The little creature must have been lying down behind the sand-hills asleep, when we left, or otherwise it would never have remained behind the others.

Being very desirous not to lose this foal, which had now accompanied me so far and got through all the worst difficulties, I saddled the strongest of the horses, and mounting Wylie, I set off myself on foot with him to search for it.

We had not gone far from the camp, when Wylie wished me to go back, offering to go on by himself; and as I was loth to leave our provisions and ammunition to the mercy of any native that might chance to go that way, I acceded to his request, and delivering to him the rifle, returned to the encampment.
Wylie had pledged himself to the due execution of this errand, and I had some confidence that he would not deceive me.

Hour after hour passed away without his return, and I began to be uneasy at his long delay, and half repented that I had been so foolish as to trust the rifle in his hands.
At last, a little after dark, I was delighted to see him return, followed by the foal, which he had found six miles away and still travelling backwards in search of the horses.

Having given him an extra allowance of bread as a reward for his good conduct, we took our tea and lay down for the night.
During the day, whilst Wylie was absent, I had employed my time in collecting firewood from the back of the sand-hills.