Page 180 - Adventures in Africa

pear, and no one in the camp would know what had
become of us.

To abandon Harry was not to be thought of, and
we therefore pushed forward in the hopes: of at length

coming up with him and stopping his wild steed.
The difficulty was solved in an unexpected way. Sud­
denly in front of the herd of quaggas appeared a large
party of people armed with spears and darts. Utter­

ing loud shouts* the blacks began to send their mis­
siles among the herd. The quaggas were thrown

into the greatest confusion, some going on one side,
Some on the other* others turning in the direction
from which we had come. At length the shouts and
cries around it brought Harry's quagga to a stand­

still* and enabled us to get alongside, I advised him
to dismount.
"No, 110 i he answered. “ I have got my steed

and intend to him* and if you ride near he'll go well
enough.”
Harry was right. The brute, pretty well tired out*

went with perfect quietness* and submitted to be
tethered with a strong rope and hobbles round its
legs, so that there was 110 chance of its breaking

away.
“ 1 11 tame him ! " cried Harry. “ Tell them, Toko,
no one must on any account bring him food— I alone

will give it him.”
By this time the natives, who had killed half-a-
dozen quaggas, had come close to us. We considered

that it would be prudent, if not an act of politeness,
to thank them for stopping the quagga; and Toko,
who was our spokesman* so explained matters, that