32 THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER 



and then fell. The Prince immediately rode off 

 for assistance, but returned in about twenty minutes 

 with no aid, having found out the mistake we had 

 made, and not knowing how far off the tents we 

 might be. Assistance being thus rendered impossible 

 in our present situation, the only remedy was to 

 endeavour to procure it as quickly as possible. His 

 Highness now dismounted, and having placed the 

 mare's saddle on the horse, we started off on foot in 

 the direction of the tents. Three hours and a half 

 had elapsed before we reached the encampment, from 

 which the Prince at once despatched his veterinary 

 surgeon and Mr. Ross's groom to the spot where the 

 mare was lying, to render her assistance, if not too 

 late ; they, however, returned, bringing the news 

 of her death, and reporting that the vultures had 

 already commenced to devour her carcass ; the body 

 was perfectly stiff, proving that she must have died 

 very shortly after leaving her. The Arab horse on 

 arriving at the encampment showed not the slightest 

 sign of fatigue, and, unlike the previous night, went 

 into his nosebag with a good will. The match was 

 thus brought to a speedy conclusion, and I might even 

 say satisfactory, as it proved beyond doubt, at least 

 to all present, that for slow continued work the Arab 

 is immeasurably superior to his English brethren. I 

 should add that the Arab horse continued hunting 

 the following four days, always going strong and 

 well ; at the same time the hunting on the succeed- 



