his head swung away to the right, and when far enough 

 away to graze in security a hundred yards or so was 

 enough would turn right about and face towards 

 the waggons or camp, or wherever the danger-quarter 

 was ; then, keeping us well in view, he would either 

 graze off sideways, or from time to time walk briskly 

 off to occupy a new place, with the right eye swung 

 round on us like a search-light. 



Against all this, however, it is only fair to admit that 

 there were times when for days, and even weeks, at a 

 stretch he would behave admirably, giving no more 

 trouble than Jock did. Moreover he had qualities 

 which were not to be despised . he was as sound as a 

 bell, very clever on his feet, never lost his condi- 

 tion, and, although not fast, could last for ever at his 

 own pace. 



Experience taught me to take no chances with Snow- 

 ball. After a hard day he was apt to think that 

 ' enough was as good as a feast,' and then trouble 

 might be expected. But there was really no safe rule 

 with him ; he seemed to have moods to ' get out 

 of bed on the wrong side ' on certain days and, 

 for no reason in the world, behave with a calculated 

 hostility that was simply maddening. 



Hunting horses live almost entirely by grazing, as 

 it is seldom possible to carry any grain or other foods 

 for them and never possible to carry enough ; and 

 salted horses have therefore a particular value in that 

 they can be turned out to graze at night or in the morn- 

 ing and evening dews when animals not immunised 

 will contract horse-sickness ; thus 



37 



