sed by the yells and shouts of the
Llaneros galloping in all directions over the ground, rattling their
garrochas, waving their ponchos, and whirling their lassos. Yet further
to increase the turmoil and uproar, flocks of cranes and herons,
startled by the hoofs of the horses and shouts of the riders as they
rush onward, rise from the stunted frees of a neighbouring marsh, with
loud cries and clashing of wings, into the air, hovering above the heads
of the actors in such numbers as almost to darken the sky as they circle
round and round.

The object of the hunt is to separate the cattle of the different
owners, and to drive them into their respective corrals or majadas.
Tame cattle are employed to assist in the operation, and are stationed
at various places round the circle. The horsemen, dashing in among the
mass of excited animals, fearless of the points of their sharp horns,
drive out with their lances those they recognise as their own property--
known by the notches on their ears--goading them with their lances. The
animals, now separated with wonderful skill, are, with their calves,
urged towards the groups of their well-trained kindred, who lead them on
towards the destined corral. Often, however, suspecting treachery, they
turn round and attempt to escape, rushing with mad fury towards the
horsemen--many of whose steeds are thus pierced by their horns, and the
riders, overthrown, with difficulty escaping.

Thus they at length reach the entrance of the corral, which is in the
shape of a funnel, composed of stout posts strengthened by thick
rafters. Here the most desperate struggle often ensues; but the bulls
are met by an array of the rattling garrochas; and though some may
escape at the last, the great mass are, by the skill of the Llaneros, at
length secured within the corral,--many of the cattle receiving
desperate wounds.

These farms of the Llanos, built in the roughest and most primitive
style, are surrounded by fences, intended not only to resist the rush of
a herd of cattle, but the attack of human foes. The inclosures are
formed of huge trunks of trees, driven close together into the ground.
It would seem difficult to account for the way in which they are brought
across the plain. This is done, however, during the inundation of the
savannahs, when they are transported to the spot on rafts made of
lighter wood,--the timbers themselves being composed of a species of
acacia of extreme hardness, and