299, FRUITLESS STRUGGLES.

prayerful heart, endeavoured to resign mysclf to
my fate. But, in spite of my endcavours to be
calm, the memories of earthly pleasures, and friends
aud home, came over me, causing me at intervals
to break into wild paroxysms, and make fresh
though fruitless struggles. Again I was attracted
by the neighing of my horse. At the sound, a
thought entered my mind, filing me with fresh
hope. ‘Perhaps my horse’-—I[ lost not a moment.
I raised my voice to its highest pitch, and called
the animal by name. I knew that he would come
at my call. I had tied him but shghtly; the cactus
limb would snap off. Again I called, repeating
words that were well known to him. TI listened
with a bounding heart. For a moment there was
silence, then I heard the quick sounds of his hoof,
as though the animal was rearing and struggling
to free himself; then I could distinguish the stroke
of his heels in a measured and regular gallop.
Nearer came the sounds, nearer and clearer, till the
gallant brute bounded out on the bank above me.
There he halted, and, flinging back his tossed
mane, uttered a shrill neigh. He was bewildered,
and looked upon every side, snorting loudly. I
knew that, having once seen me, he would not stop
until he had pressed his nose against my check:
for this was his usual custom. Holding ont my
hands, I again uttered the magic words. Now,