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OFFICIAL VISIT
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such case, perfectly helpless in so impetuous a current. I clung to him, holding on by the rein, till he again recovered footing, and being remounted, we proceeded with the utmost deliberation, when striking his fore feet against some hidden fragment of rock, he plunged down head foremost, and I, of course, with him. I still, however, retained my bridle, but the animal, in his endeavour to rise, struck me with his near fore foot such a blow on the temple as rendered me almost senseless. Still I had fortunately recollection enough not to lose my grasp, and, when I came to myself, found that I was again upon his back, and felt so much inconvenienced with the water which was flowing from my head, that I endeavoured to wipe it off with my sleeves. In so doing, I was brought more immediately to a sense of my peril, when I found that the streams which were flowing from my head were not of water but blood, which poured down copiously; so much so, indeed, that I became