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

HORSES MORAL RESTRAINT. 167 On such occasions, if fearful of pursuit, or hai'd pressed by pursuers, they stop very little by the way — light no fire — eat but little food, and thati-aw — and some are even able to change horses without checking their speed, or touching the ground. A troop of loose horses is always driven along before the party : and when an Indian, at such a time, wants to change, he rides along-side of a loose horse, jumps on his back, bridle in hand, and in an instant, the bit is transferred from one to the other. Saddle they care not for, when thus pressed. In guiding and managing their horses, the Indians use the voice with very good effect. The best of those animals are exceedingly well trained ; and the owners are as reluctant to part with them as Arabs are to sell their steeds. The natives of Patagonia breed their own horses as well as dogs : but their constant practice of killing the horses of men who die tends to prevent their being numerous. Upon sucli occasions, all, excepting the few wliich had been assigned to his children (generally one or two to each child at its birth), are killed. Dogs have a similar fate. With such laws, a man need not fear being put out of the way for the sake of his pro- perty ; nor, while the women are enjoined to go through such a mourning ordeal, is it likely they would enter into or favour any combination made against their husbands, however harshly they might be treated by them. Excepting that of the caciques, I believe there is no supe- riority of one person over another among the Patagonians. Those who have more property than others, or who are related to the chief, have influence over the rest, but are not considered by them to be their superiors. The moral restraints of these people seem to be very slight. Each man is at liberty to do very much as he feels inclined ; and, if he does not injure or offend his neighbour, is not inter- fered with by others. Their social habits are those handed down by their ancestors, and adapted to the life they are com- pelled to lead. Ideas of improvement do not trouble them. Contented with their fine chmate — plenty of wholesome food, and an extensive range of country — they rather pity Avhite