a couple of fine dogs, which he had bred from English mastiffs: Mr.
Hardy had brought a brace of fine retrievers with him. Then, with a
hearty adieu and much hand-shaking, they said "Good-by" as the
steamer moved off from the shore. The heavy luggage was to follow
in a sailing vessel upon the following day.




CHAPTER IV.

THE PAMPAS.


The voyage up the river Parana was marked by no particular
incident. The distance to Rosario from Buenos Ayres is about two
hundred and fifty miles, which was performed by the steamer in
about a day and a half. The river is nearly twenty miles in
breadth, and is completely studded by islands. The scenery is flat
and uninteresting, and the banks but poorly wooded. Our travelers
were therefore glad when they arrived at Rosario. The boys were
disappointed at the aspect of the town, which, although a rising
place, contained under a thousand inhabitants, and looked miserably
poor and squalid after Buenos Ayres. Here they were met by a
gentleman to whom Mr. Thompson had introduced Mr. Hardy, and with
whom he had stayed on his first visit to Rosario. He had brought
horses for themselves, 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 in no time."