less to protest. I
merely buried my hands in his yellow hair to keep my balance in such a
camel-like motion.

A little after noon we stayed to rest by a shallow brook, beneath a
cluster of trees scented, though not in blossom, like an English
hawthorn. There we ate our meal, or rather I ate and my companion
watched, running out ever and again for a wider survey, and returning
to me like a faithful dog, to shout snatches of his inconceivable
language at me.

Sometimes I seemed to catch his meaning, bidding me take courage, have
no fear, he would protect me. And once he shaded his eyes and pointed
afar with extreme perturbation, whining or murmuring while he stared.

Again we set off from beneath the sweet-scented shade, and now no
doubt remained that I was the object of very hostile evolutions.
Sometimes these smooth-hooved battalions would advance, cloudlike, to
within fifty yards of us, and, snorting, ruffle their manes and wheel
swiftly away; only once more in turn to advance, and stand, with heads
exalted, gazing wildly on us till we were passed on a little. But my
guide gave them very little heed. Did they pause a moment too long in
our path, or gallop down on us but a stretch or two beyond the limit
his instinct had set for my safety, he whirled his thong above his
head, and his yell resounded, and like a shadow upon wheat the furious
companies melted away.

Evidently these were not the foes he looked for, but a subtler, a more
indomitable. It was at last, I conjectured, at scent, or sight, or
rumour of these that he suddenly swept me on to his shoulders again,
and with a great sneeze or bellow leapt off at a speed he had, as yet,
given me no hint of.

Looking back as best I could, I began to discern somewhat to the left
of us a numerous herd in pursuit, sorrel in colour, and of a more
magnificent aspect than those forming the other bands. It was obvious,
too, despite their plunging and rearing, that they were gaining on
us--drew, indeed, so near at last that I could count the foremost of
them, and mark (not quite callously) their power and fleetness and
symmetry, even the sun's gold upon their reddish skins.

Then in a flash my captor set me down, toppled me over (in plain
words) into the thick herbage, and, turning, rushed bellowing,
undeviating towards their leaders, till it seemed he must inevitably
be borne down beneath their brute weight, and so--farewell to summer.
But almost at the impact, the baffl