66 THE HAREM 



Siberian tiger, or the African lion ? Cougar, 

 puma, jaguar, leopard — the cats of all the 

 world with their sudden spring at the withers 

 or throat of a rart^e pony, have taught his 

 descendants their art of self-defence. That 

 we must deal with later. 



III. THE FAMILY. 



We have broken up the family life of our 

 horses, and are apt to forget that they ever had 

 private affairs of their own. 



Twice on the range I have met horse families. 

 On the first occasion the family happened to be 

 grazing near the trail as I passed. The stal- 

 hon was furious at my intrusion, trotted up to 

 me and stood glaring, pawing the ground, his 

 great neck arched and splendid mane and tail 

 rippling astream in the high wind. My saddle 

 and pack beasts, a pair of gentle geldings, 

 were rather frightened, disposed to halt, even 

 to run away but for my voice keeping them to 

 their duty. The staUion's mares had stopped 

 grazing to admire their master, each with an 

 observant eye cocked at me and an expression 

 of smugness not to be beaten in any Bigo- 

 tarian chapel. Then, as I laughed, the stallion, 

 with a loud snort of contempt, swung round, 

 lashed dirt in my face for defiance, and trotted 

 off to round up his harem and drive them out 



