found itself on firm
ground, it began to throw its legs out in all directions, but Toko held
it fast by the halter. At last, wearied by its exertions, it stood
perfectly still. The moment it did so, Toko made a sign to his
followers, who clapped a saddle on its back, and drew tight the girths.

"Capital!" cried Harry. "I have got a first-rate steed at small cost,
and I'll soon show you what it can do."

Before I could dissuade him from making the attempt, he, with his usual
impetuosity, leapt on the quagga's back, and, seizing the bridle, told
Toko to let go.

What Harry might have expected occurred. Off started the quagga, full
gallop, towards the herd from which it had been separated by falling
into the pit. I feared from the vicious nature of the animals, that,
seeing some strange being on the back of their companion, they would
kick it and its rider to death. In vain I shouted to Harry to stop his
steed and come back: that was more than he could do. So telling Toko to
mount his horse, I set off in pursuit.

The moment the herd of quaggas saw us coming, away they galloped at a
furious rate. There were not many streams, but over the rocky beds of
watercourses, through dense thickets, up hills, down valleys, on they
went.

Our horses began to show signs of fatigue, and I was afraid Harry would
be carried away into the wilderness. To attempt to throw himself off
would have been madness, and yet while the quaggas were running, there
was little chance that their companion would stop.

We had ridden so far that I knew our friends would be anxious about us,
for they had not seen us disappear, 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. Suddenly
in front of the herd of quaggas appeared a large party of people armed
with spears and darts. Uttering loud shouts, the blacks began to send
their missiles 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 standstill, and enabled
us to get alongside. I advised him to dismount.

"No, no!" he answered. "I have got my steed and intend to him, and if
you ride near he'll g