himself. Mr. Hardy, the boys, and Maud mounted the horses prepared
for them, and two of Mr. Thompson'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 travelers; 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 horseback. 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 of 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-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