12 On the Guaclalquiver. 



stirs up the mud, and you cannot see where you are putting 

 your feet. As a consequence you are continually plunging 

 and slipping into some deep hoof-mark in the mud. You 

 suddenly feel a wet stinging slap, and you find your face 

 has formed a barrier between the horse's wet tail and a 

 villainous fly on his flank. The perspiration is streaming 

 off you, and your back is aching unbearably. Just as 

 you are beginning to think that you must give it up 



Fig. 6. -The Shot. 



to stretch your back at any cost, the patero suddenly 

 stops. The relief is great as you squat down, and your 

 surprise is greater when you take the field glasses, and 

 looking under the horse's belly discover that the birds are 

 quite close. Before proceeding further a rope is fastened 

 to the halter, passed between the horse's legs and tied to 

 its tail. (Fig. 5.) This is a necessary precaution to ensure 

 the horse keeping his head down. Were he to raise it 



