It is melancholy to trace how the Indians have given way before the Spanish invaders.

Schirdel says that in 1535, when Buenos Ayres was founded, there were villages containing two and three thousand inhabitants.

(5/20.

Purchas's "Collection of Voyages." I believe the date was really 1537.) Even in Falconer's time (1750) the Indians made inroads as far as Luxan, Areco, and Arrecife, but now they are driven beyond the Salado.

Not only have whole tribes been exterminated, but the remaining Indians have become more barbarous: instead of living in large villages, and being employed in the arts of fishing, as well as of the chase, they now wander about the open plains, without home or fixed occupation.
I heard also some account of an engagement which took place, a few weeks previously to the one mentioned, at Cholechel.