A VISIT TO REV. F. P^URSE VIDAL 21 5 



There were also two American trotters, Skobeloff and 

 Truth Clay — both specimens of the celebrated Clay blood, 

 from which all the fastest and soundest trotters come. 



But the beautiful mare, Kushdil, of the JSIanaghi family, 

 by Kars, out of Naomi, represents the perfections of an 

 Arab. I saw her first in the field, and evidently perceiving 

 that I was a stranger, she walked up to bid me welcome, 

 and to have her muzzle stroked and patted. Who could 

 resist her winning ways ! I hugged her on the spot ! 

 Then she turned from me gently, and began to show me 

 her paces. Off she galloped, her head high, her tail waving 

 like a plume over her back. She trotted up to the fence 

 and looked over, and seeing some of her companions on 

 the other side, trotted back a little distance, and then 

 starting at a gallop, was over the fence in a twinkling. 

 When she had said ' How d'ye do ' to her friends, she 

 came galloping back over the ditches, and then, jumping 

 the fence with a mighty bound, trotted up to where we 

 stood, as if to ask approval of her pretty exhibition. Again 

 I patted and caressed her before she careered off for 

 another run in the paddock. 



The next morning jNIiss Vidal mounted her in the field, 

 and it was a rare sight, to see the perfect rider and perfect 

 horse, in such complete sympathy. Kushdil understood 

 well, that magnetic touch upon the rein, which inspirits 

 and animates with new life, and proudly she leapt fences 

 and ditches, and trotted and galloped to please her fearless 

 rider. 



In her younger days — she is now eleven years old — when 

 she was struck sharply with a whip, it was such a surprise 

 to her, that she stopped instantly, turned her head inquir- 

 ingly, and seizing the trousers of her rider in her teeth. 



