GETTING AT HIM. ' 267 



to the Commandant of Turkish troops near at hand, 

 with a request for a fatigue-party of twenty men, 

 provided with spades and pickaxes ; and on their 

 arrival, I informed the company that I was going 

 to mount my new purchase, but that if any gentle- 

 man would prefer to take precedence in the affair, 

 I would be only too happy to cede him the honour. 

 " They were all backward in coming forward," as 

 the " Game Chicken " exclaimed when no one would 

 try a round with him, and two or three tried to 

 dissuade me from the attempt ; but my mind was 

 made up, and, after breakfast, I went down to the 

 stable, accompanied by a crowd of officers and 

 men. 



I first directed the " Buono Johnnies'^ to take off 

 the roof, and then to break down the upper part of 

 the wall all round until it was only four feet and 

 a-half high, which operation was soon done. I 

 then took two ropes, and throwing them, lasso- 

 fashion, over the horse's head, I fastened them 

 right and left to pickets strongly driven in the 

 ground. When this was done, I threw a blanket 

 over his eyes, to prevent him seeing what was 



