Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.2): between the years 1826 and 1836 : describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagles's circumnavigation of the globe

148 BALLS — LANCE. lead, or metallic ore, with shorter cords or thongs, which are for small animals. Sometimes two small balls, each of which has a cord about a yard in length, are fastened to the thong of the larger set. This is to entangle the victim more effectually. They do not try to strike objects with these balls, but endeavour to throw them so that the thong shall hit a prominent part ; and then, of course, the balls swing around in different directions, and the thongs become so 'laid up' (or twisted), that struggling only makes the captive more secure. They can throw them so dexterously, as to fasten a man to his horse, or catch a horse without bruising him. If an animal is to be caught without being thrown down suddenly — an inevitable consequence of these balls swinging round his legs while at full speed — somai is thrown at his neck. The two balls hang do^vn, and perplex him so much by dangling about his fore-legs, that his speed is much checked ; and another set of balls, or a lasso, may be used, to secure, without throwing him down. The lasso is not much used, so adroit are they with the balls. A formidable missile weapon is the single ball, called by the Spaniards ' bola perdida.' This is similar to the other in size and substance, but attached to a slighter rope, about a yard long. Whirhng this ball, about a pound in weight, with the utmost swiftness around their heads, they dash it at their adver- sary with almost the force of a shot. At close quarters, it is used, with a shorter scope of cord, as an efficient head-breaker. Several of these original, and not trifling offensive weapons, are kept in readiness by each individual ; and many a Spa- niard, armed with steel and gunpowder, has acknowledged their effect. The lance (chuza) is a long bamboo cane, from twelve to twenty-four feet long, headed with iron or steel. The great length and tapering shghtness of these spears makes them for- midable to any adversaries, but often fatal to those who are unskilful or timorous, because their vibration, artfully increased to the utmost by the holders, makes it extremely difficult to parry the advance of their point ; but, once parried thev are