The gaucho has been variously portrayed as dashing cavalryman, successful lover, singing minstrel of the plains, noble defender of the unfortunate. Connected with all such concepts is a vague, unromantic association of the gaucho with cows, coupled with a tacit recognition of his skill in their pursuit.
Ill this composite concept there is, indeed, some truth; its fallacy derives from the fallacy of a basic assumption-the essential nobility of the gaucho character. It involves as well a fallacy of misplaced emphasis.
For the gaucho of history was by no means idyllic in character.
1 Fundamentally he was a colonial bootlegger whose business was contraband trade in cattle hides. His work was highly illegal; his character lamentably reprehensible;
Ill this composite concept there is, indeed, some truth; its fallacy derives from the fallacy of a basic assumption-the essential nobility of the gaucho character. It involves as well a fallacy of misplaced emphasis.
For the gaucho of history was by no means idyllic in character.
1 Fundamentally he was a colonial bootlegger whose business was contraband trade in cattle hides. His work was highly illegal; his character lamentably reprehensible;