The William F. Cody Archive: Documenting the life and times of Buffalo Bill

Not content with having gathered a small army of representative rough riders from amongst Cowboys, Red Indians, Mexicans, and Cossacks, Colonel Cody has now added to popular show at Earl's-court a number of Gauchos from the South American Pampas, a race famous for their hard riding and adventurous, semi-savage existence. These men differ considerably in their appearance and methods from the other horsemen whose performances have now become familiar to Londoners. Clad in loose, workmanlike costumes, and heavily armed, their dark, eager faces betraying their Spanish-Indian origin, these wild horsemen make an exceedingly picturesque addition to the show; while their daring riding, both of their own and of untrained horses, specially sent over for their use, prove that they are by no means behind Cossack or cowboy in the equestrian art. An interesting feature in their display is the skill they exhibit in throwing the "bolas," or raw-hide rope with an iron ball at each of the ends. Dexterously hurled, this formidable contrivance on striking its object winds round the latter with over-powering force, and, in consequence of its practically deadly effect, is, unlike the lasso, only used in the cha[s]e or in war. Posts, firmly fixed in the ground, were made the aim of the Gauchos on Thursday, and it was astonishing to see the accuracy and strength with which the "bolas" was thrown by them whilst riding at full speed. The saddling and riding of the untrained horses also created admiration and amusement, for the Gaucho, though not very elaborate in his methods of preparing for the fray, is extraordinarily and sensationally daring once engaged in it; and this led to various startling spills in the cases of men who ventured to ride one behind the other on the most unmanageable steeds. Altogether the advent of the Gauchos, gives a new interest to Colonel Cody's show.