"He can talk sinse at times." "Yes," said my father, "at times;" and he gave the captain a look which made him turn away his eyes.--"Val, my boy, I cannot have you exposed to the ignominy of being bound." "Sure, no," cried the captain.

"I forgot to say a wurrud about stirrup-leathers across his back if he didn't behave himself." "Fate is against us for the present, my boy," continued my father, "and you must ride with this party till I have applied to the proper quarters to get the matter righted." "Now, man, be aloive," said the captain, and I winced and looked vainly round for a way of escape; but I was seized by the wrist by another dismounted Boer, who slipped a raw-hide noose over my wrist, just as two more came riding back, leading my own horse, Sandho, between them.

The poor beast, who followed me like a dog, uttered a shrill neigh as soon as he caught sight of me, springing forward to reach my side.
"Stop!" cried my father loudly; "there is no need for that.

My son will ride with you, sir." "Indade, sir, I'm obleeged to ye for the inforrmation," said the captain mockingly; "but sure it's a work of shupererrogation, me dear friend, for I knew it, and that he was going to ride backward.

If, however, he gives up sinsibly, he may ride with his back to the horse's tail, and ye needn't tie his ankles togither.