The Horse, as Comrade and Friend 



so round he waddles on legs, kept very wide 

 apart for stability. It is no accident this 

 time, but the fair reward of a reasoned out 

 conclusion and a diligent search over a very 

 extended area that he at last discovers a second 

 magazine near the other, loaded with the 

 sustenance he is seeking. He engages and 

 positively engorges. He sucks until he can 

 suck no more ; backs a little ; replete to un- 

 steadiness, he circumnavigates the vitualler ; 

 incontinently tumbles down, and immediately 

 falls fast asleep. The mare drops her nose to 

 give him just one touch, and then, with her 

 head held a little low, stands on guard. She 

 shuts her eyes and lazily wags her long tail 

 to flick off the flies. It's more than likely she 

 gets a snooze or two herself, and well she 

 deserves them. 



All this time you have kept quite quiet, 

 lying down at a discreet distance, close enough 

 to see all that is happening and to give the 

 confidence of your presence to the mare, and 

 yet far enough away to interfere in no way 

 with the foal. 



He sleeps for a good half hour, then awakes 

 full of strength and energy. He is in no doubt 

 as to the object of his next move. Gets up 

 and goes straight to the department of supply, 



205 



