VIX. 29 



second spring. As had always been my habit in 

 dreamy or unhappy moods, I rode my poor tired 

 mare for companionship's sake, — I ought not to 

 have done it, — I would give much not to have 

 done it, for I never rode her again. The march 

 was long, and the noonday sun was oppressive. 

 She who had never faltered before grew nervous 

 and shaky now, and once, after fording the 

 Pomme-de-Terre in deep water, she behaved 

 wildly ; but when I talked to her, called her 

 a good girl, and combed her silken mane with 

 my fbgers, she came back to her old way, and 

 went on nicely. Still she perspired unnaturally, 

 and I felt uneasy about her when I dismounted 

 and gave her rein to Rudolf, my orderly. 



Late in the night, when the moon was in 

 mid-heaven, he came to my tent, and told me 

 that something was the matter with Vixen. My 

 adjutant and I hastened out, and there we be- 

 held her in the agony of a brain fever. She 

 was the most painfully magnificent " animal I 

 ever saw. Crouched on the ground, with her 

 forelegs stretched out and wide apart, she was 



