1J4 THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER. 



and rarely fail to strike the iron end into the prowling 

 bandit's head. The club, skilfully wielded, carries 

 almost as sudden death with it as the rifle of an 

 American back- woodsman. A cask of water must also 

 accompany the tabunshick on every ride, for he can 

 never know whether he may not be for days without 

 coming to a well. A bag of bread, and a bottle of 

 brandy are likewise his constant companions, besides 

 a multitude of other little conveniences and necessaries, 

 which are fastened either to himself, or his horse. 

 Thus accoutred, the tabunshick sallies forth on a mis- 

 sion that keeps his dexterity and his power of endur- 

 ance in constant exercise. His thousand untamed steeds 

 have to be kept in order with no other weapon than 

 his harabnick; and this, it may easily be supposed, is 

 no easy task. His greatest trouble is with the stallions, 

 who, after spending their ten or twelve years on the 

 Steppe, without having once smelt the air of a stable, 

 or felt the curb of a rein, become so ungovernable, 

 that the tabunshick will sometimes threaten to throw 

 up his office, unless such or such a stallion be expelled 

 from the taboon. 



Such constant exposures to fatigue and hardship, 

 make the average life of a tabunshick extremely 

 short. At the end of ten or fifteen years he is 

 generally worn out, and unfit for such arduous duty. 



