The Donkey
UR engraving pictures go on horseback and are attended by a young English lad Indians on foot. When arrived at the and his Donkey. proper places, they form a circle in order The docile beast is to drive the Donkeys into some valley, faring well, for both where, at full speed, they throw the noose the master and the and endeavor to halter them. The creagirl whom he has tures, finding themselves enclosed, make met are attending to furious efforts to escape; and, if only one the Donkey's wants. It is forces his way through, they all follow common in England to em- with irresistible impetuosity. However, ploy this animal for sport, when noosed, the hunters throw them and often for labor. A Don- down and secure them with fetters, and key ride is apt to be attended thus leave them till the chase is over. with a good deal of fun. One moment Then, in order to bring them away with the beast, goaded by the driver's stick, greater facility, they pair them with tame will plunge ahead furiously; then sober Donkeys; but this is not easily performed, down to a slow walk; then, perhaps, will for they are so fierce that they often kick up and utter a bray that would wound the persons who undertake to frighten one who never before heard it. manage them.
These animals are found wild in the They have all the swiftness of horses, mountainous deserts of Tartary, the and neither declivities nor precipices can southern districts of India and Persia, retard their career. When attacked, they and in some parts of Africa. defend themselves by their heels and The Donkey, like the horse, was im- mouth with such address, that, without ported into South America by the slackening their pace, they often maim Spaniards; and this country seems to their pursuers. It is also observable that be peculiarly favorable to this race of these creatures will not permit a horse to animals; for, where they have run wild, live among them. They always feed they have multiplied in such numbers, together; and, if a horse happen to stray that in some places they have become into the place where they graze, they fall quite a nuisance. In the kingdom of upon him, and, without even giving him Quito, the owners of the grounds where the choice of flying, bite and kick him they are bred suffer all persons to take till they leave him dead on the spot. away as many as they choose, on paying The manner in which the Donkeys a small acknowledgment, in proportion descend the precipices of the Alps or the to the number of days the sport of hunt- Andes is truly extraordinary. In the ing them lasts. They catch them in the passes of these mountains there are often following manner: A number of persons on one side lofty eminences, and on the other frightful abysses; and, as these posture as if they were stooping themgenerally follow the direction of the selves; they then also put their hinder mountain, the road, instead of lying on a feet together, but a little forward, as if level, forms, at every little distance, steep they were about to lie down. In this declivities of several hundred yards down- attitude, having taken a survey of the ward. Places of this description can only road, they slide down with the swiftness be descended by Donkeys; and the animals of a meteor. All that the rider has to do themselves, by the caution that they use, is to keep himself fast on the saddle, seem to be sensible of the danger to without checking the rein; for the least which they are exposed. motion is sufficient to disorder the equi-
