FEATS OF HORSEMANSHIP 219 



to take up the running as soon as the first two were 

 blown, and I was to act under their orders. Three 

 distinct cracks of a whip were to be a signal for 

 pushing on, while the same signal was to be con- 

 tinually repeated when the thicket closed the view, 

 in order that we might follow the right track. " And 

 mind, Barnard," said Eobert to me, " keep sight of 

 us, but don't press your horse in going over difficult 

 ground, trust all to him ; and if you get lost, give 

 him his head, and he will take you to some stockman's 

 hut, as he knows every one on these mountains. And 

 now look to your girths, and take up your stirrups 

 two holes, for if we find here we shall have to ride 

 like the devil." 



6 Having thus prepared, we spread in a half-circle 

 and paced slowly through the forest, with our eyes 

 011 the ground. Huge trunks of fallen trees in 

 various stages of decay, and deep pits where the 

 roots had been torn up, crossed our path in every 

 direction. But my horse twisted by, or leaped over, 

 these obstacles with a perfection of instinct that left 

 me nothing to do but preserve my seat, and keep a 

 look-out worthy of my apprenticeship as a bushman. 



6 Half-an-hour elapsed and no sign of anything, 

 when a low whistle from Philip brought us to a halt. 

 We pressed towards him. He had dismounted, and 

 pointed to the fresh tracks of several unshod horses, 

 among which that of a foal was visible. With signs 

 he bade us follow, and marched on foot, leading his 



