Frank Fairlegh

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f of which we promised ourselves a canter. As we rode along Coleman questioned me as to what could have passed while he was seeing Punch saddled, to make me determine to ride the chestnut mare, whose vicious disposition was, he informed me, so well known, that not only would no one ride her who could hel

ning-you see, he would no doubt suppose you had heard the particulars of his gambling affair, and meant to insult him by

better, that when once I have undertaken a thing, I will go

acter that will go and run his head against a brick wall to prove that it is the harder and thicker of the two-they knock out their brains though, sometimes, in d

energy and determination will undertake great deeds, aye, and perform them too,

e sort of stuff they cut heroes out of-woa, Punch! steady,

snorted, and exchanged the quiet jog-trot pace at which we had been proceeding, for a dancing, sidelong motion, which somewhat disturbed Coleman's equanimity, and elicited from him the expressions above recorded. The road at the same time becoming uneven and full of ruts, we agreed to turn our horses' heads, and quit it for the more tempting pathway afforded by the green-sward. No sooner, however, did Punch feel the change from the hard road to

"you'll have him run awa

rasp, kicked viciously several times, and, seizing the cheek of the bit between her teeth so as to render it utterly useless (evidently an old trick of hers), sprang forward at a wild gallop. The pace at which we were going soon brought us alongside of Punch, who, having thoroughly mastered his rider, considered it highly improper that any steed should imagine itself able to pass him, and therefore proceeded to emulate the pace of Mad Bess. Thereupon a short but very spirited race ensued, the cob's pluck enabling him to keep neck and neck for a few yards; but the mare was going at racing speed, and the length of her stride soon began to tell; Punch, too, showed signs of having nearly had enough of it. I therefore shouted to Coleman as we were leaving them: "Keep his head up hill, and you'll be able to pull him in directly". His answer was inaudible, but when I turned my head two or three minutes afterwards I was glad to see that he had followed my advice with complete success-Punch was standing still, about half a mile off, while his rider was apparently watching my course with looks of horror. All anxiety on his account being thus at an end, I proceeded to take as calm a view of my own situation as circumstances would allow, in order to decide on the best means of extricating myself therefrom. We had reached the top of the first range of hills I have described, and were now tearing at a fearful rate down the descent on the opposite side. It was clear that the mare could not keep up the pace at whi

r than the last, like a mad creature. I was glad to perceive, however, that the pace at which she had come, and the distance (which must have been several miles), were beginning to tell-her glossy coat was stained with sweat and dust, while her breath, drawn with short and laboured sobs, her heaving flanks, and the tremulous motion of her limbs, afforded convincing proofs that the struggle could not be protracted much longer. Still she continued to hold the bit between her teeth as firmly as though it were in a vice, rendering any attempt to pull her in utterly futile. We had now reached the crest of the hill, when I was not best pleased to perceive that the descent on the other side was much more precipitous than any I had yet met with. I endeavoured, therefore

ur path, about 300 yards before us. The mare perceives it when too late, attempts to stop, but from the impetus with which she is going is unable to do so. Another moment, and we shall be over the brink! With the energy of despair I lifted her with the rein w

sion of thanksgiving to Him who had mercifully decreed that the thread of my young life should not be snapped in so sudden and fearful a manner. Straight before me the descent became almost suddenly precipitous, but a little to the right I perceived a sort of sheep-track, winding downwards round the side of the hill. It was a self-evident fact that this must lead somewhere, and, as all places were alike to me, so that they contained any human beings who were able and willing to direct me towards Helmstone, I determined to follow it. After walking about half a mil

most importance in his eyes) he rubbed down Mad Bess, and administered some refreshment to her in the shape of hay and water; then he brought me a glass of ale, declaring it would do me good (in which, by the way, he was not far from right). He then brushed from my coat certain stains which I had contracted in my

situated I perceived Coleman and Lawless standing at t

eman sprang eagerly forw

ain, old fellow! I was so frightened ab

break your neck, and old Sam be minus a pupil, when I heard you were gone out on that mare. You have

ied I; "she did her best to break my n

with great attention; the former interrupting me every now and then with various expr

hink you had it in you; 'pon my word, I didn't. I shall just tell Cumberland and Snaf

never worth while being angry with people of

, and I'll make him beg your pardon before we leave this yard. Here, you ostler fellow, where's your master?" shouted Lawless, as he tur

apology, saying that he should never have thought of giving me the mare if he had not seen at a glance

anything of the sort occurs again, I shall hire my horses somewhere else, and take care

d found my friend James, returned his spurs, and given him the promised h