The Summer Change In The Aspect Of The Plain Would Begin In November:
The Dead Dry Grass Would Take On
A yellowish-brown colour, the giant
thistle a dark rust brown, and at this season, from November to
February, the
Grove or plantation at the estancia house, with its deep
fresh unchanging verdure and shade, was a veritable refuge on the vast
flat yellow earth. It was then, when the water-courses were gradually
drying up and the thirsty days coming to flocks and herds, that the
mocking illusion of the mirage was constantly about us. Quite early in
spring, on any warm cloudless day, this water-mirage was visible, and
was like the appearance on a hot summer's day of the atmosphere in
England when the air near the surface becomes visible, when one sees
it dancing before one's eyes, like thin wavering and ascending tongues
of flame - crystal-clear flames mixed with flames of a faint pearly or
silver grey. On the level and hotter pampas this appearance is
intensified, and the faintly visible wavering flames change to an
appearance of lakelets or sheets of water looking as if ruffled by the
wind and shining like molten silver in the sun. The resemblance to
water is increased when there are groves and buildings on the horizon,
which look like dark blue islands or banks in the distance, while the
cattle and horses feeding not far from the spectator appear to be
wading knee or belly deep in the brilliant water.
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