AFTER THE BATTLE 175 



jog in the dark ! and if we are glad, how much more 

 so must our mount be, who knows that he will soon 

 now put down the weight that he has been carrying 

 all day. 



Here we are ; let us go into his box with him, 

 and see him drink his gruel and begin to munch the 

 bit of hay, while he is being made comfortable. 

 What a sigh of satisfaction he gives after his drink ! 

 and how contentedly he turns to the hay ! "Yes ; 

 just throw a rug over his loins, pull his ears a bit " 

 (this always seems very acceptable to the tired 

 horse), " and then dress him quickly, and give him 

 his feed, which we know he is looking for. Have a 

 good look for thorns, for we had several thick places 

 to-day." 



Now, and not before, may we go indoors, and 

 have our own gruel, in the shape of a cup of tea, 

 and perhaps a boiled egg. How good it seems ! 

 and how pleasant it is to stretch out one's legs 

 in an arm-chair before the fire afterwards, and think 

 over the day. We must not stop too long, though, 

 for we have to go out and see our horse again. " Has 

 he fed well ? Yes ? That's all right." How com- 

 fortable he looks with his warm clothing, thick bed, 

 and loose flannel bandages. Now give him the rest 

 of his hay, and leave him alone for the night ; he 

 has indeed earned a rest. 



Surely this sort of thing, which is second nature 

 to every real sportsman, cannot but be training for 

 the time when, after a long march or fight, though 

 dog-tired ourselves, we have to stand about, see our 



