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.
Pages:
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94