f:
, !
: ii’!
.ii
I ‘1
CHAPTER VIII.
HOESE INDIANS OF PATAGONIA.
Head — Physiognomy—Stature —Wanderings — Clothing-—Armour—
Arms—Food—Chase—Property—Huts—Wizards—Marriage—Children
— Health—Illness —Death — Burial —VV ar — Horsemanship —
Gambling —Caciques— Superstitions—Warfare —Morality—Disposition—
Chups—Zapallos.
T h e head of a Patagonian is rather broad, hut not higli ;
and, except in a few instances, the forehead is small and low.
His hair hangs loosely : it is black, coarse, and very dirty. A
fillet which is worn around the top of the head may be intended
as an ornament, for it is certainly of no use. The brow is
prominent : the eyes are rather small, black, and ever restless.
Deficiency of eyebrow adds to the peculiar expression of their
eyes; and a mixture of simplicity and shrewdness, daring
and timidity, with that singular wild look which is never seen
in civilized man, is very conspicuous in the Patagonians. Its
immediate effect is to remind one of the necessity of being
always on guard while within reach ; yet of all savage nations,
perhaps the Patagonians are least inclined to attack or deceive
strangers.
In general, the women’s stature, physiognomy, and dress, so
much resemble those of the men, that, except by their hair, it
is difficult for a stranger to distinguish them.
By nature they have but little hair on either face or body,
and that little they try to eradicate. Their faces are roundish,
and the width or projection of the cheek-bones makes them
look unusually wide. The nose is a little depressed, narrow
between the eyes, but broad and fleshy about the nostrils,
which are rather large. The mouth is large and coarsely
formed, with thick lips. Their teeth are often very good,
though rather large ; and those in front have the peculiarity,
which will be discussed when speaking of the F uegians, of being
flattened, solid, and shewing an inner substance. The chin is
CONFIDENCE— STATÜKE WANDERINGS. 145
usually broad and prominent: all the features, indeed, are
large, excepting the eyes. The expression of their countenances
is open and honest (compared with other savages), and their
intrepid, contented look is rather prepossessing. The unhesitating
manner in which, unarmed, they trust themselves among
strangers whom they never before saw, or venture on board
ship, even under sail in the offing (if they can obtain a passage
in the boat), and go voluntarily from place to place with
their white acquaintances, is very remarkable.
Of the stature and bulk of these Indians I have already
spoken. I t appears to me that those who now live on the
northern side of Magalhaens’ Strait are descendants of the Patagonians
whose size excited so much surprise and discussion;
and that, occasionally, individuals have exceeded the common
height. Speaking of Cangapol, whose chief resort was the
vicinity of the river Negro, though he and his tribe were restless
wanderers, Falkner says—“ This chief, who was called by
the Spaniards the ‘ Cacique bravo,’ was very tall and well proportioned.
He must have been seven feet and some inches in
height, because, on tiptoe, I could not reach to the top of his
head. I was very well acquainted with him, and went some
journeys in his company. I do not recollect ever to have seen
an Indian that was above an inch or two taller than Cangapol.
His brother, Sausimian, was but about six feet high. The
Patagonians are a large-bodied people; but I never heard of
that gigantic race which others have mentioned, though I have
seen persons of all the different tribes of southern Indians.” In
another place he says, “ there is not a part of all this extremity
of the continent that some of these wandering nations do not
travel over frequently.” Of their wanderings, many persons
besides myself and those with me can bear witness. Patagonians,
who were personally known by officers of the Beagle,
were seen by them at the Spanish (now the Buenos Ayrean)
settlement, Del Carmen, near the mouth of the river Negro, in
September 1882; and by Mr. Low, at their usual abode, near
the Strait of Magalhaens, in February 1838. The individual
who was then most noticed, a half-breed Indian woman, named
VOL. 11. L