

240 HORSES AND MOSQUITOES. 



in hopes that he may be released there also of the 

 sufferings which his illness produce. It may be so. 

 We all run to help in time of need, though we may 

 be very independent when the world goes well with 

 us. Why should not the horse do the same? As long 

 as he is well he is often afraid of man, and keeps out 

 of his way as much as he can; but when he falls 

 sick, he thinks better of him, and comes to see if he 

 can cure him, and will return again and again if 

 driven away, to press his mute appeal for help. 



So again, when mosquitoes and other flies are bad, 

 horses will gallop up to the smoke of their owner's 

 camp fire, to try and rid themselves of these pests, 

 and will gladly accept a rub down from his hands 

 with that intent. We have seen it and experienced 

 it again and again ; and owners will do well always 

 to encourage and cultivate these friendly offices 

 between man and his beast. 



At night, if wolves or other beasts of prey are 

 howling around the camp, the presence of the watch- 

 man moving about among the animals, and the sound 

 of his voice, will greatly help to restore confidence; 

 even the firing of a gun will in general create only 

 a momentary start : animals are quite aware w r hen shots 

 are being fired to protect their safety. 



Nevertheless, all this should on no account cause 

 travellers to become careless, or to rely upon the sagacity 

 and good-will of their beasts; no precaution that can 

 in any way help to promote their safety should ever 

 be omitted; if it is, rest assured the time will come 

 when such folly will bring its own reward in the loss 

 of animals, or in infinite labour and trouble in hunting 

 them up again. 



