118 



FROM NORTH POLE TO EQUATOR. 



ence the already accepted fact, that horse and kulan do sometimes 

 keep company. 



The kulan is a proud, fascinating creature, full of dignity, 

 strength, and high spirits. He stares curiously at the horseman 

 who approaches him; and then, as if deriding the pursuer, trots off 

 leisurely, playfully lashing his flanks with his tail. If the rider 

 spurs his horse to full speed, the kulan takes to a gallop as easy as 



Fig. 18. The Kulan (Eguus hemionus). 



it is swift, which bears him like the wind over the steppes and soon 

 carries him out of sight. But even when at full speed he now and 

 again suddenly pulls himself up, halts for a moment, jerks round 

 with his face to the pursuer, neighs, and then, turning, kicks his 

 heels defiantly in the air, and bounds off with the same ease as 

 before. A fugitive troop always orders itself in line, and it is 

 beautiful to see them suddenly halt at a signal from the leader, 

 face round, and again take to flight. 



As among all horses, each troop of kulans has a stallion for 

 leader, and he is the absolute master of them all. He leads the 

 troop to pasture as well as in flight, he turns boldly on carnivores 



