Page:Travels to Discover the Source of the Nile - In the Years 1768, 1769, 1770, 1771, 1772, and 1773 volume 3.djvu/541

 THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 517

fccond toe, as they are afraid of being entangled by the ftirrup if their horfe falls, fliould they put their foot into

it.

I consented to try him very willingly. A long experience with the Moors in Barbary put me above fear of any horfe, however vicious, which I had no reafon to think this was; befides, I rode always with a Barbary bridle, broad ftirrups, and fhort ftirrup-leathers, after their fafhion ; the bridle is known to every fcholar in horfemanfhip, and mould be ufed by every light-horfeman or dragoon, for the moil vicious horfe cannot advance a yard againft this bridle, when in a ftrong hand. I ordered the feis, or groom, to change the faddle and bridle for mine, and I had on a pair of fpurs with very long and fharp rowels. I faw prefently the horfe did* not like the bit, but that I did not wonder at; my faddle was what is called a war faddle, high behind and before, fo,un- lefs the horfe fell, it was impoffible to throw the rider. X had alfo a thick, knotty flick, or truncheon, of about three feet long, inflead of a whip, and well was it for me I was fo prepared for him*

For the firft two minutes after I mounted I do not' know whether I was moll on the earth or in the air; he kicked behind, reared before, leaped like a deer, all four off the ground, and it was lome rime before I recollected my- felf ; he then attempted to gallop, taking the bridle in his teeth, but got ac check which daggered- him ; he, however,. continued to gallop; and, finding! flacked the bridle on his neck, and that he was at eafe, he let off and ran away as hard as he could, flinging out behind every ten yards ;
 * he ground was very favourable, fmooth, foftj and up-hilL.

We;