Page:Travels to Discover the Source of the Nile - In the Years 1768, 1769, 1770, 1771, 1772, and 1773 volume 3.djvu/542

 S iS TRAVELS TO DISCOVER

We paired the poll of the Fit-Auraris like lightning, leaving him exceedingly furprifed at feeing me make off with his mailer's horfe. He was then going to the head-quarters, but faid nothing at palling; we went down one hill auk- wardly enough ; and, when we got to a fmall plain and a brook below, the horfe would have gone eaiily enough ei- ther a trot or walk up the other, but I had only to ihake my ilirrups to make him fet oif again at a violent gallop, and when he ilopt he trembled all over. I was now refol- ved to gain a victory, and hung my upper cloak upon a tree, the attempting which occaiioned a new battle ; but he was obliged to fubmit. I then between the two hills, half up the one and half up the other, wrought him fo that he had no longer either breath or ftrength, and I began to think he would fcarce carry me to the camp.

I now found that he would walk very quietly ; that a gentle touch of the fpur would quicken him, but that he had not ftrength or inclination to gallop ; and there was no more rearing or kicking up behind. I put my cloak, there- fore, about me in the bell manner poffible, juil as if it had never been ruffled or difcompofed by motion, and in this manner repairing the Fit-Auraris' quarters, came in fight of the camp, where a large field fown with teff, and much watered, was in front. I went out of the road into this field, which I knew was very foft and deep, and therefore favour- able for me. Coming near Faiil's tent, the horfe ilopt upon, gently ftraitening the bridle, as a horfe properly broke would have done, on which my fervant took the faddle and bridle, and returned the groom his own.

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