THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER. 117 



other ; but sometimes they are away from their duty, 

 and sometimes, when a right of pasturage is disputed, 

 they bring their herds together out of sheer malice. The 

 mares and foals on such occasions keep aloof, but their 

 furious lords rush to battle with an impetuosity, of which 

 those who are accustomed to see the horse only in a 

 domesticated state, can form but a poor conception. 

 The enraged animals lash their tails, and erect their 

 manes like angry lions ; their hoofs rattle against each 

 other with such violence, that the noise can be heard 

 at a considerable distance ; they fasten on one another 

 with their teeth like tigers ; and their screamings and 

 howlings are more like those of the wild beasts of the 

 forests, than like any sounds ever heard from a tame 

 horse. The victorious party is always sure to carry 

 away a number of captive mares in triumph ; and the 

 exchange of prisoners is an affair certain to bring the 

 tabunshicks and their men by the ears, if they have 

 been able to keep themselves out of the battle till then. 

 The spring, though in so many respects a season of 

 enjoyment, is not without its drawbacks. The wolves, 

 also, have to indemnify themselves for the severe fast 

 of the winter, and are just as desirous as the horses to 

 get themselves into good condition again. The foals, 

 too, are just then most delicate, and a wolf will any 

 day prefer a young foal, to a sheep, or a calf. The 

 wolf accordingly is constantly prowling about the ta- 

 boon during the spring, and the horses are bound to 



