The Patagonians, I told them, used this weapon with wonderful dexterity.

Having no leaden balls, they attach a heavy stone to each end of a cord about thirty yards long.

If they wish to capture an animal, they hurl one of the stones at it with singular address.

By the peculiar art with which the ball is thrown, the rope makes a turn or two round the neck of the animal, which remains entangled, without the power of escaping.

In order to show the power of this weapon, I took aim at the trunk of a tree which they pointed out.