Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1853-08-25
VOLUME X. NO. 35.

I" hnue erred!" repeated the colonel with
'nm'l''v; ard. watching ill the grand dukes
head was turned, to wipe the spittIe from his
lace be sneaked off to the place of arrest.
Constantine now ordered another Of the riders
to take tn, barrier, who, although he was tossed
about m the saddle, gained such desperate en-
ergy from the terrors of the grand duke behind
him, that he forced his horse to clear it.
"Put up the bar peg higher!"
And, on signal made, another unfortunate
officer advanced to take the leap; but his hand
conveyed remulous motion to the rein-once,
tr'ce, tbice, his horse refused it.
Dash up against it; spur him at i'll" thun-
dered the grand duke.
The terrified rider spurred his horse, and tho
'nlmal stopped suddenly short, aagiag him
son, the fooll" said tho grand ouxe, IA
months arrest. Now get on again"
| But he could not hold the BRIDE; his left arm
was broken.
"Take him away, am glad of it; wish it
vas his neck Put up the bar peg higher.
Now you get upon that horse and take him over"
| And thus balf-a-dozen horsemen were forced
,uccessvely to attempt the leap, til they were
brown, or their horses thrown down, or the
nen injur'd against the barrier.
AT length it came to the turn of the two de-
.raded men. The duke had caused the bar to
'e so constantly raised that there seemed no
chance of their horses being able to leapit But
{ the barrier was before, the thunder of Con-
,tantine's voice was behind them. The ex ca
let first attempted, or feined an attempt, Of the
fu,llity Of which he was beforehand pursuaded,
for his horse refused to leap. BY this time the
grand duke was furious.
Take him up to it with more life, hound use
the spur Dash him to atoms against it -
brenk all his cursed bones and your own too, or
I will have them broken for you!"
But the rider, smarting under bis degradation
to the ranks, had turned dogged, and persisted
IN bringing his charger at safe pace up to the
leap.
Get off DEVILS head! (Coroua golova")
roared the grand duke. Begone to the guard
honse; award you five hundred lashes Now
you," he continued 10 his ex-lieutenant "and
If you don't take it. will have both man and
morse picked over with lances."
Thus admonlshed, the degruded officer, who
was good rider and well mounted, lifted his
horse so energetcally that he carried him to the
other side of the barrier. though not indeed
without grazing it with bis feet.
81 He tonched-he touchen" said the grand
duke 'brlng him back He leaped back.
Nov again." said the Constantine.
This time the horse fell headlong with his
rider.
Put him to it again" roared the grand duke.
Blu, all the desperate effults Of the ex-lieuten-
ant. from whose nose and mouth the blood was
streaming the while, seemed unable to determine
the affrgbted and perhaps injured animal to rise
again. Al length the rider let the bride reins
drnp IN utter Encouragement on the horses
neck.
"Let me crave ten minutes rest, you Imperial
Highness." )"
Did my horse touch when leaped it?
asked The grand duke.
"In the first place, the bar has since been
raised many pegs; in the next. your hlghness is
better mounted" SAID the Lithuanian, growing
reckless.
"Oh he reasons with me, be argues. OF
your horse: to the barracks. Five hundred
lashes with the other!"