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"New National Fourth Reader"


vi'cious, _not well tamed; given to bad tricks_.
sub dued', _made gentle; overcome_.
swerve, _turn from a direct line_.
squad'ron, _a number of horses drawn up together_.
pli'able, _capable of being turned or bent_.
strove, _attempted; tried hard_.
ex ceed'ed, _went beyond_.
thong, _a long strip of leather_.

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WILD HORSES OF SOUTH AMERICA.

At the time of the discovery of America there were no wild horses in any
part of the continent.
Soon, however, some of the horses brought over from Europe by the early
settlers, wandered away, and now wild horses are to be met with in large
numbers, in some cases as many as a thousand at a time.
They appear to be under the command of a leader, the strongest and
boldest of the herd, whom they obey.
When threatened with danger, at some signal, understood by them all,
they either close together and trample their enemy to death, or form
themselves into a circle and welcome him with their heels.
The leader first faces the danger, and when he finds it prudent to
retreat, all follow his rapid flight.


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