FEATS OF HORSEMANSHIP 225 



the plain. Then I gave my nag his head, and started 

 once more. Before I had cantered a hundred yards 

 Wallaby turned sharply, pushed through some thick 

 brushwood, tearing one leg of my trousers to tatters, 

 and came upon a cattle-track which soon brought me 

 to a road of nature's making. I then reached a belt 

 of forest that divided me from the plain, through 

 which my horse brought me on the glorious grassy 

 desert just in time to see in the horizon Philip 

 and John waving their hats to Eobert, who about a 

 quarter of a mile on my right was taking up the 

 running. 



' " Hurrah, hurrah ! " 



" Yoicks ! Tally-ho ! Hark forward, away ! " 

 Standing up in my stirrups, my eyes fixed upon 

 the speck which instinct told me was our chase, I 

 bounded along over the sward. Very soon the black 

 stallion showed nearer and nearer ; he still made a 

 good fight, and struggled bravely, but at three- 

 quarter speed I gained on him at every stride. Now, 

 sure of my prey, I gave vent to my pent-up feelings. 

 I screamed, shouted, and waved my cap as though I 

 had been cheering on a pack of hounds, running in 

 view. 



* Eobert, sparing neither whip nor spur, was 

 seeking to weary him out, by heading him again and 

 again ; but his own steed was done, and he beckoned 

 me on just as the good chestnut stumbled and rolled 

 over like a log. " All right," cried he, standing 



Q 



