THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER. 46 



was so prompt and violent, that she several times un- 

 horsed her rider. She had not the slightest fear of 

 objects that would terrify most horses. She regarded 

 not the music of the band, the whistling of the balls, 

 the roaring of the cannon, the fires of the bivouacs, or 

 the glittering of arms. The confusion and noise of an 

 engagement made no impression on her ; the sight of 

 no other white object offended her. No other sound 

 moved her, but the view or the rustling of paper 

 roused her to madness. 



A mare was perfectly manageable, and betrayed no 

 antipathy to human beings, to animals of other kinds, 

 or to horses, except they were of a light grey color ; 

 but the moment she saw a light grey horse she rushed 

 towards it and attacked it with the greatest fury. It 

 was the same at all times and everywhere. She was 

 all that could be wished on the parade, on the route, in 

 the ranks, in action, and in the stable ; but if she once 

 caught a glimpse of a grey or white horse she rested 

 not until she had thrown her rider or broken her halter, 

 and then rushed on the object of her dislike with the 

 utmost fury. She generally contrived to seize the 

 animal by the head or throat, and held him so fast that 

 she would suffocate him, if he were not promptly re- 

 leased from her bite. 



Another mare exhibited no dread except of white 

 inanimate objects, as white mantles or coats, and parti- 

 cularly white plumes. She would fly from them if she 



