It had become hot by this time, so we rode to the nearest water, to enable the animals to drink and bathe, and then started afresh at a sharp canter.  There were plenty of bizcacha holes and boggy places to be avoided; but we allowed the horses to take care of themselves and us in this respect, and occupied ourselves almost exclusively in looking for fresh deer.  For some time we found nothing; then two sprang out of the long grass close to the canada, which they crossed, and, on reaching the other side, started off in different directions.  The pack pursued and divided, some going after each animal.  I, and two others of the party, followed the doe, and after another short burst of ten minutes, at a tremendous pace, we ran into and killed her.  As soon as she had been despatched, we wanted to follow the buck, in pursuit of which the rest of the riders had gone, but there was now nothing to be seen of him or them.  Flat as the country looked, the slight undulations of the ground quite hid them from our view.  After riding about for two hours in various directions, looking and listening most patiently, we abandoned the search in despair, and returned to the house, where we found that our friends had already arrived.  They had enjoyed the best run they have had for many months—­seven miles, from point to point—­but the dogs had lain down, dead beat, at the end of the first six miles.  The horsemen had galloped on, their animals tailing off one by one, until only two remained in it at all.  Having mutually agreed to let the stag live till another day to afford perhaps as good a run and as much pleasure to some one else, they thereupon also abandoned the chase, and turned their horses’ heads homewards.

After a change of dress, we proceeded to pack up, preparatory to our departure, and then had breakfast, after which we bade adieu to our kind hosts, and started in the waggonette to retrace our steps to the station.  It was very bright and hot, and the sun and wind had already begun to have a visible effect upon the vegetation of the Pampas.  The streams were much more passable, and we reached Canada de Gomez at about half-past five, in a shorter time, than it had taken us to perform the outward journey yesterday.  On reaching Rosario at about ten o’clock, we found several friends waiting to receive us, with invitations to tea; but we felt too tired in body and too disreputable in appearance to accept them, and preferred going straight to our hotel and to bed.

CHAPTER VII.

MORE ABOUT THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC.

The twilight is sad and cloudy, The wind blows wild and free, And like the wings of sea-birds Flash the white caps of the sea.

Friday, September 22nd.—­Mr. Fisher called for me at 8 a.m., to drive me in his little carriage to the railway yard and workshops, and then to pay some farewell visits.  We also went to see