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166 again. We halted and gave three cheers. We were out of the woods, and out of the fog, and five quails ahead. The fullness of our high hopes of the morning had fallen something short of realization, it is true, but we had got "a starter" nevertheless, and still had before us some hours in which to retrieve the fortunes of the day.

We went on down the steep declivity a mile or more; then came upon the edge of one still more precipitous, and looked down into a narrow, romantic cañon, at the bottom of which is Lagunita. Descending this precipice, our horses occupied something the position of red squirrels coming down the side of a barn. My horse being at the rear, had his nose projected far over the back of Lloyd's, and his in turn was telescoped—so to speak—over the Doctor's. I had always an inquiring mind, and a tendency toward experiments. I had a sharp stick in my hand, and inserted it playfully under the portion of Lloyd's horse nearest me. The experiment was an eminent success. Mousey, by way of passing on the compliment, seized Whitey by the rump, and gave him a nip that brought away the fur by the handful. Whitey having nothing before him to get even on, whirled half round, at the risk of his rider's neck, and went for his assailant "for all there was in sight." Mousey lifted his heels, and my horse caught the full force of the shock. Things rattled, and the air for the moment was blue with cursing. When order was at last restored, we rode on in sulky silence. They were mad, and gave me no credit whatever for good