Barney Blake, The Boy Privateer

crew-myself among the number-who had ingratiated themselves in the good graces of the native

accepted

horses in readiness. The party who were to accompany him consisted of the captain, the second mate (Pat Pickle), Tony Trybrace, Bluefish, Dicky Drake and myself. Dicky had specially

a musket, and were escorted by several natives to Walgilka's

wenty horses were in waiting, saddled and bridle

naco skin bound over the back in several folds; and the "bridle" consists of a stout thong of hide made fast, from shifting, a

e, and, in imagination, I felt sore already, as I thought of the ten or fifteen mile gallop t

bows, in readiness for the chase. He greeted us cordially, and in a short time we were mounted a

wiftest steed, but have also far greater powers of endurance. But they have a way of managing it in Patagonia, by which the birds are taken

g, for instance.) These outriders then proceed inland, and slowly drive what birds they may meet with northward. The men do not approach near enough to cause any excessive alarm, but maintain a sufficient distance in the rear to keep the timid creatures on a moderate trot before the wind, giving them no time to halt for any considerable length of time. In this way, they keep them almost perpet

s a mean, unfair thing on the ostrich, and vowed, if it wasn't for

sured us we should meet with excellent sport. The inevitable, incessant rain of Patagonia was

of the pampas-portions of it almost as level as a floor, but the greater part rolling like the billows of the sea. A

ringing shout, we dashed down the hill upon the astonished

shed a twenty-mile trot!" said Tony

we had not got very far befo

we were pursuing the wrong flock of birds. Those which had been specially fatigued for our benefit were feeding some miles further inland. So, with many a joke at our own mistak

, they began to drop behind each other. We could see them flap their little wings painfully, as they panted on before our fresh and momentarily nearing steeds. At length, one

, almost simultaneously, Tony and the captain each brought one down. Bluefish also did well, but little Dicky Drake, as usual, made a laughing-stock of himself. His ten

evertheless, he was plucky and immediately got up to try it again. This time, evading the legs of the bird, he made a spring and alighted upon her back, when the bird, no doubt extremely terrified at thi

od-by, Dicky!" sh

dropped and expired, and the amateur hunter

up our homeward way with our horses heavily lad

ses on our way back, but we were in no condition to take u

e had been feeding upon some carrion a few rods in front of us, and, startled at our approach, rose slowly up with a gut

than any other bird and is only found in the Andes of South America-usually frequenting the most elevated and inaccessible parts. Its strength is prodigious. Walgilka