WYLIE FINDS THE LOST FOAL. 31 
been lying down behind the sand-hills asleep, 
when we left, or otherwise it would never have 
remained behind the others. Being very desirous 
not to lose this foal, which had now accompanied 
me so far and got through all the worst difficulties, 
I saddled the strongest of the horses, and mounting 
Wylie, I set off myself on foot with him to search 
for it. We had not gone far from the camp, when 
Wylie wished me to go back, offering to go on by 
himself ; and as I was loth to leave our provisions 
and ammunition to the mercy of any native that 
might chance to go that way, I acceded to his 
request, and delivering to him the rifle, returned to 
the encampment. Wylie had pledged himself to 
the due execution of this errand, and I had some 
confidence that he would not deceive me. Hour 
after hour passed away without his return, and I 
began to be uneasy at his long delay, and half 
repented that I had been so foolish as to trust the rifle 
in his hands. At last, a little after dark, I was de- 
lighted to see him return, followed by the foal, 
which he had found six miles away and still travel- 
ling backwards in search of the horses. Having 
given him an extra allowance of bread as a reward 
for his good conduct, we took our tea and lay down 
for the night. 
During the day, whilst Wylie was absent, I had 
employed my time in collecting firewood from the 
back of the sand-hills. In this occupation I was 
pleased to meet with the silver-bark tea-tree, 
