OF THE OLD WORLD. 33 



bush, I found a place which was a little more practi- 

 cable, though the drop was still about eight feet 

 deep, and the slope of the bank very steep. One 

 more chance, thought I, springing from my horse, 

 taking off the saddle and tying up the bridle — Lai 

 Babba and I were old friends, and he would follow 

 me like a dog — I threw the saddle into the bed of 

 the nullah, and scrambled down afterwards myself. 

 I then called liim by naine several times, and lie 

 came trotting along the bank as if he was seeking 

 a more suitable place to descend. He then returned 

 to that part of the bank down which I had scrambled, 

 and stood pawing the edge hesitatingly. I again 

 called him, and pretended to turn away down the 

 bed of the nullah, when I shall never forget his ap- 

 pearance as he stood cocking his ears and laying his 

 head on one side, as he watched my motions with 

 evident distress. He remained motionless a mo- 

 ment, as if he was considering what was to be 

 done, then gave a loud whinny, sprang, and in 

 a moment was rubbing his nose against my 

 shoulder. 



I patted him on the shoulder, and talked to him 

 as I adjusted the saddle, and from his intelligent 

 looks one would have thought he understood every 

 word I said. I then walked along the bed of the 

 nullah for some little distance, and we managed to 

 scramble up the opposite bank, at a place which was 

 not so steep. 



I then looked around for the hog, and at length 



c 



