HORSEMEN’S FEATS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXI, Issue XVII, 22 October 1898, Page 524

HORSEMEN’S FEATS.

‘I have seen Cossacks,’ says a recent writer, ‘at full gallop snatch a baby from its mother’s arms, toss it into the air, catch it and repeat the performance.

‘I once saw an Indian rider in the Far West spring from his pony’s bare back while the animal was moving at full gallop, pick up an arrow, and re-mount instantly in a standing posture. I have seen other performances all over the world, but for a neat, clever, cleancut feat this Riffiau exceeded them all, I think. ‘Several of us had been at Gibraltar and found ourselves at the town of Mlilia. on the RifTian coast. We were entertained by the Spanish commander, who did the honours finely. One morning we rode outside the town and reached a level stretch of sand, where there were a number of Ruffian horsemen. They were finelooking fellows, and attired in snowwhite burnouses. They w'ere mounted on small animals, slight, but quick and wiry, of a thoroughbred Arab barb type.

‘We were amused some time by their charges and evolutions. They would throw their swords and matchlocks in the air, catching them by the hilts and stocks infallibly. Finally it was announced that something of unusual interest would be accomplished. One of the men produced a needle and a piece of thread, possibly two or three feet in length. They were both handed around for inspection. I suppose the needle was a cambric one. and the thread fifty or sixty fine. When we had duly inspected both, one of the men signified he would thread the needle. He galloped his horse down the sand about 400 yards or so. He finally w-heeled his horse and remained stationary, facing us. The one who held the needle and thread waved them in his hand and rode toward the other. When he had covered about two-thirds of the distance he halted and waved his hand to the farther one. Immediately the latter spurred his horse into a gallop and came toward us at full speed. As he passed the other he took the needle and thread from his companion, bent over for a moment, and pulled up when he reached our party, holding the threaded needle triumphantly over his head.’