would make it easy for the families to see something of 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-sized 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 neighbors 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