THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 517 



fccond toe, as they are afraid of being entangled by the 

 ftirrup if their horfe falls, fliould they put their foot into 



it. 



I consented to try him very willingly. A long experience 

 with the Moors in Barbary put me above fear of any horfe, 

 however vicious, which I had no reafon to think this was; 

 befides, I rode always with a Barbary bridle, broad ftirrups, 

 and fhort ftirrup-leathers, after their fafhion ; the bridle is 

 known to every fcholar in horfemanfhip, and mould be ufed 

 by every light-horfeman or dragoon, for the moil vicious 

 horfe cannot advance a yard againft this bridle, when in a 

 ftrong hand. I ordered the feis, or groom, to change the 

 faddle and bridle for mine, and I had on a pair of fpurs with 

 very long and fharp rowels. I faw prefently the horfe did* 

 not like the bit, but that I did not wonder at; my faddle was 

 what is called a war faddle, high behind and before, fo,un- 

 lefs the horfe fell, it was impoffible to throw the rider. X 

 had alfo a thick, knotty flick, or truncheon, of about three 

 feet long, inflead of a whip, and well was it for me I was fo 

 prepared for him* 



For the firft two minutes after I mounted I do not' 

 know whether I was moll on the earth or in the air; he 

 kicked behind, reared before, leaped like a deer, all four off 

 the ground, and it was lome rime before I recollected my- 

 felf ; he then attempted to gallop, taking the bridle in his 

 teeth, but got ac check which daggered- him ; he, however,. 

 continued to gallop; and, finding! flacked the bridle on his 

 neck, and that he was at eafe, he let off and ran away 

 as hard as he could, flinging out behind every ten yards ; 

 *he ground was very favourable, fmooth, foftj and up-hilL. 



We; 



