Plans were made for to-morrow’s journey; there was talk, if the day was fine and the way possible, of going first south-east to the tannin factory at La Gallareta, then due north to Las Gamas, but it was feared that the recent heavy rains in this district would have made the undertaking of the two journeys on one day inadvisable, and the Indian guide persuaded the “leaders” that it would be wiser to go straight to Las Gamas to-morrow and leave the visit to the factory for Monday.  This would give Tuesday for Santa Lucia and Wednesday for Vera.  Sarnosa and Olmos could be visited from one or the other of these two estancias, and, leaving Vera on Friday afternoon, San Cristobal would be reached on Saturday evening.

As we dispersed in the rain to our various tents, a slight thunder and lightning storm commenced, but, notwithstanding this, we were happy in the assurance that our troubles from mosquitoes were likely to be less virulent to-night, owing to our proximity to the sheepfold of the ranch.  Therefore, as good disciples of the immortal Pepys, we quote—­and with appropriate action—­“So to bed.”

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ADVERTISEMENT.

OUT OF WORK.—­Advertiser wants situation as general help; might be useful in tea-taster’s office; hard work not so much an object as high wages and comfortable living.  Advertiser could take immediate situation.  No references.—­T.K., Second Coach.

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ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

T.C. writes in answer to the arithmetical problem of yesterday’s date, “Yes, if A starts with 87 horses, loses 2, and finds 1, he does end the journey with 110, for he collects 24 more at the last estancia.  Only experts can do this; hence your correspondent’s failure to find a solution.”

LOST.—­One watch and chain (said to be gold), trinkets attached containing several locks of hair and portraits of ten or twelve gentlemen.  If finder would return portraits and hair, owner would be obliged.—­T.K.

“THE TACURU.”

No. 8.

Saturday, April 2nd, 1910.

THE CIRCULATION OF “THE TACURU” WENT UP LITERALLY BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS
YESTERDAY MORNING, FAR BEYOND THE EXPECTATIONS EVEN OF THE EDITOR.

The morning dawned damp and dreary; rain had fallen steadily all night long, and still continues.  Neither The Chaperon nor anyone else had an opportunity for seeing “the golden exhalations of dawn” this morning.  To-day’s “exhalations” were chiefly those of moisture, and the only gold we saw was supplied by the light of the paraffin lamps which The Chaperon, always on the look out to anticipate our wishes, provided for us to see our way to wash.  The water for ablutions was obtained from the mud-hole which did duty for a well at the ranch, and its appearance was somewhat disconcerting.  However, with skill,