206 THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER. 



and uncontrollable gallop of thousands of panic- 

 stricken horses. As this living torrent drew nigh, I 

 sprang to the front of the tent, seized my favourite 

 riding-mare, and, in addition to the hobbles which 

 confined her, twisted the long lariett round her fore- 

 legs , then led her immediately in front of the fire, 

 hoping that the excited and maddened flood of horses 

 would divide and pass on each side of it. As the gal- 

 lopping mass drew nigh our horses began to snort, prick 

 up their ears, and then to tremble ; and when it burst 

 upon us they became completely ungovernable from 

 terror; all broke loose, and joined their affrighted 

 companions, except my mare, which struggled with 

 the fury of a wild beast ; and I only retained her by 

 using all my strength, and at last throwing her on her 

 side. On went the maddened troop, trampling, in 

 their headlong speed, over skins, dried meat, &c., and 

 throwing down some of the smaller tents. They were 

 soon lost in the darkness of the night, and in the wilds 

 of the prairie, and nothing more was heard of them 

 save the distant yelping of the curs who continued 

 their ineffectual pursuit." 



Where there is such a profusion of horses, the 

 people cannot fail to be all riders ; and such they 

 are, bold and expert beyond all comparison with other 

 nations.- The Indians of the Pampas and the Prairies, 



