THE MOUNT. 269 



by his side, caressing him whilst quiet, and rating 

 him when he showed temper ; and after some time 

 had elapsed, he allowed me to handle his head, as 

 if he had become more resigned to his fate. Round 

 his neck I fastened a collar formed of pieces of 

 wood tied together, so as to prevent him getting 

 his head round, and laying hold of my legs when 

 mounted, a pleasant little pastime I heard he 

 sometimes indulged in. Then I put on the saddle 

 and fastened the girths and circingle, by scraping 

 away the sand from under his belly, after which, 

 with a good deal of coaxing and caressing, I 

 managed to slip on the bridle, as well as a twitch 

 over his nose, to use in case he again became 

 obstreperous, and arming myself with a foil, lent 

 me by one of the officers present, no riding-whip 

 being at hand, I jumped upon his back, getting on 

 and off several times, to show that I had no 

 intentions of hurting him. All was now ready, 

 and I gradually liberated his head from the cords, 

 which fastened it on either side, caressing him as I 

 did so, and I was glad to see that he did not show 

 any wickedness further than putting back his ears. 

 I again mounted him, and now gave orders to 



