Book Quotes

"A plain unvarnished narrative of a settler's experience during four years of sheep farming in South America...the best guide we have seen to a country destined to become an unattached British settlement." - Morning Post (London), Dec. 4, 1896

"Cattle-marking in South America is one of the great events of the year ... the picturesque-looking Gaucho, whirling his lasso round his head, and throwing it with unerring aim, adds an indescribable wildness to the whole scene." - Richard Arthur Seymour

About Richard Arthur Seymour

Richard Arthur Seymour (1843-1906), as he tells us, sailed from Liverpool in January 1865, with the intention of making a rapid fortune by cattle and sheep-farming in the Argentine Republic. In his 1869 book "Pioneering in the Pampas", he provides an unpretending, plain, unvarnished narrative of a settler's experience during four years of cattle and sheep farming on the Pampas of South America.

Settlement and Life in Argentina

The author and his companion, after gaining some experience in Entre Rios, decided to try sheep farming in the more remote province of Cordoba, where scenery, comfort, and security are less, but land is more affordable. They purchased, for sixpence an acre, a tract four square leagues on the southern bank of the Saladillo, and found they were the first English residents between that river and Cape Horn.

The "Robinson Crusoe" style life they led is well described by Mr. Seymour. They built their own house, enclosed their corral and yards, fenced their land (a challenge where wood is scarce), and even made bricks. Despite these efforts and the constant care of 3,000 sheep and other stock, they suffered from ennui, as most Englishmen do when exchanging civilization for a solitary existence where a Guacho's visit is a cheerful event. Hunting was their favorite pastime; in the first year, they bagged six lions and a wolf or two, and enjoyed great sport among wildfowl.

Challenges and Conflicts

Seymour was generally satisfied with his farming results, though his main problem was his Indian neighbors, who occasionally raided his cattle, horses, mules, and sheep—taking twelve hundred of his flock and some horses. Living among bands of well-mounted thieves was unsettling, as they could swoop in and carry off flocks and herds at any time.

There was ongoing civil war, and the entire force of the Republic was engaged in the conflict against General Lopez. Consequently, there were no forces available to defend settlers like Seymour from Indian attacks. The Spanish-speaking population he mainly interacted with were the Guachos.