`` That 's all very well in camp , '' said Billy . `` I 'm not above stampeding myself , for the fun of the thing , when I have n't been out for a day or two . But what do you do on active service ? '' `` Oh , that 's quite another set of new shoes , '' said the troop horse . `` Dick Cunliffe 's on my back then , and drives his knees into me , and all I have to do is to watch where I am putting my feet , and to keep my hind legs well under me , and be bridle-wise . '' `` What 's bridle-wise ? '' said the young mule . `` By the Blue Gums of the Back Blocks , '' snorted the troop-horse , `` do you mean to say that you are n't taught to be bridle-wise in your business ? How can you do anything , unless you can spin round at once when the rein is pressed on your neck ? It means life or death to your man , and of course that 's life and death to you . Get round with your hind legs under you the instant you feel the rein on your neck . If you have n't room to swing round , rear up a little and come round on your hind legs . That 's being bridle-wise . '' `` We are n't taught that way , '' said Billy the mule stiffly . `` We 're taught to obey the man at our head : step off when he says so , and step in when he says so . I suppose it comes to the same thing . Now , with all this fine fancy business and rearing , which must be very bad for your hocks , what do you do ? '' `` That depends , '' said the troop-horse . `` Generally I have to go in among a lot of yelling , hairy men with knives -- long shiny knives , worse than the farrier 's knives -- and I have to take care that Dick 's boot is just touching the next man 's boot without crushing it . I can see Dick 's lance to the right of my right eye , and I know I 'm safe .
I should n't care to be the man or horse that stood up XXXXX Dick and me when we 're in a hurry . ''
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