. I In! Every man leapt up, rifle in hand, believing that the Indians were approaching. -I'Juians "We ™s. be up and doing," Mr. Hardy »aid cheerfully; the Indians have fired the Pampas » There was a thrill of apprehension in the bosom of many present, who had heard terrible aceounts of prairie fires but this speedily stibsided at the calm manner of Mr. Hard ' The fire, he said, " may be ten miles away yet. I should s^that ,t was but it is difficult to Judge, for' t'his gras dot not flame very high, and the smoke drifts between it and us. 1 he wind, fortunately, is light, but it will be here in little over half an hour. Now, let the four guachos attend to the hor.es .0 see they do no. stampede. The rest form a line a co^S o yards apart, and pull up the grass by the roots, throwing behind them, so as to leave the ground clear. The wider we can make it the better." All fell to work with hearty zeal. Looking over their shoulders, the sky now appeared on fire. Flickering tongue of flame seemed to struggle upwards. There was an occasional sound of feet, as herds of deer flew by before the danger How far will it go, papa, do you think?" Hubert asked his father, next to whom he was at work «I should say that it would most likely stop at the stream where we halted to-day, Hubert. The ground was wet and boggy for some distance on the other side." Jl ,''"''"' '■*%™"' 8^"'"S ™y '«'ive, and there was a momentary :,..., fron, work to wrap ponchos round their heads, so as- to prevent their seeing the glare. ^ V' [ 258 Cut on the Pampas rhe fire could not have been more than three miles distant when the space cleared was as wide as Mr. Hardy deemed necessary for safety. A re.nV • ,; , something between a h.ss and a roar, was plainly audible; and when the wind lifted the smoke the flames could be seen running along in an un- broken wall of fire. Birds flew past overhead with terrified |:nes, and a close, hot smell of burning was very plainly dis- tmguishable. ^ Starting about half-way along the side of the cleared piece of ground, Mr. Hardy set the dry grass alight. For a moment or two It burned slowly, and then, fanned by the wind, it gained torce, and spread in a semicircle of flame. The horses were alrea<'y unpicketed, and half of th party held them at a short distance in the rear, while the rest stood in readmess to extinguish the fire if it crossed the cleared space. Over and over again the fire crept partially across,-for the c earmg had been done but roughly,-but u wa^ speeaxly stamped out by the heavy boots of the watchers The spectacle, as the fire s ept away before the wind, was fine ,n the ext. .e. The party seemed enclosed between cwo walls^ of fire. The main conflagration was now fearfully close • burning flakes V,.,., already falling an^ong them, and the' sound of the fire was like the hiss of the surf upo-. a pe.bly "Now," Mr. Hardy said, '' forward with the horses. Every- one to his own animal. ^ y ponchos o^,. your o/n 1-ieads as well as your horse ' In another minute the party stood clustered upou the black and smoking ground which the fire they had kindled had swept clear. There, for five minutes, they remained without ; miles distant [ardy deemed ng between a he wind lifted ong in an un- with terrified ry plainly dis- cleared piece or a moment the wind, it of th J party he rest stood the cleared »ss, — for the vas speeoily le wind, was Detween two rfully close ; m, and the '^n a peubly es. Every- your own i» the black indled had ed without "^lie Pampas on IHre 261 moving, unscorchcd by the raging element around th.^m, but half choked with the smoke. Then Mr. Hardy spoke : "It is over now. You can look up There was a general expression of astonishment as the head^ eyes recovered emc'rged from their wrappers, and the .,.. ,,,.vere(i sutfcienrly from the eff- ts of the blinding smoke to look round. Where had the fire gone? Where, indeed? The mam conflagration had swept by them, had divided in two when It reached the ground already burnt, and these columns growmg farther and farther asunder as the newly kindled fire- had widened, were already far away to the right and left, while beyond and between them was the fire that they themselves had kmdled, now two miles wide, ai.d already far in the distance. These fires in the Pampas, although they frequently extend ov( a vast tract of country, are seldom fatal to life. The gi 'are!y attains a height exceeding three feet, and burns out almost like so much cotton. A man on horseback, having no other method of escape, can, by blindfolding his horse and wrappmg his own face in a poncho, ride fearlessly through the wall of fire without damage to horse or rider. It was only, therefore, the young hands who had f'- any uneasiness at the sight of the fire; for the settlers were ,n the habit of regularly setting fire to the grass upon their farms every year before the rains, as the grass afterwards springs up fresh and green for the animals. Care has to be taken to choose a calm day, when the flames ran be confined within bounds; but instances have occurred when fires so com- menced have proved most disastrou., destroying many thousands of animals. 262 i Out on the Pampas Hardy came u„ to .h. , ""'' ''""''"''^' "'■>••" Mr. nine :e:C'::.t'd'' "'"" '° "^"= ^°- ='«'" - J-eson, M. P„c. and r:r;lr '" *^ '"° he an d^,;: Lrtj ff '"t"^''" ^'- ""Oy began, when expected r. it t a "'" Z ""'^ °" *^ «'°""''- "' "Wh„ ', '." " ^ heavy blow nevertheless." ««v anything?" .his ::;,e:r;he''L""''^ ^^'^^ "^-^ ^-» '-• ^h^ is at have lost the lli, " """"'"' *'"« » ">e world -we -was^,ost,..v:^r^l:7h:ro.t^-- .ate^ent of .he hre, it had never once occu ^ ' to h . ;;! """" ^"'^ ™P'"^ ■"" every trace of the Ind.^ "oT.r^,:rr::: r;r.r^ «"-' .0 the other, us off the scent H "'"™' '"'e"' °f 'hrowing haveco.erhe!::;ZTuatX"t"'^"^'^'° guaLuui. 1 nut IS, are you ; '1 The Pampas on fire 26$ aware of the existence of any wide stream or damp ground which would have checked it. and which must therefore be the fartiiest boundary of the fire?" Tiie guachos were silent a minute; then Perez said "The next stream is fifteen miles tarther ; but it is small' and would not stop the fire going with the wind. lieyond that there is no certain stream, as far as I know of" "The ground rises, and the grass gets thinner and poorer thirty miles or so on. I should say that they would light it tins side of that," Martinez said. The other guachos nodded assent. "We took the bearings of the track by our compass" Farquhar said. "Could we not follow it on by compass across the burnt ground, and hit it upon the other side?" Mr. Percy and Mr. Hardy both shook their heads. " I do not pretend to say where tlie trail is gone," the former said " but the one place where I am quite sure it is not, is on the continuation of the present line." _ "No," Mr. Hardy continued. "As you say. Percy, there It certainly is not. The Indians, when they got to some place which is probably about half across the burnt ground turned either to the right or left, and travelled steadily in that direction, sending one or two of their number in the old direction to light the grass, so as to sweep away all trace of the trail. They may have gone to the right or to the left or may even have doubled bad: and passed us again at only a few miles' distance. We have no clue whatever to guide us at present, except the certainty that, sooner or later the Indians will make for their own camping -ground. That is the exact state of the affair." And Mr. Hardy repeated what 264 Out on the Pampas he had just said in Spanish to the guachos, who nodded assent. "And in which direction do the grachos believe that their camping-ground lies?" Mr. Jamieson asked after a pause; because ,t appears to me that it is a waste of time to look for the trail, and that our only plan is to push straight on to their villages, which we may reach before they get there And m that case, if we found them unguarded, we might seize all their women, and hold them as hostages until they return. Then we could exchange them for Ethel; and when we had once got her, we could fight our way back." "Capital, capital!" the other English exclaimed. "Don't you think so, papa?" Hubert added, seeing that Mr. Hardy did not jom in the general approval. "The plan is an admirably conceived one, but there is a great difficulty in the way. I observed yesterday that the trail did not lead due south, as it should have done' if the Indians were going straight back to their camping - ground I questioned the guachos, and they all agree with me on the subject. The trail is too westerly for the camping-grounds of the Pampas Indians; too far to the south for the country of the Flat -faces of the Sierras. I fear that there is a combination of the two tribes, as there was in the attack upon us, and that they went the first day in the direction which would be most advantageous for both ; and that on reachmg their halting-place,-perhaps twenty or thirty miles from here, -they made a division of their booty, and each tribe drew off towards its own hunting-grounds. In this case we h..ve first to find the two trails, then to decide the terrible question, which party have taken Ethel." Again the guachos, upon this being translated to them, The Pampas on Fire 26$ who nodded eve that their fter a pause; time to look ti straight on ley get there. e might seize I they return, vhen we had ed. "Don't : Mr. Hardy but there is day that the done if the ing - ground, tvith me on )ing-grounds the country there is a I the attack le direction nd that, on thirty miles ^ and each In this case the terrible i to them. expressed their perfect accordance with Mr. Hardy's views and some surprise at his ideas having been so identical with their own upon the subject. As for the six young men, they were too dismayed at the unexpected difficulties which had started up in their way to give any opinion whatever. This uncertainty was terrible, and all felt that it would have a most depressing effect upon themselves and upon the whole expedition- for how could they tell, after journeying for hundreds of miles, whether every step might not take them farther from the object of their search ? In this state of depression they remained for some minutes when Perez the guacho said, in his broken English, " Most tribe take most plunder, most cattle, most sheep -take girl." ' "Well thought of, Perez!" Mr. Hardy exclaimed warmly. "That IS the clue for us, sure enough. As you say, the tribe who has furnished most men will, as a matter of course take a larger share of the booty ; and Ethel, being the only captive, would naturally go to the strongest tribe." The rest were all delighted at this solution of a difficuhy which had before appeared insuperable, and the most lively satisfaction was manifested. The plans for the day were then discussed. Propositions were made that they should divide into two parties, and go one to the nght and the other to the left until they arrived at unburnt ground, the edge of which they should follow until they met. This scheme was, however, given up, as neither party would have seen the trail inspected by the other, and no opinion could therefore be formed as to th^ r^^pective magnitude of the parties who had passed-a matter requiring m 266 Out on the Pampas the most careful examination and comparison, and an accurate and practised judgment. It was finally resolved, therefore, to keep in a body, and to proceed, in the first place, to search for the trail of the party to the south. A calculation was made, upon the supposition that the Indians had travelled for another twenty- five miles upon their old course, and then separated, each party making directly for home. To avoid all mistakes, and to allow for a detour, it was determined to shape a direct course to a point considerably to the east of that given by the calculation, to follow the edge of the burnt ground until the trail was arrived at, and then to cut straight across, in order to find and examine the trail of the western Indians. As this conclusion was arrived at, the first dawn of light appeared in the east, and Mr. Hardy at once roused the sleepers. He then gave them a briet account of the conclusions to which he had arrived in the night, and of his reason tor so doing. There was a general expression of agreement, then the girths were tightened, and in five minutes the troop was m motion. How great ^vas the change since the preceding evening t Then, as far as the eye could reach, stretched a plain of waving grass. Birds had called to their mates ; coveys of game had risen at their approach; deer had been seen bounding away in the distance ; ostriches had gazed for an instant at the unusual sight of man, and had gone off with their heads forward and their wings outstretched before the wind. Now, the eye wandered over a plain or cingy black unbroken by a single prominence, undisturbea by living I' I d an accurate a body, and ■ trail of the e, upon the Dther tvventy- arated, each listakes, and ipe a direct lat given by ground until it across, in ndians. Lwn of light roused the iclusions to ason for so ment, then J troop was g evening ! a plain of coveys of been seen zed for an le off with before the igy black, by livir The Pampas on Fire 26; creatures except themselves. As Hubert remarked to his father, "It looked as if it had been snowing black all night." Both men and horses were anxious to get over these dreary plams, and the pace was faster, and the halts less frequent than they had been the day before. ' It was fortunate that the fire had not taken place at an earlier hour of the evening, as the horses would have been weakened by want of food. As it ^^as, they had had five hours to feed after their arrival. Both men and horses, however, suffered much from thirst • and the former had good reason to congratulate themselves on havmg filled every water-skin at the first halting-place of the preceding day. Clouds of black, impalpable dust rose as they rode along. The eyes, mouth, and nostrils were filled with it, and they were literally as black as the ground over which they rode. Twice they stopped and drank, and sparingly washed out the nostrils and mouths of the horses, which was a great relief to them, for they suffered as much as did their masters as also did Dash, who, owing to his liead being so near the ground, was almost suffocated; indeed, Hubert at last dis- mounted, and took the poor animal up on to the saddle before him. At last, after four hours' steady riding, a gleam of colour was seen in the distance, and in another quarter of an hour they reached the unburnt plains, which, worn and parched as they were, looked refreshing indeed after the dreary waste over which they had passed. The guachos, after a consultation among themselves, agreed in the opinion that the little stream of which they 268 Out on the Pampas had spoken was but a short distance farther, and that although the channel miglu be drv nnnl« , , ' be found in if Tf a ■' ^ '"^'^'^ "° ^^ubt 'ouna in it. It was determ ned, therefore fn r. i and half an hour's riding by the die oh I "' brought them to the ^iJ^J^^^:^^ channel, they soon ca.e to a pool, n.' v li h In and' horses took a long drink. """^ At their approach an immense number of wild duck rose and, as soon as the horses were picketed ri i and Terence presenely returned wi.h six brace of dS and a g „„d a request ,l,at another n,an would 1 back w,th h,m, for that the birds were so abundant 3 flame, that he could bring in any quantity. One 01 the Jamiesons and Hcrries therefore went «„► ' ^ returned in less than an hour with Chariey.b ; Z^::! them four more geese and eighteen brace of duckl Charley was greeted witi, a round of annliuse »„H -at work With his friends upon the meaT'S t"!:: After breakfast there was a comparison of opinion and .. was at last generally agreed that they had ricWer^e rlv orty m,les s.nce daybreak, and that they could not bet !; wou fbtr:: : zt- " ^^ "'^ =«^-^ *'^' H-n 1 . • u ; ^ ^°'^^' '^'"^•'^ where they were rmir ™' "''^" *^' ■* --""^•^ -^« Mr. Hardy then proposed that those who were inclined and that, no doubt push on, unit grass i"se of the men and luck rose, ley again to assist his gun, 3f ducks \ould go ant, and oke and out, and between md was was now 3n, and I nearly : be far I if they :ed that 2y were mother nclined 269 The Pampas on Fire ■^e sal., " if „„ ea,c.:r a 'Z^. ^/T "''■ •-"." and examine it before it i, .• ' ^ "'"= '^'^ ''"d to-nigh. ,0 cross , hi T" '° "'■■"' "^ "">■ 1^^ -^le hou.» *' °"'" ^"^'=' ^"1 thus gain some Ha":::; :rr:;:r: t r ■ r - ^-"^ '"^ -- 'heirrifle,s.a„edatasteTd'p::e ' ""' '""""'^""S They had not walked much over a mil. t pleasure broke from them =! ' """ ' *'""<" •heysawin the hoil b2w Lm^h T^ " ^'«'" '■■'^' grass, which showed th,, .1, K . "'"' ""<"'f "-"-Pled passed along. JC^H^^ZT^^ :""* .'"'' '■*"■ examination took place. °'^ """^ ='"'''°'"' Opinions differed a good deal as m fl,« passed ; nor, accustomed as ,h y a^wL,! T k'"' '"' rt^r:,r:gr:hn^^^^^^^^^^^ passed over a piece of ground °"""'' *^^P' ''™ guachos to siv, ,h:r„ ■ ' °" " """^ "■"■' "le were .0 remah ^ TZ 'f ' "^ ^""'P'^"'"- not specially sent 'for to '' ,'"' ™" '° '=^"-' «»- imprudent I Z ell T' > ' ''"' '' " ""'^ ^^ strong guard '" ''^"^ "■' ^"'^^^ «"hout a III! ; liilii 270 Out on the Pampas Pending the arrival of Mr. Percy, Mr. Hardy and his friends followed up the trail for some distance, so as to examine it both in the soft bottoms and on the rises. They returned in half an hour to their starting - place, and were shortly after joined by Mr. Percy and the guachos. Again a careful and prolonged examination took place, and a toler- ably unanimous opinion was at last arrived at, that a very large number of animals had passed,— apparently the larger half,— but that no positive opinion could be arrived at until a comparison was made with the trail on the western side. Although this conclusion was arrived at unanimously, it appeared to be reluctantly conceded to by most of them, and the reason of this became api)arent as they were walk- ing back towards the horses. « I have little doubt that the conclusion we have arrived at is correct," Herries remarked, "although somehow I am sorry for it; for ever since our talk last night I have made up my mind that she was most likely to be taken to the west. I suppose because the Indians there are more warlike than those of the Pampas, and therefore likely to have furnished a larger contingent. " Of course I had no reason for thinking so, but so it was." "That was just what I thought," Hubert said; and the other Englishmen admitted that they had all entertained a somewhat similar idea. At four in the afternoon they were again in the saddle, having taken the precaution of filling their water-skins and of watering the horses the last thing. " How far do you think it is across, papa ?» Hubert asked. "It cannot be very far, Hubert. We are so much nearer the place where the fire began, that I do not think it can have spread more than ten miles or so across." y and his so as to ses. They and were )s. Again nd a toler- hat a very the larger ed at until 1 side, mously, it of them, rt^ere walk- t that the remarked, :e our talk nost likely lians there therefore " course I and the :rtained a le saddle, skins and rt asked, so much not think •ss." The Pampas on Fire Mr. Hardy's conjecture proved fo K« . and a halfs riding 'b.„„,Ht'Z' o tt oZsidf Mh" burnt prairie, aeriking a point whirl, tl,ev feh , *' south Of the puce whereL tr.i, wo Jd ha t ef": ^ '" "^ dust, it ^:z:z::izzi t.:t "^" °^ *' a -tela water, and were picicet'ed o„ „ g^ 'Te 7'"' *<= tea and pipe, finished ^ the wUr™": "^ *"' laid down to sleep before he sun h Tt '""''' *" '=" the horizon. " '""^ l^^^" an hour below AH rose at daybreak, refreshed with their „,„w • u , and were soon in the saddle and on he r !1^ ?"^" ''''' They had nearly an hour's rWebl :,;""'' the trail. °'^ '"«/ came upon There it was unmistakably -at first .;„!,, t , as much trampled as the other; but te f ,"r^ "' tion of it, there was h„f ""■'^"' <^^™n'ina- number o .anim* who d ' T"'°"' "''"^'>'' "^•-" *« «.ose who had ;! ,o„th """' "" '""'"'^ '^ '"an *«°::.i::^d^:f:irro tf "-"" '^^' "^ >■- Of -ater „,.,ch us«, y t'^ °n?:;f *ere was a spring doubt 5,ey had h,l,„H ' "'"■'= l^"* had no 'hat it was «t mo : 1:' *; "'f "f "» "- Finding arte, a brief consul^ilt de iTn^ '"" ''^ "''^<'^- water the n„se, .„. ,, '.,!' ™ " "^ '" 8° °^=' l«m to Hcps aciusj, the bu ^ses and breakfast, befon rnt 'e retracHss' *-k=i pratne. if root- 272 Out on the Pampas In little over the time named they came to a small pool of bright water, from which a little stream issued, running nearly due north across the plain. After drinking heartily themselves, and filling the water-skins and kettle, the horses were allowed to drink ; and Dash plunged in with the greatest delight, emerging his usual bright chestnut colour, whereas he had gone into the water perfectly black. • After he had come out and had shaken himself, he commenced hunting about, sniffing so violently that Hubert's attention was attracted to him. Presently the dog ran forward a few paces and gave a sharp bark of pleasure, and Hubert, running forward, gave so loud a cry that all the party rushed up. Hubert could not speak. There, half buried in the ground, and pointing west, was an Indian arrow, and round the head was twisted a piece of white calico, with little blue spots upon it, which Mr. Hardy instantly recognised as a piece of the dress Ethel had worn when she left home. Surprise kept all quiet for a while, and then exclamations of pleasure and excitement broke from all, while Mr. Hardy and his sons were greatly affected at this proof of the recent presence of their lost one. The arrow was deeply sunk in the ground, but it was placed at a spot where the grass happened to be particularly short, so that anyone passing outward from the spring could hardly have failed to notice the piece of calico upon the grass. There was a perfect shower of congratulations, and it was some time before they were recovered sufficiently to renew their preparations for breakfast. At last they sat down round the fire, all their faces radiant with excitement. . small pool ed, running :ing heartily , the horses the greatest whereas he himself, he at Hubert's 2 dog ran easure, and hat all the the ground, round the little blue nised as a home. cclamations Mr. Hardy the recent but it was particularly )ring could 1 the grass, and it was ' to renew ces radiant The Pampas on Fire 273 ^ Perez and Martinez, however, sat somewhat apart, talking m an anmiated undertone to each other. They did not even approach the fire to roast their food; and Mr. Hardy's atten- tion bemg attracted by this circumstance, he asked what they were talkmg so earnestly about. • Neither of them answered him, and he repeated the question. Then Perez replied, "Martinez and I think same. AH trick; girl gone other way." Conversation and eating were alike suspended at these ominous words, and each looked blankly into the others' laceSa Now that their attention was called to it, the whole circumstances of the case rushed to their minds; and as they felt the probable truth of what Perez said, their hopes lell to zero. Mr. Percy was the first who. after a long silence, spoke. I am afraid, Hardy, that what Perez says is right, and that we have been very nearly thrown off the scent by a most transparent trick. Watched as Ethel must have been IS It probable that she could have possessed herself of thai arrow, and have fastened a strip of her dress to it, without being noticed? Still more impossible is it that she could have placed the arrow where we found it. No one could have passed without noticing it; so, unless we suppose that she was allowed to linger behind everyone, which is out of the question, the arrow could not have been put there by her." "Too true, Percy," Mr. Hardy said, with a sigh, after a short silence; "it is altogether impossible, and I should call It a clumsy artifice, were it not that it deceived us all for a while. However, there is one comfort; it decides the 274 Ota on the Pampas question as we had ourselves decided it : Ethel is gone with the larger party to the south." Breakfast was continued, but with a very subdued feeling. Hubert had now finished his, and, being a lad of restless habit, he took up the arrow which lay beside him, and began toying with it. First he untied the piece of stuff, smoothed it, and put it into his pocket-book, while his eyes filled with tears ; then he continued listlessly twisting the arrow in his fingers,' while he listened to the conversation around him. Presently his eyes fell upon the arrow. He started, a flush of excitement rushed across his face, and his hands and lips trembled i\s ne closely examined the feather. All ffiur.' J :)t him with astonishment. "Oh, p;,,;;t papa," he cried at last, "I know this arrow !» " Know the arrow? " all repeated. " Ves, I am quite, quite sure I know it. Don't you re- member, Charley, the day that those wounded Indians started, as we were taking the quivers down to them, I noticed that one arrow had two feathers which I had never seen before, and could not guess what bird they came from. They were light blue, with a crimson tip. I pulled one off to compare it with my others. It is at home now. I remember that I chose the one I did, because the other one had two of the little side feathers gone. This is the feather, I can most solemnly declare, and you see the fellow one is gone. That arrow belongs to one of the men we recovered." All crowded round to examine the arrow, and then Mr. Hardy said solemnly, "Thank God for His mercy; He has decided our way now. Undoubtedly, as Hubert says, one of the men we aided is of the {)arty, and wishes to show his ?one with ;d feeling. )f restless hitn, and and put ars; then ers, while i, a flush and lips T/tr Pampas on Fire 2-7^ gratitude; so he has managed to get a piece of Ethel's dress and has tied it to this arrow, hoping that we should recognise the feather. Thank God, there is no v bubt. and thank Him, too, that Ethel has at least one fric near her." All was now joy and congratulation, and Hubert rubbed his hands and said triumphantly, "There, Charley! you were always chaffing me, and wanting to know what was the good of my collection, and now you see what was the good It has put us on the right trail for Ethel, and you will never be able to laugh at me about my collection again." row ! " you re- 1 started, ced that before, ley were mpare it I chose ttle side olemnly t arrow icn Mr. He has one of low his ^. s^. <>. i^/'^.^aS IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET {MT-3) & // <^ / t/j :/, 1.0 I.I 11.25 ~ Ui 12.2 £ US I. ^ 2.0 lA 11.6 Photographic Sciences Corporation m V" iV V \ :\ .o'j' '^t into the seize his nd thrown 3 do more of sounds e yells, — it she was he air was a burning t she had *^ers, who de-saddle , and in of her she was ercers' — k figures ^/ //le Stake 279 who rode round her-could not surely be real Alas - sh. couM not doubt it ; and as the thought Lme als h^ V ' .ould they say at home when they heard it ? she burst i^ o an agony of .lent tears. Towards daybreak she was often startled o hear t e words, " Hope, Ethel, hope ! " in Spanish di ^ct ' spoken close to her. She turned hastily, but there rod ' mla^rH "■^"^'- ^^^"-^^ ^^'^ - ^hat she was m staken. Her own name she had distinctly heard • and although she could not form a conjecture who th.-.i |Viend could be, .still it was a great LsX 1^ '^:C::Z tie had told her to hope, too; and Ethel's spirits with the elasticity of youth, rose at the word Why should she not hope? she thought. They were sure o hear it at home next morning, even if no one esclped and 00 them the news earlier; and she was certain ^^^t few hours of hearing it her father and friends would be on hei trail. Before the night fell, at latest, they would be assembled Twenty-four hours' start would be the utmost that t e M n ^ could possibly obtain, and her friends would travel as fa ^er .an they could, for they would be free from all ZZ branc s. How far she was to be taken she could not say, but up for the day lost at starting. She knew that they might not could trb:"^' '" ^"''^"-^ ''-'y '^^y -"■ -' ^or the could not be a very strong party, whereas the Indians were everal hundreds strong; but she believed that sooner 1 te^ ^r%^:ri:tri;:r-^ .^ fi^ ' ; ° ™^^' '" ^^^' "lends, she gained confioence and courage; and when ,he .roops halted ^Z 280 Out on the Pampas in the morning, after nine hours' riding, Ethel was able to look round with some sort of curiosity and interest It was here that an incident occurred, which, although she knew u not at the time, entirely altered her destination and prospects. She was sitting upon the ground, when a man, who by his bearmg appeared to be the principal chief present, passed in earnest talk w.th another chief. In the latter she recognised at once one of the wounded Indian prisoners. " Tawaina ! » she said, leaping to her feet. He paid no attention to her call, and she repeated it in a louder tone. The principal chief stopped ; Tawaina did the sar, :e. Then he walked slowly towards the captive, hole^'^ '"^' Tawaina," she said, "and send me back again Tawaina shook his head. "Not can," he said. "Tawaina friend. Help sometime —not now." And he turned away agam. "Does the Raven know the White Bird," the chief asked mm, "that she sings his name?" Tawaina paused and said— "Tawaina knows her. Her father is the great white brave." The Indian chief gave a bound of astonishment and pleasure. " The white brave with the shooting flames ? » Tawaina nodded. The Raven's meeting with Ethel had been apparently accidental, but was in reality intentional. Her actual captor was one of the chiefs, although not the principal one, of the Pampas Indians; and in the division of the spoil, preparations At the Stake 281 for which were going on, there was no doubt that she would be assigned to that tribe, without any question upon the part of the Raven's people. Now, however, that the Stag knew who the prisoner was, he determined to obtain her for his tribe. He therefore went direct to the chief of the Pampas Indians, and asked that the white girl might fall to his tribe. The chief hesitated. "She is our only captive," he said. "The people will like to see her, and she will live in the lodge of the Fox, who carried her off." "The Stag would like her for a slave to his w" He will give fifty bullocks and two hundred sheep to t' mbe, and will make the I'ox's heart glad with a present." The offer appeared so large for a mere puny girl, that the chief assented at once; and the Fox was content to take a gun, which proved part of the spoil, for his interest in his captive. The Indians of the Stag's tribe murmured to themselves at this costly bargain upon the part of their chief. However, they expressed nothing of this before him, and continued the work of counting and separating the animals in proportion to the number of each tribe present— the tribes from the plains being considerably the more numerous. Not until four o'clock were they again in motion, when each tribe started direct for home. In three hours' riding they reached the spring, and then the Stag ordered a small tent of skins to be erected for Ethel's accommodation. From this she came out an hour later to gaze upon the great wave of fire which, k'ndled at a point far away by their scouts. Out on the Pampas no»r swept along northward, passing at a distance of three or four miles from tlie spring. It was when sitting gravely ro„nd the f,re later on that Ih. Stag dcgned ,o enliglucn his followers as ,„ his reasons for 6.v,ng what seemed to them so great a priee for a pale-faeed The delight of the Indians, when they found .hat they had the dat,ghter of their twiee-vietorious enemy in their hands was unbounded. Vengeanee is to the Indian en mot precous than plunder, and the tribe would not have grudged a far h„hor pnce even than had been paid for the gratff, Jon of thus avengurg themselves upon their enemy. The news flew from „,ou,h to mouth, and triumphant whoops resounded . roughout the camp, „nd Ethel inside her tent felt her blood rm, cold a. the savage exultation which they cot She was greatly troubled by the fire, for she saw that i, must fface an s.gns of the trail, and render the task of her friends long and d.hicult, and she felt greatly depressed a. what ll 00 ed upon as a certain postponement of her rescue. She ay thu, ,ng over all this for a long time, unti, the camp had bs ded m to ,.rfect „uiet. Then the skins were slfeh.ly hfted near her head, and she heard a voice whisper- ' Me, -I awama-friend. Great chief come to look for girl Iwo tm,ls eyes blinded. Tawaina make sig„--point way' Give piece dress that groat chief may believe" Ethel at once understood. She cautiously tore off a narrow s.r,p from the bottom of her dres.,. and put it under the ski! to the speaker. "Good," he said. "Tawaina friend. Ethel, hope » Greatly relieved by knowing that a clue would be now given At the Stake of three or 3n that the easons for pale-faced : they had eir hands, ven more J grudged atification rhe news esounded felt her hey con- It it must Jr friends ivhat she Lie. She imp had slightly !r — for girl, int way. '. narrow the skin w given 283 to her friends, and overpowered by fatigue, Ethel was very shortly fast asleep. At daybreak they set off again, having thus thirty hours' start of their pursuers. They travelled six hours, rested from eleven till three, and then travelled again until dark. Occasionally a sheep lagged behind, footsore and weary. He was instanth' killed and cut up. For four days was their rate of travelling, which amounted to upwards of fifty miles a day, continued, and they arrived, as has been said, the last evening at their village. During all this time Ethel was treated with courtesy and respect. The best portion of the food was put aside for her, the little tent of skins was always erected at night, and no' apparent watch was kept over her movements. The next morning she was awake early, and, had it not been for the terrible situation in which she was placed, she would have been amused by the busy stir in the Nillage and by the little copper- coloured urchins at play, or going out with the women to coh.c wood or fetch water. There was nothing to prevent Ethel from going out among them, but the looks of scowling hatred which they cast at her made her draw back again into the hut, after a long, anxious look around. It was relief at least to have halted, great as her danger undoubtedly was. She felt certain now that hour by hour her father must be approaching. He might even now be within a few miles. Had it not been for the fire, she was certain that he would already have been up ; but she could not tell how long he might have been before he recovered the trail. Towards the middle of the day two or three Indian 284 Out on the Pamf>as might have been seen going through the village, summoning those whose position and rank entitled them to a place at the council. Soon they were seen approaching, and taking their seats gravely on the ground in front of the hut of the pnnapal chief. The women, the youths, and such men as had not as yet by their feats in battle distinguished themselves sufficiently to be summoned to the council, ^sembled at a short distance off. The council sat in the form of a circle, the inner ring being formed of the elder and leading men of the tribe, while the warriors sat round them. Struck by the hush which had suddenly succeeded to the noise of the village, Ethel again went to the door. She was greatly struck by the scene, and was looking wonderingly at it, when she felt a touch on her shoulder, and on looking round saw the Fawn gazing pityingly at her. and at the same time signing to her to come in. The truth at once flashed across Ethel's mind. The council had met to decide her fate, and she did not doubt for a moment what that decision would be. She felt that all hope was over, and, retiring into the hut. passed the t.me in prayer and in preparation for the fearful ordeal which was at hand. After the council had met, there was a pause of expecta- tion, and the Stag then rose. "My brothers, my heart is very glad. The Great Spirit has ceased to frown upon his children. Twice we went out, and twice returned empty-handed, while many of our lodges were empty. The guns which shoot without loading were too strong for us. and we returned sorrowful. last At the Stake summoning ' a place at aking their hut of the such men istinguished Jie council, icil sat in formed of he warriors clod to the She was '^onderingly on looking nd at the ind. The not doubt ! felt that 'assed the ul ordeal f expecta- eat Spirit we went ly of our It loading "ul. Last 285 year we d.d not go out; the hearts of our braves were heavy. This year, we said perhaps the Great Spirit will no longer be angry with his children, and we went out This time we have not returned empty-handed. The lowing of cattle IS in my ear, and I see many sheep. The white men have felt the strength of our arms ; and of the young n>en who went out with me there is not one missing. Best of al^ we have brought back a captive, the daughter of the white chief of the flying fues and the guns which load themselves. Let me hand her over to our women; they will know how to make her cry; and we will send her head to the white chief, to show that his guns cannot reach to the Indian country. Have I spoken well?" A murmur of assent followed the chiefs speech; and supposing that no more would be said upon the matter the Stag was about to declare the council closed, when an Indian sittmg in the inner circle rose. " My brothers, I will tell you a story. The birds once went out to attack the nest of an eagle, but the eagle was too strong for them : and when all had gone, he went out ^rum h,s nest with his children, the young eogles. and he found the raven and two other birds hurt and unable to fly; and mstead of killing them, as they might have done, the eagles took them up to their nest, and nursed them and tended them until they were able to fly, and then sent them home to their other birds. So was it with Tawaina and his two friends." And the speaker indicated with his arm two Indians sitting at the outer edge of the circle. ^ Tawama fell at the fence where so many of us fell, and m the morning the white men took him and gave him water, a.d placed him in shelter, and bandaged his wound • M il t 286 Oui on the l\i)npas and the little White Bird and her sister broupht him food and cool drinks every day, and looked i)ititu!ly at him. But Tawaina said to himself, The wiiitc men are only curing Tawaina, that when the time comes tl ey may see how an Indian can die. But when he was well, they brought horses, and put a bow and arrows into our hands, and bade us go free. It is only in tlie batlle that the great white chief is terrible. He has a great iieart. The enemies he killed he did not triumph over. He laid them in a great grave. He honoured them, and planted trees with drooping leaves at their head and at their feet, and put a fence round that the foxes might not touch their bones. Shall the Indian be less generous than the white man? Even those taken in battle they spared and sent home. Shall we kill the White Bird captured in her nest ? My brothers will not do so. They will send back the White Bird to the great white chief. Have I spoken well?" This time a confused murmur ran round the circle. Some of the younger men were struck with this appeal to their generosity, and were in favour of the Raven's proposition ; the elder and more ferocious Indians were altogether opposed to it. Speaker succeeded speaker, some urging one side of the question, some the other. At last the Stag again rose. "My brothers," he said, "my ears have heard strange words, and my spirit is troubled. The Raven has told us of the ways of the whites after a battle ; but the Indians' ways are not as the whites' ways, and the Stag is too old to learn new fashions. He looks round, he sees many lodges empty, he sees many women who have no husband to hum game, he hears the voices of children who cry for meat. [ht him food jlly at him. 2 only curing see how an icy brought Is, and bade groat white enemies he n in a great ith drooping fence round II the Indian those taken we kill the will not do the great rcle. Some 2al to their proposition ; tier opposed side of the ! said, "my bled. The battle ; but the Stag is ! sees many husband to ■yfor meat. A/ the Stakt 287 He remembers his brothers who fell before the Hying f.re and Diroa. ihe great white chief has mid^ mnr,» *• de.„,.e, ,e, .here be .„.„,, ;„ .H^t.:: .hTr: chief. Have I spoken wc'l?" ^ The acclamations which followed this sr^^Pri, , A cry of exaltation broke from the women when they heard At a signal from the Stag, two of the young Indians went , the hi,, and summoned Ethel to accompany them Sh ' J . a. on. that her death was decided u,',on alTpale CL nerved her „th elurage A n> ' ,7' " ^'"'""''^- ^^ her ,1,;. ^ P"''"8 'ook would have melted anr* ?"^""" °"= '" '>^'Pl«' - herself nerved hr and, with her eyes turned upwards and h^r 1; "^''er, prayer, she kept along " '''" "'"""S '" 288 Out 'on tJie Pamf-as IP Th( %x le men of the tribe gathered in a circle, but took no part in the preparations— tlie torture of women was beneath them. At last all was ready. A fire was lit near; the hags lit their firebrands and advanced. The chief gave the signal, and with a yell of exultation they rushed upon their victim, but fell back with a cry of surprise, rudely thrust off by three Indians who placed themselves before the captive. The women retreated hastily, and the men advanced to know the reason of this strange interruption. The Raven and his companions were unarmed. The Indians frowned upon them, uncertain what course to pursue. "My brothers," the Raven said, "I am come to die. The Raven's time is come. He has flown his last flight. He and hij; brothers will die with the little White Bird. The Raven and his friends are not dogs. Tliey have shed their blood against their enemies, and they do not know how to cry out. But their time has come; they are ready to die. But they must die before the little White Bird. If not, her spirit will fly to the Great Spirit, and will tell him that the Raven and his friends, whom she had sheltered and rescued, had helped to kill her ; and the Great Spirit would shut the gates of the happy hunting-grounds against them. The Raven has spoken." There was a pause of extreme astonishment, followed by a clamour of voices. Those who had before espoused the cause of the Raven again spoke out loudly, while many of the others hesitated as to the course to be pursued. The Stag hastily consulted with two or three of his principal advisers, and then moved forward, waving his hand to command silence. His countenance was calm and unmoved, although inwardly he was boiling with rage at this defiance of his authority. He was too politic a chief, however, to show this. At the Stake 289 »k no part th them. js lit their and with fell back iians who anced to aven and led upon :ie. The He and e Raven ;ir blood cry out. But they spirit will ven and d helped Js of the spoken." ved by a he cause le others principal )mmand ilthough of his ow this. He knew that the great majority of the tribe was with him • yet the employment of force to drag the Raven and his companions • from their post would probably create a division in the tribe the final results of which none could see, and for the conse- quences of which he would, in case of any reverse, be held responsible and looked upon with disapproval by both parties. ^ "The Raven and his friends have great hearts," he said courteously. -Phey are large enough to shelter the little ^^hlte B,rd. Let them take her. Her life is spared. She snail remain with our tribe." The Raven inclined his head, and, taking a knife from a warnor near, he cut the cords which bound Ethel, and, beckon- ing to theFa^vn, handed the astonished girl again into her charge, saying as he did so, "Stop in hut. Not go out- go out bad." And then, accompanied by his friends, he retired without a word to one of their huts. A perfect stillness had hung over the crowd during this scene, but when it became known that Ethel was to go off- unscathed, a murmur broke out from the elder females dis- appointed in their work of vengeance. But the Stag wav^d his hand peremptorily, and the crowd scattered silently to their huts, to talk over the unusual scene that had taken place. toJlT ""T '"^ '" '"'"'^ "'^"^^^ ^°"S -d earnestly ogether They were in no way deceived by the appearance of fr,endliness which the Stag had assumed. They knew that henceforth there was bitter hatred between them, and that their very lives were insecure. As to Ethel, it was, they knew only a short reprieve which had been grunted her. The Stag would not risk a division in the tribe for her sake, nor would 290 Out on the Pampas he attempt to bring her to a formal execution ; but the first time she wandered from the hut she would be found dead with a kniie in her heart. The Raven, however, felt certain that help was at hand He and his friends, who knew Mr. Hardy, were alone of the tribe convinced that a pursuit would be attempted. The fact that no such attempt to penetrate into the heart of the Indian country had ever been made, had lulled the rest into a feeling of absolute security. The Raven, indeed, calculated that the pursuers must now be close at hand, and that either or that night or the next they would probably enter the gorge and make the attack. The result of the council was that he left his friends and walked m a leisurely way back to his own hut, taking no notice of the hostile glances which some of the more violent of the Stag's supporters cast towards him. On his entrance he was welcomed by his wife, a young girl whom he had only married since his return from the expedi- tion, and to whom, from what he had learned of the position of women among the whites, he allowed more freedom of speech and action than are usually permitted to Indian women. She had been one of the small group who had pitied the white girl. "The Raven is a great chief," she said proudly; "he has done well. The Mouse trembled, but she was glad to see her lord stand forth. The Stag will strike, though," she added anxiously. «' He will look tor the blood of the Raven." "The Stag is a great beast," the Indian said sententiously • "but the Raven eat him at last." * Then, sitting down upon a pile of skins, the chief filled hi'' nine, and made signs to his wife to bring fire. Then he ^f the Stake igi smoked in silence for some time until the sun went down and a thick darkness closed over the valley. At length he got up, and said to his wife, "If they ask for the Raven, say that he has just gone out ; nothing more He will not return till daybreak ; and remember," and he laid his hand upon her arm to impress the caution, " whatever noise the Mouse hears in the night, she is not to leave the hut till the Raven comes back to her." The girl bowed her head with an Indian woman's un- questioning obedience; and then, drawing aside the skin which served as a door, and listening attentively to hear if anyone were near, the Raven went out silently into the darkness. 'i I i; i III . CHAPTER XVII rp:scued I T N spite of their utmost efforts, Mr. Hardy's party had made X slower progress than they had anticipated. Many of the horses had broken down under fatigue ; and as they had no spare horses to replace them, as the Indians had in hke case done from those they had driven off from Mr. Mercer, they were forced to travel far more slowly than at first. They gamed upon the Indians, however, as they could tell by the position of the camping-ground for the night. At three o'clock on the afternoon of the last day they passed the place their ene'my had left that morning; but although they kept on until long after sunset, manv of them havmg led their horses all day, they were still more than thirty miles away from the mountains among which they knew that the Indian village was situated. None of the guachos had ever been there, but they knew Its situation and general features by report. There had been no difficulty in following the trail since they had struck it The broad line of trodden ground, and the frequent carcases of sheep, sufficiently told the tale. That was a night of terrible anxiety to all. They knew that already Ethel was in the Indian village, and they thought Rescued ^93 iicy had made Many of the 3 they had no i in like case Mercer, they : first. They Id tell by the last day they tiorning; but nany of them re than thirty ley knew that It they knew !re had been ad struck it. uent carcases They knew they thought w.th a sickenmg dread of what might happen the next day. Nothing, however, could be done. Many of the party were already exhausted by their long day's walk under a burning night ""''' ^''''^''^'' i"^POssible to reach the village that Before lying down for the night, Mr. Hardy asked all the party to jom in a prayer for the preservation of his daughter dunng the following day; and it was a strange and impressing s.ght to see the group of sunburnt, travel-worn m'en standing uncovered while their leader offered up an earnest prayer Mr. Hardy then said, for that night it was unnecessary to keep watch as usual. The Indians had pushed on, and could no longer dread pursuit, and therefore there was no risk of a n>ght attack. Besides which, there was little chance of his sleepu.g. Th,s proposition was a most acceptable one, and ma very short time a perfect silence reigned in the camp. Before daybreak they were again on the march, all on foot and leadmg their horses, in order to spare them as much as possible should they be required at night. Speed was now no object. It was, they knew, hopeless to attack in broad dayhght as the Indians would be probably more than a match for them, and Ethel's life would be inevitably sacrificed. They walked, therefore, until within six or seven m.les of the gorge, nearer than which they dared not go, lest they might be seen by any straggling Indian. The.r lialtmg-place was determined by finding a stream with an abundance of fresh grass on its banks. They dared not hght a fire, but chewed some of the tough charqui, and watched the distant cleft in the hills which led to the ardently wished-for goal. "' As evening fell they were nil in the saddle, and were ilJ 294 Out on the Patnpai o L 7 l ' ^^^"^ounted and picketed the horses. Two gag Its inmates, and coniDel on. .r .., ? ' *"* take him to child." ^° express the dehght and gratitude of Mr. Hardy and his son. and the intense satisfaction of the others on fi!^ T' Ethel was ahve and for th. T ' ^""^'"^ *^^' If .voc J ^ P'^'^"^ ^'^^ f'-o"^ danger. the nir: V' '"^ '" ''-'' '°"^^' ^° ^-^-efor ne Indians to retire to rest; and while they waited the Haven to the. all that had happened up iT^tJ^ at the village, passing over the last day's proceed Jsbv saying briefly that Ethel had run a great risk oh. ^ to death, hut that a delay had been f "brherTL^ I 'WinrK .MAX 'll.M lo ( ;i II I,/- 2m5 KK Rescued 297 i Having told h,s story, he said. "Tawaina friend to great Mhue chiel. Gave signal with arrow; save little White Bird to-day. But Tawaina Indian -not like see Indian ^ned.^^ White Chief promise not kill I^^^^^ Mr Hardy assured the Indian that they had no thought of killing women and children. ^ "If can take little White Bird without waking village not kill men?" Tawaina asked again. ^* "We do not want to wake the village if we can help it Tawaina; but I do not see any chance of escaping withou; a fight. Our horses are all dead beat, and the Indians will easily overtake us, even if we get a night's start » " Mustn't go out on plain," the Raven said earnestly « If go out on plain, all killed. Indian two hundred and fifty braves— eat up white men on plain." "I am afraid that is true enough, Tawaina, though we shall prove very tough morsels. Still, we should fight at a fearful disadvantage in the open. But what are we to do ? " T ^.^°'""^^''^^^ ^° «^°"th of caiion,-hold that; can keen Indians off as long as like. Indians have to make peace '^^ Capital ! " Mr. Hardy said delightedly ; for he had reviewed the position with great apprehension, as he had not seen how It would be possible to make good their retreat on their tired horses m the teeth of the Indians. "The very thing- As you say, we can hold the gorge for a month if necessary and, sooner or later, they will be sick of it, and agree to let us retreat in quiet. Besides, a week's rest would set our horses up again, and then we could make our retreat in spite of them." '" " One more thing," the Raven said. " When great chief got ll HI 298 Out on the Pampas little White Bird safe, Tawaina go away-net fight one wav not gh. other way. When ™eet again' white llZ^l abo,. .o-„,gh.. Not great Indian know Tawaina white chiefs from „. of y„„ h„, ,„ ,^i3 ^^^^^^ ^_^_| ^^^^ J ^^^^ ^^^^ .s .me for us to be moving forward. It will be past ten ocloelc before we are there." Very quietly the troop crept along, Tawaina leading the way, unt,l he approached closely to the village. Here they halted lor a moment. ^ "Only six of us will go in," Mr. Hardy said ; "there will be less chance of detection-Janu-eson, Percy, Hcrries, mv bovs and mysef. The others take post Cose to the h^t we s^e ahead. If you find that we are discovered, be in readiness to supi^ort us. And Farquhar, two or three of you get matches ready, and stick a blue-light into the straw roof 'of the hut We must have hght, or we lose all the advantage of our fire- arms. Besides, as we retreat we shall be in darkness, while they will be in the glare." Thus speaking, Mr. Hardy followed his guide, the men he had selected treading cautiously in his rear. Presently they stopped before one of the huts, and pointing to the door! Tawaina said, "Little White Bird there"; and then gliding away, he was lost in the darkness. Mr. Hardy cautiously pushed aside the skin and entered, followed by his friends. It was perfectly dark, and they stood for a moment uncertain what to do. Th.n they heard a low voice saying "Papa, is that you?" while at the same instant they sav a gleam of light in the other corner of the tent, and heard a rustling noise, and they knew that an Indian had cut t fight one way, e chief not talk :ina white chief's shall never learn f I think that it past ten o'clock 'eading the way, :ere they halted " there will be Jrries, my boys, he hut we see in readiness to )u get matches )of of the hut. age of our fire- darkness, while e, the men he Presently they ; to the door, 1 then gJiding I and entered, nd they stood y heard a low same instant the tent, and ndian had cut Rt'sc/icd 299 a slit in the hide walls and had escaped ; and as Mr. Hardy pressed his child to his heart, a terrific war-whoop rose on the air behind the hut. "Come," Mr. Hardy said; "keep together, and make a run of it." Ethel had laid down without taking off even her shoes, so strong had been her hope of her father's arrival. She was therefore no impediment to the speed of their retreat. For a short distance they were unopposed. The Indians, indeed rushed from their huts like swarms of bees disturbed by an intruder. Ignorant of the nature of the danger, and unable to see Its cause, all was for a minute wild confusion; and then, guided by the war-whoop of the Indian who had given the alarm, all hurried toward the spot, and as they did so several saw the little party of whites. Loud whoops gave the intmiat.on of this discovery, and a rush towards them was made. "Now, your revolvers," Mr. Hardy said. "We are nearly out of the village." Not as yet, however, were the Indians gathered thickly enough to stop them. A few who attempted to throw themselves in the way were instantly shot down, and in less time than it has occupied to read this description they reached the end of the village. As they did so, a bright flame shot up from the farthest hut, and the rest of the party rushed out and joined them. The Indians in pursuit paused at seeing this fresh accession of strength to their enemies, and then, as they were joined by large numbers, and the flame shooting up brightly enabled them to see how small was the body of whites, they rushed forward again with fierce jells. 300 Out on the Paw/as Hut the whites were by this time a hundred and fifVv a ■ ^^7-"t;7 ^^^>' ^-I'P-ing in the tr "" '"'' Sop! "Mr. Hardy cried. "Steady wUh year rifles I Ennh man single out an Indian. Fire ! " ""^ A >ell of rage broke from the Indians as fourteen or fifteen of the.r number fell, and a momentary pause took plac l.Tn And^U^n, as they were again reinforced, they JZ^2 But the two hundred jards which the whites had gained was a long start m the half a mile s distance to he t« nd the wh.tes well knew that they .ere running fo ^j; Ues; for once surrounded in the plain, their cas'was hop: Well was it, then, that Ethel was so accustomed to an out ot-door hfe. Hope and fear lent speed to her feet nnH .-.en her father and brother.s.'she Tl^'l^^Zl speed equal to their own. ^ ^ * Scarce a word was spoken, as with clenched teeth and beatmg hearts they dashed along. Only once Mr T sniH "Por. T-^u 1 1 ^ ^^ ^^'^- Jamieson said Can Lthel keep up ? " and she gasped out "- Yes " The whites had this great advantage in the rice tl.'.t .^ put out their be. :.p,^d , ,ereas, alu.ough a few of the IndKns ■saw the unportance of overtaking .he fugi.ives on the plain I g-ater portion believed .ha. their prey was safe in the an^ and made tjo great effort to elose with them at once The whttes, too had the advantage of being aecustomed to waiUn^ exercse, whereas the Indians, almost living on horseb"ek arf sedom in the habit of using their feet. Conseout, ' .h! whites reaehed the narrow mouth of the .or.e a n i , i ! .nd fir, ,ards ahead of the main bod, o^ .r^tir, 'Z^ red and fifty yards gloom. I yoijr rifles! Each fourteen or fifteen e took place again. hey continued the vhites had gained e to 1)0 traversed, running for their :;ir case was hope- itomed to an out- feet, and running 3le to keep up a ichcd teeth and ce Mr. Jamieson out '* Yes." i race, that they an, and therefore ?w of the Indians on the plain, the e in their hands, at once. The >nied to walking 1 horseback, are onsequently the a full hundred rsuers, although Rescued 301 a party of their fastest runners was not more than half tha*^ distance in their rear. * There was a genera! ej:,culation of thankfulness a che parties now halted and turned to face the enemy It was now that the full advantage of Mr. Hardy's pre- caution of firmg the Indian '.ut had become manifest ^ _ The fire had communicated ^0 the next two or three dw, ings. and a broad flame rose up. against the glare of which , Indians stood out distinctly, wi.ile the wiiites were posted deep gloom. pv^aicu „ "Nov, boys," Mr. Hardy said "pick off the first lot with your carbines, while we load our rifles Ethel r..M 1 • , u rnot T 1 u . .. ^tnei, get b. hind that ock Take shelter all till ,he la., momene. The arrows will soon be amongst us." Steadily, as if firing at a mark, the boys discharged their five shots each; and as the enemy was n. , more than fifty yads off every shot told. ^ ^ ' The rest of the leading band hesit, x.d, and throwing them- selves down, waited until the others came up. There was a mo„,entary pau.c, then a volley of ar-ows and musket balls was d,sc arged in the direction of the, hidden foe, and the! with a wild yell, the whole mass charged ' Not till they were within thirty yards w ,s there a return shot fired ■ but .a. they entered the narrow gor.o. the whites leapt to *e,r feet w.th a cheer, and poured in a vo ley from twenty*!: The effect was terrible, and those in ,r„„, who were un wounded hesitated; but. pressed on from behind, th "ag ,n rushed forward. Then, as they closed, a despe;ate loX The boys had hastily handed their carbines to Kthel to fit i„ t^*f«- ■<•■ II I ill I 302 Out on the Pampas the spare chamber, and had taken their place by their father's side. The gorge was so narrow tliat there was not room to stand abreast, and by previous arrangement those who had no revolvers placed themsehes in front, clubbing their rifles, while those with revolvers fired between them. Mr. Percy, one of the Jamiesons, and Herries stood a pace or two in the rear, with their revolvers in hand, as a reserve. For a few minutes the contest was terrific. Therush of the Indians partially broke the line, and the \\hirl of gleaming hatchets, the heavy crash of the blows with the rifles, the sharp, incessant cracks of the revolvers, the yells of the Indians, the short shouts of encouragement from the English, and the occa- sional Irish cry of Terence, made up a total of confusion and noise which was bewildering. Scarce a shot of the whites was thrown away, and a heap of dead lay across the pass. Still the Indians pressed on. The fight was more silent now, the cracks of the revolvers had ceased, and the whites were fighting silently and desperately with their rifles. They had not given way a foot, but the short panting breath told that the tremendous exertion was telling, as they stood in a line at short intervals, and their weapons rose and fell with a force and might that the Indian hatchets could seldom stem or avert. Not bloodless on their part had the fight been up to this time. Most of them had received gashes more or less severe, and Martinez the guacho and Cook lay dead at their feet. Charley an 1 Hubert, upon emptying their revolvers, had fallen back and taken their carbines, and now stood with the reserve upon a flat rock a few paces in the rear, all burning with impatience to take part in the strife. ^ their father's not room to i who had no ;ir rifles, while 5 stood a pace 3 a reserve, le rush of the 1 of gleaming les, the sharp, ; Indians, the and the occa- confusion and and a heap of the revolvers nd desperately but the short was telling, as weapons rose latchets could :en up to this )r less severe, their feet, revolvers, had tood with the .r, all burning Rescued 303 At this moment they were joined by the two guachos who had been left with the horses, but who now, hearing the firing, had arrived to take part in the fray. At last Mr. Hardy judged that the time had come, and shouted — "Take aim into the middle of the mass, and fire as quick as you can, then all charge together. Now ! " In less than half a minute the four barrels of the guachos' guns, and the thirty shots from the revolvers, had been dis- charged into the densely-packed throng; then the seven men leapt from the rock, and with a cheer the whites threw them- selves upon the Indians, already recoiling and panic-struck by the tremendous and deadly fire. The Indians in front, surprised and confused, were mown down by the long rifles like grass before the mower, and those behmd, after one moment's hesitation, broke and fled. In another two minutes the fight was over, and the Indians in full - flight to their village. After a few words of hearty congratulation, the whites threw themselves on the ground, panting and exhausted, after their tremendous exertions. Their first care, upon recovering a little, was to load their revolvers ; as for the rifles, there was not one, with the excep- tion of those of the three men who had formed the reserve, and the boys' carbines, which were not disabled. The stocks were • broken, the hammers wrenched off, and the barrels twisted and bent. The party now crowded round Ethel, with whom not a single word had yet been exchanged since her rescue, and warm and hearty were the congratulations and welcome bestowed upon her. There was then an examination of wounds. 304 Out on the Pampas ' M These had been many, and in some cases severe. Mr. Farquhar was completely disabled by a deep wound in the shoulder. Mr. Percy had received a fearful gash on the arm. Charley had one ear nearly cut off, and the side of his face laid completely open with a sweeping blow. Four others were seriously wounded, and six had less important wounds. All, however, were too much elated with their success to make anything but light of their hurts. "You seem fated to have your beauty spoiled, Charley," Mr. Hardy said, as he bandaged up his son's face. "A few more fights, and you will be as seasoned with scars as any Chelsea pensioner." Charley joined in the general laugh at his own expense. " Yes, papa, if I go on like this I shall certainly get rid of my looking-glass." "You have not lost the rockets, I hope, Terence?" Mr. Hardy asked. " Sure and Fve not, your honour. I put them down behind a big rock before the little shindy began." "We will fire them off," Mr. Hardy said. "They will heighten the impression, and make the Indians more anxious to come to terms, when they see that we can reach their village. We will not let them off all at once ; but as we have four of each sort, we will send off a pair every half-hour or so, as they may think, if we fire them all at once and then stop, that we have no more left. We may as well give them a few shots, too, with our carbines and the rifles that remain serviceable. They will carry as far as half a mile if we give them elevation enough, and it is well to impress them as much as possible." Mr. Hardy's suggestion was carried out. The first signal rocket showed the village crowded with Indians, over whose 5S severe. Mr. D wound in the ;ash on the arm. side of his face "our others were t wounds. All, uccess to make oiled, Charley," face. "A few :h scars as any 'n expense. ;ainly get rid of Terence?" Mr. m down behind L "They will s more anxious ich their village, we have four of ir or so, as they then stop, that em a few shots, ain serviceable, them elevation as possible." rhe first signal ms, over whose Rescued 305 heads the cracked rocket slowly whizzed Th. r u. . next rocket did nnf .r 1 ""'^zed. The light of the rucKet did not disclose a single person inH ,v apparent that the place was deserted. The tWrd T happened to strike one of the roofs and )\^''^ '"^^'^^^ the thatch on fire. ' ''^'"^'"g "^^'^^ '^^ te:?:™;^^-^^'"^- "--^^"Havethemaskingfor . . , gorge, the others retiring farthpr \ntr. ,> 'O be beyond the dead Indian, who ,ay 1:^2 1 IT The stag had ZtJCVf:,^''' ^"^ "'^^'"«- of the tribe ""^ '"°'' ™'™t braves although all knew .hat he had tin """'='''' """ was considered natural eno ^ ten his 7' 'T'''' *" captive had been rejected " '" "'^'^ "P *e h: har:°r;::%tfL:*!.°- «p'>'' ^^ ver. ..,,. bunded their e,esa:d™d:Te„;:or':; nfr^ T them as water before the white men Whv ' . """" ehe chiefs closed to the words IT^^^" .''""' *<= "^^"^ «< had set out with the liule White Jiird th the Raven? If the R aven "-d^e been glad, and the h„tc:;::dC::^:;:::::[ 3o6 Out on tJie Pampas in peace. But the chiefs would not hear the words ot the Raven. The Stag said, ' Kill ! ' and the war chiefs shouted, ' Kill ! ' and where are they now ? Their wigwams are empty, and their women have none to bring in the deer for food. The Great Spirit is angry." The Raven then took his seat ; but, as he anticipated, no one rose to speak after him. The depression was too general ; and the fact that, had the Raven's advice been followed, the evils would have been avoided, was too manifest for anyone to attempt to utter a word. After a profound silence of some minutes' duration, the Raven again rose. "What will my brothers do? The flying fires will burn down our village^ and there is no retreat. The guns that shoot without loading carry very far. We are as water before them. We are in the hands of the white chief, and our bones will feed the crows. What will my brothers do?" There was still a profound silence, and then he continued, "The Raven is a great chief, and he will tell item what to do. The Raven has stood by the side of the little White Bird, and the great white chief will listen to his voice. He will say, ' Let there be peace between us. The men who would have harmed the little White Bird are dead ; there is no more cause of quarrel. Let us bury the hatchet. Take horses and cattle for your journey, and forgive us if we have done wrong.' If the white men were on the plains, the Raven would say, * Let my young men charge ' ; but they hold the pass, and the guns that shoot without loading are too strong. Have I spoken well ? " There was a low murmur of applause. The feeling that the position of the white men was impregnable was general ; and they all felt convinced that those terrible enemies would devise Rescued 307 5' duration, the some unknown scheme which would end in the total annihilation of the tribe. The Raven's proposition was therefore unanimously assented to. The Raven then laid aside his arms, and, attended by six of the principal chiefs, carrying green boughs in token of amity advanced towards the mouth of the gorge. Mr. Hardy, with' five of the whites, and with Perez to interpret, advanced to meet him. When the two groups met, the Raven commenced gravely in the Indian language, "The white chief of the flying fire is mighty, and the Creat Spirit has blinded his children They carried off the little White Bird, but they did not harm her Bad men would have harmed her, but the Raven stood by her side. The great white chief has taken back his little White Bn-d, and he has killed the men whom the Great Spirit blinded ^^ hy should there be any more war? The Indians are brave • they have cattle, and sheep, and water. They can live out of reach of the white chief's guns, and can fight if the white chief comes out against them. The white chief is strong, and he can defend the pass, but he cannot venture out to attack. They are equal. There is no cause of (piarrel any longer. Let us bury the hatchet. The white chiefs young men can take horses,-for the Indians have many, -^ to take them back to their homes. They can take cattle to eat. Let there be peace." This address of the Raven was a very politic one. He already knew that Mr. Hardy was willing to grant terms, but he wished to show the other chiefs that he supported the honour of the tribe by boasting of their power and resources, and by making the peace as upon equal terms. When the guacho had translated their proposal, Mr. Hardy 3o8 : \l j.ii Ota on the Pampas spoke using the phraseology which would be most intelligible to the Indians. ^ rJ7wu.^T '' ' ^''"^ '^^'^' ^^ ^'^^ ^P^'-^^" ^visely. The ht le W ,e B.d has sung in the white chiefs ear that the it TH f . VT "^' "''" ''^' '"^^^"^ ^-"Id have hurt her. Ihe bad Indians are dead. The Great Spirit frowned upon them. The white chief has no quarrel with the Raven and his friends. Let there be peace." A general expression of satisfaction pervaded both parties when It was known that peace was arranged ; and one of each side hurrymg back with the news, the rest went into the village where sitting down before the principal hut, the pipe of peace was solemnly smoked. ^ The two parties then mingled amicably, mutually pleased at he termination to the hostilities ; and no one would have guessed that a few hours before they had met in deadly strife. The Raven courteously invited the whites to stop for a night at the village; but the invitation was declined, as all were very anxious to return home. Some Indians were despatched by the Raven, who had now naturally assumed the position of chief of the tribe, to catch horses to take the place of those which had broken down upon the journey. The offer of cattle was declined, as they were confident that they should be able to procure game. They took however, as large a supply of fresh meat as their horses could carry. Mr. Hardy saw that the Raven wished to avoid any private conversation with him. He therefore drew the boys aside, and made a proposal to them, to which they cordially agreed. ' As the horses were brought up, and the whole tribe assembled, Rescued t intelligible ^'isely. 'I'he ?ar that the i have hurt irit frowned the Raven )oth parties one of each the village, pe of peace ' pleased at ive guessed trife, 7'he ight at the ;ry anxious 309 he advanced towards the Raven with one of the boys' carbines in his hand. "The Raven is a great chief," he said. '"'He has a great heart, and stood by the side of the little White iJird. ikit he has not a good riOe. The white chief gives him a rifle which will shoot many times. Let him promise that he will never use it in fight against the white men." This gift the Raven received with great {/easure, and readily gave the recpired promise, adding, on b.half of his tribe, that the hatchet which was buried should never again be dug up against the whites. An extra chamber and all the spare ammunition was given to him, and a further supply promised when he chose to send for it; instructions were also given to him m the use of the weapon, then a solemn farewell was exchanged, and the party of whites turned their faces towards home. ) had now -, to catch lown upon they were le. They eir horses void any the boys ■ cordially jsembled. Iti^ Chapter xviii BACK TO OLD ENGLAND AGA IN Vy^lTH this memorable conflict, and the lesson taught ^ ^ to the Indians, that even in the heart of their own country they could not consider themselves secure from re- taliations and from the vengeance of the white settlers the Indian troubles of the Hardys were over. Occasionally indeed, raids were made upon the outlying settlements, and the young Hardys were summoned to beat off their savage foes. Upon the estate of Mount Pleasant, however, hostile loot was not again placed. Occasionally the R,aven, with two or three of his braves, would pay a visit for a day or two, and depart with presents of blankets, and such things as his tribe needed. Upon the first of these visits Hubert questioned him respecting the bird whose remarkable feather had been the means of saving Ethel's life. At his next visit the chief brought two very perfect skins of the bird. It turned out, to Hubert s great delight, to be a new species ; and one of them is now with many other hitherto unknown birds which had fallen to his gun, in the British Museum, with the specific names of Hardiensis, m compliment to their discoverer. 'l"he Raven's tribe honourably performed their agreement with Mr. Hardy and never joined in any subsequent attacks upon the whites' esson taught of their own ure from re- settlers, the Dccasionally, ements, and their savage ever, hostile en, with two or two, and as his tribe ;stioned him d been the hief brought to Hubert's em is now, ad fallen to c names of he Raven's Mr. Hardy, the whites. Back to old England again 3 , j Being much weakened by the loss of so many of their fighting men, they would probably have been exterminated by hostile tribes; but Mr. Hardy subsequently furnished them with a supply of military mu.kets, which he had bought chietly for the purpose, together with ammunition, and they were then able to oppose a resolute front to their enemies, and to sup- port themselves by hunting. The Raven is now one of the most powerful and resj^ected chiefs upon the plains of the Pampas. The return of the expedition, after the rescue of Ethel and the chastisement of the Indians in the heart of their own country, caused quite a sensation throughout the Republic Of Mrs. Hardy's and Maud's joy we need not speak, but the adventure was considered a matter of congratulation and joy th:oughout the whole district. It was felt that a signal blow had been struck at the Indians, and that for a long time life and property would be secure. There was, in consequence quite a rush to the neighbourhood, and land was taken up and occupied in all directions. It was well for Mrs. Hardy and the girls that they were to sail by the next mail for England. The effect of those terrible four days upon Ethel, and of that week of anxiety upon her mother and sister, had so shaken them, that the change even If It had not been previously determined upon, would have been imperatively necessary. It is not too much to say that Mrs. Hardy and Maud had suffered even more than Ethel She at least had known and seen her danger, and was sustained" except during that morning when she was fastened to the stake' with a strong hope and belief of rescue. Those left behind could do nothing but picture up scenes of honor, and pass tne.r time in alternately praying and weeping. They were all 312 Out on the Pampas none of .he. ever after foU a„, bad effec. fro™ .halt;*,' And now our story is drawing ,o a close. The stormv I>er,od of ,he Moun. Pleasant settlement was over. The Zd wor the difficulties and dangers of the life of a new et r on the extreme edge of civilisation, had been oassld "„ nothing remained but to continue 'to devote at oin ad energy to the estate, and to reap the fruits of the labour For two years after the departure of his wife and daughters Mr. Hardy remamcd at his post. I, was now nearly six y, feu that he could do so without any uneasiness as to the future Ro ano was, according to his anticipation, rising into a lar e and .mportant town ; the country was fairly settled for Icagut beyond the estate; land was rapidly rising i„ value; and the e ™s now no fear whatever of Indian attacks. His 'flocks tl ye r^ l" ""' f ""^' ^"' ""^ ''-''""8 -ery two the alfalfa and upon t:.e sale of wool and other farm produce mo::r Th ,- '''" "^^ """^ '™"^'" " ^ '-«' ^- ^ amount. Charley was now twenty two, Hubert a year rr him?e* ""^ '' '"-"^ °^ --« *« -- as He one day, therefore, unfolded his plans to them "As I shall perhaps now and then come over here, I shall make England my permanent home. You boys will therefore jointly ' that remained and the fresh iir cheeks, and n that terrible The stormy -r. The hard a new settler passed, and ittention and he labour, nd daughters irly six years ■n to it. He to the future, into a large i for leagues ' ; and there > flocks and J every two le fatted on m produce, large yearly -rt a year 2 estate as em. "As d although shall make fore jointly Bac^ to old England again 313 manage the esta'te. The income this year will reach ^x^oo, and would be much more did we not keep the greater portion of our anumls to increase our stock. I have now /".coo in the bank. After the busy life I have led here, I could not reman, inactive. My present intention is to take a largo farm upon a long lease with the option of i,ur,-hase. My object will be to obtain a n^rm of large ac^reage and poor land, but improveable by better drainage and an outlay of capital. I shall nsk my ^3500 in this, and also the income I draw from here for the next two years. The profits will increase each year. I shall therefore in two years have sunk ^^5000 in the farm-a portion being devoted to building a suitable house \ ou will, of course, during the two years spend whatever money you may require; but, in fact, it is impossible for you to spend much money here. At the end of two years I propose that first you, Chadey, as the elder, shall come home o Lng and for a year, and then that Hubert shall take his turn. You wi 1 then stay a year here together, and again have each a year m England, and so on regularly. From the end of this two years I shall draw half the income of this estate and you w.ll take the other half between you, to invest or use as J-ou may thmk fit. At the end of six years I calculate that the estate w.ll be stocked with as many cattle and sheep as |t can support. Fifteen thousand cattle, say, and thirty thousand sheep. You will then sell all your annual increas-' and the profits will be greater every year. At the end of ten years from this time, if, as I think probable, you will have had enough of this life, we will sell the estate. By that time It WI 1 be the centre of a populous district, the land will be greatly mcreased in value, and will be equal to any in the country-so much so, indeed, that it will probably be out of 3M Out on the Pamf^as he question to find a purchaser for the whole. We could therefore break it up to suit purchasers, dividing ir into lots o one, two. thre, or four square .i,es, or. a square leagu and d.v,dn,g the stock in proportion. The house would o course go wuh the arable land and a nule or two of past'ure beyond u. My share of the yearly inco.ne I shall devote obu).ng my estate. Say the price is ^,0,000. This I shal , wuh my uKome from here and my income from the estate .tselt, probably be able to make in ten years The estate, with the ^5000 I propose to risk in drainage, etc ought then to be worth ^.0,000. The value of thit estat^ of fifty thousand acres, with the (locks and herds, ought to be at least double that amount; so that at the end of ten years I shall be a rich man. You, with care, can certainly save ^5000 each in the ten yeans, an,l will receive another ^ro,ooo each as your share of the estate. You will consequently, boys, at the age o. thirty-one and thirtytwo be able to settle down in England in very con.fortable circum- stances. Your sisters will of course be provided for out of my share. Do you approve of my plans ? " The boys warmly expressed their satisfaction at the plan and their gratitude to their father for his intentions. ' And .so things weie carried out. Six months after Mr. Hardy's arrival in England, the boys heard of Maud's r^arriage to Mr. Cooper, now, by the death of his Either, a wealthy country gentleman. Charley, during his first visit to England, also married-an example which Hubert followed the next year. The two now took it by turn to manage the estate-the one in England always passing a considerable portion of his time at Mr. Hardy's, and spending the rest in travelling ^r- ^Ve could g it into lots uare league, 3e would, of of pasture ^hall devote >o. This I le from the years. The linage, etc., " this estate irds, ought It the end 1 care, can will receive You will irty two, be )Ie circum- out of my the plan, Back to old England again 315 Ethel was married the year alter Hubert to a rising hamster It in London Everything prospered nt Mount Pleasant, and at the sale .. was broken up into lots, and fetched rather a larger sum than Mr. Hardy had calculated. Mr. Hardy's own i)Ian had been fully carried out, but by the end of the ten years he began to wish for a quiet town life. He therefore made an arrangement with Charley, whereby the latter, who had obtained some money with his wife, has taken his place as master of the estate, and has settlctl down into the life of a country gentleman, which exactly suits him. Hubert lives in London. His income is sufficient for his wants. He has become a member of a number of scientific societies, and his collection of the fauna of the Pampas of America is considered to be unequalled. The girls are very happy with the men of their choice ; and Mr. and Mrs. Hardy have always some of their children or grandchildren staying with them, and often amuse the young ones with tales of how li^.eir fathers or mothers fought the Indians on the Pampas of South America, , the boys le death of during his :h Hubert state— the ion of his ng-