THE BOER AND HIS HORSE

The Boer never, if he can help it, allotvs himself to be separated from his horse; and these hardy little animals, mostly about fifteen hands high, and A-ery lightly 'framed, are picketed close to the spot where the rider deposits his rifle and blankets. If they allow them to graze on the hillsides during the day, they run a rope through the halter near the>horse's muzzle and tie it close above the hnee-joint of the near foreleg. By this means the horse can graze in comfort, but cannot move away at any pace beyond a sloav walk, and so are easily caught and saddled if required in a hurry. The oxen and sheep to be used for slaugh tering purposes are driven up close to the camp ; a Avaggon or two is draAvn across the ravine above and below them, and they then cannot stampede if frightened by any thing, unless they climb the rocky heights on either side of them, which they have small chance of doing, as the Kaffir herds men sleep on the hills above them. Hav ing pitched his laager, the commander sends out his scouts ;' some amble off on horse back at a pace they call a "triffle" —a gait Avhich all the Boers educate their nags to adopt. It is not exactly an amble, but a cousin to it, marvellously easy to the rider, whilst it enables the nag to get over a won derful lot of ground without knocking up. It- also allows the horse to pick his Avay amongct rocky ground, and so save his legs, where an English, Indian, or Aus tralian horse would be apt to cripple him self in very short order. As soon as the mounted scouts set off on their journey, holding the reins carelessly in the left hand, their handy little Mauser rifles in their right, swaying carelessly in the saddle after the fashion of all bush-riders the world over, the foot scouts take up their positions amongst the rocks and shrubs on the hills in front and rear of the laager. Eaach scout has his rifle in' his hand, his pipe in his teeth, his bandolier full of j cartridges over his shoulder, and his scanty j blanket under his left arm. No fear of him sleeping at his post. 