d as the pet of the little drove thrust its
head over the rail, it was patted and caressed, a halter attached and
passed round its lower jaw, Shanter watching eagerly the while.

"Now, Norman, up with you. I want to get him used to being backed."

Norman hesitated for a moment naturally enough, for it was mounting a
bare-backed unbroken colt; but the next minute he had accepted a leg up,
and was in his place, with the result that the beautiful creature reared
right up, pawing the air, and threatened to fall over backwards.

"Grip him well, boy," shouted the captain.

The command was needless, for Norman was already gripping the horse's
soft sides with all his might; and he kept his seat as it now came down
on all fours, and darted off at a rate which startled all the rest of
the occupants of the paddock into a gallop. They followed their
companion round till Norman seemed able to control his mount, and
brought it back to where the rest had been watching him with some
anxiety.

"Well done, my boy!" said the captain, as he caressed the colt. "Down
with you. Now, Raphael, you give him a turn."

Rifle sprang into the place lately occupied by his brother, had a gallop
round the great enclosure; and Tim followed and cantered up.

"That will do for this morning," said the captain. "I like his action
more and more, Jack. He'll want very little breaking in."

"Yes," said Uncle Jack; "a martingale will soon check that habit of
throwing up his head."

"Hullo!" cried the captain; "what's that?"

"Oh nothing, father," cried Rifle, laughing. "Only Shanter. He wants
to have a ride round on the colt."

"What and scare the poor animal with his black face? Besides, he can't
ride."

"Yohi!" shouted the black, excitedly. "Plenty mine ride. Plenty mine
ride bull-cow horse fellow. Plenty mine ride."

He strode toward the colt to mount but the captain laid his hand upon
his shoulder.

Shanter started round angrily.

"Mine go ride plenty mine," he cried.

"No. Don't touch the horse," said the captain, sternly.

White man and black stood gazing in each other's eyes for some moments,
and then Shanter took his spear from where it leaned against the rails,
and marched off toward the nearest patch of scrub, displaying such airs
of offended dignity that the boys all laughed, with the result that
Shanter turned upon them furiously--like a ridiculed child--threw
himself into an attitude, and threatened to throw his sp