CAMP. 75 



The danger of a stampede is not from thieves alone ; 

 the disposition is inherent, and must be guarded against 

 at all times. The kicking and plunging of a playful horse 

 will excite others to a romp, which may end in a stampede. 

 The only stampede by which I ever lost animals was 

 caused by a horse lying down rolling arid snorting in a 

 shallow pool of water. 



It should always be remembered that the suscepti- 

 bility of the horse to the force of example to all external 

 influences is so great, that no. herd is ever to be re- 

 garded as more gentle than its Avildest, or more brave 

 than its most timid, member. The- stampede of a con- 

 siderable herd is not only serious, from the probable re- 

 sultant loss of animals, but as a palpable and imminent 

 danger. 



When just getting fairly under the influence of the 

 panic the herd will likely circle round or through the 

 camp. In the headlong rush each animal appears to be 

 perfectly blind to. any or all consequences. Crowded 

 together in a compact mass, and moving at top speed, the 

 force is almost irresistible. Tents are thrown down and 

 demolished ; w r aggons overturned and broken ; and a man 

 caught by the stream would be trampled in a moment to 

 an unrecognisable pulp. Fortunately the front, as a rule, 

 is narrow, and can be avoided by care, quickness, and 

 presence of mind. 



I was once sent to investigate the cause of the 

 stampede of a herd of about 600 animals horses, 

 mules, and asses. I found that the herd had been grazing, 

 under charge of several herders, in a beautiful level 

 valley about a mile long, half-a-mile wide, on one side of 

 which was a deep wooded stream,, on the other a range 

 of low rocky hills, much cut and broken by ravines steep 

 and narrow, and their bottoms filled with trees and brush. 

 The main valley was dotted with isolated trees and 

 clumps of bushes. I found that the stampede had been 

 caused by a very large and valuable jack, which,, breaking 



