THE AFKICAN ASS. 



85 



eating, and had they not been forced to rise, they would 

 probably never have risen again. Our sufferings were 

 increased by other causes than climate. The riding 

 asses having been given up for loads, we were compelled, 

 when premonitory symptoms suggested rest, to walk, 

 sometimes for many miles in a single heat, through sun 

 and rain, through mud and miasmatic putridities. 

 Even ass-riding caused over-fatigue. It by no means 

 deserves in these lands the reputation of an anile exer- 

 cise, as it does in Europe. Maitre Aliboron in Africa 

 is stubborn, vicious and guilty of the four mortal sins 

 of the equine race, he shies and stumbles, he rears and 

 runs away : my companion has been thrown as often 

 as twice in two hours. The animals are addicted to 

 fidgetting, plunging and pirouetting when mounted, 

 they hog and buck till they burst their frail girths, they 

 seem to prefer holes and hollows, they rush about pig-like 

 when high winds blow, and they bolt under tree-shade 

 when the sun shines hot. They must be led, or, ever 

 preferring the worst ground, they disdain to follow the 

 path, and when difficulties arise the slave will surely drop 

 the halter, and get out of harm's way. If a pace exceed- 

 ing two miles an hour be required, a second man must 

 follow and flog each of these perfect slugs during the 

 whole march. The roundness of their flanks, the short- 

 ness of their backs, and their want of shoulder, combine 

 to make the meagre Arab packsaddle unsafe for any- 

 thing but a baboon or a boy, whilst the straightness and 

 the rigidity of their goat-like pasterns render the pace a 

 wearisome, tripping hobble. We had, it is true, Zanzibari 

 riding-asses, but the delicate animals soon chafed and 

 presently died ; we were then reduced to the Koroma or 

 half-reclaimed beast of Wanyamwezi. The laden asses 

 gave us even more trouble. The slaves would not attend 



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