234 CARRYING EGGS ON HORSEBACK. 



applied, and out the waggon came. We then put the mules in 

 again, took off all our clothing once more, and by keeping sticks 

 going and running alongside, shouting like madmen, not 

 allowing the mules to rest for a moment, we got the waggon 

 across. 



It was arranged that the rest should go on and camp at the 

 first grass, while I should return with the settler and bring 

 back some milk and eggs, taking a gallon keg for the former 

 and a handkerchief for the latter. The only mistake I made 

 was in choosing the horse I did for this ride, taking the wild 

 horse we had broken ourselves. He had turned out a fine horse 

 for hunting, letting you fire off his back; but he had one 

 peculiarity, for though used to a gun, if you pulled out your 

 handerchief suddenly, he would jump violently and try to bolt; 

 even if you took off your hat quickly he would do the same. We 

 reached the settler's house about four o'clock in the afternoon, 

 filled my keg with milk and put four dozen eggs into the 

 handkerchief: then I mounted and was handed the keg, which 

 I hung round my neck with a strap, taking the handkerchief 

 in my hand, the settler showing both to the horse before 

 handing them to me. For some miles all went well, as I kept 

 the eggs in a straight line behind his head, holding them high 

 so as to avoid hitting the pommel of the saddle. This was very 

 tiring to do for any length of time, and I presently felt the 

 eggs go bump and knew that at least one was broken. Then 

 the same thing happened again, so I tried holding them on one 

 side, and had no sooner done so than the horse sprang five or 

 six feet sideways, bringing the eggs with a tremendous bang 

 against my knee, and I had hard work to save any of them and 

 quiet the horse. Each time, too, that he jumped the keg would 



