1 8 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



tentively view the road, but tremble and snort at 

 the danger. Having prepared for the descent, they 

 place their fore feet in a posture as if they were 

 stopping themselves ; they then also put their hind 

 feet together, but a little forward, as if they were 

 going to lie down. In this attitude, having taken 

 as it were a survey of the road, they slide down 

 with the swiftness of a meteor. In the mean time, 

 all the rider has to do is to keep himself fast on 

 the saddle, without checking the rein, for the least 

 motion is sufficient to disorder the equilibrium of the 

 Mule ; in which case they both unavoidably perish. 

 But their address in this rapid descent is truly won- 

 derful ; for in their swiftest motion, when they seem 

 to have lost all government of themselves, they fol- 

 low exactly the different windings of the road, as 

 if they had previously settled in their minds the 

 route they were to follow, and taken every precau- 

 tion for their safety. In this journey, the natives 

 place themselves along the sides of the mountains ; 

 and, holding by the roots of the trees, animate the 

 beasts with shouts, and encourage them to per- 

 severe. Some Mules, after being long used to [these 

 journies, acquire a kind of reputation for their safe- 

 ty and skill ; and their value rises in proportion to 

 their fame. 



