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-The Project Gutenberg EBook of Francisco Our Little Argentine Cousin, by 
-Eva Cannon Brooks
-
-This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
-almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
-re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
-with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
-
-
-Title: Francisco Our Little Argentine Cousin
-
-Author: Eva Cannon Brooks
-
-Illustrator: John Goss
-
-Release Date: August 9, 2013 [EBook #43424]
-
-Language: English
-
-Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
-
-*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANCICSO, LITTLE ARGENTINE COUSIN ***
-
-
-
-
-Produced by Emmy, Beth Baran, Google Print and the Online
-Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
-book was produced from images made available by the
-HathiTrust Digital Library.)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43424 ***
 
 Francisco
 
@@ -131,7 +91,7 @@ BY MARY HAZELTON WADE
     New England Building,      Boston, Mass.
 
 [Illustration: "THEY SAT DOWN ALMOST UNDER THE SHADOW OF THE HIGH STATUE
-OF SAN MARTÍN."
+OF SAN MART�N."
 
 (_See page 33._)]
 
@@ -247,7 +207,7 @@ List of Illustrations
 
                                                           PAGE
     "THEY SAT DOWN ALMOST UNDER THE SHADOW OF THE HIGH
-          STATUE OF SAN MARTÍN" (see page 33)        _Frontispiece_
+          STATUE OF SAN MART�N" (see page 33)        _Frontispiece_
     "HE PERMITTED FRANCISCO TO TAKE A RIDE ON THE TAME
           LLAMA"                                            24
     "'DID YOU EVER SEE SUCH GLORIOUS BLUE EYES!'"           67
@@ -275,7 +235,7 @@ FRANCISCO'S HOME
 FRANCISCO sat crosslegged in one corner of the _patio_ under the shade
 of a small pomegranate tree which grew in a tub. He had moved halfway
 around the _patio_ since morning, trying to keep out of the sun. Just
-after _café_ he had started out under the shade of the east wall, where
+after _café_ he had started out under the shade of the east wall, where
 wistaria vines and jasmine grew in a dense mass of purple, yellow and
 green; then he had gone from one tubbed shelter to another as the sun
 mounted higher, until now only the heavy foliage of the pomegranate
@@ -291,7 +251,7 @@ square stones of the _patio_, with his back to the main part of the
 house, so that the mother and sisters could not see what occupied his
 busy hands.
 
-Francisco's father was dead, and he, with his mother, La Señora Anita
+Francisco's father was dead, and he, with his mother, La Señora Anita
 Maria Lacevera de Gonzalez, and his two sisters, Elena Maria, who was
 six, and Guillerma Maria, who was eighteen and very beautiful, lived in
 the Calle[1] Cerrito, in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentine Republic,
@@ -395,7 +355,7 @@ of the red cows when he was called to breakfast, and it was _half-past
 eleven_. But you see their meal hours, like their seasons, are different
 from ours. At eight o'clock he had had his _cafe con leche_, or coffee
 with hot milk, and a roll; at half-past eleven he was accustomed to
-having his breakfast; at four he would have _máte_ or tea; and at seven
+having his breakfast; at four he would have _máte_ or tea; and at seven
 dinner would be served.
 
 Francisco gathered his treasures into the tin box, and hurried to the
@@ -429,15 +389,15 @@ daughters, ranging from fourteen to twenty-four; the eldest ones of whom
 were favourites in exclusive Buenos Aires society. He suffered it
 because of his love for them, but his natural fondness for quiet and
 study led him to think longingly of the large estate in the Province of
-Santa Fé, where he could spend the remaining years of his life in the
+Santa Fé, where he could spend the remaining years of his life in the
 free open air, enjoying the quiet and solitude he so loved. But the
 daughters must be educated and their mother did not like the country, so
 the Colonel was forced to live through the winter months in the noise
 and roar of the great city; contenting himself with a few months each
 summer at the estate, when he rode at will over the wide prairies on his
 swift Argentine horse, or read for hours under the shade of the wide
-spreading _ombú_ trees which surrounded the country house. This
-_estáncia_, as they term a very large farm or ranch, was really his
+spreading _ombú_ trees which surrounded the country house. This
+_estáncia_, as they term a very large farm or ranch, was really his
 wife's; in fact, so was the city house, for no retired colonel's pay,
 nor general's pay, for that matter, could have met the expenses of his
 large family, accustomed to every luxury; indeed, it was just enough to
@@ -457,7 +417,7 @@ footfalls with an intensity that made him nervous; the pillared
 corridors rang with no merry girlish laughter, and the luxuriantly
 furnished _patio_ with its marble floors, and softly pattering
 fountains, seemed to mock him of his loneliness. Always before, he had
-left for the _estáncia_ before his family had gone to Europe or the
+left for the _estáncia_ before his family had gone to Europe or the
 seashore for their summer outing, and he never would have believed that
 he--an old soldier--could be so overcome by sentiment.
 
@@ -505,12 +465,12 @@ looked most distinguished in his scarlet and green uniform.
 
 It took but a few moments to reach his sister's _casa_,[3] and the maid
 who answered his ring in the narrow vestibule that opened directly onto
-the street told him the family were having _máte_ in the _patio_, which
+the street told him the family were having _máte_ in the _patio_, which
 was partly shaded in the late afternoon. He was welcomed heartily, and
 was kissed by each one twice, after the foreign fashion, once on either
 cheek.
 
-The _máte_ cup, an egg-shaped gourd, was passed from hand to hand as
+The _máte_ cup, an egg-shaped gourd, was passed from hand to hand as
 they sat talking, each one in turn sucking the fragrant tea through the
 same silver tube; the little Indian maid refilling the gourd again and
 again with hot water.
@@ -520,7 +480,7 @@ Equator, and aside from the benefits derived from the drinking of the
 pungent herb itself, it has a significance akin to the "loving cup"
 idea, and is a symbolization of family love and domestic ties.
 
-A guest is always asked to partake of _máte_ with the family, and if he
+A guest is always asked to partake of _máte_ with the family, and if he
 is unaccustomed to the manner of its usage, the fact that he is expected
 to obtain his share by means of the one, universal tube, is at first
 disconcerting, but he dare not refuse under penalty of offending his
@@ -538,7 +498,7 @@ which has a bulbous end, perforated with small holes so that the tea is
 strained. At the first taste it is exceedingly bitter, but one soon
 grows very fond of it. It is very stimulating and a _gaucho_, or cowboy,
 will sometimes, under stress of circumstances, ride all day with only
-his morning gourd of _máte_ to sustain him, and then eat his first meal
+his morning gourd of _máte_ to sustain him, and then eat his first meal
 of the day at sundown.
 
 The Colonel soon made known his errand, and Francisco was beside himself
@@ -555,7 +515,7 @@ day!"
 voice.
 
 "Yes, Francisco, I shall miss you, but I shall enjoy myself every day
-thinking of what you are doing, and you will write to me; Mamá will read
+thinking of what you are doing, and you will write to me; Mamá will read
 me your letters, and then there will be so much to talk about when you
 return,"--and Francisco embraced her another time.
 
@@ -617,7 +577,7 @@ dozen columns of vehicles in proper line.
 The Colonel's car had entered the wide area of the Avenue Sarmiento when
 he leaned towards the chauffeur and said, "Turn towards the Zoological
 Gardens, Enrique." And then, to the boy beside him, he said, "How could
-you stand half an hour in the Zoological Gardens, Niño?"[6]
+you stand half an hour in the Zoological Gardens, Niño?"[6]
 
 "I would try to bear up under it, Uncle," replied Francisco, as his eyes
 twinkled an answer to the merriment in the older man's. They alighted at
@@ -642,7 +602,7 @@ surrounding the Hindoo temple house, was a family of elephants and the
 baby elephant stood beside its mother, who was rubbing it affectionately
 with her long trunk.
 
-The alpacas, llamas, deer, bison, guanacos and vicuñas came next, and
+The alpacas, llamas, deer, bison, guanacos and vicuñas came next, and
 Uncle Juan could answer every question that the eager boy put to him,
 for, during his active service in the army, he had spent much time on
 the frontier, and on the Cordilleras of the Andes, where these animals
@@ -659,7 +619,7 @@ visiting the "Zoo," Uncle Juan walked beside him, and, as they
 proceeded, he told him much about the small camel-like animal upon whose
 back he rode.
 
-"You see, Niño, a llama is almost like a camel, but its size and
+"You see, Niño, a llama is almost like a camel, but its size and
 strength are inferior. It has no hump on its back, but as you saw when
 you mounted it, it kneels like one. They thrive best at a high elevation
 where they browse on reeds, lichens, mosses and grass. If the grass is
@@ -667,7 +627,7 @@ succulent they can go without water for a long time. When they are
 domesticated it is for their fine fleece. Their flesh when young is
 deliciously tender, and it is then that they can be caught with dogs and
 a lasso, but the old ones can only be shot at a distance, and their
-flesh is fit only to be dried and salted. I have seen them in Perú used
+flesh is fit only to be dried and salted. I have seen them in Perú used
 as beasts of burden, and the Indians make a very beautiful and valuable
 cloth from the soft fleece. But come, lad, the sun sinks, and we may
 come here another time."
@@ -688,7 +648,7 @@ and it is wonderfully palatable."
 nor the boa-constrictors," coaxed Francisco, as they came in sight of
 the gates.
 
-"But we shall see them another time, Niño. We cannot see the half of
+"But we shall see them another time, Niño. We cannot see the half of
 these great gardens in a day, for they cover many acres, and contain the
 finest specimens of any garden on the continent." As they passed out the
 bugles at the military post opposite were sounding for the soldiers'
@@ -780,19 +740,19 @@ time for a soldier of the Republic to get up!"
 Francisco hurried into his clothes and found the Colonel taking his
 coffee and rolls in a shaded corner of the _patio_.
 
-"I am going to give you all of my time to-day, Niño, as I feel lazy, and
+"I am going to give you all of my time to-day, Niño, as I feel lazy, and
 I find there are many things here in your own native city that you know
 nothing about, and that a boy of nine should see and learn. Your mother
 could not be expected to do it, so it falls to me. We must start
 immediately, before the heat of the day drives us indoors. Get your cap,
-lad, and we will start over in the Plaza San Martín opposite, and have a
+lad, and we will start over in the Plaza San Martín opposite, and have a
 lesson in history."
 
 They donned their hats, and Francisco felt very proud to walk beside his
 uncle, who, if not a very large man in stature, loomed up big before the
 boy's worshipful eyes.
 
-"What do you know of Buenos Aires, Niño?" he asked as they sauntered
+"What do you know of Buenos Aires, Niño?" he asked as they sauntered
 towards the centre of the park.
 
 "Not much, Uncle Juan. I know it is the largest city on the South
@@ -814,7 +774,7 @@ streets. But, to-day, I want to start with a little history of our
 country. So let us sit here on this bench and begin. At this early hour
 we will not be disturbed."
 
-They sat down almost under the shadow of the high statue of San Martín
+They sat down almost under the shadow of the high statue of San Martín
 and the Colonel reverently uncovered his head. Without being told,
 Francisco took off his cap, and his uncle patted him affectionately on
 the back. "Good, good, my boy! He deserves it, for no greater soldier
@@ -858,7 +818,7 @@ republic of the United States when on the fourth of July they declared
 their independence from England. So our twenty-fifth of May was but the
 beginning of a long struggle. A _Junta_ was formed to govern, but it was
 no easy task. To the north were Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia; to the
-west Chile and Perú; all Spanish colonies. The _Junta_ sent troops to
+west Chile and Perú; all Spanish colonies. The _Junta_ sent troops to
 these countries to endeavour to arouse the people to throw off the yoke.
 They sent General Belgrano to--"
 
@@ -877,7 +837,7 @@ who was our first admiral? No? Well, it was an Englishman and his name
 was William Brown.
 
 "With this navy, Montivideo, the capital of Uruguay, was taken.
-Enthusiasm ran high, and it was just here that Don José de San Martín
+Enthusiasm ran high, and it was just here that Don José de San Martín
 came into the light of publicity, as commander-in-chief of the army. Now
 let us take the automobile, awaiting us over in front of the house, and
 ride to the Cathedral where the remains of our hero rest, and I will
@@ -893,7 +853,7 @@ stalks knit together into yard lengths; there is a vegetable cart; there
 is a vender of fruit, and all of them speaking broken Spanish with an
 Italian accent."
 
-"Yes, Niño, most of the peddlers are Italian. I do not know why, unless
+"Yes, Niño, most of the peddlers are Italian. I do not know why, unless
 it is that each nationality turns to a special kind of work in this
 world. The Italians are naturally merchants, they like to bargain. They
 are also very fine mechanics. Did you ever notice that our plasterers,
@@ -945,13 +905,13 @@ and green, into the vestibule.
 
 "Do you know him, Uncle Juan?" asked Francisco, with awe in his voice.
 
-"Señor Alcorta, El Presidente, is a warm friend of mine," replied the
+"Señor Alcorta, El Presidente, is a warm friend of mine," replied the
 Colonel, and as he said it he grew fully half a foot in his nephew's
 estimation.
 
 "A warm friend? Do tell me about him."
 
-"Another time, Niño, we must hasten to yonder Cathedral; but he is a
+"Another time, Niño, we must hasten to yonder Cathedral; but he is a
 good man and a good President."
 
 They turned towards the enormous building, shaped like the Pantheon with
@@ -967,15 +927,15 @@ Francisco and his uncle entered it and crossing themselves, knelt on the
 bare stone floor, for like most Argentines, they were Catholics, and
 this was their greatest cathedral. After a few minutes spent in
 devotion, the Colonel led the way to one of the naves, where the tomb of
-the great liberator, San Martín, stands, a huge sarcophagus upon a high
+the great liberator, San Martín, stands, a huge sarcophagus upon a high
 pedestal of marble. The Colonel stood in meditation a moment, then drew
 the boy beside him on a bench. In a low voice he said:
 
-"Francisco, San Martín, the father of our country, was not only a great
+"Francisco, San Martín, the father of our country, was not only a great
 general, but he was also a remarkable organizer, for his troops were
 composed mainly of _gauchos_ of the wild uncivilized kind, who were not
 easily trained or drilled. It was he who originated the plan of crossing
-the Andes and liberating Chile and Perú from the Spanish yoke.
+the Andes and liberating Chile and Perú from the Spanish yoke.
 
 "With his army of five thousand men, and in the face of public derision,
 for the undertaking seemed impossible, he crossed the rugged Cordilleras
@@ -983,9 +943,9 @@ in twenty-five days; met the Spanish general in charge of Chile and
 defeated him. He was thus the liberator of the Chilean people, for that
 battle on the twelfth of February, 1817, gave them their independence
 from Spain. In Santiago, Chile, there is a statue to General San
-Martín, and one to the city of Buenos Aires. After his wonderful
+Martín, and one to the city of Buenos Aires. After his wonderful
 achievement in crushing the power of Spain, in Argentina, Chile and
-Perú, he retired to private life, refusing to serve in any civil
+Perú, he retired to private life, refusing to serve in any civil
 capacity.
 
 "Following this revolutionary triumph, Brazil waged war with the
@@ -1009,11 +969,11 @@ congress of nations."
 
 Francisco listened attentively, and when his uncle concluded, followed
 him out a side entrance into the street, like one in a dream. They
-stepped into the Calle Bartolomé Mitre, which seemed congested with a
+stepped into the Calle Bartolomé Mitre, which seemed congested with a
 torrent of vehicles pouring down its narrow channel like a noisy stream
 and discharging itself into the great Plaza in front of the Cathedral.
 
-"What if San Martín could see this now?" ventured Francisco, still
+"What if San Martín could see this now?" ventured Francisco, still
 under the spell of the hero's achievements. "Wouldn't he open his eyes?"
 
 "Yes, lad, the growth of this city has been phenomenal, and this
@@ -1051,7 +1011,7 @@ kissing her on each pale cheek. "Do you feel able to take a ride with us
 this afternoon?"
 
 "I think she is," answered his mother, entering the room, and taking her
-son into a close embrace. "But how I have missed my Niño, Juan," turning
+son into a close embrace. "But how I have missed my Niño, Juan," turning
 to her brother, the Colonel.
 
 "Perhaps I have been selfish in taking him from you, Anita. Shall I
@@ -1061,7 +1021,7 @@ leave him here?"
 should be taught. It is the very opportunity for him; and I am most
 pleased. Only, let me see him often, and I shall be content."
 
-"That you shall, and this afternoon just after _máte_, we will come to
+"That you shall, and this afternoon just after _máte_, we will come to
 take you and Elena with us for a ride. It may bring roses to her
 cheeks," and he pinched the pale cheeks as he passed her on his way
 out.
@@ -1128,7 +1088,7 @@ States."
 "Why, that one just over yonder flies the Stars and Stripes of North
 America," cried Francisco, pointing to a small vessel.
 
-"Not exactly, Niño. It is from _Los Estados Unidos_.[9] You must not
+"Not exactly, Niño. It is from _Los Estados Unidos_.[9] You must not
 confound them, for the United States are but a part of North America,
 although many of our people do not seem to think so. But you do not see
 many of their flags in our docks. The commercial relations between our
@@ -1241,7 +1201,7 @@ As Francisco and el Coronel Lacevera sat at dinner that evening
 discussing the event of the afternoon, while softly gliding servants in
 quiet livery served them, the Colonel said:--
 
-"Did you know, Niño, that every time La Prensa blows that whistle as
+"Did you know, Niño, that every time La Prensa blows that whistle as
 they did to-day, it costs them three hundred dollars?"
 
 "Why, Uncle Juan, does it use up as much steam as that?" earnestly
@@ -1249,7 +1209,7 @@ inquired Francisco.
 
 "Scarcely," laughed the Colonel, as he lifted up an enormous bunch of
 muscatel grapes, weighing several pounds, from the platter of fruit
-before him, "scarcely that, Niño, but our city government fines them
+before him, "scarcely that, Niño, but our city government fines them
 that amount every time they blow it, as they term it a public nuisance.
 Now, when they want to indulge in this sensational advertising, they
 send a messenger on to the _Commissaria_ post haste to deposit the fine,
@@ -1275,7 +1235,7 @@ little figure clad in a long linen coat standing behind his chair
 waiting a chance to speak. He wrote on and on, until Francisco's
 patience was exhausted and he coughed warningly.
 
-"Not much of a soldier, Niño! A soldier must have patience if it is to
+"Not much of a soldier, Niño! A soldier must have patience if it is to
 wait all day."
 
 But Francisco was used by now to his uncle's chaffing; indeed, they were
@@ -1308,7 +1268,7 @@ go and set it up."
 
 "Oh, it's fine, Uncle. I've got twenty-eight figures and the paint is
 dry on every one of them. I worked all day yesterday in the back
-_patio_, and José, the _portero_, helped me cut out the camels. He said
+_patio_, and José, the _portero_, helped me cut out the camels. He said
 mine looked like giraffes." And the boy began to lay them out on the
 desk, tenderly lifting each one as though they were alive and breathing.
 
@@ -1321,7 +1281,7 @@ placed formally together, he drew the little linen coated figure into
 the circle of his arm and together they discussed the merits of each wee
 wooden figure.
 
-"Niño, we will go together! That's what we'll do," he exclaimed almost
+"Niño, we will go together! That's what we'll do," he exclaimed almost
 boyishly. "I am tired of these long army statistics, so let us go
 _inmediatamente_."
 
@@ -1361,13 +1321,13 @@ the puma, the ostrich, the jaguar, and many others. Elena's eyes were
 wide as the big bear growled out his belief that she should be cut up
 into half _kilo_ bits, and divided among them; but just then Francisco
 entered the room and asked them to come into the dining-room where
-Estrella, the servant, was preparing _máte_.
+Estrella, the servant, was preparing _máte_.
 
 As they entered the _comedor_[10] Elena spied the manger with its
 surrounding images in the corner, on the floor.
 
 "_Que hermosa! Que linda!_"[11] she cried, clasping her hands in
-ecstasy. "Only yesterday did I tell Encarnación, when she came to bring
+ecstasy. "Only yesterday did I tell Encarnación, when she came to bring
 me Christmas cakes full of almonds and raisins, that we should have no
 _pesebre_. She is to have one of ivory that cost a small fortune, but I
 had rather have this. Oh! it is so beautiful! Who could have brought it?
@@ -1398,15 +1358,15 @@ and a china tea set. She was still admiring them when Francisco arrived;
 he was dressed for travelling and was quite excited, but Elena could not
 notice that, so absorbed was she in her toys and doll.
 
-"See this _muñeca_,[12] Francisco, mio! Did you _ever_ see such glorious
-blue eyes, just like the English Señora's on the corner. Why, you act
+"See this _muñeca_,[12] Francisco, mio! Did you _ever_ see such glorious
+blue eyes, just like the English Señora's on the corner. Why, you act
 as though you had seen them before, Francisco, are you not surprised to
 see so many?" exclaimed Elena, impatient that he would not kneel with
 her among her gifts.
 
 "They are beautiful, Elena, every one of them. But I am in a great haste
 for Uncle Juan and I are leaving from the Retiro Station in half an
-hour. The servant, José, has taken our trunks and large bags ahead, and
+hour. The servant, José, has taken our trunks and large bags ahead, and
 I stopped here to bid you all goodbye, as Uncle Juan had another errand
 to do on his way down. We go a day earlier than we had planned in order
 that we may stop over for a day and night in Rosario. I am glad, Elena,
@@ -1415,8 +1375,8 @@ would have a long play together. But I shall write to you, all of you;"
 and he embraced them, each one, mother and two sisters, hastily, not
 trusting himself to prolong the goodbye.
 
-The Estación Retiro was full of a holiday crowd, for it was early
-morning. José was awaiting him, and they stood watching the long trains
+The Estación Retiro was full of a holiday crowd, for it was early
+morning. José was awaiting him, and they stood watching the long trains
 of cars coming and going, discharging their loads into the long sheds,
 and swallowing up another one and puffing out again. Francisco's
 knowledge of railroads was limited. He had never taken a long journey on
@@ -1430,13 +1390,13 @@ trains. Just before its first peal broke from its brass throat his uncle
 strode in, and, motioning the servant to follow with the bags, he
 hurried Francisco through the gate.
 
-José, the _portero_ accompanying them, was an Araucanian Indian by
+José, the _portero_ accompanying them, was an Araucanian Indian by
 birth, but he spoke Spanish fluently. When a mere boy, the Colonel's
 father had brought him from Chile, when returning from a military
 expedition into that country; and he had been a faithful servant of the
 family ever since. As slavery is prohibited in Argentina he had been
 paid wages since he became of age, over forty years ago, but no power on
-earth could have induced José to leave the service of Colonel Lacevera.
+earth could have induced José to leave the service of Colonel Lacevera.
 
 He was but slightly bent and possessed the broad face and high cheek
 bones of the South American Indian. His skin was like parchment, and his
@@ -1446,8 +1406,8 @@ many people believed these Indians to be a tangent of the Oriental
 races, and upheld their theory mainly because of the peculiar similarity
 of the eyes.
 
-José and Francisco were great friends and Francisco was much pleased
-that José was to be with them at the _estancia_, since his knowledge of
+José and Francisco were great friends and Francisco was much pleased
+that José was to be with them at the _estancia_, since his knowledge of
 animals, birds, herbs, in fact all out door life, was unlimited.
 
 The car they occupied was a compartment car of the English type,
@@ -1464,7 +1424,7 @@ their train sped through the pretty suburbs with their numbers of summer
 homes, surrounded by well kept gardens. The villages began to grow fewer
 and fewer and Colonel Lacevera said:
 
-"Now it's my turn, Niño! Can you bound the Argentine Republic?"
+"Now it's my turn, Niño! Can you bound the Argentine Republic?"
 
 Francisco began in the sing-song manner of the Spanish schools:--"On the
 north by Paraguay, Bolivia and Brazil, on the west and south by Chile;
@@ -1496,7 +1456,7 @@ are twelve times as large as Great Britain."
 "Uncle, as we have so many things that are the largest and best in the
 world, tell me, is this the longest railroad on the earth?"
 
-"No, Niño, not quite that. Our railroads are developing our country at a
+"No, Niño, not quite that. Our railroads are developing our country at a
 rapid rate and we have some of the finest road beds in the world, but
 that is because our country is so level. Now that I think of it, we have
 got something connected with railroads that is interesting. We have the
@@ -1528,7 +1488,7 @@ CHAPTER VI
 NEW EXPERIENCES
 
 
-"LEVANTESE! Levantese!" came José's voice to Francisco's ear, just as
+"LEVANTESE! Levantese!" came José's voice to Francisco's ear, just as
 the latter was lassoing a llama he had been pursuing on the back of an
 ostrich.
 
@@ -1538,16 +1498,16 @@ and the train was not in motion. Where could he be?
 As he rubbed his sleepy eyes again his uncle took him gently by the
 shoulder.
 
-"Wake yourself, Niño. We are in Rosario; come, follow me."
+"Wake yourself, Niño. We are in Rosario; come, follow me."
 
 Francisco followed him through the long hall of the compartment car out
 into the big station where insistent porters and shouting cab-men made
-frantic grabs at them and their baggage, only to be beaten off by José,
+frantic grabs at them and their baggage, only to be beaten off by José,
 whose language as he scolded and berated them was not what is known as
 "polite Spanish."
 
 Selecting a victoria from the long line of waiting ones, they entered,
-José sitting with the driver, and were soon before the lighted portals
+José sitting with the driver, and were soon before the lighted portals
 of a large hotel.
 
 The building was two stories in height and perfectly square; the second
@@ -1570,26 +1530,26 @@ eighth, a salad of lettuce and tomatoes; ninth, a sweet jelly in wine
 sauce; tenth, fruits; and then they adjourned to the _patio_ for coffee.
 
 While his uncle smoked and talked with friends, whom he had chanced to
-meet, Francisco slipped away and José helped him undress for bed, as he
+meet, Francisco slipped away and José helped him undress for bed, as he
 was very tired.
 
-He remembered no more after José turned off the electric light until he
+He remembered no more after José turned off the electric light until he
 opened his eyes into the full glare of the sun, the next morning. It
-was nine o'clock and José was laying out clean linen for him. After a
+was nine o'clock and José was laying out clean linen for him. After a
 refreshing shower bath, he returned to his room to find his rolls and
 coffee on a table beside his bed.
 
-"Why, José, I'm not a lady that I must have my _café_ in bed!" exclaimed
+"Why, José, I'm not a lady that I must have my _café_ in bed!" exclaimed
 the lad. "Mother and the girls always do that, but I'm a man and I want
 to have mine in the dining-room with Uncle Juan."
 
-José explained that in hotels one must always take one's morning coffee
+José explained that in hotels one must always take one's morning coffee
 in one's rooms; and he talked on while Francisco ate and dressed.
 
 "_El Coronel_ will be busy all of the day and he has placed you in my
 hands. Rosario, I know like a book, and together we will see it."
 
-"Oh! that will be great fun, José. Where shall we go first?"
+"Oh! that will be great fun, José. Where shall we go first?"
 
 "Would you like to see them load the vessels? This city is where much of
 the wheat of our country is brought to be loaded into the vessels for
@@ -1628,13 +1588,13 @@ though they were trifles, their arms folded across their breasts.
 As they stood watching this cleansing process Francisco spied a
 raft-like boat piled high with small logs tied on securely.
 
-"It looks out of place here, José, among all these enormous freight
+"It looks out of place here, José, among all these enormous freight
 steamers. What does it carry?"
 
-"Willow, Señorito, and see, there are others coming down the river. It
+"Willow, Señorito, and see, there are others coming down the river. It
 goes to Buenos Aires to be made into charcoal, the principal fuel of
 that city. Great quantities of it are raised above here; it is quick of
-growth and needs only to be planted so," and José demonstrated by taking
+growth and needs only to be planted so," and José demonstrated by taking
 a short twig and sticking it into the earth.
 
 "Behold! and in seven years, it is as you see it there on the rafts
@@ -1645,7 +1605,7 @@ will tell you a story of some charcoal burners until the Uncle comes."
 But the Colonel reached the hotel before they did, for Francisco must
 stop to see this thing and that as they sauntered along. The mid-day
 heat meant little to him while so much of novelty challenged his
-attention. José was always ready to answer his questions, and he
+attention. José was always ready to answer his questions, and he
 frequently drew the boy's notice to something that would escape any one
 but a keen observer, and this the Indian was.
 
@@ -1655,13 +1615,13 @@ tree some cart driver had drawn up his horse and stretched himself on
 the grass under its shade; even the beggars were curled up on the church
 steps fast asleep.
 
-"Why do some of those ragged beggars wear metal badges, José?"
+"Why do some of those ragged beggars wear metal badges, José?"
 
-"They are licensed beggars, Señorito. The city has authorized them to
+"They are licensed beggars, Señorito. The city has authorized them to
 beg, and when you help them you may know you are helping no rogues."
 
 Francisco drew his nose up into a prolonged sniff. "I believe I'm
-hungry, José. What smells so good?"
+hungry, José. What smells so good?"
 
 "Step here on to this side street and I'll show you."
 
@@ -1672,7 +1632,7 @@ odours of stewing meat, potatoes and onions.
 
 "But how are they cooking here in the street?"
 
-"Go closer and you can see," replied José.
+"Go closer and you can see," replied José.
 
 Francisco walked to the curb, and looking over their backs into the
 middle of one circle he saw--the stew cooking in a shovel.
@@ -1697,17 +1657,17 @@ with straw that they can be sold by the yard; or, in that country's
 measure, a _metro_.[15]
 
 Many of the stalls offered cooked foods; roasted partridges and
-chickens; pâtes of jellied meats; cleaned and cooked armadillo, whose
+chickens; pâtes of jellied meats; cleaned and cooked armadillo, whose
 meat tastes like tender roast pork. The Argentines are very fond of them
 and they consume thousands every month.
 
 Around the curbing, at one end of the market, stood great carts, with
-wheels fully eight feet high. These, José told Francisco, were the
+wheels fully eight feet high. These, José told Francisco, were the
 market carts that brought the produce into the city. They look rude and
 cumbersome, but carry several tons and often as many as a dozen oxen are
 hitched to them.
 
-These interested Francisco but José bid him hurry as no doubt his uncle
+These interested Francisco but José bid him hurry as no doubt his uncle
 would have breakfasted. Which, indeed, he was doing, for as they entered
 the hotel Francisco caught sight of him, seated in the long dining-room
 with several gentlemen; all of them, including the Colonel, in cool
@@ -1728,15 +1688,15 @@ Before they parted, the Englishman urged Colonel Lacevera to attend a
 large sale of cattle and horses which was to take place at his
 _estancia_ the next day, Sunday. Patting Francisco on the head he added:
 
-"Bring the Niño also, he may enjoy it."
+"Bring the Niño also, he may enjoy it."
 
-So early the following morning José had their horses at the curb of the
+So early the following morning José had their horses at the curb of the
 hotel, saddled and ready for the three league gallop.
 
 Francisco had not ridden often, but his enthusiasm knew no bounds when
 he saw the Argentine pony that was to be his mount.
 
-The Colonel looked at José meaningly, for he knew that this eagerness
+The Colonel looked at José meaningly, for he knew that this eagerness
 would not outlast the long gallop.
 
 At first they rode briskly in the cool morning air. Francisco held on
@@ -1752,11 +1712,11 @@ covered with mud; the roof thatched with asparta grass.
 
 Francisco was so tired and his bones began to ache so desperately that
 he ceased to show any interest in the things they passed. Colonel
-Lacevera and José exchanged knowing looks, but dared not permit
+Lacevera and José exchanged knowing looks, but dared not permit
 Francisco to see them. When they came to one of these rude huts his
 uncle said:
 
-"Niño, would you not like to see the inside of one of these _prairie
+"Niño, would you not like to see the inside of one of these _prairie
 palaces_?"
 
 He admired the boy's pluck, but he feared to tax his physical endurance
@@ -1765,10 +1725,10 @@ more.
 Francisco willingly assented, and they rode up to the door around which
 a swarm of dirty, half naked children sat on the ground.
 
-José called: "Ola!" and a copper-coloured woman appeared at the door,
+José called: "Ola!" and a copper-coloured woman appeared at the door,
 dressed only in one garment, a dun-coloured chemise.
 
-She was an Indian, and when José spoke to her in her own tongue, asking
+She was an Indian, and when José spoke to her in her own tongue, asking
 for a drink, she pointed to the square kerosene tin filled with water,
 beside which hung a gourd.
 
@@ -1781,20 +1741,20 @@ table, while bundles of straw in the corners served as beds. Instead of
 chairs there were dried skulls of oxen; their wide, spreading horns
 serving as arms to these unique seats. Francisco was glad, however, to
 rest his weary body within their grewsome embrace and he sat thus for
-half an hour, while José watered the horses and the Colonel talked to
+half an hour, while José watered the horses and the Colonel talked to
 the children.
 
-Francisco himself proposed that they start on, but José was obliged to
+Francisco himself proposed that they start on, but José was obliged to
 lift him into his saddle. One more league and they were in sight of the
 _estancia_, where the sale was to be held.
 
 The house was of the usual Spanish style of architecture, and the many
 buildings grouped around it gave the place a resemblance to a village.
 
-Señor Stanley met them and "gave" them his house, after the manner of
+Señor Stanley met them and "gave" them his house, after the manner of
 all Spanish hosts, and they entered to wash and rest.
 
-As the Señor Stanley was an Englishman, his house interested Francisco
+As the Señor Stanley was an Englishman, his house interested Francisco
 in spite of his weariness. It was fitted with every luxury of a high
 class English home; the baths being supplied with cool spring water
 which flowed through them constantly. There were handsomely furnished
@@ -1818,12 +1778,12 @@ Despite his aching body, Francisco did full justice to the soup,
 barbecued meats and fowls, vegetables and fruits that were served. But
 after he had eaten he crept under the shade of one of the trees to rest.
 
-He fell asleep and slept until his uncle wakened him at _máte_ time.
+He fell asleep and slept until his uncle wakened him at _máte_ time.
 
 "Hello, my boy! Slept through all of this noise? You were certainly
 exhausted, for such a clatter as there has been. One hundred thousand
 dollars and many pedigreed animals have changed hands, and it wasn't
-done quietly either. We will have our _máte_ and then ride home in the
+done quietly either. We will have our _máte_ and then ride home in the
 cool of the evening. Come." And the Colonel helped the stiff jointed,
 weary boy to his feet.
 
@@ -1844,14 +1804,14 @@ ON THE RANCH
 
 
 "WHAT is that you have, Manuel?" cried Francisco, to one of the _peons_,
-five days later, as he sat under an ombú tree in the garden on his
+five days later, as he sat under an ombú tree in the garden on his
 uncle's _estancia_, playing with some tame _tierra_ birds, that kept the
 garden clean of worms.
 
 Manuel was one of the house _peons_ and he had a queer looking machine
 with a long snout under his arm.
 
-"Why, this is an ant destroyer, Señorito; would you care to watch me
+"Why, this is an ant destroyer, Señorito; would you care to watch me
 kill ants?"
 
 For answer, Francisco ran eagerly to his side and the two walked toward
@@ -1863,13 +1823,13 @@ made friends with every one connected with the house and gardens. The
 heat had been too great to allow of any wider acquaintance, which would
 have included the gauchos, or cowboys; at least the nearer ones, for the
 Tres Arroyas ranch was very large, and Francisco never could have known
-them all. José had told him that one could ride all day from the centre
+them all. José had told him that one could ride all day from the centre
 and not reach its boundaries.
 
 "Why do you use that to kill ants?" he asked of Manuel. "Our _servienta_
 at home uses hot water when they get into the _patio_."
 
-"Ah, yes, Señorito, but these country ants come in such armies it would
+"Ah, yes, Señorito, but these country ants come in such armies it would
 take a geyser of boiling water to kill them. Now, we are here in the
 orchard; you can see how they destroy things."
 
@@ -1922,7 +1882,7 @@ particularly delight in carrying away whole beds of strawberries and
 they often come in armies that swarm over every obstacle in their path.
 
 As they entered the house, Francisco noticed that his uncle had had
-_café_ and was in his riding breeches ready for a morning gallop.
+_café_ and was in his riding breeches ready for a morning gallop.
 
 "May I go with you, Uncle Juan?" cried Francisco.
 
@@ -1930,9 +1890,9 @@ _café_ and was in his riding breeches ready for a morning gallop.
 and ready for another trial to-day. _Che_," clapping his hands as a
 _peon_ appeared.
 
-"Saddle Barboza for the Señorito, _inmediatamente_."
+"Saddle Barboza for the Señorito, _inmediatamente_."
 
-Francisco gulped his _café_ and nibbled at a biscuit, but he was too
+Francisco gulped his _café_ and nibbled at a biscuit, but he was too
 excited to eat more.
 
 When the horses were brought to the door, his eyes gleamed, for he saw
@@ -1997,7 +1957,7 @@ THEM."]
 He did not have to call on his reserve of patience; indeed, soon after
 his eager question they passed a group of them, crouched on the ground
 around a fire of dry thistles, over which hung a can, suspended by wire
-from a tripod, and which held the water for their morning _máte_. They
+from a tripod, and which held the water for their morning _máte_. They
 arose to their feet as the Colonel galloped past and greeted him with
 _vivas_.
 
@@ -2006,7 +1966,7 @@ asked Francisco; the sight of their weapons having subdued his zeal
 somewhat. They were rougher looking men in their working clothes than
 when they came to the city dressed for a lark.
 
-"Seldom, Niño; unless they are intoxicated. They are not very civilized
+"Seldom, Niño; unless they are intoxicated. They are not very civilized
 and they have no education whatever. They fairly live on their horses'
 backs and cannot be persuaded to do any work that must be done outside
 their saddles."
@@ -2067,7 +2027,7 @@ THEY reached the western corral about ten o'clock, and found the
 branding already under way. Several dozen _peon gauchos_ had assembled
 and they had driven the horses to be branded into an enclosure.
 
-"See, Niño, these are all young animals; they have never had the iron on
+"See, Niño, these are all young animals; they have never had the iron on
 them."
 
 "Why do you brand them, Uncle Juan? Your _estancia_ is so large surely
@@ -2122,11 +2082,11 @@ Turning to Don Carlos, the _mayor domo_, who was near-by, the Colonel
 inquired the worth of the horses being branded.
 
 "Not less than ten or twelve dollars each," answered the superintendent.
-"These are very good ones. Does the Señor care to have his breakfast
+"These are very good ones. Does the Señor care to have his breakfast
 now?"
 
 For some time, Francisco had been feeling pangs of hunger. His hurried
-_café_ had not been sufficient nourishment for the long hot ride, and
+_café_ had not been sufficient nourishment for the long hot ride, and
 now his hunger was aroused by odours that came to his nostrils like
 pleasant messengers; yet, he could not see anything cooking.
 
@@ -2181,7 +2141,7 @@ ever eat anything but meat?"
 "Seldom. They care but little for vegetables; not enough to take the
 trouble of raising a few. Meat and _galletas_, the hard biscuit of the
 Pampas, often three or four months old, is all they have besides their
-_máte_, that they _must_ have always.
+_máte_, that they _must_ have always.
 
 "Que esperanza! lad, this lamb is good! It takes me back to other days.
 Many times on our expeditions into the provinces have I eaten thus."
@@ -2205,7 +2165,7 @@ reclaimed those vast prairies from the Indians."
 Indians of Patagonia? They had lived there for centuries and it was
 theirs."
 
-"It is a long story, Niño, and I shall give you only the bare outline.
+"It is a long story, Niño, and I shall give you only the bare outline.
 You see, Patagonia is a series of vast terraces from the Atlantic Ocean
 to the foot of the Andes. On these well watered steppes, Patagonian
 Indians, mainly the Chennas, raised their cattle, allowing them to rove
@@ -2272,12 +2232,12 @@ in Patagonia."
 "Yes, yes, several times and it is great sport; and once, for three
 days, I had only ostrich eggs to eat. You see, we were digging those
 same trenches and could not spare many of the men for hunting. I was ill
-and could not eat the army rations, so José brought me ostrich eggs and
+and could not eat the army rations, so José brought me ostrich eggs and
 cooked them as the Indians do--in the red-hot coals."
 
-"And was José with you on that expedition?" exclaimed Francisco.
+"And was José with you on that expedition?" exclaimed Francisco.
 
-"Yes, through all my campaigns he has been my body servant. It was José
+"Yes, through all my campaigns he has been my body servant. It was José
 who told us how the Indians catch ostriches; he had heard it when a boy
 among his tribe of Araucanians."
 
@@ -2286,7 +2246,7 @@ Francisco clapped his hands in anticipation.
 "A circle of fire around a great area was built and the huntsmen
 remained within this circle. The ostriches and guanacos that were thus
 imprisoned in the circle of fire were easy prey for they fear fire and
-ran almost into our arms. Why, what's the matter, Niño?"
+ran almost into our arms. Why, what's the matter, Niño?"
 
 The interest had died out of Francisco's eyes and he sat with his hands
 clasped over his knees.
@@ -2361,9 +2321,9 @@ although they are very expensive.
 "You know, the ostriches we have here are not the kind that produce the
 long plumes worn in ladies' hats; these are called the 'rhea' and are
 an allied species. Speaking of skins, Francisco, I will tell you of one
-that will interest you. It is a vicuña, and one of the finest I have
+that will interest you. It is a vicuña, and one of the finest I have
 ever seen. It was presented to your great-grandfather, General Lacevera,
-by a chief of the Incas, as a vicuña robe is worn only by one of royal
+by a chief of the Incas, as a vicuña robe is worn only by one of royal
 blood among the Indians. It saw service as your great-grandfather's
 _poncho_ during his remarkable career, and is now over one hundred years
 old, yet it is as soft as velvet. Being one of our family heirlooms, it
@@ -2371,11 +2331,11 @@ shall be yours, as I have no son."
 
 "That pleases me and I shall be very proud of it."
 
-"As you well may be. Whatever fortunes come to you in life, Niño,
+"As you well may be. Whatever fortunes come to you in life, Niño,
 remember you are a Lacevera."
 
 Sleep was sweet that night, and Francisco's head was scarcely on his
-pillow when guanacos, vicuñas and even _gauchos_ were forgotten in
+pillow when guanacos, vicuñas and even _gauchos_ were forgotten in
 dreamless slumber.
 
 FOOTNOTES:
@@ -2411,7 +2371,7 @@ be shipped to the Mediterranean ports to be made into _olive oil_. They
 had their dinner at this _estancia_ and Francisco ate bread made from
 powdered peanuts mixed with wheat flour and he found it very delicious.
 
-José had taken him on several fishing excursions, and once they had
+José had taken him on several fishing excursions, and once they had
 hunted _armadillos_ with small dogs. Francisco had laughed heartily at
 the antics of one dog, who had almost caught the horny-plated little
 animal when it suddenly rolled up into a ball, its back of movable, bony
@@ -2432,21 +2392,21 @@ to find that his uncle had ridden to a far corner of the _estancia_ to
 inspect some of the new fencing; he had left word that he would not
 return until late that night.
 
-Francisco sat under his favourite ombú tree, watching a _mangangá_, or
+Francisco sat under his favourite ombú tree, watching a _mangangá_, or
 carpenter bee, that was humming loudly in the foliage above his head and
 looking like a shining ball of gold among the green leaves. He had
 received a letter from his mother that morning, and he was a bit
 homesick.
 
-"El Señorito is _triste_. No?" It was José's voice behind him.
+"El Señorito is _triste_. No?" It was José's voice behind him.
 
 Francisco brushed away a tear that had stolen down his cheek, and turned
 to greet the Indian with a smile. "I was wishing to see Elena, but it
 won't be long now; and I shall hate to leave this lovely place, too. But
 one can't have everything one wants, all at the same time, can one,
-José?"
+José?"
 
-"No, Señorito, but we always have _one_ happiness; have you noticed it?
+"No, Señorito, but we always have _one_ happiness; have you noticed it?
 There never comes a time when we haven't one, at least. Now I've one
 just now, and I am going to share it with you. It will take away your
 sadness."
@@ -2473,31 +2433,31 @@ hadn't a single tail among them. So he has offered one hundred _pesos_
 to the one, or ones, who can catch these thieves. Would you like to
 try?"
 
-Had José asked him if he would like to swing on to the new moon by his
+Had José asked him if he would like to swing on to the new moon by his
 toes Francisco could not have been more startled.
 
-"Try--! Why José, you can't be in earnest!"
+"Try--! Why José, you can't be in earnest!"
 
 "_Como no?_" grinned the Indian cheerfully.
 
-"But José, wouldn't they shoot us, and, anyhow, I know you are jesting
+"But José, wouldn't they shoot us, and, anyhow, I know you are jesting
 when you ask _if I_ would care to try. You,--you are a strong man, even
 if you are getting old, and I heard the _peon_ children down by the huts
 say that there was no man for leagues and leagues around that could
 wrestle as you do; that you learned how from a Japanese soldier years
 ago in Chile. And I know you can shoot; but I would just be in the way."
 
-"No, Señorito, you wouldn't be in the way. Manuel and I want you to go
+"No, Señorito, you wouldn't be in the way. Manuel and I want you to go
 with us because we need you."
 
-"Need _me_! Oh, José!" and Francisco's eyes gleamed brightly. "Do you
+"Need _me_! Oh, José!" and Francisco's eyes gleamed brightly. "Do you
 think Uncle would allow me to go with you?"
 
 "He is not here to say, and we must leave before he returns. But he left
 you in my care and if I feel sure no harm can befall you, I see no
 reason why you should not go."
 
-"Oh! Oh! Oh!" shouted the happy boy, dancing around José and clapping
+"Oh! Oh! Oh!" shouted the happy boy, dancing around José and clapping
 his hands.
 
 "This is the greatest adventure I ever had. To hunt brigands! Why, it's
@@ -2507,25 +2467,25 @@ while I recount the story to him. He will hush up about his ostriches
 and guanacos after this," and Francisco sat on the ground hugging his
 knees, and rocking to and fro gleefully.
 
-"Well, don't clean your turtles till you've tied them, Señorito. We may
+"Well, don't clean your turtles till you've tied them, Señorito. We may
 not get them. It's only because I have a clue and a scheme that I am
 willing to try; for they are pretty clever fellows and they won't be
 easy to catch. We want to take you for a decoy, and besides, I think you
 would enjoy it. A Lacevera, even at nine years of age, is no coward."
 
-"A coward, I should say not. Why, José, I am _never_ afraid. But what is
+"A coward, I should say not. Why, José, I am _never_ afraid. But what is
 a decoy?"
 
 "A decoy? Well, that's what we used when we caught flamingoes the other
 night. Do you remember how we put young frogs on the end of a string and
 then lay low in the grass and waited?"
 
-"But, you can't tie a string to me, José--and--and--besides I don't
+"But, you can't tie a string to me, José--and--and--besides I don't
 be--believe I want to be a decoy. It isn't that I'm not brave; no,
-indeed, José--but I think I would rather you would decoy them with
+indeed, José--but I think I would rather you would decoy them with
 something else."
 
-"Leave that to me, Señorito, and I promise they won't hurt you. You must
+"Leave that to me, Señorito, and I promise they won't hurt you. You must
 have forgotten you are a Lacevera. They shall not gobble you up as the
 flamingoes did the frogs. Just what would you buy, anyhow, if you got
 your share of the reward?"
@@ -2534,12 +2494,12 @@ your share of the reward?"
 my lovely saddle and silver stirrups I don't need much for myself. I
 think I would buy a beautiful parasol, all lace and chiffon, for
 Guillerma, for young ladies don't care for anything much but clothes.
-Then I should buy a jewelled fan for Mamá, and then--well, I believe
+Then I should buy a jewelled fan for Mamá, and then--well, I believe
 Elena and I would spend the balance for Carnival as it comes next month.
-But José, what did you say about not cleaning your turtles till you had
+But José, what did you say about not cleaning your turtles till you had
 tied them?"
 
-José laughed and patted him on the back. "True, Don Francisco. But let
+José laughed and patted him on the back. "True, Don Francisco. But let
 me tell you our plan, or part of it. I have reason to believe that these
 two horsetail thieves are taking shelter with some charcoal burners over
 near the river. These charcoal burners are rough men, who live almost
@@ -2552,18 +2512,18 @@ to be beggars, or _gauchos_ hunting employment.
 they knew who they were. Now be ready immediately after breakfast, for
 we must start in time to reach the charcoal kilns before dusk."
 
-It was twelve o'clock, when José, Manuel and Francisco galloped off in
+It was twelve o'clock, when José, Manuel and Francisco galloped off in
 the direction of the river, and it was just _mate_ time when they came
 in sight of the charcoal kilns and adobe huts near the river's bank.
 
 Gathered about the fires, over which hung boiling water for making the
-_máte_, were several clusters of these uncouth appearing men. Dirty
+_máte_, were several clusters of these uncouth appearing men. Dirty
 looking women sat in groups apart, with dozens of dirtier children
 rolling about on the hard earth at their feet. A pack of dogs ran out to
 greet them, yelping in front of their horses, until they were called off
 by their respective owners.
 
-José and Manuel approached one group, and after greeting and being
+José and Manuel approached one group, and after greeting and being
 greeted, asked for boiling water with which to make _mate_. This was
 given willingly, and with Francisco they sat down on the ground among
 the men and began leisurely to sip _mate_ from the gourd that Manuel
@@ -2574,12 +2534,12 @@ black as the fuel they made. Francisco noticed two men, who were less
 grimy in appearance and who sat quietly side by side, taking no part in
 the conversation.
 
-They glanced occasionally at José and Manuel in a hostile manner, and
+They glanced occasionally at José and Manuel in a hostile manner, and
 suspicion seemed to lurk in their attitude towards them. Francisco felt
-sure these were the thieves, but José and Manuel took no notice whatever
+sure these were the thieves, but José and Manuel took no notice whatever
 of them and Francisco feared his friends had not seen them.
 
-After _mate_ Francisco asked to see the kilns and José and Manuel took
+After _mate_ Francisco asked to see the kilns and José and Manuel took
 him over to examine them and explain to him how the willow was made
 into charcoal. It was quite dark when they returned to the huts and
 proposed that they return to the _casa_.
@@ -2591,11 +2551,11 @@ by the fires, for the night wind from the Pampas is cool."
 
 "No, it is moonlight. A thousand 'gracias'[21] for your offer, but the
 lad is a good rider and we shall be home before midnight;" and bidding
-them _adios_, José and Manuel with Francisco, wondering at their
+them _adios_, José and Manuel with Francisco, wondering at their
 behaviour, started towards the enclosure where the horses had been
 staked together with several other animals.
 
-And then José did a thing that made Francisco's eyes fairly start from
+And then José did a thing that made Francisco's eyes fairly start from
 his head. He deliberately lifted up the stake to which a piebald mare,
 belonging to one of the thieves, was tethered, and throwing the knotted
 end of the long bridle across the pommel of his own saddle, rode out at
@@ -2611,7 +2571,7 @@ They had gone thus for fifteen or twenty minutes when he heard the sound
 of horses' hoofs away off in the distance.
 
 "Carramba! They are after us," cried Manuel. "Good! Now for the chase.
-Let your heart be glad, Señorito, they have taken the bait."
+Let your heart be glad, Señorito, they have taken the bait."
 
 Still Francisco wondered, he could not yet see through their plans, but
 excitement made his blood run hot through his veins; and he held on to
@@ -2626,7 +2586,7 @@ He could hear the soft thud of the pursuing horses' feet on the pampas
 grass plainer and plainer, and when their own horses were within a few
 hundred feet of the stream he could hear the men's shouts.
 
-"Are there more than two?" asked José.
+"Are there more than two?" asked José.
 
 "No, just the two thieves, themselves. Those _carboneros_ would never
 give us pursuit. It is none of their affair and they seldom meddle.
@@ -2641,34 +2601,34 @@ because of the heavy clumps of willows and low growing trees.
 The thieves were but a short distance behind them when their horses
 plunged into the water.
 
-"Heaven be praised! So far--so good," whispered José to Francisco. "Now
+"Heaven be praised! So far--so good," whispered José to Francisco. "Now
 do just as I bid you; our time is come."
 
 They crossed the ford and were leaving the water, enveloped in the dense
-shadows, when José dropped from his horse and threw the reins into
-Francisco's hand; Manuel did the same, as José's voice said in a
+shadows, when José dropped from his horse and threw the reins into
+Francisco's hand; Manuel did the same, as José's voice said in a
 whisper,
 
 "Ride half a league and wait for us."
 
 And now the boy saw their plan; he was to ride ahead, the hoof beats of
 the four horses indicating to the pursuers that they were all still
-fleeing, and José and Manuel in ambush would have it all their own way.
+fleeing, and José and Manuel in ambush would have it all their own way.
 
 He spurred his horse to its highest speed; but it seemed to him that his
 heart-beats would drown the hoof beats, so vigorously was it pounding
 against his side. It was an anxious interval and to the fleeing boy
 seemed an eternity; but it was really but half a minute when he heard a
 sharp cry, and then--a shot. But he rode on, fearing to stop until the
-half league was covered. He knew the fight was over and that either José
+half league was covered. He knew the fight was over and that either José
 and Manuel were being carried back to the huts beside the big river, or
 that they would soon overtake him with their prisoners.
 
-Soon a shout came to his ears. It was José's voice and his mind was
+Soon a shout came to his ears. It was José's voice and his mind was
 relieved. He reined in the horses, which was an easy matter for they
 were panting, and waited beside a shrine, whose white cross stood like a
 ghost beside the trail; and soon he saw four figures toiling along, two
-in front and two behind. The two in the rear were José and Manuel, and
+in front and two behind. The two in the rear were José and Manuel, and
 they were holding their pistols close to the heads of the two in front,
 who walked with the shambling gait of men whose feet were hobbled, as
 they were, with stout _bola_ thongs; their hands were tied behind them,
@@ -2679,11 +2639,11 @@ But the boy was so eager to hear about their capture that he paid no
 attention to the vile language, that at any other time would have made
 him cringe and tremble.
 
-"Oh! José--Manuel--Do tell me all about it! How did you get them?"
+"Oh! José--Manuel--Do tell me all about it! How did you get them?"
 
 "Well, you see, we grappled with them so unexpectedly that they had no
 time to defend themselves; thanks to the little frog on the end of the
-string," and José patted the boy on the shoulders encouragingly.
+string," and José patted the boy on the shoulders encouragingly.
 
 "One of them tried to shoot as he was regaining his feet, just after we
 dragged them from their horses, and Manuel has a scratch on his thigh,
@@ -2693,7 +2653,7 @@ gentlemen company. They are great on talking, just listen to them now.
 Maybe they will tell us the price of horsehair per kilo--eh, gentlemen?"
 and the Indian grinned derisively at the cursing men.
 
-"But José, Manuel is not fit for the saddle; let me go to the house.
+"But José, Manuel is not fit for the saddle; let me go to the house.
 Please, I beg of you--"
 
 "What! Alone--and at night. Why, the Colonel _would_ say I had risked
@@ -2704,28 +2664,28 @@ besides there is nothing else to do. Manuel can't stay with just me
 here--he is suffering, and he can't ride--so it's the only thing to be
 done."
 
-"Well, but you will have to ride pretty fast, Señorito, and tell them to
+"Well, but you will have to ride pretty fast, Señorito, and tell them to
 send the _peons_ immediately. Here, ride the piebald mare. It's yours
 anyhow, I dare say, or will be. It has been all day in the corral and is
 fresh, while Barboza is tired."
 
-José changed the saddle, and Francisco was off towards the _casa_.
+José changed the saddle, and Francisco was off towards the _casa_.
 
 It was nearly two o'clock when Don Carlos awoke the Colonel, who had
 returned about midnight from his journey.
 
-"Who calls, Colonel? It sounds like the Niño's voice."
+"Who calls, Colonel? It sounds like the Niño's voice."
 
 They were out by the edge of the house corral, as Francisco rode up, and
 with almost the last breath he seemed to have left in his little body,
 he shouted,
 
 "We've caught them! We've caught them! They are over by the 'Last
-Tribute' shrine near the Rio Salinas, and José and Manuel are waiting
-for help to bring them here; José could not bring them alone, and Manuel
+Tribute' shrine near the Rio Salinas, and José and Manuel are waiting
+for help to bring them here; José could not bring them alone, and Manuel
 has a wound."
 
-His uncle was lifting the tired Niño from the saddle, but he did not
+His uncle was lifting the tired Niño from the saddle, but he did not
 place him on the ground; he carried him close to his heart into the
 house and laid him on his soft bed. He left him saying he would go with
 Don Carlos to help rouse the _peons_, and Francisco heard him blow his
@@ -2748,19 +2708,19 @@ THE CARNIVAL
 
 FRANCISCO had been at home now for a week. He had returned to find Elena
 rosy and well and the house in a turmoil of preparation, for Guillerma
-was to be married. Her fiancé was a wealthy _estanciero_ from the
+was to be married. Her fiancé was a wealthy _estanciero_ from the
 province of Mendoza, which lies almost at the foot of the Andes, and he
 had made a fortune from raising grapes for wine. His _estancia_, also,
 produced great quantities of figs, dates and sugar cane.
 
-Guillerma was very happy, for although El Señor Conquero was older than
+Guillerma was very happy, for although El Señor Conquero was older than
 she by fifteen years, theirs was a genuine love match. He had seen her
 at mass, one morning, and the following day, he had presented himself to
 her mother and her Uncle Juan with irreproachable credentials, and their
 engagement of six months was to culminate in the celebration of their
 marriage during the early part of March.
 
-It would be a very quiet wedding, for Señor Conquero was in mourning for
+It would be a very quiet wedding, for Señor Conquero was in mourning for
 his father, who had died over a year before; and the custom of mourning
 in Argentina demands two years of seclusion from all social events after
 the loss of a parent.
@@ -2785,7 +2745,7 @@ He was very busy, himself, for Carnival, the great festival, came early
 this year, and never before had he had so much money to spend in its
 celebration.
 
-He and José and Manuel had divided the reward money they had received
+He and José and Manuel had divided the reward money they had received
 for capturing the horsetail thieves, and Francisco felt very proud of
 his share of it. He and Elena had counted it over and over, and planned
 how each _peso_ should be spent. Each one of the family, including the
@@ -2806,7 +2766,7 @@ horns, dancing and singing.
 
 This year, Francisco and Elena were to be allowed to enter the _corso_
 or Carnival parade, and Uncle Juan had offered his motor car, which was
-to be decorated with garlands of paper flowers; José was to be their
+to be decorated with garlands of paper flowers; José was to be their
 chaperon and Enrique would drive the car.
 
 Elena and Francisco owned their little costumes, which they had used on
@@ -2840,7 +2800,7 @@ were dressed and ready.
 
 The harlequin jumped out and bowed low to the ground, and Elena ran back
 into the house, for she was sure this comical looking fellow could never
-be José. But she was reassured when he lifted his mask, and soon the
+be José. But she was reassured when he lifted his mask, and soon the
 huge car was puffing along the street with the red driver in front and a
 dainty little shepherdess, a small king in velvet, gold lace and a
 crown, and a harlequin in green and yellow, all sitting on the back
@@ -2881,7 +2841,7 @@ and the hearts of Elena and Francisco were beating high with excitement,
 for their ambition was realized--to be a _part_ of the great Carnival
 _corso_.
 
-It was quite one o'clock before José could persuade them to leave it and
+It was quite one o'clock before José could persuade them to leave it and
 be taken home; and it was many days before they ceased to talk of their
 wonderful experience.
 
@@ -3112,7 +3072,7 @@ with historical personages in a pleasant informal way."--_N. Y. Sun._
 
 In this book Mr. Johnston gives interesting sketches of the Indian
 braves who have figured with prominence in the history of our own land,
-including Powhatan, the Indian Cæsar; Massasoit, the friend of the
+including Powhatan, the Indian Cæsar; Massasoit, the friend of the
 Puritans; Pontiac, the red Napoleon; Tecumseh, the famous war chief of
 the Shawnees; Sitting Bull, the famous war chief of the Sioux; Geronimo,
 the renowned Apache Chief, etc., etc.
@@ -3485,7 +3445,7 @@ Transcriber's Notes:
 
 Obvious punctuation errors repaired.
 
-Varied use of accents mate/máte, estancia/estáncia, and Martin/Martín
+Varied use of accents mate/máte, estancia/estáncia, and Martin/Martín
 were retained.
 
 Page xi, Table of Contents, "v" changed to "vii" to reflect actual
@@ -3499,361 +3459,4 @@ first page of Preface.
 End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Francisco Our Little Argentine Cousin, by 
 Eva Cannon Brooks
 
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+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43424 ***
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       The Project Gutenberg eBook of Francisco, Our Argentine Cousin, by Eva Cannon Brooks.
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-<pre>
-
-The Project Gutenberg EBook of Francisco Our Little Argentine Cousin, by 
-Eva Cannon Brooks
-
-This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
-almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
-re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
-with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
-
-
-Title: Francisco Our Little Argentine Cousin
-
-Author: Eva Cannon Brooks
-
-Illustrator: John Goss
-
-Release Date: August 9, 2013 [EBook #43424]
-
-Language: English
-
-Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
-
-*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANCICSO, LITTLE ARGENTINE COUSIN ***
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-
-Produced by Emmy, Beth Baran, Google Print and the Online
-Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
-book was produced from images made available by the
-HathiTrust Digital Library.)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-</pre>
-
-
+<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43424 ***</div>
 
 <div class="figcenter" style="width: 534px;">
 <img src="images/cover.jpg" width="534" height="800" alt="Cover" />
@@ -356,7 +314,7 @@ New England Building,  &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;    Boston, Mass
 <div class="figcenter" style="width: 337px;"><a id="frontispiece"></a>
 <img src="images/i004.jpg" width="337" height="500" alt="statue of San Martin on horseback in park" />
 <span class="caption">&quot;THEY SAT DOWN ALMOST UNDER THE SHADOW OF THE HIGH
-STATUE OF SAN MARTÍN.&quot;</span><div class='right'>(<i>See <a href="#Page_33">page 33</a>.</i>)</div>
+STATUE OF SAN MART�N.&quot;</span><div class='right'>(<i>See <a href="#Page_33">page 33</a>.</i>)</div>
 </div>
 
 <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[iii]</a></span></p>
@@ -571,7 +529,7 @@ greater harmony and more splendid achievement.</p>
 <div class="center">
 <table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" summary="list of illustrations">
 <tr><td align="left">&nbsp;</td><td align="right"><span class='small'>PAGE</span></td></tr>
-<tr><td align="left"><div class='hang1'>"<span class="smcap">They sat down almost under the shadow of the high statue of San Martín</span>"<br />(see <a href="#Page_33">page 33</a>)</div></td><td align="right"><i><a href="#frontispiece">Frontispiece</a></i></td></tr>
+<tr><td align="left"><div class='hang1'>"<span class="smcap">They sat down almost under the shadow of the high statue of San Martín</span>"<br />(see <a href="#Page_33">page 33</a>)</div></td><td align="right"><i><a href="#frontispiece">Frontispiece</a></i></td></tr>
 <tr><td align="left">"<span class="smcap">He permitted Francisco to take a ride on the tame llama</span>"</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_24">24</a></td></tr>
 <tr><td align="left">"'<span class="smcap">Did you ever see such glorious blue eyes!</span>'"</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_67">67</a></td></tr>
 <tr><td align="left">"<span class="smcap">Soon after his eager question they passed a group of them</span>"</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_100">100</a></td></tr>
@@ -598,7 +556,7 @@ Our Little Argentine Cousin</div>
 the <i>patio</i> under the shade of a small pomegranate
 tree which grew in a tub. He had moved
 halfway around the <i>patio</i> since morning, trying
-to keep out of the sun. Just after <i>café</i> he had
+to keep out of the sun. Just after <i>café</i> he had
 started out under the shade of the east wall,
 where wistaria vines and jasmine grew in a
 dense mass of purple, yellow and green; then
@@ -621,7 +579,7 @@ and sisters could not see what occupied his
 busy hands.</p>
 
 <p>Francisco's father was dead, and he, with
-his mother, La Señora Anita Maria Lacevera
+his mother, La Señora Anita Maria Lacevera
 de Gonzalez, and his two sisters, Elena Maria,
 who was six, and Guillerma Maria, who was
 eighteen and very beautiful, lived in the Calle<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a>
@@ -770,7 +728,7 @@ like their seasons, are different from ours. At
 eight o'clock he had had his <i>cafe con leche</i>, or
 coffee with hot milk, and a roll; at half-past
 eleven he was accustomed to having his breakfast;
-at four he would have <i>máte</i> or tea; and
+at four he would have <i>máte</i> or tea; and
 at seven dinner would be served.</p>
 
 <p>Francisco gathered his treasures into the
@@ -816,7 +774,7 @@ in exclusive Buenos Aires society. He suffered
 it because of his love for them, but his natural
 fondness for quiet and study led him to think
 longingly of the large estate in the Province of
-Santa Fé, where he could spend the remaining
+Santa Fé, where he could spend the remaining
 years of his life in the free open air, enjoying
 the quiet and solitude he so loved. But the
 daughters must be educated and their mother
@@ -827,8 +785,8 @@ himself with a few months each summer at the
 estate, when he rode at will over the wide
 prairies on his swift Argentine horse, or read
 for hours under the shade of the wide spreading
-<i>ombú</i> trees which surrounded the country house.
-This <i>estáncia</i>, as they term a very large farm
+<i>ombú</i> trees which surrounded the country house.
+This <i>estáncia</i>, as they term a very large farm
 or ranch, was really his wife's; in fact, so was
 the city house, for no retired colonel's pay,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span>
 nor general's pay, for that matter, could have
@@ -855,7 +813,7 @@ corridors rang with no merry girlish laughter,
 and the luxuriantly furnished <i>patio</i> with its
 marble floors, and softly pattering fountains,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span>
 seemed to mock him of his loneliness. Always
-before, he had left for the <i>estáncia</i> before his
+before, he had left for the <i>estáncia</i> before his
 family had gone to Europe or the seashore for
 their summer outing, and he never would have
 believed that he&mdash;an old soldier&mdash;could be
@@ -919,12 +877,12 @@ scarlet and green uniform.</p>
 sister's <i>casa</i>,<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> and the maid who answered his
 ring in the narrow vestibule that opened directly
 onto the street told him the family were having
-<i>máte</i> in the <i>patio</i>, which was partly shaded in
+<i>máte</i> in the <i>patio</i>, which was partly shaded in
 the late afternoon. He was welcomed heartily,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span>
 and was kissed by each one twice, after the
 foreign fashion, once on either cheek.</p>
 
-<p>The <i>máte</i> cup, an egg-shaped gourd, was
+<p>The <i>máte</i> cup, an egg-shaped gourd, was
 passed from hand to hand as they sat talking,
 each one in turn sucking the fragrant tea
 through the same silver tube; the little Indian
@@ -938,7 +896,7 @@ of the pungent herb itself, it has a significance
 akin to the "loving cup" idea, and is a symbolization
 of family love and domestic ties.</p>
 
-<p>A guest is always asked to partake of <i>máte</i>
+<p>A guest is always asked to partake of <i>máte</i>
 with the family, and if he is unaccustomed to
 the manner of its usage, the fact that he is
 expected to obtain his share by means of the
@@ -963,7 +921,7 @@ taste it is exceedingly bitter, but one soon grows
 very fond of it. It is very stimulating and a
 <i>gaucho</i>, or cowboy, will sometimes, under
 stress of circumstances, ride all day with only
-his morning gourd of <i>máte</i> to sustain him, and
+his morning gourd of <i>máte</i> to sustain him, and
 then eat his first meal of the day at sundown.</p>
 
 <p>The Colonel soon made known his errand,
@@ -984,7 +942,7 @@ a note of sadness crept into his voice.</p>
 
 <p>"Yes, Francisco, I shall miss you, but I
 shall enjoy myself every day thinking of what
-you are doing, and you will write to me; Mamá
+you are doing, and you will write to me; Mamá
 will read me your letters, and then there will
 be so much to talk about when you return,"&mdash;and
 Francisco embraced her another time.</p>
@@ -1074,7 +1032,7 @@ the chauffeur and said, "Turn towards the
 Zoological Gardens, Enrique." And then, to
 the boy beside him, he said, "How could you
 stand half an hour in the Zoological Gardens,
-Niño?"<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a></p>
+Niño?"<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a></p>
 
 <p>"I would try to bear up under it, Uncle,"
 replied Francisco, as his eyes twinkled an answer
@@ -1109,7 +1067,7 @@ elephant stood beside its mother, who was
 rubbing it affectionately with her long trunk.</p>
 
 <p>The alpacas, llamas, deer, bison, guanacos
-and vicuñas came next, and Uncle Juan could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span>
+and vicuñas came next, and Uncle Juan could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span>
 answer every question that the eager boy put
 to him, for, during his active service in the
 army, he had spent much time on the frontier,
@@ -1133,7 +1091,7 @@ him, and, as they proceeded, he told him much
 about the small camel-like animal upon whose
 back he rode.</p>
 
-<p>"You see, Niño, a llama is almost like a
+<p>"You see, Niño, a llama is almost like a
 camel, but its size and strength are inferior.
 It has no hump on its back, but as you saw
 when you mounted it, it kneels like one. They
@@ -1146,7 +1104,7 @@ is deliciously tender, and it is then that they
 can be caught with dogs and a lasso, but the
 old ones can only be shot at a distance, and
 their flesh is fit only to be dried and salted. I
-have seen them in Perú used as beasts of
+have seen them in Perú used as beasts of
 burden, and the Indians make a very beautiful
 and valuable cloth from the soft fleece. But
 come, lad, the sun sinks, and we may come here
@@ -1174,7 +1132,7 @@ the bears, nor the monkeys, nor the boa-constrictors,"
 coaxed Francisco, as they came
 in sight of the gates.</p>
 
-<p>"But we shall see them another time, Niño.
+<p>"But we shall see them another time, Niño.
 We cannot see the half of these great gardens
 in a day, for they cover many acres, and contain
 the finest specimens of any garden on the continent."
@@ -1306,14 +1264,14 @@ the Colonel taking his coffee and rolls in a
 shaded corner of the <i>patio</i>.</p>
 
 <p>"I am going to give you all of my time to-day,
-Niño, as I feel lazy, and I find there are many
+Niño, as I feel lazy, and I find there are many
 things here in your own native city that you
 know nothing about, and that a boy of nine
 should see and learn. Your mother could not
 be expected to do it, so it falls to me. We must
 start immediately, before the heat of the day
 drives us indoors. Get your cap, lad, and we
-will start over in the Plaza San Martín opposite,
+will start over in the Plaza San Martín opposite,
 and have a lesson in history."</p>
 
 <p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span>They donned their hats, and Francisco felt
@@ -1321,7 +1279,7 @@ very proud to walk beside his uncle, who, if
 not a very large man in stature, loomed up big
 before the boy's worshipful eyes.</p>
 
-<p>"What do you know of Buenos Aires, Niño?"
+<p>"What do you know of Buenos Aires, Niño?"
 he asked as they sauntered towards the centre
 of the park.</p>
 
@@ -1351,7 +1309,7 @@ sit here on this bench and begin. At this early
 hour we will not be disturbed."</p>
 
 <p>They sat down almost under the shadow of
-the high statue of San Martín and the Colonel
+the high statue of San Martín and the Colonel
 reverently uncovered his head. Without being
 told, Francisco took off his cap, and his uncle
 patted him affectionately on the back. "Good,
@@ -1413,7 +1371,7 @@ of May was but the beginning of a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Pag
 long struggle. A <i>Junta</i> was formed to govern,
 but it was no easy task. To the north were
 Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia; to the west
-Chile and Perú; all Spanish colonies. The
+Chile and Perú; all Spanish colonies. The
 <i>Junta</i> sent troops to these countries to endeavour
 to arouse the people to throw off
 the yoke. They sent General Belgrano to&mdash;"</p>
@@ -1440,8 +1398,8 @@ and his name was William Brown.</p>
 
 <p>"With this navy, Montivideo, the capital of
 Uruguay, was taken. Enthusiasm ran high,
-and it was just here that Don José de San
-Martín came into the light of publicity, as
+and it was just here that Don José de San
+Martín came into the light of publicity, as
 commander-in-chief of the army. Now let
 us take the automobile, awaiting us over in
 front of the house, and ride to the Cathedral
@@ -1462,7 +1420,7 @@ there is a vegetable cart; there is a vender of
 fruit, and all of them speaking broken Spanish
 with an Italian accent."</p>
 
-<p>"Yes, Niño, most of the peddlers are Italian.
+<p>"Yes, Niño, most of the peddlers are Italian.
 I do not know why, unless it is that each
 nationality turns to a special kind of work in
 this world. The Italians are naturally merchants,
@@ -1536,14 +1494,14 @@ into the vestibule.</p>
 <p>"Do you know him, Uncle Juan?" asked
 Francisco, with awe in his voice.</p>
 
-<p>"Señor Alcorta, El Presidente, is a warm
+<p>"Señor Alcorta, El Presidente, is a warm
 friend of mine," replied the Colonel, and as he
 said it he grew fully half a foot in his nephew's
 estimation.</p>
 
 <p>"A warm friend? Do tell me about him."</p>
 
-<p>"Another time, Niño, we must hasten to
+<p>"Another time, Niño, we must hasten to
 yonder Cathedral; but he is a good man and
 a good President."</p>
 
@@ -1565,20 +1523,20 @@ floor, for like most Argentines, they were
 Catholics, and this was their greatest cathedral.
 After a few minutes spent in devotion, the
 Colonel led the way to one of the naves, where
-the tomb of the great liberator, San Martín,
+the tomb of the great liberator, San Martín,
 stands, a huge sarcophagus upon a high pedestal
 of marble. The Colonel stood in meditation a
 moment, then drew the boy beside him on a
 bench. In a low voice he said:</p>
 
-<p>"Francisco, San Martín, the father of our
+<p>"Francisco, San Martín, the father of our
 country, was not only a great general, but he
 was also a remarkable organizer, for his troops
 were composed mainly of <i>gauchos</i> of the wild
 uncivilized kind, who were not easily trained or
 drilled. It was he who originated the plan of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span>
 crossing the Andes and liberating Chile and
-Perú from the Spanish yoke.</p>
+Perú from the Spanish yoke.</p>
 
 <p>"With his army of five thousand men, and in
 the face of public derision, for the undertaking
@@ -1589,10 +1547,10 @@ He was thus the liberator of the Chilean people,
 for that battle on the twelfth of February, 1817,
 gave them their independence from Spain. In
 Santiago, Chile, there is a statue to General
-San Martín, and one to the city of Buenos
+San Martín, and one to the city of Buenos
 Aires. After his wonderful achievement in
 crushing the power of Spain, in Argentina,
-Chile and Perú, he retired to private life,
+Chile and Perú, he retired to private life,
 refusing to serve in any civil capacity.</p>
 
 <p>"Following this revolutionary triumph, Brazil
@@ -1626,13 +1584,13 @@ congress of nations."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</
 <p>Francisco listened attentively, and when his
 uncle concluded, followed him out a side
 entrance into the street, like one in a dream.
-They stepped into the Calle Bartolomé
+They stepped into the Calle Bartolomé
 Mitre, which seemed congested with a torrent
 of vehicles pouring down its narrow channel
 like a noisy stream and discharging itself
 into the great Plaza in front of the Cathedral.</p>
 
-<p>"What if San Martín could see this now?"
+<p>"What if San Martín could see this now?"
 ventured Francisco, still under the spell of
 the hero's achievements. "Wouldn't he open
 his eyes?"</p>
@@ -1685,7 +1643,7 @@ us this afternoon?"</p>
 
 <p>"I think she is," answered his mother, entering
 the room, and taking her son into a close
-embrace. "But how I have missed my Niño,
+embrace. "But how I have missed my Niño,
 Juan," turning to her brother, the Colonel.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span></p>
 
 <p>"Perhaps I have been selfish in taking him
@@ -1698,7 +1656,7 @@ and I am most pleased. Only, let me see him
 often, and I shall be content."</p>
 
 <p>"That you shall, and this afternoon just
-after <i>máte</i>, we will come to take you and Elena
+after <i>máte</i>, we will come to take you and Elena
 with us for a ride. It may bring roses to her
 cheeks," and he pinched the pale cheeks as he
 passed her on his way out.</p>
@@ -1789,7 +1747,7 @@ in the United States."</p>
 Stars and Stripes of North America," cried
 Francisco, pointing to a small vessel.</p>
 
-<p>"Not exactly, Niño. It is from <i>Los Estados
+<p>"Not exactly, Niño. It is from <i>Los Estados
 Unidos</i>.<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> You must not confound them, for
 the United States are but a part of North
 America, although many of our people do not
@@ -1951,7 +1909,7 @@ of the afternoon, while softly gliding servants<span class="pagenum"><a name="Pa
 in quiet livery served them, the Colonel
 said:&mdash;</p>
 
-<p>"Did you know, Niño, that every time
+<p>"Did you know, Niño, that every time
 La Prensa blows that whistle as they did to-day,
 it costs them three hundred dollars?"</p>
 
@@ -1961,7 +1919,7 @@ steam as that?" earnestly inquired Francisco.</p>
 <p>"Scarcely," laughed the Colonel, as he lifted
 up an enormous bunch of muscatel grapes,
 weighing several pounds, from the platter of
-fruit before him, "scarcely that, Niño, but
+fruit before him, "scarcely that, Niño, but
 our city government fines them that amount
 every time they blow it, as they term it a public
 nuisance. Now, when they want to indulge in
@@ -1997,7 +1955,7 @@ waiting a chance to speak. He wrote on and
 on, until Francisco's patience was exhausted
 and he coughed warningly.</p>
 
-<p>"Not much of a soldier, Niño! A soldier
+<p>"Not much of a soldier, Niño! A soldier
 must have patience if it is to wait all day."</p>
 
 <p>But Francisco was used by now to his uncle's
@@ -2039,7 +1997,7 @@ to go and set it up."</p>
 <p>"Oh, it's fine, Uncle. I've got twenty-eight
 figures and the paint is dry on every one of them.
 I worked all day yesterday in the back <i>patio</i>,
-and José, the <i>portero</i>, helped me cut out the
+and José, the <i>portero</i>, helped me cut out the
 camels. He said mine looked like giraffes."
 And the boy began to lay them out on the
 desk, tenderly lifting each one as though they
@@ -2058,7 +2016,7 @@ into the circle of his arm and together they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_
 discussed the merits of each wee wooden
 figure.</p>
 
-<p>"Niño, we will go together! That's what
+<p>"Niño, we will go together! That's what
 we'll do," he exclaimed almost boyishly. "I
 am tired of these long army statistics, so let us
 go <i>inmediatamente</i>."</p>
@@ -2112,7 +2070,7 @@ be cut up into half <i>kilo</i> bits, and divided among
 them; but just then Francisco entered the
 room and asked them to come into the dining-room
 where Estrella, the servant, was preparing
-<i>máte</i>.</p>
+<i>máte</i>.</p>
 
 <p>As they entered the <i>comedor</i><a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> Elena spied the
 manger with its surrounding images in the
@@ -2120,7 +2078,7 @@ corner, on the floor.</p>
 
 <p>"<i>Que hermosa! Que linda!</i>"<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a> she cried,
 clasping her hands in ecstasy. "Only yesterday
-did I tell Encarnación, when she came to
+did I tell Encarnación, when she came to
 bring me Christmas cakes full of almonds and
 raisins, that we should have no <i>pesebre</i>. She
 is to have one of ivory that cost a small fortune,
@@ -2168,9 +2126,9 @@ for travelling and was quite excited, but Elena
 could not notice that, so absorbed was she in
 her toys and doll.</p>
 
-<p>"See this <i>muñeca</i>,<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> Francisco, mio! Did you
+<p>"See this <i>muñeca</i>,<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> Francisco, mio! Did you
 <i>ever</i> see such glorious blue eyes, just like the
-English Señora's on the corner. Why, you act
+English Señora's on the corner. Why, you act
 as though you had seen them before, Francisco,
 are you not surprised to see so many?"
 exclaimed Elena, impatient that he would not
@@ -2179,7 +2137,7 @@ kneel with her among her gifts.</p>
 <p>"They are beautiful, Elena, every one of
 them. But I am in a great haste for Uncle<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span>
 Juan and I are leaving from the Retiro Station
-in half an hour. The servant, José, has taken
+in half an hour. The servant, José, has taken
 our trunks and large bags ahead, and I stopped
 here to bid you all goodbye, as Uncle Juan
 had another errand to do on his way down.
@@ -2192,8 +2150,8 @@ shall write to you, all of you;" and he embraced
 them, each one, mother and two sisters, hastily,
 not trusting himself to prolong the goodbye.</p>
 
-<p>The Estación Retiro was full of a holiday
-crowd, for it was early morning. José was
+<p>The Estación Retiro was full of a holiday
+crowd, for it was early morning. José was
 awaiting him, and they stood watching the long
 trains of cars coming and going, discharging
 their loads into the long sheds, and swallowing
@@ -2214,7 +2172,7 @@ broke from its brass throat his uncle strode in,
 and, motioning the servant to follow with the
 bags, he hurried Francisco through the gate.</p>
 
-<p>José, the <i>portero</i> accompanying them, was an
+<p>José, the <i>portero</i> accompanying them, was an
 Araucanian Indian by birth, but he spoke
 Spanish fluently. When a mere boy, the
 Colonel's father had brought him from Chile,
@@ -2224,7 +2182,7 @@ servant of the family ever since. As slavery is
 prohibited in Argentina he had been paid<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span>
 wages since he became of age, over forty years
 ago, but no power on earth could have induced
-José to leave the service of Colonel Lacevera.</p>
+José to leave the service of Colonel Lacevera.</p>
 
 <p>He was but slightly bent and possessed the
 broad face and high cheek bones of the South
@@ -2237,8 +2195,8 @@ Indians to be a tangent of the Oriental races,
 and upheld their theory mainly because of the
 peculiar similarity of the eyes.</p>
 
-<p>José and Francisco were great friends and
-Francisco was much pleased that José was to
+<p>José and Francisco were great friends and
+Francisco was much pleased that José was to
 be with them at the <i>estancia</i>, since his knowledge
 of animals, birds, herbs, in fact all out door life,
 was unlimited.</p>
@@ -2263,7 +2221,7 @@ summer homes, surrounded by well kept gardens.
 The villages began to grow fewer and
 fewer and Colonel Lacevera said:</p>
 
-<p>"Now it's my turn, Niño! Can you bound
+<p>"Now it's my turn, Niño! Can you bound
 the Argentine Republic?"</p>
 
 <p>Francisco began in the sing-song manner of
@@ -2310,7 +2268,7 @@ large as Great Britain."</p>
 the largest and best in the world, tell me, is
 this the longest railroad on the earth?"</p>
 
-<p>"No, Niño, not quite that. Our railroads
+<p>"No, Niño, not quite that. Our railroads
 are developing our country at a rapid rate and
 we have some of the finest road beds in the
 world, but that is because our country is so
@@ -2348,7 +2306,7 @@ true.</p>
 <div class='chaptertitle'>NEW EXPERIENCES</div>
 
 
-<p>"<span class="smcap">Levantese!</span> Levantese!" came José's
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Levantese!</span> Levantese!" came José's
 voice to Francisco's ear, just as the latter was
 lassoing a llama he had been pursuing on the
 back of an ostrich.</p>
@@ -2360,19 +2318,19 @@ not in motion. Where could he be?</p>
 <p>As he rubbed his sleepy eyes again his uncle
 took him gently by the shoulder.</p>
 
-<p>"Wake yourself, Niño. We are in Rosario;
+<p>"Wake yourself, Niño. We are in Rosario;
 come, follow me."</p>
 
 <p>Francisco followed him through the long hall
 of the compartment car out into the big station
 where insistent porters and shouting cab-men
 made frantic grabs at them and their baggage,
-only to be beaten off by José, whose language<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span>
+only to be beaten off by José, whose language<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span>
 as he scolded and berated them was not what
 is known as "polite Spanish."</p>
 
 <p>Selecting a victoria from the long line of
-waiting ones, they entered, José sitting with
+waiting ones, they entered, José sitting with
 the driver, and were soon before the lighted
 portals of a large hotel.</p>
 
@@ -2405,24 +2363,24 @@ adjourned to the <i>patio</i> for coffee.</p>
 
 <p>While his uncle smoked and talked with
 friends, whom he had chanced to meet, Francisco
-slipped away and José helped him undress
+slipped away and José helped him undress
 for bed, as he was very tired.</p>
 
-<p>He remembered no more after José turned
+<p>He remembered no more after José turned
 off the electric light until he opened his eyes
 into the full glare of the sun, the next morning.
-It was nine o'clock and José was laying out
+It was nine o'clock and José was laying out
 clean linen for him. After a refreshing shower
 bath, he returned to his room to find his rolls
 and coffee on a table beside his bed.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span></p>
 
-<p>"Why, José, I'm not a lady that I must have
-my <i>café</i> in bed!" exclaimed the lad. "Mother
+<p>"Why, José, I'm not a lady that I must have
+my <i>café</i> in bed!" exclaimed the lad. "Mother
 and the girls always do that, but I'm a man
 and I want to have mine in the dining-room
 with Uncle Juan."</p>
 
-<p>José explained that in hotels one must always
+<p>José explained that in hotels one must always
 take one's morning coffee in one's rooms; and
 he talked on while Francisco ate and dressed.</p>
 
@@ -2430,7 +2388,7 @@ he talked on while Francisco ate and dressed.</p>
 he has placed you in my hands. Rosario, I
 know like a book, and together we will see it."</p>
 
-<p>"Oh! that will be great fun, José. Where
+<p>"Oh! that will be great fun, José. Where
 shall we go first?"</p>
 
 <p>"Would you like to see them load the vessels?
@@ -2488,16 +2446,16 @@ breasts.</p>
 Francisco spied a raft-like boat piled high with
 small logs tied on securely.</p>
 
-<p>"It looks out of place here, José, among all
+<p>"It looks out of place here, José, among all
 these enormous freight steamers. What does
 it carry?"</p>
 
-<p>"Willow, Señorito, and see, there are others<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span>
+<p>"Willow, Señorito, and see, there are others<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span>
 coming down the river. It goes to Buenos Aires
 to be made into charcoal, the principal fuel of
 that city. Great quantities of it are raised
 above here; it is quick of growth and needs
-only to be planted so," and José demonstrated
+only to be planted so," and José demonstrated
 by taking a short twig and sticking it into the
 earth.</p>
 
@@ -2514,7 +2472,7 @@ they did, for Francisco must stop to see this
 thing and that as they sauntered along. The
 mid-day heat meant little to him while so
 much of novelty challenged his attention.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span>
-José was always ready to answer his questions,
+José was always ready to answer his questions,
 and he frequently drew the boy's notice to
 something that would escape any one but a
 keen observer, and this the Indian was.</p>
@@ -2528,15 +2486,15 @@ its shade; even the beggars were curled up on
 the church steps fast asleep.</p>
 
 <p>"Why do some of those ragged beggars wear
-metal badges, José?"</p>
+metal badges, José?"</p>
 
-<p>"They are licensed beggars, Señorito. The
+<p>"They are licensed beggars, Señorito. The
 city has authorized them to beg, and when you
 help them you may know you are helping no
 rogues."</p>
 
 <p>Francisco drew his nose up into a prolonged
-sniff. "I believe I'm hungry, José. What
+sniff. "I believe I'm hungry, José. What
 smells so good?"</p>
 
 <p>"Step here on to this side street and I'll
@@ -2552,7 +2510,7 @@ meat, potatoes and onions.</p>
 <p>"But how are they cooking here in the
 street?"</p>
 
-<p>"Go closer and you can see," replied José.</p>
+<p>"Go closer and you can see," replied José.</p>
 
 <p>Francisco walked to the curb, and looking
 over their backs into the middle of one circle
@@ -2585,7 +2543,7 @@ with straw that they can be sold by the yard;
 or, in that country's measure, a <i>metro</i>.<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a></p>
 
 <p>Many of the stalls offered cooked foods;
-roasted partridges and chickens; pâtes of
+roasted partridges and chickens; pâtes of
 jellied meats; cleaned and cooked armadillo,
 whose meat tastes like tender roast pork. The
 Argentines are very fond of them and they
@@ -2593,13 +2551,13 @@ consume thousands every month.</p>
 
 <p>Around the curbing, at one end of the market,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span>
 stood great carts, with wheels fully eight feet
-high. These, José told Francisco, were the
+high. These, José told Francisco, were the
 market carts that brought the produce into the
 city. They look rude and cumbersome, but
 carry several tons and often as many as a
 dozen oxen are hitched to them.</p>
 
-<p>These interested Francisco but José bid
+<p>These interested Francisco but José bid
 him hurry as no doubt his uncle would have
 breakfasted. Which, indeed, he was doing, for
 as they entered the hotel Francisco caught sight
@@ -2629,9 +2587,9 @@ and horses which was to take place at his
 <i>estancia</i> the next day, Sunday. Patting Francisco
 on the head he added:</p>
 
-<p>"Bring the Niño also, he may enjoy it."</p>
+<p>"Bring the Niño also, he may enjoy it."</p>
 
-<p>So early the following morning José had their
+<p>So early the following morning José had their
 horses at the curb of the hotel, saddled and
 ready for the three league gallop.</p>
 
@@ -2639,7 +2597,7 @@ ready for the three league gallop.</p>
 enthusiasm knew no bounds when he saw the
 Argentine pony that was to be his mount.</p>
 
-<p>The Colonel looked at José meaningly, for
+<p>The Colonel looked at José meaningly, for
 he knew that this eagerness would not outlast
 the long gallop.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span></p>
 
@@ -2662,12 +2620,12 @@ asparta grass.</p>
 <p>Francisco was so tired and his bones began
 to ache so desperately that he ceased to show
 any interest in the things they passed. Colonel
-Lacevera and José exchanged knowing looks,
+Lacevera and José exchanged knowing looks,
 but dared not permit Francisco to see them.
 When they came to one of these rude huts his
 uncle said:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span></p>
 
-<p>"Niño, would you not like to see the inside
+<p>"Niño, would you not like to see the inside
 of one of these <i>prairie palaces?</i>"</p>
 
 <p>He admired the boy's pluck, but he feared
@@ -2677,11 +2635,11 @@ to tax his physical endurance more.</p>
 up to the door around which a swarm of dirty,
 half naked children sat on the ground.</p>
 
-<p>José called: "Ola!" and a copper-coloured
+<p>José called: "Ola!" and a copper-coloured
 woman appeared at the door, dressed only in
 one garment, a dun-coloured chemise.</p>
 
-<p>She was an Indian, and when José spoke to
+<p>She was an Indian, and when José spoke to
 her in her own tongue, asking for a drink, she
 pointed to the square kerosene tin filled with
 water, beside which hung a gourd.</p>
@@ -2699,11 +2657,11 @@ dried skulls of oxen; their wide, spreading
 horns serving as arms to these unique seats.
 Francisco was glad, however, to rest his weary
 body within their grewsome embrace and he
-sat thus for half an hour, while José watered
+sat thus for half an hour, while José watered
 the horses and the Colonel talked to the children.</p>
 
 <p>Francisco himself proposed that they start
-on, but José was obliged to lift him into his
+on, but José was obliged to lift him into his
 saddle. One more league and they were in
 sight of the <i>estancia</i>, where the sale was to be
 held.</p>
@@ -2713,11 +2671,11 @@ architecture, and the many buildings grouped
 around it gave the place a resemblance to a
 village.</p>
 
-<p>Señor Stanley met them and "gave" them
+<p>Señor Stanley met them and "gave" them
 his house, after the manner of all Spanish hosts,
 and they entered to wash and rest.</p>
 
-<p>As the Señor Stanley was an Englishman,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span>
+<p>As the Señor Stanley was an Englishman,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span>
 his house interested Francisco in spite of his
 weariness. It was fitted with every luxury of
 a high class English home; the baths being
@@ -2752,14 +2710,14 @@ after he had eaten he crept under the shade of
 one of the trees to rest.</p>
 
 <p>He fell asleep and slept until his uncle
-wakened him at <i>máte</i> time.</p>
+wakened him at <i>máte</i> time.</p>
 
 <p>"Hello, my boy! Slept through all of this
 noise? You were certainly exhausted, for such
 a clatter as there has been. One hundred
 thousand dollars and many pedigreed animals
 have changed hands, and it wasn't done quietly
-either. We will have our <i>máte</i> and then ride
+either. We will have our <i>máte</i> and then ride
 home in the cool of the evening. Come."
 And the Colonel helped the stiff jointed, weary
 boy to his feet.</p>
@@ -2784,7 +2742,7 @@ boy to his feet.</p>
 
 <p>"<span class="smcap">What</span> is that you have, Manuel?" cried
 Francisco, to one of the <i>peons</i>, five days later,
-as he sat under an ombú tree in the garden on
+as he sat under an ombú tree in the garden on
 his uncle's <i>estancia</i>, playing with some tame
 <i>tierra</i> birds, that kept the garden clean of
 worms.</p>
@@ -2793,7 +2751,7 @@ worms.</p>
 had a queer looking machine with a long snout
 under his arm.</p>
 
-<p>"Why, this is an ant destroyer, Señorito;
+<p>"Why, this is an ant destroyer, Señorito;
 would you care to watch me kill ants?"</p>
 
 <p>For answer, Francisco ran eagerly to his side
@@ -2810,7 +2768,7 @@ of any wider acquaintance, which would have
 included the gauchos, or cowboys; at least the
 nearer ones, for the Tres Arroyas ranch was
 very large, and Francisco never could have
-known them all. José had told him that one
+known them all. José had told him that one
 could ride all day from the centre and not reach
 its boundaries.</p>
 
@@ -2818,7 +2776,7 @@ its boundaries.</p>
 asked of Manuel. "Our <i>servienta</i> at home uses
 hot water when they get into the <i>patio</i>."</p>
 
-<p>"Ah, yes, Señorito, but these country ants
+<p>"Ah, yes, Señorito, but these country ants
 come in such armies it would take a geyser of
 boiling water to kill them. Now, we are here
 in the orchard; you can see how they destroy
@@ -2895,7 +2853,7 @@ come in armies that swarm over every obstacle
 in their path.</p>
 
 <p>As they entered the house, Francisco noticed
-that his uncle had had <i>café</i> and was in his
+that his uncle had had <i>café</i> and was in his
 riding breeches ready for a morning gallop.</p>
 
 <p>"May I go with you, Uncle Juan?" cried
@@ -2906,9 +2864,9 @@ to fragments a few days ago and ready for
 another trial to-day. <i>Che</i>," clapping his hands
 as a <i>peon</i> appeared.</p>
 
-<p>"Saddle Barboza for the Señorito, <i>inmediatamente</i>."</p>
+<p>"Saddle Barboza for the Señorito, <i>inmediatamente</i>."</p>
 
-<p>Francisco gulped his <i>café</i> and nibbled at a
+<p>Francisco gulped his <i>café</i> and nibbled at a
 biscuit, but he was too excited to eat more.</p>
 
 <p>When the horses were brought to the door,
@@ -2999,7 +2957,7 @@ they passed a group of them, crouched on the
 ground around a fire of dry thistles, over which
 hung a can, suspended by wire from a tripod,
 and which held the water for their morning
-<i>máte</i>. They arose to their feet as the Colonel
+<i>máte</i>. They arose to their feet as the Colonel
 galloped past and greeted him with <i>vivas</i>.</p>
 
 <p>"Do they often use those murderous looking
@@ -3009,7 +2967,7 @@ his zeal somewhat. They were rougher
 looking men in their working clothes than
 when they came to the city dressed for a lark.</p>
 
-<p>"Seldom, Niño; unless they are intoxicated.
+<p>"Seldom, Niño; unless they are intoxicated.
 They are not very civilized and they have no
 education whatever. They fairly live on their
 horses' backs and cannot be persuaded to do
@@ -3089,7 +3047,7 @@ way. Several dozen <i>peon gauchos</i> had assembled
 and they had driven the horses to
 be branded into an enclosure.</p>
 
-<p>"See, Niño, these are all young animals;
+<p>"See, Niño, these are all young animals;
 they have never had the iron on them."</p>
 
 <p>"Why do you brand them, Uncle Juan?
@@ -3170,11 +3128,11 @@ worth of the horses being branded.</p>
 
 <p>"Not less than ten or twelve dollars each,"
 answered the superintendent. "These are
-very good ones. Does the Señor care to have
+very good ones. Does the Señor care to have
 his breakfast now?"</p>
 
 <p>For some time, Francisco had been feeling
-pangs of hunger. His hurried <i>café</i> had not
+pangs of hunger. His hurried <i>café</i> had not
 been sufficient nourishment for the long hot
 ride, and now his hunger was aroused by odours
 that came to his nostrils like pleasant messengers;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span>
@@ -3252,7 +3210,7 @@ Do they ever eat anything but meat?"</p>
 not enough to take the trouble of raising
 a few. Meat and <i>galletas</i>, the hard biscuit of
 the Pampas, often three or four months old, is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span>
-all they have besides their <i>máte</i>, that they
+all they have besides their <i>máte</i>, that they
 <i>must</i> have always.</p>
 
 <p>"Que esperanza! lad, this lamb is good!
@@ -3287,7 +3245,7 @@ to take the land from the Indians of Patagonia?
 They had lived there for centuries
 and it was theirs."</p>
 
-<p>"It is a long story, Niño, and I shall give
+<p>"It is a long story, Niño, and I shall give
 you only the bare outline. You see, Patagonia
 is a series of vast terraces from the Atlantic
 Ocean to the foot of the Andes. On
@@ -3381,15 +3339,15 @@ sport; and once, for three days, I had only
 ostrich eggs to eat. You see, we were digging
 those same trenches and could not spare many
 of the men for hunting. I was ill and could
-not eat the army rations, so José brought me
+not eat the army rations, so José brought me
 ostrich eggs and cooked them as the Indians
 do&mdash;in the red-hot coals."</p>
 
-<p>"And was José with you on that expedition?"
+<p>"And was José with you on that expedition?"
 exclaimed Francisco.</p>
 
 <p>"Yes, through all my campaigns he has
-been my body servant. It was José who told us
+been my body servant. It was José who told us
 how the Indians catch ostriches; he had heard
 it when a boy among his tribe of Araucanians."</p>
 
@@ -3400,7 +3358,7 @@ built and the huntsmen remained within this
 circle. The ostriches and guanacos that were
 thus imprisoned in the circle of fire were easy
 prey for they fear fire and ran almost into our
-arms. Why, what's the matter, Niño?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span></p>
+arms. Why, what's the matter, Niño?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span></p>
 
 <p>The interest had died out of Francisco's eyes
 and he sat with his hands clasped over his
@@ -3502,10 +3460,10 @@ not the kind that produce the long plumes
 worn in ladies' hats; these are called the
 'rhea' and are an allied species. Speaking<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span>
 of skins, Francisco, I will tell you of one that
-will interest you. It is a vicuña, and one of
+will interest you. It is a vicuña, and one of
 the finest I have ever seen. It was presented
 to your great-grandfather, General Lacevera,
-by a chief of the Incas, as a vicuña robe is
+by a chief of the Incas, as a vicuña robe is
 worn only by one of royal blood among the
 Indians. It saw service as your great-grandfather's
 <i>poncho</i> during his remarkable career,
@@ -3517,12 +3475,12 @@ heirlooms, it shall be yours, as I have no son."</p>
 of it."</p>
 
 <p>"As you well may be. Whatever fortunes
-come to you in life, Niño, remember you are a
+come to you in life, Niño, remember you are a
 Lacevera."</p>
 
 <p>Sleep was sweet that night, and Francisco's
 head was scarcely on his pillow when guanacos,
-vicuñas and even <i>gauchos</i> were forgotten in
+vicuñas and even <i>gauchos</i> were forgotten in
 dreamless slumber.</p>
 
 <div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTE:</h3>
@@ -3571,7 +3529,7 @@ their dinner at this <i>estancia</i> and Francisco
 ate bread made from powdered peanuts mixed
 with wheat flour and he found it very delicious.</p>
 
-<p>José had taken him on several fishing excursions,
+<p>José had taken him on several fishing excursions,
 and once they had hunted <i>armadillos</i>
 with small dogs. Francisco had laughed
 heartily at the antics of one dog, who had almost
@@ -3601,15 +3559,15 @@ to inspect some of the new fencing; he had
 left word that he would not return until late
 that night.</p>
 
-<p>Francisco sat under his favourite ombú tree,
-watching a <i>mangangá</i>, or carpenter bee, that
+<p>Francisco sat under his favourite ombú tree,
+watching a <i>mangangá</i>, or carpenter bee, that
 was humming loudly in the foliage above his
 head and looking like a shining ball of gold<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span>
 among the green leaves. He had received a
 letter from his mother that morning, and he
 was a bit homesick.</p>
 
-<p>"El Señorito is <i>triste</i>. No?" It was José's
+<p>"El Señorito is <i>triste</i>. No?" It was José's
 voice behind him.</p>
 
 <p>Francisco brushed away a tear that had
@@ -3618,9 +3576,9 @@ Indian with a smile. "I was wishing to see
 Elena, but it won't be long now; and I shall
 hate to leave this lovely place, too. But one
 can't have everything one wants, all at the
-same time, can one, José?"</p>
+same time, can one, José?"</p>
 
-<p>"No, Señorito, but we always have <i>one</i> happiness;
+<p>"No, Señorito, but we always have <i>one</i> happiness;
 have you noticed it? There never
 comes a time when we haven't one, at least.
 Now I've one just now, and I am going to share
@@ -3654,15 +3612,15 @@ has offered one hundred <i>pesos</i> to the one, or ones,
 who can catch these thieves. Would you like
 to try?"</p>
 
-<p>Had José asked him if he would like to swing
+<p>Had José asked him if he would like to swing
 on to the new moon by his toes Francisco could
 not have been more startled.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span></p>
 
-<p>"Try&mdash;! Why José, you can't be in earnest!"</p>
+<p>"Try&mdash;! Why José, you can't be in earnest!"</p>
 
 <p>"<i>Como no?</i>" grinned the Indian cheerfully.</p>
 
-<p>"But José, wouldn't they shoot us, and,
+<p>"But José, wouldn't they shoot us, and,
 anyhow, I know you are jesting when you ask
 <i>if I</i> would care to try. You,&mdash;you are a strong
 man, even if you are getting old, and I heard
@@ -3673,11 +3631,11 @@ learned how from a Japanese soldier years
 ago in Chile. And I know you can shoot; but
 I would just be in the way."</p>
 
-<p>"No, Señorito, you wouldn't be in the way.
+<p>"No, Señorito, you wouldn't be in the way.
 Manuel and I want you to go with us because
 we need you."</p>
 
-<p>"Need <i>me!</i> Oh, José!" and Francisco's eyes
+<p>"Need <i>me!</i> Oh, José!" and Francisco's eyes
 gleamed brightly. "Do you think Uncle
 would allow me to go with you?"</p>
 
@@ -3687,7 +3645,7 @@ and if I feel sure no harm can befall you, I see
 no reason why you should not go."</p>
 
 <p>"Oh! Oh! Oh!" shouted the happy boy,
-dancing around José and clapping his hands.</p>
+dancing around José and clapping his hands.</p>
 
 <p>"This is the greatest adventure I ever had.
 To hunt brigands! Why, it's too good to be
@@ -3700,7 +3658,7 @@ and Francisco sat on the ground hugging his
 knees, and rocking to and fro gleefully.</p>
 
 <p>"Well, don't clean your turtles till you've
-tied them, Señorito. We may not get them.
+tied them, Señorito. We may not get them.
 It's only because I have a clue and a scheme
 that I am willing to try; for they are pretty
 clever fellows and they won't be easy to catch.
@@ -3708,7 +3666,7 @@ We want to take you for a decoy, and besides,
 I think you would enjoy it. A Lacevera, even
 at nine years of age, is no coward."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span></p>
 
-<p>"A coward, I should say not. Why, José,
+<p>"A coward, I should say not. Why, José,
 I am <i>never</i> afraid. But what is a decoy?"</p>
 
 <p>"A decoy? Well, that's what we used when
@@ -3717,14 +3675,14 @@ you remember how we put young frogs on the
 end of a string and then lay low in the grass
 and waited?"</p>
 
-<p>"But, you can't tie a string to me, José&mdash;and&mdash;and&mdash;besides
+<p>"But, you can't tie a string to me, José&mdash;and&mdash;and&mdash;besides
 I don't be&mdash;believe I
 want to be a decoy. It isn't that I'm not
-brave; no, indeed, José&mdash;but I think I would
+brave; no, indeed, José&mdash;but I think I would
 rather you would decoy them with something
 else."</p>
 
-<p>"Leave that to me, Señorito, and I promise
+<p>"Leave that to me, Señorito, and I promise
 they won't hurt you. You must have forgotten
 you are a Lacevera. They shall not gobble
 you up as the flamingoes did the frogs. Just
@@ -3738,13 +3696,13 @@ for myself. I think I would buy a beautiful
 parasol, all lace and chiffon, for Guillerma, for
 young ladies don't care for anything much but
 clothes. Then I should buy a jewelled fan
-for Mamá, and then&mdash;well, I believe Elena
+for Mamá, and then&mdash;well, I believe Elena
 and I would spend the balance for Carnival
-as it comes next month. But José, what did
+as it comes next month. But José, what did
 you say about not cleaning your turtles till
 you had tied them?"</p>
 
-<p>José laughed and patted him on the back.
+<p>José laughed and patted him on the back.
 "True, Don Francisco. But let me tell you
 our plan, or part of it. I have reason to believe
 that these two horsetail thieves are taking
@@ -3764,14 +3722,14 @@ were. Now be ready immediately after breakfast,
 for we must start in time to reach the
 charcoal kilns before dusk."</p>
 
-<p>It was twelve o'clock, when José, Manuel
+<p>It was twelve o'clock, when José, Manuel
 and Francisco galloped off in the direction
 of the river, and it was just <i>mate</i> time when they
 came in sight of the charcoal kilns and adobe
 huts near the river's bank.</p>
 
 <p>Gathered about the fires, over which hung
-boiling water for making the <i>máte</i>, were several
+boiling water for making the <i>máte</i>, were several
 clusters of these uncouth appearing men. Dirty
 looking women sat in groups apart, with dozens
 of dirtier children rolling about on the hard earth
@@ -3779,7 +3737,7 @@ at their feet. A pack of dogs ran out to greet
 them, yelping in front of their horses, until
 they were called off by their respective owners.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span></p>
 
-<p>José and Manuel approached one group,
+<p>José and Manuel approached one group,
 and after greeting and being greeted, asked
 for boiling water with which to make <i>mate</i>.
 This was given willingly, and with Francisco
@@ -3793,16 +3751,16 @@ they made. Francisco noticed two men, who
 were less grimy in appearance and who sat
 quietly side by side, taking no part in the conversation.</p>
 
-<p>They glanced occasionally at José and Manuel
+<p>They glanced occasionally at José and Manuel
 in a hostile manner, and suspicion seemed
 to lurk in their attitude towards them. Francisco
-felt sure these were the thieves, but José
+felt sure these were the thieves, but José
 and Manuel took no notice whatever of them
 and Francisco feared his friends had not seen
 them.</p>
 
 <p>After <i>mate</i> Francisco asked to see the kilns
-and José and Manuel took him over to examine<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span>
+and José and Manuel took him over to examine<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span>
 them and explain to him how the willow was
 made into charcoal. It was quite dark when
 they returned to the huts and proposed that
@@ -3819,12 +3777,12 @@ is cool."</p>
 <p>"No, it is moonlight. A thousand 'gracias'<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a>
 for your offer, but the lad is a good rider and
 we shall be home before midnight;" and bidding
-them <i>adios</i>, José and Manuel with Francisco,
+them <i>adios</i>, José and Manuel with Francisco,
 wondering at their behaviour, started
 towards the enclosure where the horses had
 been staked together with several other animals.</p>
 
-<p>And then José did a thing that made Francisco's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span>
+<p>And then José did a thing that made Francisco's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span>
 eyes fairly start from his head. He
 deliberately lifted up the stake to which a
 piebald mare, belonging to one of the thieves,
@@ -3846,7 +3804,7 @@ hoofs away off in the distance.</p>
 
 <p>"Carramba! They are after us," cried
 Manuel. "Good! Now for the chase. Let
-your heart be glad, Señorito, they have taken
+your heart be glad, Señorito, they have taken
 the bait."</p>
 
 <p>Still Francisco wondered, he could not yet<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span>
@@ -3868,7 +3826,7 @@ plainer, and when their own horses were within
 a few hundred feet of the stream he could hear
 the men's shouts.</p>
 
-<p>"Are there more than two?" asked José.</p>
+<p>"Are there more than two?" asked José.</p>
 
 <p>"No, just the two thieves, themselves.
 Those <i>carboneros</i> would never give us pursuit.
@@ -3889,21 +3847,21 @@ and low growing trees.</p>
 them when their horses plunged into the water.</p>
 
 <p>"Heaven be praised! So far&mdash;so good,"
-whispered José to Francisco. "Now do just
+whispered José to Francisco. "Now do just
 as I bid you; our time is come."</p>
 
 <p>They crossed the ford and were leaving the
 water, enveloped in the dense shadows, when
-José dropped from his horse and threw the
+José dropped from his horse and threw the
 reins into Francisco's hand; Manuel did the
-same, as José's voice said in a whisper,</p>
+same, as José's voice said in a whisper,</p>
 
 <p>"Ride half a league and wait for us."</p>
 
 <p>And now the boy saw their plan; he was to
 ride ahead, the hoof beats of the four horses
 indicating to the pursuers that they were all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span>
-still fleeing, and José and Manuel in ambush
+still fleeing, and José and Manuel in ambush
 would have it all their own way.</p>
 
 <p>He spurred his horse to its highest speed;
@@ -3915,19 +3873,19 @@ but it was really but half a minute when
 he heard a sharp cry, and then&mdash;a shot. But
 he rode on, fearing to stop until the half league
 was covered. He knew the fight was over
-and that either José and Manuel were being
+and that either José and Manuel were being
 carried back to the huts beside the big river,
 or that they would soon overtake him with their
 prisoners.</p>
 
-<p>Soon a shout came to his ears. It was José's
+<p>Soon a shout came to his ears. It was José's
 voice and his mind was relieved. He reined
 in the horses, which was an easy matter for
 they were panting, and waited beside a shrine,
 whose white cross stood like a ghost beside
 the trail; and soon he saw four figures toiling<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span>
 along, two in front and two behind. The two
-in the rear were José and Manuel, and they
+in the rear were José and Manuel, and they
 were holding their pistols close to the heads
 of the two in front, who walked with the shambling
 gait of men whose feet were hobbled,
@@ -3942,13 +3900,13 @@ capture that he paid no attention to the vile
 language, that at any other time would have
 made him cringe and tremble.</p>
 
-<p>"Oh! José&mdash;Manuel&mdash;Do tell me all about
+<p>"Oh! José&mdash;Manuel&mdash;Do tell me all about
 it! How did you get them?"</p>
 
 <p>"Well, you see, we grappled with them so
 unexpectedly that they had no time to defend
 themselves; thanks to the little frog on the end
-of the string," and José patted the boy on the
+of the string," and José patted the boy on the
 shoulders encouragingly.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span></p>
 
 <p>"One of them tried to shoot as he was regaining
@@ -3963,7 +3921,7 @@ they will tell us the price of horsehair per kilo&mdash;eh,
 gentlemen?" and the Indian grinned
 derisively at the cursing men.</p>
 
-<p>"But José, Manuel is not fit for the saddle;
+<p>"But José, Manuel is not fit for the saddle;
 let me go to the house. Please, I beg of you&mdash;"</p>
 
 <p>"What! Alone&mdash;and at night. Why, the
@@ -3977,13 +3935,13 @@ just me here&mdash;he is suffering, and he can't
 ride&mdash;so it's the only thing to be done."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span></p>
 
 <p>"Well, but you will have to ride pretty fast,
-Señorito, and tell them to send the <i>peons</i> immediately.
+Señorito, and tell them to send the <i>peons</i> immediately.
 Here, ride the piebald mare. It's yours
 anyhow, I dare say, or will be. It has been all
 day in the corral and is fresh, while Barboza
 is tired."</p>
 
-<p>José changed the saddle, and Francisco
+<p>José changed the saddle, and Francisco
 was off towards the <i>casa</i>.</p>
 
 <p>It was nearly two o'clock when Don Carlos
@@ -3991,7 +3949,7 @@ awoke the Colonel, who had returned about
 midnight from his journey.</p>
 
 <p>"Who calls, Colonel? It sounds like the
-Niño's voice."</p>
+Niño's voice."</p>
 
 <p>They were out by the edge of the house
 corral, as Francisco rode up, and with almost
@@ -4000,12 +3958,12 @@ little body, he shouted,</p>
 
 <p>"We've caught them! We've caught them!
 They are over by the 'Last Tribute' shrine
-near the Rio Salinas, and José and Manuel
-are waiting for help to bring them here; José<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span>
+near the Rio Salinas, and José and Manuel
+are waiting for help to bring them here; José<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span>
 could not bring them alone, and Manuel has a
 wound."</p>
 
-<p>His uncle was lifting the tired Niño from the
+<p>His uncle was lifting the tired Niño from the
 saddle, but he did not place him on the ground;
 he carried him close to his heart into the house
 and laid him on his soft bed. He left him saying
@@ -4033,7 +3991,7 @@ smile, and was asleep before he knew it.</p>
 <p><span class="smcap">Francisco</span> had been at home now for a week.
 He had returned to find Elena rosy and well
 and the house in a turmoil of preparation, for
-Guillerma was to be married. Her fiancé
+Guillerma was to be married. Her fiancé
 was a wealthy <i>estanciero</i> from the province of
 Mendoza, which lies almost at the foot of the
 Andes, and he had made a fortune from raising
@@ -4041,7 +3999,7 @@ grapes for wine. His <i>estancia</i>, also, produced
 great quantities of figs, dates and sugar cane.</p>
 
 <p>Guillerma was very happy, for although El
-Señor Conquero was older than she by fifteen
+Señor Conquero was older than she by fifteen
 years, theirs was a genuine love match. He
 had seen her at mass, one morning, and the
 following day, he had presented himself to
@@ -4050,7 +4008,7 @@ credentials, and their engagement of six<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143"
 months was to culminate in the celebration of
 their marriage during the early part of March.</p>
 
-<p>It would be a very quiet wedding, for Señor
+<p>It would be a very quiet wedding, for Señor
 Conquero was in mourning for his father, who
 had died over a year before; and the custom
 of mourning in Argentina demands two years
@@ -4085,7 +4043,7 @@ great festival, came early this year, and never
 before had he had so much money to spend in
 its celebration.</p>
 
-<p>He and José and Manuel had divided the
+<p>He and José and Manuel had divided the
 reward money they had received for capturing
 the horsetail thieves, and Francisco felt very
 proud of his share of it. He and Elena had
@@ -4116,7 +4074,7 @@ and singing.</p>
 allowed to enter the <i>corso</i> or Carnival parade,
 and Uncle Juan had offered his motor car,
 which was to be decorated with garlands of
-paper flowers; José was to be their chaperon
+paper flowers; José was to be their chaperon
 and Enrique would drive the car.</p>
 
 <p>Elena and Francisco owned their little costumes,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span>
@@ -4165,7 +4123,7 @@ ready.</p>
 <p>The harlequin jumped out and bowed low to
 the ground, and Elena ran back into the house,
 for she was sure this comical looking fellow
-could never be José. But she was reassured
+could never be José. But she was reassured
 when he lifted his mask, and soon the huge car
 was puffing along the street with the red driver
 in front and a dainty little shepherdess, a small
@@ -4222,7 +4180,7 @@ high with excitement, for their ambition was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_
 realized&mdash;to be a <i>part</i> of the great Carnival
 <i>corso</i>.</p>
 
-<p>It was quite one o'clock before José could
+<p>It was quite one o'clock before José could
 persuade them to leave it and be taken home;
 and it was many days before they ceased to
 talk of their wonderful experience.</p>
@@ -4513,7 +4471,7 @@ Large 12mo, illustrated   &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; $1.50<br />
 <p>In this book Mr. Johnston gives interesting sketches of
 the Indian braves who have figured with prominence in
 the history of our own land, including Powhatan, the
-Indian Cæsar; Massasoit, the friend of the Puritans;
+Indian Cæsar; Massasoit, the friend of the Puritans;
 Pontiac, the red Napoleon; Tecumseh, the famous war
 chief of the Shawnees; Sitting Bull, the famous war chief
 of the Sioux; Geronimo, the renowned Apache Chief, etc.,
@@ -4984,389 +4942,12 @@ Montgomery and Arnold against Quebec.</p>
 
 <p>Obvious punctuation errors repaired.</p>
 
-<p>Varied use of accents mate/máte, estancia/estáncia, and Martin/Martín were
+<p>Varied use of accents mate/máte, estancia/estáncia, and Martin/Martín were
 retained.</p>
 
 <p>Page xi, Table of Contents, "v" changed to "vii" to reflect actual first page of Preface.</p>
 </div>
 
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-<pre>
-
-
-
-
-
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-The Project Gutenberg EBook of Francisco Our Little Argentine Cousin, by
-Eva Cannon Brooks
-
-This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
-almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
-re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
-with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
-
-
-Title: Francisco Our Little Argentine Cousin
-
-Author: Eva Cannon Brooks
-
-Illustrator: John Goss
-
-Release Date: August 9, 2013 [EBook #43424]
-
-Language: English
-
-Character set encoding: ASCII
-
-*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRANCICSO, LITTLE ARGENTINE COUSIN ***
-
-
-
-
-Produced by Emmy, Beth Baran, Google Print and the Online
-Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
-book was produced from images made available by the
-HathiTrust Digital Library.)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-Francisco
-
-Our Little Argentine Cousin
-
-
-
-
-THE
-
-Little Cousin Series
-
-(TRADE MARK)
-
-
-    Each volume illustrated with six or more full-page plates in
-    tint. Cloth, 12mo, with decorative cover,
-    per volume, 60 cents
-
-
-LIST OF TITLES
-
-BY MARY HAZELTON WADE
-
-(unless otherwise indicated)
-
-
-    =Our Little African Cousin=
-    =Our Little Alaskan Cousin=
-        By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
-    =Our Little Arabian Cousin=
-        By Blanche McManus
-    =Our Little Armenian Cousin=
-    =Our Little Australian Cousin=
-        By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
-    =Our Little Brazilian Cousin=
-        By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
-    =Our Little Brown Cousin=
-    =Our Little Canadian Cousin=
-        By Elizabeth R. MacDonald
-    =Our Little Chinese Cousin=
-        By Isaac Taylor Headland
-    =Our Little Cuban Cousin=
-    =Our Little Dutch Cousin=
-        By Blanche McManus
-    =Our Little Egyptian Cousin=
-        By Blanche McManus
-    =Our Little English Cousin=
-        By Blanche McManus
-    =Our Little Eskimo Cousin=
-    =Our Little French Cousin=
-        By Blanche McManus
-    =Our Little German Cousin=
-    =Our Little Greek Cousin=
-        By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
-    =Our Little Hawaiian Cousin=
-    =Our Little Hindu Cousin=
-        By Blanche McManus
-    =Our Little Hungarian Cousin=
-        By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
-    =Our Little Indian Cousin=
-    =Our Little Irish Cousin=
-    =Our Little Italian Cousin=
-    =Our Little Japanese Cousin=
-    =Our Little Jewish Cousin=
-    =Our Little Korean Cousin=
-        By H. Lee M. Pike
-    =Our Little Mexican Cousin=
-        By Edward C. Butler
-    =Our Little Norwegian Cousin=
-    =Our Little Panama Cousin=
-        By H. Lee M. Pike
-    =Our Little Persian Cousin=
-        By E. C. Shedd
-    =Our Little Philippine Cousin=
-    =Our Little Porto Rican Cousin=
-    =Our Little Russian Cousin=
-    =Our Little Scotch Cousin=
-        By Blanche McManus
-    =Our Little Siamese Cousin=
-    =Our Little Spanish Cousin=
-        By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
-    =Our Little Swedish Cousin=
-        By Claire M. Coburn
-    =Our Little Swiss Cousin=
-    =Our Little Turkish Cousin=
-
-
-    L. C. PAGE & COMPANY
-    New England Building,      Boston, Mass.
-
-[Illustration: "THEY SAT DOWN ALMOST UNDER THE SHADOW OF THE HIGH STATUE
-OF SAN MARTIN."
-
-(_See page 33._)]
-
-
-
-
-FRANCISCO
-
-Our Little Argentine Cousin
-
-By Eva Cannon Brooks
-
-_Illustrated by_ John Goss
-
-[Illustration]
-
-    Boston
-    L. C. Page & Company
-    _MDCCCCX_
-
-
-
-
-    _Copyright, 1910_
-
-    BY L. C. PAGE & COMPANY
-
-    (INCORPORATED)
-
-
-    _All rights reserved_
-
-
-    First Impression, June, 1910
-
-
-
-
-    TO
-
-    Katharine and Elizabeth Brooks
-
-
-
-
-Preface
-
-
-IF you take a steamer in New York whose destination is the eastern coast
-of South America, and remain on it a little over four weeks, you will
-reach the great metropolis of our twin continent, Buenos Aires.
-
-In all probability they will be weeks of infinite content and delight,
-for the southern half of the Atlantic Ocean is milder in her moods than
-the northern half, and there will be a sufficient number of stops _en
-route_ to relieve the journey of monotony.
-
-First comes the Barbadoes, then Pernambuco, Bahia, Rio-de-Janeiro, and
-Santos in Brazil, and then Montevideo, the capital of the Republic of
-Uruguay.
-
-At Montevideo the steamer leaves the ocean and enters the mouth of the
-River Plata, which is several hundred miles wide at this point, and in
-ten hours the beautiful city of Buenos Aires, the gate-way to the
-Pampas, is spread out before the eye.
-
-It is more like a city of North America than any of the South American
-metropolises, both in its appearance and its remarkable spirit of
-modernization.
-
-Beyond, and about this attractive port, lie great tracts of level
-country known as the _campo_, and here you will find conditions not
-unlike those existing in some parts of our own western territory. Large
-ranches predominate, although the industries are varied.
-
-The people are of mixed nationalities, but the greater proportion is of
-Spanish extraction and a new race, or type, is being welded with a
-sufficient infusion of Anglo-Saxon blood to counteract the inherent
-tendency of all Latin races towards procrastination. Because of this,
-and aided by an unequalled climate, a fertile soil, and definite aims,
-they are already achieving a part of their manifest destiny.
-
-This, the year of 1910, the publication date of this small volume, marks
-the one hundredth anniversary of Argentina's independence; may it mark
-also the beginning of an era of even greater harmony and more splendid
-achievement.
-
-
-
-
-Contents
-
-
-    CHAPTER                                     PAGE
-          PREFACE                                  v
-       I. FRANCISCO'S HOME                         1
-      II. A WONDERFUL DAY                         15
-     III. A LESSON IN HISTORY                     29
-      IV. CURIOUS SIGHTS                          47
-       V. GREAT SURPRISES                         60
-      VI. NEW EXPERIENCES                         75
-     VII. ON THE RANCH                            92
-    VIII. CATTLE BRANDING                        104
-      IX. A SUCCESSFUL SEARCH                    122
-       X. THE CARNIVAL                           142
-
-
-
-
-
-List of Illustrations
-
-
-                                                          PAGE
-    "THEY SAT DOWN ALMOST UNDER THE SHADOW OF THE HIGH
-          STATUE OF SAN MARTIN" (see page 33)        _Frontispiece_
-    "HE PERMITTED FRANCISCO TO TAKE A RIDE ON THE TAME
-          LLAMA"                                            24
-    "'DID YOU EVER SEE SUCH GLORIOUS BLUE EYES!'"           67
-    "SOON AFTER HIS EAGER QUESTION THEY PASSED A GROUP
-          OF THEM"                                         100
-    "BLAZED THE LINES OF THE TRES ARROYAS ON ITS HIP"      106
-    "ELENA AND FRANCISCO WERE DRESSED AND READY"           147
-
-
-
-
-
-Francisco
-
-Our Little Argentine Cousin
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER I
-
-FRANCISCO'S HOME
-
-
-FRANCISCO sat crosslegged in one corner of the _patio_ under the shade
-of a small pomegranate tree which grew in a tub. He had moved halfway
-around the _patio_ since morning, trying to keep out of the sun. Just
-after _cafe_ he had started out under the shade of the east wall, where
-wistaria vines and jasmine grew in a dense mass of purple, yellow and
-green; then he had gone from one tubbed shelter to another as the sun
-mounted higher, until now only the heavy foliage of the pomegranate
-offered protection from the hot rays. All of the long varnished blinds
-at the doors of the rooms opening upon this central, stone-paved
-courtyard, had long since been closed securely, for it was middle
-December and the house must be sealed early against the noon heat of
-midsummer.
-
-Francisco might have gone inside, where the darkened rooms furnished
-some relief, but he chose to sit crosslegged on the red and white
-square stones of the _patio_, with his back to the main part of the
-house, so that the mother and sisters could not see what occupied his
-busy hands.
-
-Francisco's father was dead, and he, with his mother, La Senora Anita
-Maria Lacevera de Gonzalez, and his two sisters, Elena Maria, who was
-six, and Guillerma Maria, who was eighteen and very beautiful, lived in
-the Calle[1] Cerrito, in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentine Republic,
-South America.
-
-Francisco, himself, was nine, and his uncle who was a colonel in the
-army and who supported his widowed sister and her family, expected him
-to be a soldier also. His great-grandfather had been a general, and
-because of his services during the revolution that had brought
-Argentina her liberty nearly one hundred years ago, his family was one
-of the most distinguished in the Republic. Francisco's own grandfather
-had given his life for his _patria_ during the ten years' blockade of
-Buenos Aires, when the French and English forces combined to overcome
-General Rosas, who then commanded the city. His mother and his uncle,
-the Colonel Juan Carlos Lacevera, were then little children, but they
-were fired with a patriotism that comes only to those who have given of
-their own flesh and blood for native land.
-
-"El Coronel Lacevera" was now retired, and with his wife and six
-daughters lived in a spacious, palatial home in the Calle San Martin
-facing the beautiful plaza, or park, where the statue of General San
-Martin on his rearing charger stands, a constant reminder to the
-hundreds of little Argentine boys and girls who daily play in the
-pebbled space around it, of the wonderful man, who, like George
-Washington, was first in war, first in peace, and is still first in the
-hearts of his countrymen.
-
-The monthly allowance bestowed by Colonel Lacevera upon his sister was
-enough to keep them in comfort, but not sufficient to allow them to live
-in luxury, and to-day, because Francisco had not enough money to buy his
-Christmas _pesebre_ at the toyshop, he was doing what many little boys
-of that country do,--he was making his own.
-
-Now, you must know right here, that Christmas in these South American
-countries is not the greatest festival of the entire year, as it is with
-us; it is simply one of the many that are celebrated at frequent
-intervals, for Argentina is a land of _fiestas_; there is scarcely a
-month that does not allow three or four holidays from school because of
-some _fiesta_, either of church or state. Although they do not celebrate
-this great holiday as we do with Christmas trees and visits from Santa
-Claus, they have something in their places, and it is the "Coming of
-the Three Kings." In anticipation of this, all over the Republic,
-children erect _pesebres_ or mangers.
-
-A _pesebre_ consists of a miniature open shed, or merely a roof of straw
-or bark, underneath which, in a tiny box, lies a porcelain baby doll to
-represent the infant Christ. Bending in adoration at the head of the wee
-box that holds this image kneels the mother, Mary, and at the foot, with
-folded hands, stands Joseph, the father. About them, placed in sand or
-moss, that forms the floor of the stable or yard, are figures to
-represent the worshipful neighbours, also the farm-yard fowls and
-animals; cows and donkeys predominating. They look like Noah's Ark
-people, stiff-legged and prim. Now all of this remains unmoved, a spot
-of reverent adoration, throughout Christmas week, New Year's day, and
-until "twelfth night," or the fifth of January. It is awaiting the great
-event for which it was erected, the "Coming of the Three Kings."
-
-On that auspicious night, through the same magical means that aid Santa
-Claus to enter the homes of North American children while their eyes are
-closed in sleep, come the three richly decorated and delicately carved
-kings on miniature camels with costly trappings and bags of spices on
-their little brown backs.
-
-On the morning of the sixth of January the children awake, all eagerness
-to see the arrivals of the night. Rushing to the _pesebre_ they find the
-three little wooden kings kneeling beside the manger, the faithful
-camels standing in the grass without, and all about on the floor are the
-wonderful gifts that the kings have brought to their _pesebre_. Indeed,
-as you can see, it was erected for just this purpose, exactly as the fir
-tree with its glittering ornaments forms the nucleus in other lands for
-Christmas gifts.
-
-It was these wooden people and animals that Francisco's small fingers
-were fashioning. He had cut himself several times, and one finger was
-bound up in an old handkerchief, but his enthusiasm was not lessened
-because of it. He knew exactly how they should be carved, and how many
-there should be, for in the toyshop windows there had been sets of them
-on display for weeks, and Francisco had studied each necessary bit
-carefully.
-
-In a box beside him were the finished product of his penknife. Joseph
-and Mary were completed even to the paint; Mary's red and blue gown and
-Joseph's yellow robe were not quite dry, and the cows were too vividly
-red, but that would not matter; Elena was no severe critic, and it was
-mainly for her that he was carving them. Elena had been ill and this was
-to be her "getting well" gift. The flashing light in her great brown
-eyes when she should see them would be sufficient reward for cut fingers
-and weary back. Besides, this was the summer vacation and there was
-nothing else to do.
-
-In all countries on the other side of the Equator the seasons are the
-reverse of those on this side. In Argentina the children are having
-their summer holidays in December, January, and February, when the
-children of the Northern hemisphere are busy in school, or skating and
-sleighing; and they are having their winter when the Northern children
-are dressed in their thinnest clothing and are going away to the
-seashore or mountains.
-
-Francisco had just completed a wonderful set of bent pin horns for one
-of the red cows when he was called to breakfast, and it was _half-past
-eleven_. But you see their meal hours, like their seasons, are different
-from ours. At eight o'clock he had had his _cafe con leche_, or coffee
-with hot milk, and a roll; at half-past eleven he was accustomed to
-having his breakfast; at four he would have _mate_ or tea; and at seven
-dinner would be served.
-
-Francisco gathered his treasures into the tin box, and hurried to the
-bath-room to make himself ready for _almuerzo_. When he entered the
-dining-room his mother and Guillerma, the elder sister, were seated, and
-the little Indian serving-maid was arranging a tray to carry to Elena in
-the bed-room.
-
-The meal consisted of beef broth and rice, called _caldo_ and the usual
-beginning to every hearty meal in that country; then came fried fish
-with garlic, followed by a stew of mutton, carrots, cabbage, potatoes,
-and large pieces of yellow pumpkin, this being the native dish of the
-Argentines and commonly known as _puchero_. After that came fruit and
-coffee.
-
-Guillerma chatted continuously of the wonderful new gowns which she had
-seen being packed at the great house in Calle San Martin, where she had
-been the day before, to bid her aunt and six cousins good-bye, before
-their departure for Mar-de-la-Plata, the fashionable watering place on
-the Atlantic Ocean, a day's ride by rail from Buenos Aires.
-
-Meanwhile, as they sat thus, eating and talking, over in the great house
-of the _Coronel_[2] the master sat at his massive library table playing
-solitaire. He always ended his meals thus with his after-dinner
-coffee-cup beside him. The walls were lined with well-filled bookcases,
-for the Colonel was a scholar.
-
-Indeed, he cared little for the gay life that ebbed and flowed about him
-because of his high social position, and because of the six comely
-daughters, ranging from fourteen to twenty-four; the eldest ones of whom
-were favourites in exclusive Buenos Aires society. He suffered it
-because of his love for them, but his natural fondness for quiet and
-study led him to think longingly of the large estate in the Province of
-Santa Fe, where he could spend the remaining years of his life in the
-free open air, enjoying the quiet and solitude he so loved. But the
-daughters must be educated and their mother did not like the country, so
-the Colonel was forced to live through the winter months in the noise
-and roar of the great city; contenting himself with a few months each
-summer at the estate, when he rode at will over the wide prairies on his
-swift Argentine horse, or read for hours under the shade of the wide
-spreading _ombu_ trees which surrounded the country house. This
-_estancia_, as they term a very large farm or ranch, was really his
-wife's; in fact, so was the city house, for no retired colonel's pay,
-nor general's pay, for that matter, could have met the expenses of his
-large family, accustomed to every luxury; indeed, it was just enough to
-cover his own personal expenses, and provide a living for his widowed
-sister, who had been left penniless, but dared not earn her own living,
-since the custom of the country forbids women of class to do work of any
-kind.
-
-His matronly wife with her six daughters (large families are the rule
-among these Latin Americans) had left the evening before, with several
-French maids, for Mar-de-la-Plata to spend the entire summer; he would
-be detained in the city for two weeks, and then--for freedom and the
-life he loved.
-
-But he was strangely lonely; the house echoed his and the servants'
-footfalls with an intensity that made him nervous; the pillared
-corridors rang with no merry girlish laughter, and the luxuriantly
-furnished _patio_ with its marble floors, and softly pattering
-fountains, seemed to mock him of his loneliness. Always before, he had
-left for the _estancia_ before his family had gone to Europe or the
-seashore for their summer outing, and he never would have believed that
-he--an old soldier--could be so overcome by sentiment.
-
-He was minded to take up his abode for the next two weeks, previous to
-his leaving for the country, in his widowed sister's humble home, when
-the splendid thought came to him;--he would bring Francisco, his nephew,
-there with him to the lonely house.
-
-For some time he had been drawn towards the little fellow, partly
-because his heart was desolate that he had no son of his own, partly
-because the boy was developing so many manly traits, and reminded him
-frequently, when he turned his round brown eyes towards him, of his own
-long since fallen soldier father.
-
-He desired to know him better, to get closer to the lad--and now this
-was his opportunity; he would ask Anita to let him have Francisco for
-the summer, and the boy would keep the empty house lively for the few
-days until they should both leave for his Tres Arroyas ranch. He clapped
-his hands sharply, and a servant appeared.
-
-"Have Enrique bring the motor car at four, when the afternoon is
-cooler," he ordered, and turned to his bed-room for the _siesta_, or
-rest, that all tropical and semitropical climates demand of their
-residents.
-
-FOOTNOTES:
-
-[Footnote 1: Street.]
-
-[Footnote 2: Colonel.]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER II
-
-A WONDERFUL DAY
-
-
-PROMPTLY at four, the huge red machine puffed up to the front curbing.
-The Colonel was walking up and down in the Plaza opposite, smoking a
-cigarette; for when not eating or asleep, an Argentine gentleman is
-seldom seen without the thin, white _cigarrillo_ between his lips. He
-looked most distinguished in his scarlet and green uniform.
-
-It took but a few moments to reach his sister's _casa_,[3] and the maid
-who answered his ring in the narrow vestibule that opened directly onto
-the street told him the family were having _mate_ in the _patio_, which
-was partly shaded in the late afternoon. He was welcomed heartily, and
-was kissed by each one twice, after the foreign fashion, once on either
-cheek.
-
-The _mate_ cup, an egg-shaped gourd, was passed from hand to hand as
-they sat talking, each one in turn sucking the fragrant tea through the
-same silver tube; the little Indian maid refilling the gourd again and
-again with hot water.
-
-This is the universal custom in South American countries below the
-Equator, and aside from the benefits derived from the drinking of the
-pungent herb itself, it has a significance akin to the "loving cup"
-idea, and is a symbolization of family love and domestic ties.
-
-A guest is always asked to partake of _mate_ with the family, and if he
-is unaccustomed to the manner of its usage, the fact that he is expected
-to obtain his share by means of the one, universal tube, is at first
-disconcerting, but he dare not refuse under penalty of offending his
-host.
-
-This herb is called "Paraguayian tea," or "Jesuits' tea," as it was used
-extensively by the early Jesuit Fathers, who were one of the most
-important factors in the civilization of the lower half of South
-America. It is grown mostly in Brazil and Paraguay and its cultivation
-has become quite an industry.
-
-The dried leaves are placed in a small gourd, hot water is poured into
-it, and it is then sucked into the mouth through the long silver tube,
-which has a bulbous end, perforated with small holes so that the tea is
-strained. At the first taste it is exceedingly bitter, but one soon
-grows very fond of it. It is very stimulating and a _gaucho_, or cowboy,
-will sometimes, under stress of circumstances, ride all day with only
-his morning gourd of _mate_ to sustain him, and then eat his first meal
-of the day at sundown.
-
-The Colonel soon made known his errand, and Francisco was beside himself
-with joy. He danced about the _patio_ clapping his hands, and then ran
-indoors to sick Elena to smother her with kisses, and to tell her of his
-good fortune.
-
-"Oh, Elena, just think of it! Two whole weeks in the big _casa_ with
-servants, horses and automobiles--and then two whole months in the
-_campo_[4] with uncle to ride with me, and teach me something new every
-day!"
-
-"But Elena mia, you will miss me," and a note of sadness crept into his
-voice.
-
-"Yes, Francisco, I shall miss you, but I shall enjoy myself every day
-thinking of what you are doing, and you will write to me; Mama will read
-me your letters, and then there will be so much to talk about when you
-return,"--and Francisco embraced her another time.
-
-Half an hour later, clean and shining in his best suit of clothes,
-exchanged for the long linen duster that all Argentine schoolboys wear
-to play in, he was spinning along the asphalt streets, sitting beside
-the man who stood, to his young mind, for every virtue assigned to his
-patron saint.
-
-At first he was slightly shy, for this wonderful soldier uncle had never
-paid any particular attention to him, so engrossed was he always with
-his books and his family; but as they threaded their way in and out the
-traffic-crowded streets, among the heavy carts, the noisily clanging
-electric tram-cars, and low, open victorias filled with elaborately
-dressed women, and fleet wheeled automobiles of every size and class,
-Francisco began to ask questions, and forgot his timidity. They were
-soon chatting interestedly.
-
-"How would you like a spin out to Palermo?" his uncle asked, as they
-reached the central part of the city.
-
-"Better than I could say," replied the happy lad; his heart meanwhile
-bounding, for he seldom saw the trees and flowers of the vast park that
-is one of the city's most picturesque attractions.
-
-"Then, Enrique--to the park, via the _Avenida[5] Alvear_," said Colonel
-Lacevera to the chauffeur.
-
-It was late afternoon now, and being Thursday, the broad avenues were
-filled with hundreds of vehicles; since Thursday and Sunday are the
-afternoons chosen by fashionable Buenos Aires for the diversion of
-riding or driving to the great Prado to hear the military band, and to
-mingle in the long lines of carriages and motor cars.
-
-The _Avenida Alvear_, broad and smoothly paved, with its magnificent
-residences on either side, makes a desirable avenue from which to
-approach the park. As they rode along, the odour of jasmine and roses
-hung heavy about them, coming from the beautiful gardens surrounding the
-palatial homes. Long arbours of American Beauty roses, looking like
-crimson lined tunnels; majestic palm trees, over which trailed Marechal
-Niel roses and cypress vines; bulky shrubs, with sweet scents; all these
-lent their charm to the scene, and Francisco, ever alive to the beauties
-of nature, felt this to be a foretaste of Paradise.
-
-Soon they were in the palm bordered drives of the park; but they crept
-along at a snail's pace, as the speed on crowded afternoons is limited
-to a funeral pace, in order that the lines of carriages both coming and
-going may avoid confusion.
-
-Through the trees and shrubbery Francisco caught glimpses of cool
-running streams, crossed by rustic bridges; clear, limpid lakes with
-swans and boats, and here and there, pavilions where ices and
-_refrescos_ were being enjoyed by the gay crowd. At intervals, on
-splendid black horses, were stationed picturesque looking mounted
-policemen, their long horsehair plumes trailing over their shoulders,
-from which hung scarlet lined capes. It was their duty to keep the half
-dozen columns of vehicles in proper line.
-
-The Colonel's car had entered the wide area of the Avenue Sarmiento when
-he leaned towards the chauffeur and said, "Turn towards the Zoological
-Gardens, Enrique." And then, to the boy beside him, he said, "How could
-you stand half an hour in the Zoological Gardens, Nino?"[6]
-
-"I would try to bear up under it, Uncle," replied Francisco, as his eyes
-twinkled an answer to the merriment in the older man's. They alighted at
-the curbing, and entered the immense iron gates into that Mecca of all
-Argentine boyish hearts.
-
-All of this seemed as a dream to Francisco for although his mother had
-frequently brought him here, she knew little of the animals and birds;
-and now with Uncle Juan he could ask questions innumerable without
-getting the reply: _Yo no se_.[7]
-
-They paused first at the great cage, fifty feet in height and covering
-an area of half a city block, built over a small artificial mountain
-where hundreds of eagles and condors wheeled, fought and chattered.
-
-"See the pavilion that looks like a Hindoo temple, Francisco; let us see
-what animal makes that its home."
-
-"Elephants, Uncle Juan, and perhaps we can see the baby elephant that
-was born here a few weeks ago." Sure enough, in a park all their own,
-surrounding the Hindoo temple house, was a family of elephants and the
-baby elephant stood beside its mother, who was rubbing it affectionately
-with her long trunk.
-
-The alpacas, llamas, deer, bison, guanacos and vicunas came next, and
-Uncle Juan could answer every question that the eager boy put to him,
-for, during his active service in the army, he had spent much time on
-the frontier, and on the Cordilleras of the Andes, where these animals
-are found.
-
-[Illustration: "HE PERMITTED FRANCISCO TO TAKE A RIDE ON THE TAME
-LLAMA"]
-
-He permitted Francisco to take a ride on the tame llama, who rivalled
-the Lilliputian steam engine in its popularity as a mode of progression
-around the garden. As it did not trot, but walked sleepily along with
-Francisco, having served all day, no doubt, as a vehicle for children
-visiting the "Zoo," Uncle Juan walked beside him, and, as they
-proceeded, he told him much about the small camel-like animal upon whose
-back he rode.
-
-"You see, Nino, a llama is almost like a camel, but its size and
-strength are inferior. It has no hump on its back, but as you saw when
-you mounted it, it kneels like one. They thrive best at a high elevation
-where they browse on reeds, lichens, mosses and grass. If the grass is
-succulent they can go without water for a long time. When they are
-domesticated it is for their fine fleece. Their flesh when young is
-deliciously tender, and it is then that they can be caught with dogs and
-a lasso, but the old ones can only be shot at a distance, and their
-flesh is fit only to be dried and salted. I have seen them in Peru used
-as beasts of burden, and the Indians make a very beautiful and valuable
-cloth from the soft fleece. But come, lad, the sun sinks, and we may
-come here another time."
-
-As they walked towards the gate where the car was awaiting them, they
-passed lakes where waded and swam many birds of brilliant plumage.
-Herons and flamingoes, red and gray and pink, stood on one leg, lazily,
-watching for minnows.
-
-"Why are some of the flamingoes scarlet and some pink?" asked Francisco.
-
-"Those with red plumage are the old ones and the delicate rose coloured
-ones are not yet in their second year. At old Roman feasts their tongues
-were considered the greatest delicacy; I have eaten their flesh roasted,
-and it is wonderfully palatable."
-
-"Oh, Uncle, we haven't seen the lions, nor the bears, nor the monkeys,
-nor the boa-constrictors," coaxed Francisco, as they came in sight of
-the gates.
-
-"But we shall see them another time, Nino. We cannot see the half of
-these great gardens in a day, for they cover many acres, and contain the
-finest specimens of any garden on the continent." As they passed out the
-bugles at the military post opposite were sounding for the soldiers'
-dinner and the avenues were no longer crowded.
-
-"With haste now, to the _casa_," ordered the Colonel, and the enormous
-car plunged ahead, along the deserted boulevards where the electric
-lights were beginning to appear one by one. Francisco had never flown so
-fast and he cuddled close into his uncle's arm; the strong man held him
-tenderly, lovingly, and they entered the electric lighted _patio_ of the
-_casa_ arm in arm.
-
-Now the Colonel's home was not unlike many others of its class, but to
-the little lad's eyes it seemed a palace. The main part of it was
-perfectly square, and built around an inner court from which many of
-the rooms were lighted and all were entered. The windows facing the
-street were heavily barred, and small balconies of wrought iron
-projected from each window, over-hanging the pavement a few feet below.
-The house was flat and of but one story; into this first court opened
-luxuriously furnished parlours, drawing-rooms, smoking-rooms and
-library. Behind all of this was another court with smaller rooms opening
-into it, exactly like a smaller house. Into this opened all the
-bed-rooms, the bathrooms and the long elegantly furnished dining-room.
-
-Quite separate, and reached by a rear street entrance, was yet another,
-a third court or _patio_, and into this opened the pantries, kitchen and
-servants' quarters. The walls of the high spacious parlours were richly
-decorated, and the chandeliers were of silver and crystal; while
-ornaments and valuable souvenirs from all parts of the world were
-displayed throughout the entire house.
-
-Although only Francisco and the Colonel sat at dinner that night, the
-table was lavishly decorated, and the cut glass, silver and dinner of
-many courses, including fish, game, meats, vegetables and fruits, were a
-source of constant bewilderment and admiration to the boy accustomed to
-humbler fare and less luxurious surroundings.
-
-FOOTNOTES:
-
-[Footnote 3: House.]
-
-[Footnote 4: Country.]
-
-[Footnote 5: Avenue.]
-
-[Footnote 6: The affectionate name for all small boys.]
-
-[Footnote 7: I do not know.]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER III
-
-A LESSON IN HISTORY
-
-
-FRANCISCO awoke very early the next morning, for he was unaccustomed to
-sleeping away from home. He lay quite still listening to the unwonted
-sounds. He heard the servants scrubbing the marble floors of the _patio_
-and corridors; he heard the call of the _panadero_[8] and the hurrying
-feet to answer; for no private family ever bakes its own bread in
-Argentina, and the bakers have it all their own way, which isn't a very
-bad way since their bread is light and deliciously crisp; he heard the
-chattering of the parrots and paroquets in the servants' _patio_; then
-the clatter of a squad of mounted policemen on their way to the day's
-duty, the hoofs of their horses beating a tattoo of haste on the smooth
-asphalt still wet with the daybreak bath of the sprinkling carts.
-
-Then he became interested in his room. Such luxury as surrounded him! He
-sat up in bed and rubbed his eyes, for he had never viewed these
-bed-rooms except from the corridor, on his infrequent visits to the
-house. His bed was heavily carved and overhung with a canopy of pale
-blue plush and silk; the walls were panelled and painted in delicate
-colours, with angels and cherubs everywhere; huge mirrors reflected each
-other as they hung in their frames of Florentine gold, and after he had
-viewed it all for a few moments, he buried his head in his pillow and
-wished for his own bare room and his mother. Then he longed for Elena
-that she might enjoy the beauties about him; and this reminded him of
-the _pesebre_, which was still unfinished, but which he had brought with
-him.
-
-He wondered how he could get it to her without her finding out--and--he
-must have fallen into a doze, for soon he heard an imitation _reveille_
-blown through human hands, outside the closed blinds that shaded his
-door into the corridor, and his uncle called good-naturedly: "A pretty
-time for a soldier of the Republic to get up!"
-
-Francisco hurried into his clothes and found the Colonel taking his
-coffee and rolls in a shaded corner of the _patio_.
-
-"I am going to give you all of my time to-day, Nino, as I feel lazy, and
-I find there are many things here in your own native city that you know
-nothing about, and that a boy of nine should see and learn. Your mother
-could not be expected to do it, so it falls to me. We must start
-immediately, before the heat of the day drives us indoors. Get your cap,
-lad, and we will start over in the Plaza San Martin opposite, and have a
-lesson in history."
-
-They donned their hats, and Francisco felt very proud to walk beside his
-uncle, who, if not a very large man in stature, loomed up big before the
-boy's worshipful eyes.
-
-"What do you know of Buenos Aires, Nino?" he asked as they sauntered
-towards the centre of the park.
-
-"Not much, Uncle Juan. I know it is the largest city on the South
-American continent, and that it has over one million inhabitants. My
-teacher said once that it is one of the largest produce markets in the
-world."
-
-"Yes, and there is much more. It is the largest Spanish speaking city in
-the world, as it is twice as large as Madrid, the capital of Spain. But
-it is also very cosmopolitan."
-
-"I don't think I know just what that means, Uncle Juan."
-
-"Cosmopolitan? Why that, in this case, means that there are many
-nationalities represented in Buenos Aires. There are thousands of
-Italians, Germans, Frenchmen, Englishmen and Russians; and one can hear
-half a dozen different languages in an hour's time walking along the
-streets. But, to-day, I want to start with a little history of our
-country. So let us sit here on this bench and begin. At this early hour
-we will not be disturbed."
-
-They sat down almost under the shadow of the high statue of San Martin
-and the Colonel reverently uncovered his head. Without being told,
-Francisco took off his cap, and his uncle patted him affectionately on
-the back. "Good, good, my boy! He deserves it, for no greater soldier
-ever fought; but we will have to go back several centuries to get the
-run of things," and as he leaned back he paused and puffed thin clouds
-of smoke from his cigarette.
-
-"You see, when Buenos Aires was really founded, it was in 1580,
-sixty-four years after the River Plate was discovered by Solis, who
-called it the River of Silver, because he believed silver could be found
-on its banks. They called the city 'Good Airs,' because of the fresh,
-invigorating quality of the air that blew over from the vast prairies.
-This first settlement grew, and others farther into the interior sprang
-from it; all of them Spanish settlements; and in 1661 the King of Spain
-recognized them as a colony and appointed a governor. Thus it continued
-until in 1806, when England was at war with Spain, and they sent Lord
-Beresford, with several thousand men, down to this colony to take
-possession of it.
-
-"Buenos Aires then, as now, was the key to the entire country, and as it
-had but forty thousand inhabitants, and was without any military
-defence, he took it without trouble. But the Spaniards, at last,
-overcame him; and he was obliged to give up his prize and leave. England
-then sent another army, but this time the natives were prepared, and
-their victory was complete. General Whitelock, in command, capitulated,
-and his flag, the flag of the famous Seventy-First Regiment of the
-British army, hangs in the Cathedral over yonder, where you see the
-double spires beyond the house-tops. We are justly proud of that flag,
-for that Seventy-First Regiment is the one that caused Napoleon no end
-of trouble in Egypt.
-
-"After this victory our people began to feel the stirrings of
-independence from Spain itself, and a spirit of revolution took hold of
-the officials and people. At last, an open revolt took place in the
-Plaza Mayo, on the twenty-fifth day of May, 1810, and under the
-leadership of splendid men--patriots all of them--our independence was
-declared.
-
-"But this was only the first step, just as it was with the great
-republic of the United States when on the fourth of July they declared
-their independence from England. So our twenty-fifth of May was but the
-beginning of a long struggle. A _Junta_ was formed to govern, but it was
-no easy task. To the north were Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia; to the
-west Chile and Peru; all Spanish colonies. The _Junta_ sent troops to
-these countries to endeavour to arouse the people to throw off the yoke.
-They sent General Belgrano to--"
-
-"Oh! Belgrano! I know about him, Uncle. His tomb is in the little square
-in front of the church in Calle Defensa, and it was he who originated
-our flag. He said the long blue bars were to represent our
-faithfulness, as true as the beautiful blue of our skies; and the white
-bar was to symbolize our honour, spotless and fair."
-
-"Yes. Well, he went first to Paraguay; but the Spaniards had so
-intermarried with the Paraguayan Indians, whom they had found in that
-wild country, that they did not respond to the stirring appeal of
-General Belgrano. He, however, succeeded in some of the northern
-provinces, and thus encouraged, they organized a small navy. Do you know
-who was our first admiral? No? Well, it was an Englishman and his name
-was William Brown.
-
-"With this navy, Montivideo, the capital of Uruguay, was taken.
-Enthusiasm ran high, and it was just here that Don Jose de San Martin
-came into the light of publicity, as commander-in-chief of the army. Now
-let us take the automobile, awaiting us over in front of the house, and
-ride to the Cathedral where the remains of our hero rest, and I will
-tell you more about him there."
-
-They rode along the clean streets, the fresh morning air blowing
-straight into their faces, the curious, sing-song cries of the street
-venders following them as they sped along Calle Florida.
-
-"Uncle Juan, why is it that most of these street peddlers are Italians?
-See, there goes an onion-man with his long strings of onions, their
-stalks knit together into yard lengths; there is a vegetable cart; there
-is a vender of fruit, and all of them speaking broken Spanish with an
-Italian accent."
-
-"Yes, Nino, most of the peddlers are Italian. I do not know why, unless
-it is that each nationality turns to a special kind of work in this
-world. The Italians are naturally merchants, they like to bargain. They
-are also very fine mechanics. Did you ever notice that our plasterers,
-or masons, who plaster the outside and inside of all our houses, speak
-Italian?"
-
-"And that group of men on the corner, see, Uncle, they are all dressed
-alike, and must be of the same nationality; what are they?"
-
-"Those"--indicating half a dozen men wearing full trousers held up by
-red sashes, adorned with dozens of coins, their heads covered with round
-full caps also red. "Those are Basques or Vascongados. There are many
-here, and they come from a small piece of country to the west end of the
-Pyrenees, in Spain, bordering the Bay of Biscay. Like the Italians,
-they, too, follow the work best suited to them, and they are mostly
-porters, because of their physical strength and powers of endurance.
-
-"I have noticed, too, that the majority of our milk men are Basques, and
-I account for that because in their native home they are a pastoral
-people and such pursuits attract them. Listen as we pass: their language
-is unintelligible to us although they come from Spain. It is unlike any
-other European language."
-
-They were now entering the great square called Plaza Mayo. It is the
-heart of the city, although it is not in the centre. It covers about ten
-acres, and is two blocks back from the muddy La Plata River; and scores
-of masts and smoke-belching funnels of great ocean vessels can be seen
-from its benches.
-
-"That is our Government House. That much I know," said Francisco,
-pointing to the rose-tinted building, modelled after the Tuileries, and
-facing the plaza. From its rear to the river intervened grass plots and
-groves of sturdy palmettoes.
-
-"Yes, that is where our Senate convenes and where all the business of
-the Republic is done. The President has his offices there, and all the
-public receptions are held there. You see, our government does not
-provide a home for our President; that, he must look after himself. Why,
-we are just in time to see His Excellency now."
-
-There was a clatter of hoofs under the wide _porte-cochere_ and a smart
-closed coupe drew up before the side entrance. The liveried footman with
-a cockade of blue and white (the Argentine colours) in his high hat
-sprang to the ground and opened the door. A man, slightly above the
-usual Argentine height, quite handsome, with pure Castilian features,
-and dressed in afternoon garb of tall silk hat and frock coat, got out,
-and walked spryly up the wide stone steps, past the sentries in scarlet
-and green, into the vestibule.
-
-"Do you know him, Uncle Juan?" asked Francisco, with awe in his voice.
-
-"Senor Alcorta, El Presidente, is a warm friend of mine," replied the
-Colonel, and as he said it he grew fully half a foot in his nephew's
-estimation.
-
-"A warm friend? Do tell me about him."
-
-"Another time, Nino, we must hasten to yonder Cathedral; but he is a
-good man and a good President."
-
-They turned towards the enormous building, shaped like the Pantheon with
-its blue tile-covered cupola, and its long portico supported by huge
-Corinthian columns.
-
-It was built by the Jesuits in the seventeenth century and hundreds of
-Indians were employed by these pioneer fathers, in its construction.
-Like all houses in Buenos Aires, it is of masonry untinted except by
-years. With the Bishop's palace next to it, it covers an acre of ground.
-
-Francisco and his uncle entered it and crossing themselves, knelt on the
-bare stone floor, for like most Argentines, they were Catholics, and
-this was their greatest cathedral. After a few minutes spent in
-devotion, the Colonel led the way to one of the naves, where the tomb of
-the great liberator, San Martin, stands, a huge sarcophagus upon a high
-pedestal of marble. The Colonel stood in meditation a moment, then drew
-the boy beside him on a bench. In a low voice he said:
-
-"Francisco, San Martin, the father of our country, was not only a great
-general, but he was also a remarkable organizer, for his troops were
-composed mainly of _gauchos_ of the wild uncivilized kind, who were not
-easily trained or drilled. It was he who originated the plan of crossing
-the Andes and liberating Chile and Peru from the Spanish yoke.
-
-"With his army of five thousand men, and in the face of public derision,
-for the undertaking seemed impossible, he crossed the rugged Cordilleras
-in twenty-five days; met the Spanish general in charge of Chile and
-defeated him. He was thus the liberator of the Chilean people, for that
-battle on the twelfth of February, 1817, gave them their independence
-from Spain. In Santiago, Chile, there is a statue to General San
-Martin, and one to the city of Buenos Aires. After his wonderful
-achievement in crushing the power of Spain, in Argentina, Chile and
-Peru, he retired to private life, refusing to serve in any civil
-capacity.
-
-"Following this revolutionary triumph, Brazil waged war with the
-Argentine Republic over the disposition of Uruguay. After three years,
-they agreed on its independence. This was followed by a dictatorship
-lasting twenty years, that was a period of the greatest tyranny in our
-history. Don Juan Manuel Ortiz de Rosas, at the head of a powerful troop
-of half savage _gauchos_, appeared on the political stage, and literally
-wrested the reins of government from Dorrego, who held them.
-
-"Some time you will read in history of his twenty years of despotism. It
-was during this reign that my father, your maternal grandfather, lost
-his life in the blockade of Argentine ports, by French and English
-forces. Rosas was at last overthrown by General Urquiza, who organized
-the government upon its first solid basis, with a constitution modelled
-closely after that of the United States of North America. Since then,
-although we have had a few revolutions and several financial crises, we
-have maintained our freedom; and our wonderful natural resources and our
-rapid commercial development are giving us a stable place in the world's
-congress of nations."
-
-Francisco listened attentively, and when his uncle concluded, followed
-him out a side entrance into the street, like one in a dream. They
-stepped into the Calle Bartolome Mitre, which seemed congested with a
-torrent of vehicles pouring down its narrow channel like a noisy stream
-and discharging itself into the great Plaza in front of the Cathedral.
-
-"What if San Martin could see this now?" ventured Francisco, still
-under the spell of the hero's achievements. "Wouldn't he open his eyes?"
-
-"Yes, lad, the growth of this city has been phenomenal, and this
-afternoon I will show you more of it. Why, you're not homesick, are
-you?" he asked, noticing the far away look in the boy's eyes as they
-sped along the _Avenida_.
-
-"Not exactly, but I would like to see Elena, and find out how she is
-to-day."
-
-"Why, bless my heart! I had forgotten the sick sister. We will go past
-thy mother's house and if the little rose is well enough this afternoon,
-we shall include her in our ride in the city."
-
-FOOTNOTES:
-
-[Footnote 8: Baker.]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER IV
-
-CURIOUS SIGHTS
-
-
-ELENA was propped up with pillows in a deep chair by the window which
-opened out upon the street. She looked lonely, but when she saw the car
-sweep along the street and stop at their door, her face beamed happily.
-There was no jealousy in Elena's heart because her brother was being
-thus favoured by their uncle.
-
-"Oh, Elena, mia," cried Francisco, throwing his arms about her, and
-kissing her on each pale cheek. "Do you feel able to take a ride with us
-this afternoon?"
-
-"I think she is," answered his mother, entering the room, and taking her
-son into a close embrace. "But how I have missed my Nino, Juan," turning
-to her brother, the Colonel.
-
-"Perhaps I have been selfish in taking him from you, Anita. Shall I
-leave him here?"
-
-"Ah, no! The lad needs you, Juan. He has no father to teach him as he
-should be taught. It is the very opportunity for him; and I am most
-pleased. Only, let me see him often, and I shall be content."
-
-"That you shall, and this afternoon just after _mate_, we will come to
-take you and Elena with us for a ride. It may bring roses to her
-cheeks," and he pinched the pale cheeks as he passed her on his way
-out.
-
-True to their promise, at five o'clock the automobile drew up in front
-of Francisco's home and the Colonel, himself, carried Elena out to it,
-and placed her in the nest of pillows on the broad leather seat. Her
-mother followed and before Elena realized it, they were speeding toward
-the central part of the city.
-
-"Where does the little White Rose wish to go?" inquired her uncle.
-
-"Oh, anywhere--away from this horrid street. I am so tired of it. If I
-may, I should love to see the water."
-
-"To the river, Enrique," laughingly ordered her uncle. "Only, the river
-isn't a very pretty sheet of water. It is so murky, and I think should
-be called the River of Bronze rather than the River of Silver."
-
-"I know, Uncle Juan; but when I had the fever it was water, water, water
-I dreamt of, and now I want to see my fill of it."
-
-"That you shall, White Rose, for right here at Buenos Aires the river is
-over twenty-five miles wide and the city has a frontage of four miles
-along the waterfront."
-
-They passed through the Plaza Mayo, and Francisco had to tell Elena of
-having seen el Presidente that morning. Then they turned into the
-Paseo-de-Julio, a one-sided boulevard facing the river two blocks away.
-The intervening space was a maze of small plazas where palms, flowers,
-shrubs and statuary edge the waterfront like a band of solid green.
-Beyond, before Elena could see the water, were the busy docks, huge
-masonry basins, where over two thousand ocean-going vessels come and go
-during the span of a year.
-
-Electric cranes were swinging the great cargoes of wheat and cattle into
-the yawning holds of the vessels, and on and on the sea of funnels and
-masts stretched until the muddy line of water at last broke on the
-sight. Francisco was alert, his brown eyes taking in every detail of the
-stirring busy scene; but Elena's hungry eyes looked past this to the
-water beyond.
-
-"Some day, I hope to go away in one of those big vessels," she
-announced.
-
-"Indeed, and which one will you choose, little White Rose? Here is a
-wide choice. That large one with the enormous smokestacks and the
-British flag flying above her, is a Royal Mail Steam-ship from England.
-One of these leaves every Friday for England, and besides the mail,
-carries about fifteen hundred passengers. On one of them you would
-travel in great luxury; electric fans, electric elevators, an orchestra
-with dances every evening, and dressing for dinner at night. Oh! it's
-gay enough, the life on those magnificent steamers!
-
-"Then, alongside of it you see a smaller boat, a French liner from
-Marseilles. They go weekly also, and they bring us our champagne and our
-opera companies; why, this very automobile came on one of them. There's
-an Italian liner and just beyond are some German boats. In the South
-Dock is a river boat that goes up country to Paraguay; our oranges come
-on those. And all about are smaller boats, some sailing vessels that
-carry coffee from Brazil, and yellow pine from New Orleans in the United
-States."
-
-"Why, that one just over yonder flies the Stars and Stripes of North
-America," cried Francisco, pointing to a small vessel.
-
-"Not exactly, Nino. It is from _Los Estados Unidos_.[9] You must not
-confound them, for the United States are but a part of North America,
-although many of our people do not seem to think so. But you do not see
-many of their flags in our docks. The commercial relations between our
-two countries are as yet in their infancy. The most of our export and
-import business is done with Europe."
-
-"Do they not send anything at all down here, but yellow pine, Uncle?"
-this from Francisco.
-
-"Yes, oh! yes. They are sending us machinery, especially agricultural
-machinery. When you go with me to the country you will see their
-wind-mills, steam threshers and binders in great quantities. They send
-us other machinery, of many kinds, but in comparison with our trade with
-Germany and England it is very little."
-
-"And do these big ships go back empty to Europe?" inquired Elena,
-pointing to the long wharves.
-
-"By no means, little girl. See those heavy carts going towards the
-docks? Well, I don't suppose your young mind can take in the figures,
-but Francisco will understand, when I tell you, those carts carried one
-hundred and fifty million bushels of wheat last year to those returning
-ships, to say nothing of millions of sheep, frozen quarters of beef,
-wool, cheese and even butter and eggs. Anita," turning to his sister, "I
-doubt if you, yourself, have ever been to the Barracas, have you?"
-
-"No, Juan. It is so far from the residence district and I never happened
-to drive that way."
-
-"Then we will ride over there now and let you all see the largest
-wholesale produce market under one roof that you can find in all the
-world."
-
-For two miles they sped through narrow streets; past crowded tenements,
-in front of which scores of dirty children quarrelled and played, and
-where the _peons_ or working classes huddle, sometimes families of
-fourteen in one room; past _tambos_, where the cows and goats stand in
-sheds, open to the street, awaiting to be milked while the customer
-waits; past gray spired churches, their wide doors always open, inviting
-the pious passer-by to enter for prayer; passed _fideos_ factories,
-where curious shaped macaroni hangs drying in the sun in the open
-courtyards; on and on they bumped, for the streets here were
-cobble-stones, until, at last, they reached the vast building covering
-many acres, where wheat, wool, corn and produce are bought and sold to
-the foreign trade.
-
-"Were it not so late, we would alight and see it closer. However, Elena
-could not walk, anyhow. Already, I fear she has had too long a ride for
-her strength, and we hope not to tire her on this, her first outing; eh,
-White Rose?" But Elena was fast asleep, her head on her mother's
-shoulder.
-
-The chauffeur turned the car towards the city, where here and there, in
-the gathering dusk, an electric light could be seen as if notifying the
-day, by these advance signals, that its duty was over.
-
-Elena slept on and did not see the wonderful _Avenida_ as they flew
-along its smooth surface, so like Paris as to seem a bit of that gay
-city picked up and transferred to American soil; the plane trees
-bordering it, with here and there a small newspaper _kiosk_ like a
-miniature temple; the splendid building of "La Prensa," the richest
-newspaper in the world, where the Buenos Aires public can obtain the
-services of the best doctors, lawyers, or dentists free of charge;
-invitingly odorous confectioneries or restaurants with small tables on
-the sidewalks at which handsomely dressed men and women sit eating and
-drinking and watching the gay multitude; bewildering shop windows full
-of the latest Parisian novelties; fruit and flower boys, with their
-trays of luscious fruits and delicately scented blossoms balanced
-unaided on their heads; hotels just beginning to glitter with their
-myriads of electric lights; all of these passed by them as Elena slept
-the sleep of exhaustion.
-
-Francisco, however, missed none of it, for his was the Latin spirit
-full of love of pleasure and display, bright lights and gay crowds. His
-uncle watched him intently from under his heavy brows.
-
-Suddenly a weird, unearthly wail arose above the hum of the traffic all
-around. Elena started up, frightened and trembling, but, as she had
-heard it before, she recognized it, and fell back asleep again.
-Francisco had heard it also, but never so close, it seemed right beside
-him.
-
-"Uncle, may we not go back by the Prensa building and see what has
-happened?" he cried excitedly.
-
-The Colonel agreed and Enrique crossed to the other side of the street,
-entering the long line of vehicles going west, for the "rule of the
-road" in Argentina is "keep to the left." The hoarse, wailing steam
-whistle had drawn the crowds towards the handsome building from whose
-tower it was issuing, and they could not reach it within half a block.
-Mounted policemen were everywhere trying to disperse the crowd. It was
-good-natured as any Latin crowd, but refused to be moved; like a hot
-water bag, it bulged out in one spot when pressed down in another. And
-all of this--because the bulletin methods of this mighty newspaper are
-so unusual.
-
-Whenever any unexpected occurrence takes place in Europe or any part of
-the world this enterprising "daily" apprises the public of it by blowing
-this stridently piercing steam whistle. It was blown when Queen Victoria
-passed away; its howl distressed the nervous citizens when San Francisco
-was almost in ashes, and its present message was that a son and heir had
-been born to the King and Queen of Spain. This was made known from the
-front steps of the building and very soon the crowd was a cheering,
-hat-waving mob. It was momentarily growing more excited and Enrique
-turned into a side street and sped towards the house in Calle Cerrito,
-where Elena, now thoroughly aroused by the boisterous tumult about them,
-could be tucked away into bed.
-
-As Francisco and el Coronel Lacevera sat at dinner that evening
-discussing the event of the afternoon, while softly gliding servants in
-quiet livery served them, the Colonel said:--
-
-"Did you know, Nino, that every time La Prensa blows that whistle as
-they did to-day, it costs them three hundred dollars?"
-
-"Why, Uncle Juan, does it use up as much steam as that?" earnestly
-inquired Francisco.
-
-"Scarcely," laughed the Colonel, as he lifted up an enormous bunch of
-muscatel grapes, weighing several pounds, from the platter of fruit
-before him, "scarcely that, Nino, but our city government fines them
-that amount every time they blow it, as they term it a public nuisance.
-Now, when they want to indulge in this sensational advertising, they
-send a messenger on to the _Commissaria_ post haste to deposit the fine,
-timing his arrival just as the last howl of the whistle sounds across
-the city."
-
-FOOTNOTES:
-
-[Footnote 9: The United States.]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER V
-
-GREAT SURPRISES
-
-
-ON the Colonel's desk the little revolving calendar was set at "December
-25th," and the letters were in red ink, showing by this that it was a
-feast day. The Colonel was writing, and evidently did not notice a
-little figure clad in a long linen coat standing behind his chair
-waiting a chance to speak. He wrote on and on, until Francisco's
-patience was exhausted and he coughed warningly.
-
-"Not much of a soldier, Nino! A soldier must have patience if it is to
-wait all day."
-
-But Francisco was used by now to his uncle's chaffing; indeed, they were
-close friends and Francisco went right to the heart of his errand.
-
-"Uncle, it's _El dia de Navidad_."
-
-"Why, so it is," looking at the calendar. "I had forgotten it was
-Christmas. We've so many feast days one cannot keep the run of all, and
-I can scarcely remember my own patron saint's day. If it wasn't such a
-well known and widely observed one, it would often pass before I knew
-it."
-
-Francisco laughed. "Why, Uncle Juan, you couldn't miss St. John's day
-unless you were deaf and blind. They make such a noise and have such
-huge bonfires always. For weeks before it comes the children save every
-piece of wood and paper, and last St. John's night I stood on our roof
-and looked over the city. My! how pretty it looked; the whole city
-seemed on fire; for nearly every street had half a dozen bonfires. I
-wish _my_ saint was as popular. But to-day, I want to ask if I may go
-home just for a little while."
-
-"Indeed you may, lad, whenever you choose."
-
-"Well, you see, to-day, I've a special errand, Uncle; I've been making a
-_pesebre_ for Elena and it's finished now just in time. I would like to
-go and set it up."
-
-"Let me see it," said the Colonel.
-
-"Oh, it's fine, Uncle. I've got twenty-eight figures and the paint is
-dry on every one of them. I worked all day yesterday in the back
-_patio_, and Jose, the _portero_, helped me cut out the camels. He said
-mine looked like giraffes." And the boy began to lay them out on the
-desk, tenderly lifting each one as though they were alive and breathing.
-
-As each little representation took its place in the long row the
-Colonel's face grew tender. He dared not smile at their crudity for
-behind the rough, unskilful carving, he saw the ideal that had been in
-the carver's mind. He was seeing some new thing each day in the little
-fellow's character that made him love him more; and when they were all
-placed formally together, he drew the little linen coated figure into
-the circle of his arm and together they discussed the merits of each wee
-wooden figure.
-
-"Nino, we will go together! That's what we'll do," he exclaimed almost
-boyishly. "I am tired of these long army statistics, so let us go
-_inmediatamente_."
-
-A span of Argentine thoroughbreds took them this time, for the Colonel
-was a genuine lover of horse flesh, and he owned several of the finest
-in the country. It is said that an Argentine will lavish as much care on
-his favourite horse as a mother will upon her child; and these two,
-Saturnino and Val-d'Or, were the pride of his heart.
-
-"This pair, Francisco," he began, as they took their seats in the open
-victoria, and the silver studded harness tinkled as the splendid horses
-started off; "this pair are to be taken abroad next month with my two
-trotters, Benita and Malacaro. Our horses are attracting more and more
-attention in Europe as they see the fine specimens our stables are
-sending there.
-
-"I shall enter them on the English turf, and I am ready to hazard their
-price that they will come back, at least one of them, with a blue
-riband. At any rate, I am sure there are no finer appearing horses
-anywhere than these; but all of our horses are good to look at. Of
-course, I except those miserable cab horses; they are a disgrace to
-their name, and should be called sheep."
-
-Thus he chatted on, full of his subject, until they reached Francisco's
-home. They found Guillerma and her mother away. They had gone to
-celebrate mass and Elena, with the one _servienta_, was alone in the
-house.
-
-"You entertain her, Uncle Juan, while I erect the _pesebre_," whispered
-Francisco.
-
-So the gray haired soldier took Elena on his knee and told her the story
-of a little girl who was lost in a forest and of the convention of
-animals that met to discuss her fate. He put most eloquent speeches into
-the jaws and beaks of the different birds and animals, such as the deer,
-the puma, the ostrich, the jaguar, and many others. Elena's eyes were
-wide as the big bear growled out his belief that she should be cut up
-into half _kilo_ bits, and divided among them; but just then Francisco
-entered the room and asked them to come into the dining-room where
-Estrella, the servant, was preparing _mate_.
-
-As they entered the _comedor_[10] Elena spied the manger with its
-surrounding images in the corner, on the floor.
-
-"_Que hermosa! Que linda!_"[11] she cried, clasping her hands in
-ecstasy. "Only yesterday did I tell Encarnacion, when she came to bring
-me Christmas cakes full of almonds and raisins, that we should have no
-_pesebre_. She is to have one of ivory that cost a small fortune, but I
-had rather have this. Oh! it is so beautiful! Who could have brought it?
-Who could have put it here?" and she looked up inquiringly, first at her
-uncle and then at her brother. Uncle Juan's face pleaded "not guilty"
-but Francisco's was so beamingly tell-tale that she flew to him and
-embraced him and kissed him over and over again.
-
-[Illustration: "'DID YOU EVER SEE SUCH GLORIOUS BLUE EYES!'"]
-
-When each figure had been carefully inspected and discussed Uncle Juan
-proposed a ride, this time behind his favourite horses. As they entered
-the house on their return he was pleased to see a faint colour on
-Elena's face and a brighter look in her eyes.
-
-Thus the days passed, swiftly enough; New Year's with its fireworks and
-noisy crowds of celebrating _peons_, and at last came twelfth night.
-
-Elena awoke on the sixth of January feverishly expectant. Surely, after
-having set up such a lovely _pesebre_, the Three Kings would not forget
-her. An excursion into the dining-room proved their faithfulness, for
-there they stood--three smartly covered camels, and three wee kings,
-bowing before the tiny babe in the manger.
-
-Around the room were the gifts they had brought to her. A toy piano, a
-wonderful French doll with a trunk full of clothes, a few picture-books
-and a china tea set. She was still admiring them when Francisco arrived;
-he was dressed for travelling and was quite excited, but Elena could not
-notice that, so absorbed was she in her toys and doll.
-
-"See this _muneca_,[12] Francisco, mio! Did you _ever_ see such glorious
-blue eyes, just like the English Senora's on the corner. Why, you act
-as though you had seen them before, Francisco, are you not surprised to
-see so many?" exclaimed Elena, impatient that he would not kneel with
-her among her gifts.
-
-"They are beautiful, Elena, every one of them. But I am in a great haste
-for Uncle Juan and I are leaving from the Retiro Station in half an
-hour. The servant, Jose, has taken our trunks and large bags ahead, and
-I stopped here to bid you all goodbye, as Uncle Juan had another errand
-to do on his way down. We go a day earlier than we had planned in order
-that we may stop over for a day and night in Rosario. I am glad, Elena,
-that your gifts are so lovely, and if I were not in such a hurry, we
-would have a long play together. But I shall write to you, all of you;"
-and he embraced them, each one, mother and two sisters, hastily, not
-trusting himself to prolong the goodbye.
-
-The Estacion Retiro was full of a holiday crowd, for it was early
-morning. Jose was awaiting him, and they stood watching the long trains
-of cars coming and going, discharging their loads into the long sheds,
-and swallowing up another one and puffing out again. Francisco's
-knowledge of railroads was limited. He had never taken a long journey on
-one; his mother and Guillerma had taken him with them on one of their
-yearly pilgrimages to the shrine of Our Lady of Lujan, some forty miles
-distant, for being devout Catholics, this was never omitted. He began to
-grow nervous, fearing his uncle would be too late, as the train for
-Rosario was puffing and blowing just outside the iron gate and the guard
-was preparing to ring a huge bell, which announced the departure of all
-trains. Just before its first peal broke from its brass throat his uncle
-strode in, and, motioning the servant to follow with the bags, he
-hurried Francisco through the gate.
-
-Jose, the _portero_ accompanying them, was an Araucanian Indian by
-birth, but he spoke Spanish fluently. When a mere boy, the Colonel's
-father had brought him from Chile, when returning from a military
-expedition into that country; and he had been a faithful servant of the
-family ever since. As slavery is prohibited in Argentina he had been
-paid wages since he became of age, over forty years ago, but no power on
-earth could have induced Jose to leave the service of Colonel Lacevera.
-
-He was but slightly bent and possessed the broad face and high cheek
-bones of the South American Indian. His skin was like parchment, and his
-eyes slanted peculiarly like the eyes of the Chinese. When Francisco had
-spoken of that last characteristic to his uncle he had been told that
-many people believed these Indians to be a tangent of the Oriental
-races, and upheld their theory mainly because of the peculiar similarity
-of the eyes.
-
-Jose and Francisco were great friends and Francisco was much pleased
-that Jose was to be with them at the _estancia_, since his knowledge of
-animals, birds, herbs, in fact all out door life, was unlimited.
-
-The car they occupied was a compartment car of the English type,
-although the ponderous engine was North American. As the railroads of
-Argentina are mainly under English control the English railway customs
-and equipments are largely in evidence.
-
-The pretty stations at each suburb are surrounded by grass plots with
-beds of flowers, and the English system of overhead bridges across the
-tracks at all stations reduces the number of accidents.
-
-Francisco found out all of this by a series of continuous questions as
-their train sped through the pretty suburbs with their numbers of summer
-homes, surrounded by well kept gardens. The villages began to grow fewer
-and fewer and Colonel Lacevera said:
-
-"Now it's my turn, Nino! Can you bound the Argentine Republic?"
-
-Francisco began in the sing-song manner of the Spanish schools:--"On the
-north by Paraguay, Bolivia and Brazil, on the west and south by Chile;
-on the east by Brazil, Uruguay and the Atlantic Ocean. Its area is one
-million, one hundred and eighteen thousand square miles and its
-population is over six million. It is--"
-
-"There! There!" exclaimed his uncle, laughingly. "You may stop. No
-telling how long you could sing the praises of your native land. I want
-to tell you a few things that you may not have learned. Do you know what
-alluvial soil is?"
-
-"It sounds like some metal," ventured the boy.
-
-"But it isn't. You see, Argentina was once part of the ocean bed; for
-under the soil, way back in the interior of the country, I, myself,
-have found shells and gravel. This long level stretch of land between
-the Atlantic Ocean and the foothills of the Andes, that was once covered
-with water, is now called the Pampas; and you are now in that region.
-
-"See that long, coarse grass stretching as far as the eye can reach; it
-is the finest pasture land in the world and explains why we produce such
-quantities of cattle, sheep and horses. You see, having this excellent
-pasture-land, so well watered, and a climate that insures grazing the
-whole year through, our expenses for raising and rearing cattle are very
-low. We are a larger country than we appear on the map, my boy. Why! we
-are twelve times as large as Great Britain."
-
-"Uncle, as we have so many things that are the largest and best in the
-world, tell me, is this the longest railroad on the earth?"
-
-"No, Nino, not quite that. Our railroads are developing our country at a
-rapid rate and we have some of the finest road beds in the world, but
-that is because our country is so level. Now that I think of it, we have
-got something connected with railroads that is interesting. We have the
-longest straight stretch of railway in the world, it is said. On the
-Argentine Pacific Railway from Buenos Aires to the Andes it runs like a
-surveyor's line two hundred and eleven miles without deviating a foot.
-But come, let us go into the dining car for breakfast; it is already
-half-past eleven."
-
-This was Francisco's greatest surprise of all in a long list of the
-day's surprises. To eat in a railway car, speeding fifty miles an hour,
-with delicate china and napery, shining silver and food like he had been
-having daily at his uncle's table, seemed too wonderful to be true.
-
-FOOTNOTES:
-
-[Footnote 10: Dining-room.]
-
-[Footnote 11: How beautiful! How lovely!]
-
-[Footnote 12: Doll.]
-
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER VI
-
-NEW EXPERIENCES
-
-
-"LEVANTESE! Levantese!" came Jose's voice to Francisco's ear, just as
-the latter was lassoing a llama he had been pursuing on the back of an
-ostrich.
-
-Francisco rubbed his eyes and woke from his dream to a babel of voices,
-and the train was not in motion. Where could he be?
-
-As he rubbed his sleepy eyes again his uncle took him gently by the
-shoulder.
-
-"Wake yourself, Nino. We are in Rosario; come, follow me."
-
-Francisco followed him through the long hall of the compartment car out
-into the big station where insistent porters and shouting cab-men made
-frantic grabs at them and their baggage, only to be beaten off by Jose,
-whose language as he scolded and berated them was not what is known as
-"polite Spanish."
-
-Selecting a victoria from the long line of waiting ones, they entered,
-Jose sitting with the driver, and were soon before the lighted portals
-of a large hotel.
-
-The building was two stories in height and perfectly square; the second
-story bed-rooms all opened on to a porch or corridor, which ran
-completely around and overlooked the central court on the first floor.
-The entrance was very imposing with marble staircases and marble
-pillars; and Francisco's sleepy eyes opened wide in astonishment. They
-were just in time for dinner; already the marble tables in the _patio_
-were filling with men and women sipping their afterdinner coffee in the
-cool open air.
-
-As this was Francisco's first dinner in a hotel it might be interesting
-to know what he ate. Being an Argentine, he always ate several different
-kinds of meat, and began this meal with a platter of cold meats: tongue,
-pressed chicken and jellied veal. Second, a vermicelli soup with grated
-cheese; third, fried _pejerey_, the most popular fish of the country;
-fourth, partridge fried in oil; fifth, asparagus with melted butter;
-sixth, macaroni with tomato and garlic sauce; seventh, roast mutton;
-eighth, a salad of lettuce and tomatoes; ninth, a sweet jelly in wine
-sauce; tenth, fruits; and then they adjourned to the _patio_ for coffee.
-
-While his uncle smoked and talked with friends, whom he had chanced to
-meet, Francisco slipped away and Jose helped him undress for bed, as he
-was very tired.
-
-He remembered no more after Jose turned off the electric light until he
-opened his eyes into the full glare of the sun, the next morning. It
-was nine o'clock and Jose was laying out clean linen for him. After a
-refreshing shower bath, he returned to his room to find his rolls and
-coffee on a table beside his bed.
-
-"Why, Jose, I'm not a lady that I must have my _cafe_ in bed!" exclaimed
-the lad. "Mother and the girls always do that, but I'm a man and I want
-to have mine in the dining-room with Uncle Juan."
-
-Jose explained that in hotels one must always take one's morning coffee
-in one's rooms; and he talked on while Francisco ate and dressed.
-
-"_El Coronel_ will be busy all of the day and he has placed you in my
-hands. Rosario, I know like a book, and together we will see it."
-
-"Oh! that will be great fun, Jose. Where shall we go first?"
-
-"Would you like to see them load the vessels? This city is where much of
-the wheat of our country is brought to be loaded into the vessels for
-Europe. The river is so deep here that the largest ocean-going vessels
-can come up to the docks."
-
-They walked through crowded, busy streets until they came to a high
-bluff, and from the edge of this they could look down on the very tops
-of the long rows of steamships below, all being loaded with wheat.
-
-This was just the beginning of the busy season, for the harvest was
-scarcely under way. In January and February the whole city of Rosario
-would seem nothing but wheat, wheat, wheat.
-
-Francisco saw all of this with deepest interest; he was beginning to
-comprehend the resources of his own country.
-
-They sat watching the course of the wheat bags as they shot down the
-long chutes from the high bluffs to the vessels below, until Francisco's
-eyes grew tired and even when he closed them he could see long lines of
-bobbing bags, like yellow mice, chasing one another into the water.
-
-So they walked along the bluff, counting the flags of the different
-nations displayed on the boats beneath them; English, French, Italian,
-Dutch, German and a few that Francisco had never seen before.
-
-For a while they watched the _lavaderas_ or washer-women pounding the
-clothes of the city on the rocks at the edge of the water; and spreading
-them on the higher rocks behind them to bleach and dry.
-
-Steam laundries are uncommon in South America and all of the washing is
-done in this manner. The _lavaderas_ carry the soiled linen from the
-houses to the river on their heads, balancing huge bundles as easily as
-though they were trifles, their arms folded across their breasts.
-
-As they stood watching this cleansing process Francisco spied a
-raft-like boat piled high with small logs tied on securely.
-
-"It looks out of place here, Jose, among all these enormous freight
-steamers. What does it carry?"
-
-"Willow, Senorito, and see, there are others coming down the river. It
-goes to Buenos Aires to be made into charcoal, the principal fuel of
-that city. Great quantities of it are raised above here; it is quick of
-growth and needs only to be planted so," and Jose demonstrated by taking
-a short twig and sticking it into the earth.
-
-"Behold! and in seven years, it is as you see it there on the rafts
-ready for market. They use the twigs for making Osier baskets. But _hace
-calor_[13] let us go to the cool shady _patio_ of the hotel and there I
-will tell you a story of some charcoal burners until the Uncle comes."
-
-But the Colonel reached the hotel before they did, for Francisco must
-stop to see this thing and that as they sauntered along. The mid-day
-heat meant little to him while so much of novelty challenged his
-attention. Jose was always ready to answer his questions, and he
-frequently drew the boy's notice to something that would escape any one
-but a keen observer, and this the Indian was.
-
-The sun was almost in midheaven, and the daily _siesta_ was beginning in
-some parts of the city. Workshops were being closed, and under every
-tree some cart driver had drawn up his horse and stretched himself on
-the grass under its shade; even the beggars were curled up on the church
-steps fast asleep.
-
-"Why do some of those ragged beggars wear metal badges, Jose?"
-
-"They are licensed beggars, Senorito. The city has authorized them to
-beg, and when you help them you may know you are helping no rogues."
-
-Francisco drew his nose up into a prolonged sniff. "I believe I'm
-hungry, Jose. What smells so good?"
-
-"Step here on to this side street and I'll show you."
-
-The street was being torn up to be repaved, and the _peon_ workingmen at
-this noon interval of rest were eating their _almuerzo_. Gathered in
-little groups, they sat around something that was cooking and emitting
-odours of stewing meat, potatoes and onions.
-
-"But how are they cooking here in the street?"
-
-"Go closer and you can see," replied Jose.
-
-Francisco walked to the curb, and looking over their backs into the
-middle of one circle he saw--the stew cooking in a shovel.
-
-"They buy these things at the market and use their street shovels for
-stewpans, as you see."
-
-"Ugh! I hope they wash them first," laughed Francisco.
-
-They were now passing the market, an enormous affair covering the best
-of a large block. But the scene was no longer animated for the
-chattering and bargaining were beginning to cease; and the merchants,
-themselves, were nodding over their wares.
-
-Along the curbing were piles of merchandise; here, a stack of peaches,
-pears, apricots, figs, nectarines, grapes, and plums; there, an array of
-earthen ware, in curious shapes; here, a stock of readymade clothing,
-aprons, trousers, _ponchos_[14] and shoes. The vegetables were heaped
-high in piles; tomatoes, beans, lettuce, cardon, celery, potatoes,
-cucumbers, and onions in long ropes, their stems so plaited together
-with straw that they can be sold by the yard; or, in that country's
-measure, a _metro_.[15]
-
-Many of the stalls offered cooked foods; roasted partridges and
-chickens; pates of jellied meats; cleaned and cooked armadillo, whose
-meat tastes like tender roast pork. The Argentines are very fond of them
-and they consume thousands every month.
-
-Around the curbing, at one end of the market, stood great carts, with
-wheels fully eight feet high. These, Jose told Francisco, were the
-market carts that brought the produce into the city. They look rude and
-cumbersome, but carry several tons and often as many as a dozen oxen are
-hitched to them.
-
-These interested Francisco but Jose bid him hurry as no doubt his uncle
-would have breakfasted. Which, indeed, he was doing, for as they entered
-the hotel Francisco caught sight of him, seated in the long dining-room
-with several gentlemen; all of them, including the Colonel, in cool
-looking white linen suits. Francisco joined them and was introduced to
-the strangers.
-
-They were wealthy _estancieros_ but not Spaniards. One was an
-Englishman and the other a North American, owning ranches near Rosario,
-and they were negotiating with Colonel Lacevera for some pedigreed
-horses which he owned.
-
-They talked partly in Spanish and partly in English; for like most
-educated Argentines, the Colonel spoke some English and understood more.
-Francisco had studied English at school just as he did French, and he
-was delighted to be able to understand some of their conversation.
-
-Before they parted, the Englishman urged Colonel Lacevera to attend a
-large sale of cattle and horses which was to take place at his
-_estancia_ the next day, Sunday. Patting Francisco on the head he added:
-
-"Bring the Nino also, he may enjoy it."
-
-So early the following morning Jose had their horses at the curb of the
-hotel, saddled and ready for the three league gallop.
-
-Francisco had not ridden often, but his enthusiasm knew no bounds when
-he saw the Argentine pony that was to be his mount.
-
-The Colonel looked at Jose meaningly, for he knew that this eagerness
-would not outlast the long gallop.
-
-At first they rode briskly in the cool morning air. Francisco held on
-bravely, but the Colonel noticed the firm set of his lips, and that he
-talked less and less as they rode on.
-
-They were riding through beautiful country. The turf was fresh and green
-in spots where the old coarse grass had been burned off and the tender
-young sprouts were coming up through the rich soil. They passed droves
-of several thousand sheep nibbling peacefully on this succulent new
-growth. There were shepherds, with here and there a hut made of poles
-covered with mud; the roof thatched with asparta grass.
-
-Francisco was so tired and his bones began to ache so desperately that
-he ceased to show any interest in the things they passed. Colonel
-Lacevera and Jose exchanged knowing looks, but dared not permit
-Francisco to see them. When they came to one of these rude huts his
-uncle said:
-
-"Nino, would you not like to see the inside of one of these _prairie
-palaces_?"
-
-He admired the boy's pluck, but he feared to tax his physical endurance
-more.
-
-Francisco willingly assented, and they rode up to the door around which
-a swarm of dirty, half naked children sat on the ground.
-
-Jose called: "Ola!" and a copper-coloured woman appeared at the door,
-dressed only in one garment, a dun-coloured chemise.
-
-She was an Indian, and when Jose spoke to her in her own tongue, asking
-for a drink, she pointed to the square kerosene tin filled with water,
-beside which hung a gourd.
-
-She said her husband was out with the sheep; and she had no chairs to
-offer them, but they might alight and rest.
-
-They stepped into the hut, the door of which was a horse's hide; the
-floor was the hard earth; a box stood in the middle and served as a
-table, while bundles of straw in the corners served as beds. Instead of
-chairs there were dried skulls of oxen; their wide, spreading horns
-serving as arms to these unique seats. Francisco was glad, however, to
-rest his weary body within their grewsome embrace and he sat thus for
-half an hour, while Jose watered the horses and the Colonel talked to
-the children.
-
-Francisco himself proposed that they start on, but Jose was obliged to
-lift him into his saddle. One more league and they were in sight of the
-_estancia_, where the sale was to be held.
-
-The house was of the usual Spanish style of architecture, and the many
-buildings grouped around it gave the place a resemblance to a village.
-
-Senor Stanley met them and "gave" them his house, after the manner of
-all Spanish hosts, and they entered to wash and rest.
-
-As the Senor Stanley was an Englishman, his house interested Francisco
-in spite of his weariness. It was fitted with every luxury of a high
-class English home; the baths being supplied with cool spring water
-which flowed through them constantly. There were handsomely furnished
-parlours, a well-filled library and a billiard room. The stables were
-commodious and sanitary; and the tennis courts and golf links, gardens
-and _patios_ were numerous.
-
-In the corrals they found several hundred men gathered and there was
-much confusion and noise.
-
-It was Sunday and therefore a holiday spirit pervaded everything, for
-Sunday is not observed in Argentina as a day of quiet and reverence; it
-is the day for sports, games and excursions. This sale had been set for
-Sunday to insure a large attendance.
-
-First, breakfast was served. Under a long arbour, formed by tall
-eucalyptus trees, the table, fully a hundred feet in length, had been
-set. At each place was a bunch of flowers and a bottle of native wine.
-
-Despite his aching body, Francisco did full justice to the soup,
-barbecued meats and fowls, vegetables and fruits that were served. But
-after he had eaten he crept under the shade of one of the trees to rest.
-
-He fell asleep and slept until his uncle wakened him at _mate_ time.
-
-"Hello, my boy! Slept through all of this noise? You were certainly
-exhausted, for such a clatter as there has been. One hundred thousand
-dollars and many pedigreed animals have changed hands, and it wasn't
-done quietly either. We will have our _mate_ and then ride home in the
-cool of the evening. Come." And the Colonel helped the stiff jointed,
-weary boy to his feet.
-
-FOOTNOTES:
-
-[Footnote 13: It makes hot, literally.]
-
-[Footnote 14: Blankets.]
-
-[Footnote 15: A little over a yard.]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER VII
-
-ON THE RANCH
-
-
-"WHAT is that you have, Manuel?" cried Francisco, to one of the _peons_,
-five days later, as he sat under an ombu tree in the garden on his
-uncle's _estancia_, playing with some tame _tierra_ birds, that kept the
-garden clean of worms.
-
-Manuel was one of the house _peons_ and he had a queer looking machine
-with a long snout under his arm.
-
-"Why, this is an ant destroyer, Senorito; would you care to watch me
-kill ants?"
-
-For answer, Francisco ran eagerly to his side and the two walked toward
-the peach orchard. Francisco had had five days of rest from his tiresome
-ride the day of the sale, and he was now ready for any new adventure.
-
-They had arrived at the Tres Arroyas ranch three days before and he had
-made friends with every one connected with the house and gardens. The
-heat had been too great to allow of any wider acquaintance, which would
-have included the gauchos, or cowboys; at least the nearer ones, for the
-Tres Arroyas ranch was very large, and Francisco never could have known
-them all. Jose had told him that one could ride all day from the centre
-and not reach its boundaries.
-
-"Why do you use that to kill ants?" he asked of Manuel. "Our _servienta_
-at home uses hot water when they get into the _patio_."
-
-"Ah, yes, Senorito, but these country ants come in such armies it would
-take a geyser of boiling water to kill them. Now, we are here in the
-orchard; you can see how they destroy things."
-
-Curious rivulets of tawny brown ran here and there as far as the eye
-could reach.
-
-"Last spring these ants fairly cleaned our peach trees of their tender
-young leaves, and it was only by continuous labour that we exterminated
-them. Now, look at them! Thick as ever."
-
-"But how can you kill millions of ants with so small a machine?"
-
-"Well, I can't this afternoon. I brought the machine here to place it
-and get it ready; then early in the morning I will tap on the iron bars
-of your window and you must follow me."
-
-It was scarcely more than dawn the next morning when Francisco heard the
-gentle tapping on the _rejas_ at his window. He had forgotten his
-engagement with Manuel, and started up in bewilderment. The sight of
-the _peon_ reminded him and he hurried into his garments and was soon
-with Manuel in the crisp morning air.
-
-"A little more of the sun above the horizon and we would have been too
-late for to-day," said the swarthy Spaniard, as he busied himself
-lighting the machine.
-
-"Ants are early risers, and it's only by getting up before they have
-made their morning toilets that we can manage to make war on them."
-
-Francisco laughed at the idea of an ant bathing and dressing, and bent
-over on his knees beside Manuel who was scratching a match to light the
-dry rubbish in the cylindrical can, in one end of which was a small
-amount of sulphur. He screwed a lid on the other end, inserted the snout
-into an ant hole and with a pair of bellows he sent the volumes of
-sulphurous smoke into the labyrinthine passages of the ant houses.
-
-"Look, look," excitedly cried Francisco, as quantities of smoke were
-seen issuing from many holes, here and there, within a radius of several
-hundred yards; showing how intricate and many winding are the
-underground passages of these industrious pests.
-
-"Yes, there won't be many ants getting out to work this morning. But in
-a short while they will be just as bad as ever."
-
-They went from one part of the orchard to another until the sun was too
-high, and they were obliged to stop until another morning. Francisco
-learned, as they walked toward the house, that these ants are the worst
-pest, excepting the locust, that the farmer has to combat. They
-particularly delight in carrying away whole beds of strawberries and
-they often come in armies that swarm over every obstacle in their path.
-
-As they entered the house, Francisco noticed that his uncle had had
-_cafe_ and was in his riding breeches ready for a morning gallop.
-
-"May I go with you, Uncle Juan?" cried Francisco.
-
-"Hey! That's spirit for you! Rode yourself to fragments a few days ago
-and ready for another trial to-day. _Che_," clapping his hands as a
-_peon_ appeared.
-
-"Saddle Barboza for the Senorito, _inmediatamente_."
-
-Francisco gulped his _cafe_ and nibbled at a biscuit, but he was too
-excited to eat more.
-
-When the horses were brought to the door, his eyes gleamed, for he saw
-that the smaller horse, that was to be his to ride while he was on the
-_estancia_, was resplendent in a new saddle, bridle and bit. The servant
-brought a set of solid silver spurs and smart leather riding boots which
-he assisted Francisco to put on, and which he told him his uncle had had
-sent with the saddle and outfit from the city.
-
-The stirrups were of silver, beautifully chased, and the head stall,
-ornaments for the brow band which covers most of the horse's face, and
-the _pretel_ bangles that jingled across the horse's breast, were all of
-the same valuable metal. It was indeed the outfit of a gentleman, and on
-Barboza, the sleek bay horse, with the neat, light hoof of the prairie
-steed, it seemed an equipment fit for a prince. His uncle appeared at
-the mounting block and Francisco kissed him again and again as he
-thanked him for the lovely gifts.
-
-"Hey! Hey! We can't waste time thus, my boy. I am going over to the west
-of the _estancia_ to inspect some horse branding that is to take place
-to-day. The _mayor domo_[16] will follow me later."
-
-They cantered off across the corral and were soon on the open plains. On
-and on, over the pastures, some of them red, like battle grounds with
-the scarlet _margarita_ or verbena; when again they would reach a huge
-patch of white ones that looked at a distance like snow.
-
-"What was that, Uncle?" exclaimed Francisco, startled, as a large bird
-with yellow breast and gray wings screeched across their path, emitting
-a harsh cry of several syllables.
-
-"That is the _bicho-feo_."[17]
-
-"Why do they call it ugly bug? It is a bird."
-
-"Because its cry is not unlike those words. Listen again and you will
-hear how plainly he says it. It is a bird of prey and lives on smaller
-birds. That bird just fluttering up out of the grass at your left is a
-scissors bird."
-
-"Oh, I know why. See how its two long tail feathers clip the air like
-scissors as it flies."
-
-They passed numbers of small gray owls; and once Francisco spied a flock
-of flamingoes across the water of a small lake. Occasionally they passed
-a shepherd's hut; but now they were getting on beyond the sheep grazing
-pastures and great herds of cattle came in sight.
-
-Francisco leaped in his saddle with joy. "Oh! Uncle, are we coming to
-the cowboys?"
-
-His boyish enthusiasm had pictured them on their native heath so often,
-and now he was really to see them! He had watched them when they came to
-the city on holidays and walked along the Paseo de Julio, where the pawn
-shops, with their tempting offers of silver sheathed knives, gaily
-striped _ponchos_, and silver mounted _rebenques_[18] draw them as honey
-draws bees; but to see them on the plains,--that was what he wanted!
-
-[Illustration: "SOON AFTER HIS EAGER QUESTION THEY PASSED A GROUP OF
-THEM."]
-
-He did not have to call on his reserve of patience; indeed, soon after
-his eager question they passed a group of them, crouched on the ground
-around a fire of dry thistles, over which hung a can, suspended by wire
-from a tripod, and which held the water for their morning _mate_. They
-arose to their feet as the Colonel galloped past and greeted him with
-_vivas_.
-
-"Do they often use those murderous looking knives on each other, Uncle?"
-asked Francisco; the sight of their weapons having subdued his zeal
-somewhat. They were rougher looking men in their working clothes than
-when they came to the city dressed for a lark.
-
-"Seldom, Nino; unless they are intoxicated. They are not very civilized
-and they have no education whatever. They fairly live on their horses'
-backs and cannot be persuaded to do any work that must be done outside
-their saddles."
-
-They were, indeed, fierce in appearance. Their knee-high boots were made
-of rawhide; they wore no trousers, but a striped blanket held around the
-waist with a belt, then brought between the legs and fastened again to
-the belt in front, formed the covering of the lower part of the body.
-This is called the _chirapa_ and when walking it gives the wearer a
-bulky appearance, not unlike a Turk.
-
-As these were _peon gauchos_, or low-class cowboys, they were not so
-picturesque as the gentleman _gaucho_, who is entirely different in
-appearance and character.
-
-The _mayor domo_ rode up to them within the first hour, and his costume
-was that of the _caballero_ class or gentleman _gaucho_.
-
-He also wore the _chirapa_, but it was over long white cotton trousers,
-the edges of which were embroidered and finished with hand-made lace.
-Instead of the rawhide belt of the _peon gaucho_, his was a strip of
-hogskin doubled, the inside forming a pocket, which was stitched into
-compartments, these being made secure with clasps made of silver coins;
-from all of this hung a festoon of coins encircling the entire waist.
-The large clasp in the front was of solid silver, carved to represent
-the crest of Argentina. Several knives were thrust through his elaborate
-belt, and his riding whip was of closely braided rawhide, with a heavy
-silver handle.
-
-Francisco eyed him curiously, but with evident admiration. This was more
-to his liking, and he rode between this gentleman of the Pampas and his
-soldier uncle with great pride. Almost, he was persuaded to be a
-_gaucho_, but a side glance at his idolized uncle brought quick
-repentance to his heart.
-
-How could he be so disloyal to his family traditions! A _soldado_,[19]
-of course, that was his destiny.
-
-FOOTNOTES:
-
-[Footnote 16: Superintendent.]
-
-[Footnote 17: Beech-o fay'-o.]
-
-[Footnote 18: Riding whips.]
-
-[Footnote 19: Soldier.]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER VIII
-
-CATTLE BRANDING
-
-
-THEY reached the western corral about ten o'clock, and found the
-branding already under way. Several dozen _peon gauchos_ had assembled
-and they had driven the horses to be branded into an enclosure.
-
-"See, Nino, these are all young animals; they have never had the iron on
-them."
-
-"Why do you brand them, Uncle Juan? Your _estancia_ is so large surely
-they could not stray on to a neighbour's ranch; and then the _gauchos_
-watch them carefully?"
-
-"Yes, but there are so many thousands that, despite the best of care,
-our horses stray away occasionally. Before every yearly round-up, we
-send _peons_ to all the neighbouring ranches to gather in the strayed
-ones; and if our brand is on them there is never any question as to
-their owner. I am gradually having the outskirts of the _estancia_
-enclosed in barbed wire fencing, but it is so many leagues around that
-it is no easy matter. But look, see how they catch them!"
-
-They were using the _bolas_, and although Francisco had often seen them
-in the shop windows, he had never seen them in use. They are an
-aboriginal device for lassoing cattle and horses. They consist each of
-three stone balls covered with leather and all attached to long thongs,
-two of which are longer than the third. The ends of these thongs are
-attached together and when the _gaucho_ uses them he raises his hand
-holding these ends above his head and whirls them around and around to
-gather momentum, then opening his hand the weapon flies away to coil
-itself about the feet of the animal that he wishes to lasso. These
-_gauchos_ are so skilful in the use of the _bolas_ that their aim is
-unerring, and although it sometimes bruises the captive's legs, it is a
-most convenient method for catching a fleet-footed horse or cow.
-
-[Illustration: "BLAZED THE LINES OF THE TRES ARROYAS ON ITS HIP"]
-
-When the _gaucho_ in the enclosure had caught a horse by this means, he
-immediately pulled it to the ground. A _peon_ sat on its neck while
-another held it by a rope around its fore-legs, and a third blazed the
-lines of the Tres Arroyas brand on its hip. The mark was in the shape of
-a horseshoe, inside of which was a cross; and at least ten of these
-groups were busy all of the time, burning it on the young animals.
-
-"What do you raise these wild horses for, Uncle Juan?" inquired
-Francisco, who had not missed one single detail of the performance.
-"They are not fine horses like Barboza here," and he patted his steed's
-neck affectionately.
-
-"No, they are not, by any means. These wild horses are raised for their
-hides mainly, although very little of them goes to waste when they are
-skinned. Look over yonder, near that cluster of mud huts, where the
-hides are drying in the air and sun."
-
-Francisco's eyes followed the end of the silver riding whip that his
-uncle used to point with, and saw tier after tier of poles, from which
-were stretched horsehides to stakes in the ground below.
-
-Turning to Don Carlos, the _mayor domo_, who was near-by, the Colonel
-inquired the worth of the horses being branded.
-
-"Not less than ten or twelve dollars each," answered the superintendent.
-"These are very good ones. Does the Senor care to have his breakfast
-now?"
-
-For some time, Francisco had been feeling pangs of hunger. His hurried
-_cafe_ had not been sufficient nourishment for the long hot ride, and
-now his hunger was aroused by odours that came to his nostrils like
-pleasant messengers; yet, he could not see anything cooking.
-
-"Uncle, shall we eat out here with the _gauchos_?" he asked, wild-eyed.
-
-"Very near them anyhow, but not exactly _with_ them. Manuel came ahead
-of us to prepare our _almuerzo_, which is in process of cooking over
-yonder behind that clump of willows. Before we eat you shall see the
-_gauchos_ eat, but I warn you it is not a prepossessing sight.
-
-"Here, Don Carlos, have the men go to their breakfast now, the lad wants
-to see their table manners."
-
-Don Carlos rode into the corral, spoke a few words and the branding
-ceased. Each man mounted his own pony, for an Argentine cowboy never
-walks, be his journey ever so short. With cheers and shouts they
-galloped toward the mud huts near-by.
-
-Francisco and the Colonel followed at a more dignified pace. They found
-the men gathered about in groups, squatting on the ground or sitting on
-ox skulls.
-
-The beef had been quartered and roasted on a spit over a charcoal fire,
-outside one of the huts. Each man, without ceremony, had "fallen to" and
-helped himself, by cutting great chunks of the meat from the large piece
-on the fire.
-
-Holding one end with his teeth and the other with his hand, each man
-would sever the bite about two inches from his mouth with one of his
-silver-handled belt knives.
-
-"You see how superfluous are knives, forks and plates," said the Colonel
-in an undertone to Francisco as they watched this primitive process.
-
-"And now for our own breakfast. I am as hollow as is the wild pumpkin
-at the end of summer," and he gave a sharp blow to his horse, another to
-Barboza, and they were off towards their own waiting meal in the shadow
-of the willows.
-
-Manuel had killed a small kid soon after reaching the corral, and had
-roasted it on a spit in its skin over a fire of dry thistles and
-charcoal. He was basting it with salt water, which he had brought in a
-bottle. In the coals below were sweet potatoes roasting in their
-jackets. So tempting were the combined odours of lamb and sweet potatoes
-that Francisco ran to the little stream to wash himself, in order that
-he might begin to appease his appetite at once.
-
-"I _never_ was so hungry," said he, as he took the tin plate offered him
-by Manuel. "I think I could eat with my hands like the cowboys! Do they
-ever eat anything but meat?"
-
-"Seldom. They care but little for vegetables; not enough to take the
-trouble of raising a few. Meat and _galletas_, the hard biscuit of the
-Pampas, often three or four months old, is all they have besides their
-_mate_, that they _must_ have always.
-
-"Que esperanza! lad, this lamb is good! It takes me back to other days.
-Many times on our expeditions into the provinces have I eaten thus."
-
-"Tell me, do tell me of one while we eat and rest," coaxed Francisco.
-
-"There were many, lad," said the Colonel, as he passed his plate back to
-Manuel for another piece of the smoking, savoury lamb. "I've never told
-you of the expedition of General Roca into Patagonia. I was commanding a
-regiment at that time, one of the regiments that became famous because
-of that remarkable undertaking.
-
-"Patagonia is all of the southern-most part of this continent lying
-between the Rio[20] Negro and the Straits of Magellan, excepting the
-narrow strip between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean, which belongs to
-Chile. This country is not the barren, unproductive country now that it
-was before our expedition carried civilization to its wild wastes and
-reclaimed those vast prairies from the Indians."
-
-"But, Uncle Juan, what right had Argentina to take the land from the
-Indians of Patagonia? They had lived there for centuries and it was
-theirs."
-
-"It is a long story, Nino, and I shall give you only the bare outline.
-You see, Patagonia is a series of vast terraces from the Atlantic Ocean
-to the foot of the Andes. On these well watered steppes, Patagonian
-Indians, mainly the Chennas, raised their cattle, allowing them to rove
-at will. But the winters there are most severe, especially when a
-_pampero_ blows; so, during the winter months, they drove their immense
-droves of cattle to the northward into the foothills of the Andes, where
-it was warmer. During these winter sojourns close to the frontier of our
-Republic, they lived by murdering and stealing from our settlements, and
-the development of our lands was being retarded because these pioneers
-were obliged to flee to the cities and leave their fields of grain and
-maize, their vineyards and their cattle to the mercy of the marauders.
-
-"Gradually the outposts of our civilization were creeping closer to
-Buenos Aires, instead of extending and growing as they should. Do you
-now see why we were justified in fighting them?"
-
-"Yes, but I didn't know they had made any trouble. I supposed they were
-peaceful."
-
-"Far from it. At last when Don Nicolas Avellaneda became President, he
-sent General Roca, who was my general, and the Minister of War, into
-Patagonia to exterminate these Chennas.
-
-"It was not an easy task, for these Indians are a fierce race, giants in
-size and strength. Do you know how they came by their name,
-Patagonians?"
-
-"I have never heard, it must have something to do with their feet as
-'patagon' means 'large foot.'"
-
-"That's it exactly. Magellan, the discoverer, saw their footprints in
-the sand and because of their magnitude, he believed them to be giants,
-and called them that before he had ever seen them.
-
-"Well, General Roca never knew discouragement, and he set about their
-defeat by digging great trenches, twenty feet deep and twenty feet wide,
-while the Indians were up in the mountains with their herds of cattle.
-
-"These trenches he covered with boughs, over which earth was scattered,
-and when all was ready he sent us back to drive the Chennas toward the
-ditches.
-
-"It was a terrible price to pay for their cruelty, and I shudder now as
-I recall that awful day; but nearly all civilization is bought with
-blood, and it certainly ran in torrents then. The Indians, unsuspecting,
-fell headlong, thousands of them, into the trenches, and the few that
-were unhurt by the fall or by being crushed in the trenches were made
-prisoners and distributed among the victorious regiments as servants or
-soldiers. The women and children were captured and sent to the cities to
-work.
-
-"Ah! But those ditches! The birds, foxes, and armadillos must have grown
-fat on the thousands of bodies we left on that plain."
-
-Francisco begged for more, his eyes were ablaze and his cheeks flushed,
-but the Colonel said:
-
-"No more of fighting, anyhow; but come here by the stream, now that we
-have finished our meal, and I will tell you of some of the animals I saw
-in Patagonia."
-
-"Did you ever chase ostriches?" eagerly inquired the boy.
-
-"Yes, yes, several times and it is great sport; and once, for three
-days, I had only ostrich eggs to eat. You see, we were digging those
-same trenches and could not spare many of the men for hunting. I was ill
-and could not eat the army rations, so Jose brought me ostrich eggs and
-cooked them as the Indians do--in the red-hot coals."
-
-"And was Jose with you on that expedition?" exclaimed Francisco.
-
-"Yes, through all my campaigns he has been my body servant. It was Jose
-who told us how the Indians catch ostriches; he had heard it when a boy
-among his tribe of Araucanians."
-
-Francisco clapped his hands in anticipation.
-
-"A circle of fire around a great area was built and the huntsmen
-remained within this circle. The ostriches and guanacos that were thus
-imprisoned in the circle of fire were easy prey for they fear fire and
-ran almost into our arms. Why, what's the matter, Nino?"
-
-The interest had died out of Francisco's eyes and he sat with his hands
-clasped over his knees.
-
-"Well, Uncle Juan, I'll tell you. I'm disappointed!"
-
-"Disappointed! How?"
-
-"Uncle Juan, I don't think that's fair play or good sport."
-
-"_Que esperanza!_" exclaimed his uncle, secretly proud of the boy's
-loyalty to his conviction, but determined to draw him out on the
-subject.
-
-"And who are you that you may sit in judgment on generals and captains?"
-
-"Oh! I don't think one's rank has anything to do with one's opinions.
-Uncle, if a _peon_ thinks a thing is not right he must not do that even
-though the President, himself, commands him; and I don't think hunting
-animals in that fashion is fair. The little English boy I play with at
-school is always saying that we Spaniards are not--well, he calls it
-'sporty.' That's their English word for it. He says that the Englishmen
-are the truest sports on earth and that they would never hunt as we do."
-
-"To a certain extent he is right, Francisco. We don't care for the
-excitement of the chase merely for the excitement as they do; we are
-less active in our temperament, and prefer to gain our ends with the
-least expenditure of energy. I want you, above all things, my lad, to be
-broad-minded, and able to see your own shortcomings, so think this
-matter out and if you are convinced that we are not right as a people,
-in our attitude towards sports, or anything else for that matter,
-formulate your own opinions and then stick to them.
-
-"It is through such men that all nations grow; and the men that are able
-to see their national deficiencies are the great men, the reformers,
-and the leaders.
-
-"But in regard to the ostriches. How would you catch them if you had the
-opportunity?"
-
-"I should do it as the English lad tells me he saw them do it in Chubut
-Territory; that's part of Patagonia, isn't it, Uncle?"
-
-The Colonel nodded, smoking industriously.
-
-"Well, he says the real way to catch ostriches is with the _bolas_. He
-saw his father chase them there and he says they hunt them in an open
-plain, not in a circle of fire. They give the birds an equal chance with
-them for their lives, and if the ostrich can't outrun them, then, when
-they are within throwing distance, they whirl the _bolas_ around their
-legs and trip them. He says it is fun to see an ostrich run; it
-stretches out its long neck and with its awkward long legs kicks up a
-great cloud of dust behind it. He also told me about seeing guanacos
-and pumas. Did you ever hunt them, Uncle?"
-
-"Yes, but guanacos are hard to shoot because of their keen sense of
-smell, they can scent a human being over a mile away; but their flesh is
-delicious, tasting much like venison.
-
-"Have you ever seen the puma skin in the library of my city house?"
-
-"Yes, I have often seen it and one day I measured it; it was over two
-metros in length. Are those guanaco skins in the dining-room at the
-_estancia_--the tawny yellow ones with white spots and such deep soft
-fur?"
-
-"Yes, and the ostrich robe that your aunt uses in her carriage is made
-of the breasts of young ostriches; it is as soft as down and marked
-brown and white. The Patagonian Indian women often wear them for capes,
-although they are very expensive.
-
-"You know, the ostriches we have here are not the kind that produce the
-long plumes worn in ladies' hats; these are called the 'rhea' and are
-an allied species. Speaking of skins, Francisco, I will tell you of one
-that will interest you. It is a vicuna, and one of the finest I have
-ever seen. It was presented to your great-grandfather, General Lacevera,
-by a chief of the Incas, as a vicuna robe is worn only by one of royal
-blood among the Indians. It saw service as your great-grandfather's
-_poncho_ during his remarkable career, and is now over one hundred years
-old, yet it is as soft as velvet. Being one of our family heirlooms, it
-shall be yours, as I have no son."
-
-"That pleases me and I shall be very proud of it."
-
-"As you well may be. Whatever fortunes come to you in life, Nino,
-remember you are a Lacevera."
-
-Sleep was sweet that night, and Francisco's head was scarcely on his
-pillow when guanacos, vicunas and even _gauchos_ were forgotten in
-dreamless slumber.
-
-FOOTNOTES:
-
-[Footnote 20: River.]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER IX
-
-A SUCCESSFUL SEARCH
-
-
-THERE was not a dull moment for Francisco during the weeks that
-followed. Don Carlos, the superintendent, lived in the great house the
-year through. He was a bachelor and a man of education, so that when the
-Colonel came each summer he insisted that he keep his usual quarters;
-for the house was very extensive and the Colonel enjoyed his company at
-meals and during the long evenings.
-
-Francisco had accompanied Don Carlos on several excursions and once,
-with a _tropilla_ of horses (eight or ten riding horses driven loose by
-a _peon_ for fresh mounts on a long journey), they had gone on a journey
-of five days to a neighbouring _estancia_ to purchase algarroba posts
-for the extensive fencing that was taking place on the Tres Arroyas
-ranch. This algarroba wood is like iron and under water is almost
-imperishable.
-
-They had passed by one small _estancia_ devoted almost exclusively to
-peanut culture; there were leagues and leagues of them being raised to
-be shipped to the Mediterranean ports to be made into _olive oil_. They
-had their dinner at this _estancia_ and Francisco ate bread made from
-powdered peanuts mixed with wheat flour and he found it very delicious.
-
-Jose had taken him on several fishing excursions, and once they had
-hunted _armadillos_ with small dogs. Francisco had laughed heartily at
-the antics of one dog, who had almost caught the horny-plated little
-animal when it suddenly rolled up into a ball, its back of movable, bony
-bands enveloping it like an armour, and rolled off a bluff over the
-river bank, falling fully fifty feet; while the puzzled dog peeped
-cautiously over the brink to see it unroll itself and with its short
-legs hastily dig a retreat under the earth.
-
-On Francisco's birthday his uncle had given a _fiesta_ in his honour.
-There were fireworks and races, and cowboys from all parts of the
-_estancia_ came in their full cowboy regalia on their best horses to
-participate. It was very interesting, and then there was a dinner for
-everybody and after that a dance. Francisco, himself, presented the
-prizes, and his uncle made a speech.
-
-After so much excitement Francisco overslept the next morning, and awoke
-to find that his uncle had ridden to a far corner of the _estancia_ to
-inspect some of the new fencing; he had left word that he would not
-return until late that night.
-
-Francisco sat under his favourite ombu tree, watching a _manganga_, or
-carpenter bee, that was humming loudly in the foliage above his head and
-looking like a shining ball of gold among the green leaves. He had
-received a letter from his mother that morning, and he was a bit
-homesick.
-
-"El Senorito is _triste_. No?" It was Jose's voice behind him.
-
-Francisco brushed away a tear that had stolen down his cheek, and turned
-to greet the Indian with a smile. "I was wishing to see Elena, but it
-won't be long now; and I shall hate to leave this lovely place, too. But
-one can't have everything one wants, all at the same time, can one,
-Jose?"
-
-"No, Senorito, but we always have _one_ happiness; have you noticed it?
-There never comes a time when we haven't one, at least. Now I've one
-just now, and I am going to share it with you. It will take away your
-sadness."
-
-"Is it--is it another fishing trip?"
-
-"No, but it's better. Now listen, and I will tell you about it.
-
-"While the _gauchos_ were dancing and making merry over your birthday,
-last night, some miserable robbers got into the horse corrals and stole
-all the horses' tails."
-
-"The horses' tails!" gasped Francisco.
-
-"Yes, you see that's partly what we raise wild horses for; their skins
-and their tails. South American horsehair for mattresses is famous all
-over the world, and it brings good prices. Now, these thieves make their
-living by visiting the different _estancias_ and helping themselves to
-the horses' tails.
-
-"Word came to your uncle, just before he left, that when one hundred of
-his horses were driven out of the Corral De Oeste this morning, they
-hadn't a single tail among them. So he has offered one hundred _pesos_
-to the one, or ones, who can catch these thieves. Would you like to
-try?"
-
-Had Jose asked him if he would like to swing on to the new moon by his
-toes Francisco could not have been more startled.
-
-"Try--! Why Jose, you can't be in earnest!"
-
-"_Como no?_" grinned the Indian cheerfully.
-
-"But Jose, wouldn't they shoot us, and, anyhow, I know you are jesting
-when you ask _if I_ would care to try. You,--you are a strong man, even
-if you are getting old, and I heard the _peon_ children down by the huts
-say that there was no man for leagues and leagues around that could
-wrestle as you do; that you learned how from a Japanese soldier years
-ago in Chile. And I know you can shoot; but I would just be in the way."
-
-"No, Senorito, you wouldn't be in the way. Manuel and I want you to go
-with us because we need you."
-
-"Need _me_! Oh, Jose!" and Francisco's eyes gleamed brightly. "Do you
-think Uncle would allow me to go with you?"
-
-"He is not here to say, and we must leave before he returns. But he left
-you in my care and if I feel sure no harm can befall you, I see no
-reason why you should not go."
-
-"Oh! Oh! Oh!" shouted the happy boy, dancing around Jose and clapping
-his hands.
-
-"This is the greatest adventure I ever had. To hunt brigands! Why, it's
-too good to be true. Won't Ricardo grow green with envy when I tell him
-about it, and won't the little English boy sit with his eyes wide open,
-while I recount the story to him. He will hush up about his ostriches
-and guanacos after this," and Francisco sat on the ground hugging his
-knees, and rocking to and fro gleefully.
-
-"Well, don't clean your turtles till you've tied them, Senorito. We may
-not get them. It's only because I have a clue and a scheme that I am
-willing to try; for they are pretty clever fellows and they won't be
-easy to catch. We want to take you for a decoy, and besides, I think you
-would enjoy it. A Lacevera, even at nine years of age, is no coward."
-
-"A coward, I should say not. Why, Jose, I am _never_ afraid. But what is
-a decoy?"
-
-"A decoy? Well, that's what we used when we caught flamingoes the other
-night. Do you remember how we put young frogs on the end of a string and
-then lay low in the grass and waited?"
-
-"But, you can't tie a string to me, Jose--and--and--besides I don't
-be--believe I want to be a decoy. It isn't that I'm not brave; no,
-indeed, Jose--but I think I would rather you would decoy them with
-something else."
-
-"Leave that to me, Senorito, and I promise they won't hurt you. You must
-have forgotten you are a Lacevera. They shall not gobble you up as the
-flamingoes did the frogs. Just what would you buy, anyhow, if you got
-your share of the reward?"
-
-"Buy!--Let me see. There are so many things to buy. But now that I have
-my lovely saddle and silver stirrups I don't need much for myself. I
-think I would buy a beautiful parasol, all lace and chiffon, for
-Guillerma, for young ladies don't care for anything much but clothes.
-Then I should buy a jewelled fan for Mama, and then--well, I believe
-Elena and I would spend the balance for Carnival as it comes next month.
-But Jose, what did you say about not cleaning your turtles till you had
-tied them?"
-
-Jose laughed and patted him on the back. "True, Don Francisco. But let
-me tell you our plan, or part of it. I have reason to believe that these
-two horsetail thieves are taking shelter with some charcoal burners over
-near the river. These charcoal burners are rough men, who live almost
-like savages. They injure no one, however, and it is only when they
-quarrel among themselves that they do any harm. They may not know who
-these men are, and are allowing them to tarry with them, believing them
-to be beggars, or _gauchos_ hunting employment.
-
-"I feel sure they are too loyal to the _estancia_ to harbour them if
-they knew who they were. Now be ready immediately after breakfast, for
-we must start in time to reach the charcoal kilns before dusk."
-
-It was twelve o'clock, when Jose, Manuel and Francisco galloped off in
-the direction of the river, and it was just _mate_ time when they came
-in sight of the charcoal kilns and adobe huts near the river's bank.
-
-Gathered about the fires, over which hung boiling water for making the
-_mate_, were several clusters of these uncouth appearing men. Dirty
-looking women sat in groups apart, with dozens of dirtier children
-rolling about on the hard earth at their feet. A pack of dogs ran out to
-greet them, yelping in front of their horses, until they were called off
-by their respective owners.
-
-Jose and Manuel approached one group, and after greeting and being
-greeted, asked for boiling water with which to make _mate_. This was
-given willingly, and with Francisco they sat down on the ground among
-the men and began leisurely to sip _mate_ from the gourd that Manuel
-always carried in his saddle bags.
-
-They talked in friendly fashion with the dirty _carboneros_, who were as
-black as the fuel they made. Francisco noticed two men, who were less
-grimy in appearance and who sat quietly side by side, taking no part in
-the conversation.
-
-They glanced occasionally at Jose and Manuel in a hostile manner, and
-suspicion seemed to lurk in their attitude towards them. Francisco felt
-sure these were the thieves, but Jose and Manuel took no notice whatever
-of them and Francisco feared his friends had not seen them.
-
-After _mate_ Francisco asked to see the kilns and Jose and Manuel took
-him over to examine them and explain to him how the willow was made
-into charcoal. It was quite dark when they returned to the huts and
-proposed that they return to the _casa_.
-
-"Can the boy take another long ride in the same day?" asked one of the
-_carboneros_, more kindly in manner than the rest. "Is he not exhausted?
-We have no shelter here, but you are welcome to roll up in your blankets
-by the fires, for the night wind from the Pampas is cool."
-
-"No, it is moonlight. A thousand 'gracias'[21] for your offer, but the
-lad is a good rider and we shall be home before midnight;" and bidding
-them _adios_, Jose and Manuel with Francisco, wondering at their
-behaviour, started towards the enclosure where the horses had been
-staked together with several other animals.
-
-And then Jose did a thing that made Francisco's eyes fairly start from
-his head. He deliberately lifted up the stake to which a piebald mare,
-belonging to one of the thieves, was tethered, and throwing the knotted
-end of the long bridle across the pommel of his own saddle, rode out at
-the far end of the enclosure.
-
-As he galloped off, Manuel and Francisco followed and soon they were all
-abreast, their horses' swift feet brushing the evening dew from the
-pampas grass as they flew along the level prairie. They rode so fast
-that the little fellow could not venture a question, it required all of
-his wits to keep his seat.
-
-They had gone thus for fifteen or twenty minutes when he heard the sound
-of horses' hoofs away off in the distance.
-
-"Carramba! They are after us," cried Manuel. "Good! Now for the chase.
-Let your heart be glad, Senorito, they have taken the bait."
-
-Still Francisco wondered, he could not yet see through their plans, but
-excitement made his blood run hot through his veins; and he held on to
-Barboza's neck and spurred her on to keep the pace.
-
-When a glimpse of water ahead of them, sparkling in the moonlight, told
-them they were near the river Salinas, a small tributary to the great
-river they had just left, the men slackened their speed and Francisco
-was able to get a full breath.
-
-He could hear the soft thud of the pursuing horses' feet on the pampas
-grass plainer and plainer, and when their own horses were within a few
-hundred feet of the stream he could hear the men's shouts.
-
-"Are there more than two?" asked Jose.
-
-"No, just the two thieves, themselves. Those _carboneros_ would never
-give us pursuit. It is none of their affair and they seldom meddle.
-They probably loaned one a horse in place of this one you are leading."
-
-"Or they helped themselves as we did," chuckled the Indian.
-
-They were close to the ford now; in the bright moonlight the middle of
-the river gleamed and danced; but the two banks were in deep shadow
-because of the heavy clumps of willows and low growing trees.
-
-The thieves were but a short distance behind them when their horses
-plunged into the water.
-
-"Heaven be praised! So far--so good," whispered Jose to Francisco. "Now
-do just as I bid you; our time is come."
-
-They crossed the ford and were leaving the water, enveloped in the dense
-shadows, when Jose dropped from his horse and threw the reins into
-Francisco's hand; Manuel did the same, as Jose's voice said in a
-whisper,
-
-"Ride half a league and wait for us."
-
-And now the boy saw their plan; he was to ride ahead, the hoof beats of
-the four horses indicating to the pursuers that they were all still
-fleeing, and Jose and Manuel in ambush would have it all their own way.
-
-He spurred his horse to its highest speed; but it seemed to him that his
-heart-beats would drown the hoof beats, so vigorously was it pounding
-against his side. It was an anxious interval and to the fleeing boy
-seemed an eternity; but it was really but half a minute when he heard a
-sharp cry, and then--a shot. But he rode on, fearing to stop until the
-half league was covered. He knew the fight was over and that either Jose
-and Manuel were being carried back to the huts beside the big river, or
-that they would soon overtake him with their prisoners.
-
-Soon a shout came to his ears. It was Jose's voice and his mind was
-relieved. He reined in the horses, which was an easy matter for they
-were panting, and waited beside a shrine, whose white cross stood like a
-ghost beside the trail; and soon he saw four figures toiling along, two
-in front and two behind. The two in the rear were Jose and Manuel, and
-they were holding their pistols close to the heads of the two in front,
-who walked with the shambling gait of men whose feet were hobbled, as
-they were, with stout _bola_ thongs; their hands were tied behind them,
-and as they shuffled unevenly along they were bawling out curses, the
-like of which Francisco's ears had never heard.
-
-But the boy was so eager to hear about their capture that he paid no
-attention to the vile language, that at any other time would have made
-him cringe and tremble.
-
-"Oh! Jose--Manuel--Do tell me all about it! How did you get them?"
-
-"Well, you see, we grappled with them so unexpectedly that they had no
-time to defend themselves; thanks to the little frog on the end of the
-string," and Jose patted the boy on the shoulders encouragingly.
-
-"One of them tried to shoot as he was regaining his feet, just after we
-dragged them from their horses, and Manuel has a scratch on his thigh,
-but otherwise, we are all well and doing finely. Manuel will ride on to
-the _casa_ for help and you and I will remain here to keep these
-gentlemen company. They are great on talking, just listen to them now.
-Maybe they will tell us the price of horsehair per kilo--eh, gentlemen?"
-and the Indian grinned derisively at the cursing men.
-
-"But Jose, Manuel is not fit for the saddle; let me go to the house.
-Please, I beg of you--"
-
-"What! Alone--and at night. Why, the Colonel _would_ say I had risked
-much should he see you ride in at midnight--alone."
-
-"Uncle? Why uncle Juan is always pleased when I show any bravery; and
-besides there is nothing else to do. Manuel can't stay with just me
-here--he is suffering, and he can't ride--so it's the only thing to be
-done."
-
-"Well, but you will have to ride pretty fast, Senorito, and tell them to
-send the _peons_ immediately. Here, ride the piebald mare. It's yours
-anyhow, I dare say, or will be. It has been all day in the corral and is
-fresh, while Barboza is tired."
-
-Jose changed the saddle, and Francisco was off towards the _casa_.
-
-It was nearly two o'clock when Don Carlos awoke the Colonel, who had
-returned about midnight from his journey.
-
-"Who calls, Colonel? It sounds like the Nino's voice."
-
-They were out by the edge of the house corral, as Francisco rode up, and
-with almost the last breath he seemed to have left in his little body,
-he shouted,
-
-"We've caught them! We've caught them! They are over by the 'Last
-Tribute' shrine near the Rio Salinas, and Jose and Manuel are waiting
-for help to bring them here; Jose could not bring them alone, and Manuel
-has a wound."
-
-His uncle was lifting the tired Nino from the saddle, but he did not
-place him on the ground; he carried him close to his heart into the
-house and laid him on his soft bed. He left him saying he would go with
-Don Carlos to help rouse the _peons_, and Francisco heard him blow his
-nose vigorously as he crossed the _patio_, and knowing that his Uncle
-Juan had no cold, he accepted the tribute to his bravery with a proud
-smile, and was asleep before he knew it.
-
-FOOTNOTES:
-
-[Footnote 21: Thanks.]
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER X
-
-THE CARNIVAL
-
-
-
-FRANCISCO had been at home now for a week. He had returned to find Elena
-rosy and well and the house in a turmoil of preparation, for Guillerma
-was to be married. Her fiance was a wealthy _estanciero_ from the
-province of Mendoza, which lies almost at the foot of the Andes, and he
-had made a fortune from raising grapes for wine. His _estancia_, also,
-produced great quantities of figs, dates and sugar cane.
-
-Guillerma was very happy, for although El Senor Conquero was older than
-she by fifteen years, theirs was a genuine love match. He had seen her
-at mass, one morning, and the following day, he had presented himself to
-her mother and her Uncle Juan with irreproachable credentials, and their
-engagement of six months was to culminate in the celebration of their
-marriage during the early part of March.
-
-It would be a very quiet wedding, for Senor Conquero was in mourning for
-his father, who had died over a year before; and the custom of mourning
-in Argentina demands two years of seclusion from all social events after
-the loss of a parent.
-
-Her Uncle Juan had been most generous in his allowance for her
-trousseau, and she, with her mother, was busy all of each day visiting
-the dressmakers and shops.
-
-Francisco, at first, was very much distressed because Guillerma was to
-live in Mendoza, as that fertile province is the seat of numerous
-earthquake disturbances. Scarcely a month passes that the inhabitants
-are not startled by one, and as a rule they sleep with open doors to
-insure a quick exit in case one occurs during the night.
-
-But Guillerma assured him she did not fear them, as there had been no
-serious ones since 1861, and when she began telling him of the beautiful
-home she would have, surrounded by wide vineyards and orchards of olives
-and figs, where he could come to visit her, and with Elena play just as
-they pleased, he became better reconciled to her marriage.
-
-He was very busy, himself, for Carnival, the great festival, came early
-this year, and never before had he had so much money to spend in its
-celebration.
-
-He and Jose and Manuel had divided the reward money they had received
-for capturing the horsetail thieves, and Francisco felt very proud of
-his share of it. He and Elena had counted it over and over, and planned
-how each _peso_ should be spent. Each one of the family, including the
-servant, should have a gift, and the balance would be their own to use
-as they chose for the celebration of the greatest _fiesta_ of the whole
-year.
-
-As in many Roman Catholic countries, Carnival comes during the week
-preceding Lent; and although it is really a church festival, it is the
-least religious of any celebration, whether of church or state.
-
-In Buenos Aires everything dates from it and everything stops for it;
-even business is suspended. It is a festival of merriment and revelry,
-and every house and every street is decorated before its arrival in
-flags, banners, streamers and lanterns. There are processions and
-continuous parades, with crowds of people in masks and dominoes, blowing
-horns, dancing and singing.
-
-This year, Francisco and Elena were to be allowed to enter the _corso_
-or Carnival parade, and Uncle Juan had offered his motor car, which was
-to be decorated with garlands of paper flowers; Jose was to be their
-chaperon and Enrique would drive the car.
-
-Elena and Francisco owned their little costumes, which they had used on
-previous occasions, but as they had their own money this year, they had
-decided to buy new ones to wear in the parade.
-
-[Illustration: "ELENA AND FRANCISCO WERE DRESSED AND READY."]
-
-Elena was to be dressed as a shepherdess, and Francisco as a Spanish
-king. Their mother had neglected Guillerma and her trousseau one entire
-day, in order to go with the children to help them select their costumes
-and masks; for no one enters into the streets in costume without a mask
-or domino.
-
-The morning of the day on which the great parade was to take place the
-children spent, dressed in their old costumes, playing with the
-neighbours' children in the streets.
-
-Although the law had forbidden the custom of throwing water at
-pedestrians, the number of people who were drenched by unexpected pails
-of water thrown from upper balconies was not lessened, and the children
-broke dozens of _pomos_, or rubber balls filled with perfumed water, on
-each other and strangers, as well, who chanced to pass.
-
-After _siesta_ that afternoon, Elena and Francisco began their
-preparations for the parade; and when the gayly decorated car drove up
-about six o'clock with a fiery red representation of His Majesty, the
-devil, on the front seat and a _pierrot_ or harlequin with one half of
-his costume a vivid green and the other half yellow, Elena and Francisco
-were dressed and ready.
-
-The harlequin jumped out and bowed low to the ground, and Elena ran back
-into the house, for she was sure this comical looking fellow could never
-be Jose. But she was reassured when he lifted his mask, and soon the
-huge car was puffing along the street with the red driver in front and a
-dainty little shepherdess, a small king in velvet, gold lace and a
-crown, and a harlequin in green and yellow, all sitting on the back
-seat, throwing confetti and waving banners and shouting at the people
-gathered on the corners or on the balconies of the houses.
-
-Enrique took them up one street and down another, among the crowds of
-the other carriages and automobiles, all full of gayly dressed maskers
-bent on making as much noise as possible.
-
-As it grew darker the streets began to blaze with arches of electric
-lights, many of the bulbs being swung inside Chinese lanterns. The crowd
-grew denser and many times they were caught in a mass of carriages, that
-could move neither one way nor the other. Mounted police were
-everywhere, trying to disperse the people where the crowds were too
-thick, and even they were treated to the contents of hundreds of _pomos_
-until their horsetail plumes and scarlet lined capes dripped perfume
-like water.
-
-At eight Enrique stopped the car in a side street opening on to the
-great Plaza, where the procession was to form; his plan being to allow
-the children a view of part of the parade from this vantage point, and
-then to slip out the side street and enter the _corso_ from the rear.
-
-It was nine o'clock when the bands of music took their places at the
-head of the procession and they were followed by large fancifully
-decorated wagons, filled with young ladies dressed to represent well
-known allegories.
-
-Then came floats with papier-mache figures caricaturing political events
-in the history of the Republic. These were followed by companies of
-horsemen dressed in every sort of fantastic costume; victorias filled
-with merry maskers, floats with goddesses, and burlesqued well-known
-public characters. King Carnival was seated on a high throne, very
-handsomely draped, and drawn by sixteen pure white horses. When the
-children grew tired of looking, Enrique joined the procession itself,
-and the hearts of Elena and Francisco were beating high with excitement,
-for their ambition was realized--to be a _part_ of the great Carnival
-_corso_.
-
-It was quite one o'clock before Jose could persuade them to leave it and
-be taken home; and it was many days before they ceased to talk of their
-wonderful experience.
-
-But school would open immediately after Carnival and Francisco was
-anxious to reenter, as he was fond of books and made good progress in
-his studies.
-
-His Aunt Sarita with her six daughters had returned from their summer
-outing and Uncle Juan was preparing for a trip abroad immediately after
-Guillerma's wedding should take place. Francisco saw him often, for they
-had grown very fond of each other during their summer together, and even
-Aunt Sarita began to love him more as she saw him oftener.
-
-The first day of school had arrived, and Francisco, in his clean linen
-duster, had proudly led Elena to the school, for this was to be her
-first year. He was very proud of his pretty sister, who was shy, and
-held on tightly to her protector's sunburned hand.
-
-He introduced her to her teacher, kissed her, and then hurried out into
-the large _patio_ to greet his old school friends.
-
-They were all there, like a flock of tan coloured butterflies in their
-linen coats, their hair brushed sleekly into place and their faces and
-hands smelling of recent cleansing with perfumed soaps.
-
-Francisco was a favourite. Soon he was in the middle of a group of
-interested listeners, recounting to them his experiences on the
-_estancia_.
-
-He was only human, and you must forgive him if he told of his adventure
-with the horsetail thieves. Even the little English boy grew excited and
-plied him with questions that seriously retarded Francisco in his
-account of their capture. The bell rang just as he finished, and they
-all fell into line in the _patio_, where the beautiful Argentine
-national hymn was sung, and the Argentine flag of blue and white was
-saluted by each pupil as they passed it on their way into the
-school-rooms.
-
-
-THE END.
-
-
-
-
-THE LITTLE COLONEL BOOKS
-
-(Trade Mark)
-
-_By ANNIE FELLOWS JOHNSTON_
-
-    _Each 1 vol., large 12mo, cloth, illustrated, per vol._      $1.50
-
-
-    =THE LITTLE COLONEL STORIES=
-          (Trade Mark)
-
-Being three "Little Colonel" stories in the Cosy Corner Series, "The
-Little Colonel," "Two Little Knights of Kentucky," and "The Giant
-Scissors," put into a single volume.
-
-    =THE LITTLE COLONEL'S HOUSE PARTY=
-          (Trade Mark)
-
-    =THE LITTLE COLONEL'S HOLIDAYS=
-          (Trade Mark)
-
-    =THE LITTLE COLONEL'S HERO=
-          (Trade Mark)
-
-    =THE LITTLE COLONEL AT BOARDING SCHOOL=
-          (Trade Mark)
-
-    =THE LITTLE COLONEL IN ARIZONA=
-          (Trade Mark)
-
-    =THE LITTLE COLONEL'S CHRISTMAS VACATION=
-          (Trade Mark)
-
-    =THE LITTLE COLONEL, MAID OF HONOUR=
-          (Trade Mark)
-
-    =THE LITTLE COLONEL'S KNIGHT COMES RIDING=
-          (Trade Mark)
-
-    =MARY WARE: THE LITTLE COLONEL'S CHUM=
-          (Trade Mark)
-
-    _These ten volumes, boxed at a ten-volume set_      $15.00
-
-
-    =THE LITTLE COLONEL=
-          (Trade Mark)
-
-    =TWO LITTLE KNIGHTS OF KENTUCKY=
-
-    =THE GIANT SCISSORS=
-
-    =BIG BROTHER=
-
-
-Special Holiday Editions
-
-    Each one volume, cloth decorative, small quarto,      $1.25
-
-New plates, handsomely illustrated with eight full-page drawings in
-color, and many marginal sketches.
-
-
-=IN THE DESERT OF WAITING=: THE LEGEND OF CAMELBACK MOUNTAIN.
-
-=THE THREE WEAVERS=: A FAIRY TALE FOR FATHERS AND MOTHERS AS WELL AS FOR
-THEIR DAUGHTERS.
-
-=KEEPING TRYST=
-
-=THE LEGEND OF THE BLEEDING HEART=
-
-=THE RESCUE OF PRINCESS WINSOME=: A FAIRY PLAY FOR OLD AND YOUNG.
-
-
-=THE JESTER'S SWORD=
-
-    Each one volume, tall 16mo, cloth decorative      $0.50
-    Paper boards                                        .35
-
-There has been a constant demand for publication in separate form of
-these six stories, which were originally included in six of the "Little
-Colonel" books.
-
-
-=JOEL: A BOY OF GALILEE=: By ANNIE FELLOWS JOHNSTON. Illustrated by
-L. J. Bridgman.
-
-    New illustrated edition, uniform with the Little Colonel Books,
-       1 vol., large 12mo, cloth decorative                   $1.50
-
-A story of the time of Christ, which is one of the author's best-known
-books.
-
-
-=THE LITTLE COLONEL GOOD TIMES BOOK=
-
-    Uniform in size with the Little Colonel Series.      $1.50
-    Bound in white kid (morocco) and gold                 3.00
-
-Cover design and decorations by Amy Carol Rand.
-
-The publishers have had many inquiries from readers of the Little
-Colonel books as to where they could obtain a "Good Times Book" such as
-Betty kept. Mrs. Johnston, who has for years kept such a book herself,
-has gone enthusiastically into the matter of the material and format for
-a similar book for her young readers. Every girl will want to possess a
-"Good Times Book."
-
-
-=ASA HOLMES=: OR, AT THE CROSS-ROADS. A sketch of Country Life and
-Country Humor. By ANNIE FELLOWS JOHNSTON.
-
-With a frontispiece by Ernest Fosbery.
-
-    Large 16mo, cloth, gilt top      $1.00
-
-"'Asa Holmes; or, At the Cross-Roads' is the most delightful, most
-sympathetic and wholesome book that has been published in a long
-while."--_Boston Times._
-
-
-=THE RIVAL CAMPERS=: OR, THE ADVENTURES OF HENRY BURNS. By RUEL PERLEY
-SMITH.
-
-    Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated      $1.50
-
-A story of a party of typical American lads, courageous, alert, and
-athletic, who spend a summer camping on an island off the Maine coast.
-
-
-=THE RIVAL CAMPERS AFLOAT=: OR, THE PRIZE YACHT VIKING. By RUEL PERLEY
-SMITH.
-
-    Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated      $1.50
-
-This book is a continuation of the adventures of "The Rival Campers" on
-their prize yacht _Viking_.
-
-
-=THE RIVAL CAMPERS ASHORE=
-
-By RUEL PERLEY SMITH.
-
-    Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated      $1.50
-
-"As interesting ashore as when afloat."--_The Interior._
-
-
-=JACK HARVEY'S ADVENTURES=: OR, THE RIVAL CAMPERS AMONG THE OYSTER
-PIRATES. By RUEL PERLEY SMITH.
-
-    Illustrated      $1.50
-
-"Just the type of book which is most popular with lads who are in their
-early teens."--_The Philadelphia Item._
-
-
-=PRISONERS OF FORTUNE=: A Tale of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. By RUEL
-PERLEY SMITH.
-
-    Cloth decorative, with a colored frontispiece      $1.50
-
-"There is an atmosphere of old New England in the book, the humor of the
-born raconteur about the hero, who tells his story with the gravity of a
-preacher, but with a solemn humor that is irresistible."--_Courier-Journal._
-
-
-=FAMOUS CAVALRY LEADERS.= By CHARLES H. L. JOHNSTON.
-
-    Large 12mo. With 24 illustrations      $1.50
-
-Biographical sketches, with interesting anecdotes and reminiscences of
-the heroes of history who were leaders of cavalry.
-
-"More of such books should be written, books that acquaint young readers
-with historical personages in a pleasant informal way."--_N. Y. Sun._
-
-
-=FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS.= By CHARLES H. L. JOHNSTON.
-
-    Large 12mo, illustrated      $1.50
-
-In this book Mr. Johnston gives interesting sketches of the Indian
-braves who have figured with prominence in the history of our own land,
-including Powhatan, the Indian Caesar; Massasoit, the friend of the
-Puritans; Pontiac, the red Napoleon; Tecumseh, the famous war chief of
-the Shawnees; Sitting Bull, the famous war chief of the Sioux; Geronimo,
-the renowned Apache Chief, etc., etc.
-
-
-=BILLY'S PRINCESS.= By HELEN EGGLESTON HASKELL.
-
-    Cloth decorative, illustrated by Helen McCormick Kennedy      $1.25
-
-Billy Lewis was a small boy of energy and ambition, so when he was left
-alone and unprotected, he simply started out to take care of himself.
-
-
-=TENANTS OF THE TREES.= By CLARENCE HAWKES.
-
-    Cloth decorative, illustrated in colors      $1.50
-
-"A book which will appeal to all who care for the hearty, healthy,
-outdoor life of the country. The illustrations are particularly
-attractive."--_Boston Herald._
-
-
-=BEAUTIFUL JOE'S PARADISE=: OR, THE ISLAND OF BROTHERLY LOVE. A sequel
-to "Beautiful Joe." By MARSHALL SAUNDERS, author of "Beautiful Joe."
-
-    One vol., library 12mo, cloth, illustrated      $1.50
-
-"This book revives the spirit of 'Beautiful Joe' capitally. It is fairly
-riotous with fun, and is about as unusual as anything in the animal book
-line that has seen the light."--_Philadelphia Item._
-
-
-='TILDA JANE.= By MARSHALL SAUNDERS.
-
-    One vol., 12mo, fully illustrated, cloth decorative,      $1.50
-
-"I cannot think of any better book for children than this. I commend it
-unreservedly."--_Cyrus Townsend Brady._
-
-
-='TILDA JANE'S ORPHANS.= A sequel to 'Tilda Jane. By MARSHALL SAUNDERS.
-
-    One vol., 12mo, fully illustrated, cloth decorative,      $1.50
-
-'Tilda Jane is the same original, delightful girl, and as fond of her
-animal pets as ever.
-
-
-=THE STORY OF THE GRAVELEYS.= By MARSHALL SAUNDERS, author of "Beautiful
-Joe's Paradise," "'Tilda Jane," etc.
-
-    Library 12mo, cloth decorative. Illustrated by E. B. Barry     $1.50
-
-Here we have the haps and mishaps, the trials and triumphs, of a
-delightful New England family, of whose devotion and sturdiness it will
-do the reader good to hear.
-
-
-=BORN TO THE BLUE.= By FLORENCE KIMBALL RUSSEL.
-
-    12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated      $1.25
-
-The atmosphere of army life on the plains breathes on every page of this
-delightful tale. The boy is the son of a captain of U. S. cavalry
-stationed at a frontier post in the days when our regulars earned the
-gratitude of a nation.
-
-
-=IN WEST POINT GRAY=
-
-By FLORENCE KIMBALL RUSSEL.
-
-    12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated      $1.50
-
-"Singularly enough one of the best books of the year for boys is written
-by a woman and deals with life at West Point. The presentment of life in
-the famous military academy whence so many heroes have graduated is
-realistic and enjoyable."--_New York Sun._
-
-
-=FROM CHEVRONS TO SHOULDER STRAPS=
-
-By FLORENCE KIMBALL RUSSEL.
-
-    12mo, cloth, illustrated, decorative      $1.50
-
-West Point again forms the background of a new volume in this popular
-series, and relates the experience of Jack Stirling during his junior
-and senior years.
-
-
-=THE SANDMAN: HIS FARM STORIES=
-
-By WILLIAM J. HOPKINS. With fifty illustrations by Ada Clendenin
-Williamson.
-
-    Large 12mo, decorative cover      $1.50
-
-"An amusing, original book, written for the benefit of very small
-children. It should be one of the most popular of the year's books for
-reading to small children."--_Buffalo Express._
-
-
-=THE SANDMAN: MORE FARM STORIES=
-
-By WILLIAM J. HOPKINS.
-
-    Large 12mo, decorative cover, fully illustrated      $1.50
-
-Mr. Hopkins's first essay at bedtime stories met with such approval that
-this second book of "Sandman" tales was issued for scores of eager
-children. Life on the farm, and out-of-doors, is portrayed in his
-inimitable manner.
-
-
-=THE SANDMAN: HIS SHIP STORIES=
-
-By WILLIAM J. HOPKINS, author of "The Sandman: His Farm Stories," etc.
-
-    Large 12mo, decorative cover, fully illustrated      $1.50
-
-"Children call for these stories over and over again."--_Chicago Evening
-Post._
-
-
-=THE SANDMAN, HIS SEA STORIES=
-
-By WILLIAM J. HOPKINS.
-
-    Large 12mo, decorative cover, fully illustrated      $1.50
-
-Each year adds to the popularity of this unique series of stories to be
-read to the little ones at bed time and at other times.
-
-
-=THE DOCTOR'S LITTLE GIRL=
-
-By MARION AMES TAGGART, author of "Pussy-Cat Town," etc.
-
-    One vol., library 12mo, illustrated      $1.50
-
-A thoroughly enjoyable tale of a little girl and her comrade father,
-written in a delightful vein of sympathetic comprehension of the
-child's point of view.
-
-
-=SWEET NANCY=
-
-THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF THE DOCTOR'S LITTLE GIRL. By MARION AMES
-TAGGART.
-
-    One vol., library, 12mo, illustrated      $1.50
-
-In the new book, the author tells how Nancy becomes in fact "the
-doctor's assistant," and continues to shed happiness around her.
-
-
-=THE CHRISTMAS-MAKERS' CLUB=
-
-By EDITH A. SAWYER.
-
-    12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated      $1.50
-
-A delightful story for girls, full of the real spirit of Christmas. It
-abounds in merrymaking and the right kind of fun.
-
-
-=CARLOTA=
-
-A STORY OF THE SAN GABRIEL MISSION. By FRANCES MARGARET FOX.
-
-    Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated and decorated
-    in colors by Ethelind Ridgway      $1.00
-
-"It is a pleasure to recommend this little story as an entertaining
-contribution to juvenile literature."--_The New York Sun._
-
-
-=THE SEVEN CHRISTMAS CANDLES=
-
-By FRANCES MARGARET FOX.
-
-    Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated and decorated in
-       colors by Ethelind Ridgway                         $1.00
-
-Miss Fox's new book deals with the fortunes of the delightful Mulvaney
-children.
-
-
-=PUSSY-CAT TOWN=
-
-By MARION AMES TAGGART.
-
-    Small quarto, cloth decorative, illustrated and decorated in
-       colors                                              $1.00
-
-"Anything more interesting than the doings of the cats in this story,
-their humor, their wisdom, their patriotism, would be hard to
-imagine."--_Chicago Post._
-
-
-=THE ROSES OF SAINT ELIZABETH=
-
-By JANE SCOTT WOODRUFF.
-
-    Small quarto, cloth decorative, illustrated and decorated in colors
-       by Adelaide Everhart                                       $1.00
-
-This is a charming little story of a child whose father was caretaker of
-the great castle of the Wartburg, where Saint Elizabeth once had her
-home.
-
-
-=GABRIEL AND THE HOUR BOOK=
-
-By EVALEEN STEIN.
-
-    Small quarto, cloth decorative, illustrated and decorated in colors
-       by Adelaide Everhart                                       $1.00
-
-Gabriel was a loving, patient, little French lad, who assisted the monks
-in the long ago days, when all the books were written and illuminated by
-hand, in the monasteries.
-
-
-=THE ENCHANTED AUTOMOBILE=
-
-Translated from the French by MARY J. SAFFORD.
-
-    Small quarto, cloth decorative, illustrated and decorated in colors
-       by Edna M. Sawyer                                          $1.00
-
-"An up-to-date French fairy-tale which fairly radiates the spirit of the
-hour,--unceasing diligence."--_Chicago Record-Herald._
-
-
-=O-HEART-SAN=
-
-THE STORY OF A JAPANESE GIRL. By HELEN EGGLESTON HASKELL.
-
-    Small quarto, cloth decorative, illustrated and decorated in colors
-       by Frank P. Fairbanks                                      $1.00
-
-"The story comes straight from the heart of Japan. The shadow of
-Fujiyama lies across it and from every page breathes the fragrance of
-tea leaves, cherry blossoms and chrysanthemums."--_The Chicago
-Inter-Ocean._
-
-
-=THE YOUNG SECTION-HAND=: OR, THE ADVENTURES OF ALLAN WEST. By BURTON E.
-STEVENSON.
-
-    Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated      $1.50
-
-Mr. Stevenson's hero is a manly lad of sixteen, who is given a chance as
-a section-hand on a big Western railroad, and whose experiences are as
-real as they are thrilling.
-
-
-=THE YOUNG TRAIN DISPATCHER.= By BURTON E. STEVENSON.
-
-    Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated      $1.50
-
-"A better book for boys has never left an American press."--_Springfield
-Union._
-
-
-=THE YOUNG TRAIN MASTER.= By BURTON E. STEVENSON.
-
-    Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated.      $1.50
-
-"Nothing better in the way of a book of adventure for boys in which the
-actualities of life are set forth in a practical way could be devised or
-written."--_Boston Herald._
-
-
-=CAPTAIN JACK LORIMER.= By WINN STANDISH.
-
-    Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated      $1.50
-
-Jack is a fine example of the all-around American high-school boy.
-
-
-=JACK LORIMER'S CHAMPIONS=: OR, SPORTS ON LAND AND LAKE. By WINN
-STANDISH.
-
-    Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated      $1.50
-
-"It is exactly the sort of book to give a boy interested in athletics,
-for it shows him what it means to always 'play fair.'"--_Chicago
-Tribune._
-
-
-=JACK LORIMER'S HOLIDAYS=: OR, MILLVALE HIGH IN CAMP. By WINN STANDISH.
-
-    Illustrated      $1.50
-
-Full of just the kind of fun, sports and adventure to excite the healthy
-minded youngster to emulation.
-
-
-=JACK LORIMER'S SUBSTITUTE=: OR, THE ACTING CAPTAIN OF THE TEAM. By WINN
-STANDISH.
-
-    Illustrated      $1.50
-
-On the sporting side, this book takes up football, wrestling,
-tobogganing, but it is more of a _school_ story perhaps than any of its
-predecessors.
-
-
-=CAPTAIN JINKS=: THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A SHETLAND PONY. By FRANCES HODGES
-WHITE.
-
-    Cloth decorative, illustrated      $1.50
-
-The story of Captain Jinks and his faithful dog friend Billy, their
-quaint conversations and their exciting adventures, will be eagerly read
-by thousands of boys and girls. The story is beautifully written and
-will take its place alongside of "Black Beauty" and "Beautiful Joe."
-
-
-=THE RED FEATHERS.= By THEODORE ROBERTS.
-
-    Cloth decorative, illustrated      $1.50
-
-"The Red Feathers" tells of the remarkable adventures of an Indian boy
-who lived in the Stone Age, many years ago, when the world was young.
-
-
-=FLYING PLOVER.= By THEODORE ROBERTS.
-
-    Cloth decorative. Illustrated by Charles Livingston Bull      $1.00
-
-Squat-By-The-Fire is a very old and wise Indian who lives alone with her
-grandson, "Flying Plover," to whom she tells the stories each evening.
-
-
-=THE WRECK OF THE OCEAN QUEEN.= By JAMES OTIS, author of "Larry Hudson's
-Ambition," etc.
-
-    Cloth decorative, illustrated      $1.50
-
-"A stirring story of wreck and mutiny, which boys will find especially
-absorbing. The many young admirers of James Otis will not let this book
-escape them, for it fully equals its many predecessors in excitement and
-sustained interest."--_Chicago Evening Post._
-
-
-=LITTLE WHITE INDIANS.= By FANNIE E. OSTRANDER.
-
-    Cloth decorative, illustrated      $1.25
-
-"A bright, interesting story which will appeal strongly to the
-'make-believe' instinct in children, and will give them a healthy,
-active interest in 'the simple life.'"
-
-
-=MARCHING WITH MORGAN.= HOW DONALD LOVELL BECAME A SOLDIER OF THE
-REVOLUTION. By JOHN L. VEASY.
-
-    Cloth decorative, illustrated      $1.50
-
-This is a splendid boy's story of the expedition of Montgomery and
-Arnold against Quebec.
-
-       *       *       *       *       *
-
-Transcriber's Notes:
-
-Obvious punctuation errors repaired.
-
-Varied use of accents mate/mate, estancia/estancia, and Martin/Martin
-were retained.
-
-Page xi, Table of Contents, "v" changed to "vii" to reflect actual
-first page of Preface.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Francisco Our Little Argentine Cousin, by
-Eva Cannon Brooks
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