Part 83 (1/2)

What was Hendrik about? Was he going to forsake the eland, and let it escape? Had he grown so interested in the race? Was he jealous about his quagga's speed, and determined it should beat all the others?

So it would have appeared to any one witnessing the race from a distance But one who could have had a nearer view of it, would have given a different explanation of Hendrik's conduct

The fact was, that as soon as the eland halted, Hendrik intended to halt also; and for that purpose pulled strongly upon his bridle But, to his astonisha did not share his intention

Instead of obeying the bit, the anialloped straight on!

Hendrik then endeavoured to turn the quagga to one side, and for this purpose wrenched his right rein; but with such fierceness, that the old bit-ring gave way--the bit slipped through the animal's jaws--the head-stall caa was completely unbridled!

Of course the anio just as he liked; and it was plain that he liked to go with his old comrades His old co and occasional neigh of recognition testified

At first Hendrik was disposed to look upon the breaking of his bit as only a slight misfortune For a boy he was one of the best riders in South Africa, and needed no rein to steady hia would soon stop, and he could then repair the bit, and re-adjust the bridle which he still held in his hands Such were his reflections at first

But their spirit began to alter, when he found that the quagga, instead of lessening his pace, kept on as hard as ever, and the herd still ran wildly before hi to a halt

In fact, the quaggas were running through fear They saw the h their old comrade kneho they were, hoere they to tell what he ith such a tall hunch upon his back? No quagga he, but so for their lives, and eager to devour one and all of them!

No wonder they showed their heels in the best style they kne; and so well did they show theet forward a them, and explain away the aard business upon his back--was not able to coround, however His eagerness to regain his old associates--to partake once more of their wild freedom--for he was desperately tired of civilised society, and sick of elephant-hunting--all these ideas crowded into his mind at the et up into the body of the crowd--for the herd now ran in a crowd--a fehimpers would suffice to explain--they would coather around hiet ”shed” of the ugly two-legged thing that clung so tightly to his dorsal vertebrae

It was ”no go,” however Although he was so close to their heels, that they flung dust in his face, and sht inconvenience of the latter; although he ”whighered”

whenever he could spare breath, and uttered his ”couag,--couag!” in reality calling theo” They would not stay They would not hear

And what did Hendrik during all this ti

He could not stay the iht of his steed He dared not dis sharp rocks, had he atte His neck would have been broken He could do nothing--nothing but keep his seat

What thought he? At first, not htly When he was about coan to deem it more serious; and as he entered upon the fifth, he became convinced that he was neither more nor less than in a very aard scrape

But the fifth mile was left behind, and then a sixth, and a seventh; and still the quaggas galloped wildly on--the drove actuated by the fear of losing their liberty, and their old co his

Hendrik now felt real uneasiness Where were they going? Where was the brute carrying hiht be lost and perish of hunger or thirst! Already he was er tell their direction Even had he halted then and there, he could not tell which way to turn hirew htened in earnest

What was he to do? Leap down, and risk his neck in the fall? He would lose his quagga and his saddle as well--he regarded the eland as already lost--he would have to walk back to cahed at on his return

No er if he kept on The quaggasThey showed no sy hio

He had formed this resolution, and was actually about to put it in practice He was just considering how hefor a soft spot--when, all at once, a grand idea rushed into his mind

[Illustration: HENDRICK BLINDING THE QUAGGA]

He re him to the saddle, he had been vastly aided by a very si more than a piece of soft leather tied over the animal's eyes; but so coa at once fro creature into a docile aniht of the blind

True, he had none Was there nothing about him that would serve as one?