i9ii] CHRIS TOrilKirS CAPKRS 427 
he is unmanageable even on three legs. Oatcs, Bowers, 
and Anton gather round the beast and lash up one foreleg, 
then with his head held on both sides Oates gathers back 
the traces ; quick as lightning the little beast flashes round 
with heels flying aloft. This goes on till some degree of 
exhaustion gives the men a better chance. But, as I have 
mentioned, during the last two days the period has been 
so prolonged that Oates has had to hasten matters by 
tying a short line to the other foreleg and throwing the 
beast when he lashes out. Even when on his knees he 
continues to struggle, and one of those nimble hind legs 
may fly out at any time. Once in the sledge and started 
on three legs all is well and the fourth leg can be released. 
At least, all has been well until to-day, when quite a 
comedy was enacted. He was going along quietly with 
Oatcs when a dog frightened him : he flung up his head, 
twitched the rope out of Oatcs' hands and dashed away. 
It was not a question of blind fright, as immediately after 
gaining freedom he set about most systematically to get 
rid of his load. At first he gave sudden twists, and in this 
manner succeeded in dislodging two bales of hay ; then 
he caught sight of other sledges and dashed for them. 
They could scarcely get out of his way in time; the fell 
intention was evident all through, to dash his load against 
some other pony and sledge and so free himself of it. He 
ran for Bowers two or three times with this design, then 
made for Kcohanc, never going off far and dashing inward 
with teeth bared and heels flying all over the place. By 
this time people were gathering round, and first one and 
then another succeeded in clambering on to the sledge 
