DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.3462#0129
THE PROCESSION OF RETAINERS 85
their bodies. For example, a white horse would
have yellow legs and a yellow tail. Many of these
" creations " circled round the arena on their hind
legs; others literally danced, springing forward in
leaps and bounds with their legs gathered under
them, and executing curious dancing steps in a way
that could never be equalled by any circus horse.
Nevertheless, these dancing and prancing horses did
not appear ridiculous: there was a certain fitness
about them. They are of a special breed that has
been trained for generations—not to go through
amusing circus acts, but for a very grim and serious
purpose, as we have discovered to our own cost.
In warfare they were no target: they sprang on
one side, or ducked, just like a professional boxer or
wrestler. Their riders were able to swing about their
great swords, mowing men down by the score.
Perhaps they are not the sort of horses that would
do for modern warfare; but, nevertheless, they are
superb creatures, and as they passed our salmon
friend waxed indignant. "You Westerners are
spoiling the indigenous stock," he said: " you
are destroying the native horse." The man was
furious; and, seeing these magnificent fiery
creatures, uninitiated person as I am, I could not
help feeling that it was a terrible thing to let the
their bodies. For example, a white horse would
have yellow legs and a yellow tail. Many of these
" creations " circled round the arena on their hind
legs; others literally danced, springing forward in
leaps and bounds with their legs gathered under
them, and executing curious dancing steps in a way
that could never be equalled by any circus horse.
Nevertheless, these dancing and prancing horses did
not appear ridiculous: there was a certain fitness
about them. They are of a special breed that has
been trained for generations—not to go through
amusing circus acts, but for a very grim and serious
purpose, as we have discovered to our own cost.
In warfare they were no target: they sprang on
one side, or ducked, just like a professional boxer or
wrestler. Their riders were able to swing about their
great swords, mowing men down by the score.
Perhaps they are not the sort of horses that would
do for modern warfare; but, nevertheless, they are
superb creatures, and as they passed our salmon
friend waxed indignant. "You Westerners are
spoiling the indigenous stock," he said: " you
are destroying the native horse." The man was
furious; and, seeing these magnificent fiery
creatures, uninitiated person as I am, I could not
help feeling that it was a terrible thing to let the