Fritz's horse, etc. 233 



and breaking his bridle arm. For a moment 

 I was disconcerted, but nil desperandum was ever 

 my motto ; and, helping Fritz into my own saddle, 

 I clambered up behind him, and my good horse, 

 as if aware of the dangers that threatened us, 

 galloped along with scarcely any apparent dimi- 

 nution of speed. 



This game I knew, however, would not last ; so, 

 reloading my six-shooter, I drew my revolver out 

 of my holster, and bidding my companion to 

 hurry on, as the river could not now be far 

 distant, I slipped off the horse and hid myself in 

 a thick bush. My friend remonstrated with me 

 in vain ; but finding my mind was made up, he 

 rode off in the direction I had bidden him. 

 Shortly after his departure I heard a yell of 

 triumph, which informed me that my friend's 

 fallen horse had been discovered ; and, in less than 

 five minutes, a group of about twenty Cossacks 

 came galloping past, yelling like fiends. 



As there were too many for me to tackle with 

 any prospect of success, I waited patiently, re- 

 fraining from pulling trigger, although prepared to 



