462 CANNOT IMAGINE WIIAT AILS HIS HORSE. 
the assertion may seem, we did ride into the countrij imme- 
diately after it. “Old Frybark” was in the best imagin- 
able spirits; we were all lively from the effects of good 
champagne, and one of the restless Americans, before 
alluded to, even beyond that point. It was amusing to 
see our host mount his tough-looking little horse. I 
think he must have weighed nearly three hundred before 
dinner^ and how much more as he got on horseback I 
should be afraid to say. Taking wines at eight pounds 
to the gallon, and viands at something less, I should say 
that the horse must have capered under at least three 
hundred and hceniy or thirty as he touched him with his 
spur and pointed him at the steep breast of one of the 
towering hills by which the city is enclosed. 
Our ride was both an exciting and pleasant one, — ex- 
citing to the confused ideas of the restless American, who 
“couldn't for the life of him tell what was the matter 
with his horse” until he had been thrown twice, when 
he arrived at the very tardy conclusion that “that 
champagne must have been very strong,” — and pleasant 
to us, who had been aware of, and guarded against, said 
strength. Our road took us over mountains, along 
patches of hard sea-beach, up valleys, across streams, 
and, finally, brought us vis-d-vis with his excellency the 
Governor of Ayan and suite^ who were coming in on a 
hand-gallop from their country-retreat to do us the 
honour of visiting the “old John” and assisting Mr. 
Freighburg in the duties of hospitality. Ilis excellency 
received us with great warmth of manner, and told us, 
through our now excited host, that he had been expecting 
us for some time, and that if we had only arrived before 
