252
CATTLE HUNT.
[Chap. IX.
1842
the ice, without fresh meat, determined us, failing the heifer, to secure a colt, dead or alive. Wild horses, when provoked, are dangerous to unarmed men, who are sometimes trodden down by the troop, or kicked and severely bitten by some champions of their number: we therefore took precautions intended to avoid both risk to ourselves, and the necessity of killing any thing but the heifer or a colt. The horses were discovered on the broad brow of a hill, down which ran two parallel 'streams of stones,' some sixty yards apart; the latter offering us an excellent refuge, as no hoofed animal can advance upon such loose angular blocks of quartz; and we managed to get the troop between these 'streams.' Though poor of their kind, the horses were noble-looking; their small heads, round barrels, clean limbs, flowing manes and tails, and, above all, their bold carriage and air of freedom, made them appear to particular advantage. A glossy black stallion headed the troop, and, with an iron-grey mare, attended by her long-legged shambling colt, seemed particularly impatient of our presence. By and by these advanced towards us, now ambling, and now at a canter, followed by their companions: they snorted, shook their wild manes, wheeled round in file, and again closing, stood stock-still, and looked defiance at our whole party. They all kept so close together, that it was impossible to single out the heifer, who impudently and awkwardly imitated the airs of its bold protectors. We therefore determined to divide a little, and to let the dog, whose impatience was all but ungovernable, loose on the troop, which would thereby be scattered; when the heifer was to be singled out and shot by one of the party; if the dog did not seize it. The loosened hound bounded forwards with a short bark; the horses eyed him, shook their heads, turned their tails towards us, and forthwith one and all began to neigh, rear, fling, and kick at the empty air; with a rapidity of motion, uniformity, and pertinacity that discomfited poor 'Yorke,' and moved us to shrieks
