The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-06-27
OXFORD, MISS, WEDNESDAY, JUNE p, 1860

gaIlop or jump, first rate, surely; but he''
very awkward to mount and when you ar'
on, HEN try uncommon hard to get you of
for two minutes; if you stick fast, he will bc
quiet CROUCH all day"
"Thank you, my man., ! replied, Erli try
him directly"
Just before starting found the chestnut
had a shoe loose, and had to send him tC
the nearest village, two miles off. had prom
ised Laura to return by eight o'clock, to fin
ish delightful book we were reading aloud
together, until the tiif between Captain Egret
had interrupted us, You may judge if | was
not impatient; and yet with fifteen miles 10
ride to Flint, had no time to spare.
My friend, the groom, saddled the Brown
horse, and brought him down to the open
road to me. lie trotted along, with shining
coat and arched neck, snoring and waving his
great tail like lion, As he piaffcd and par
raded sideways, along, casting back his full
eye most wickedly, every motion spoke mis-
chief; but there was no time for considera-
ton; had barely an hour to do fifteen miles
Of rough road before crossing the river, and
must get to the riverside, cool had in
tended TO have ridden the chestnut, who was
experienced in water, but the loose shoe up
set all that arrangement.
Without giving him any time to see what
was about, ! caught him by the name and
thC rcins, and threw myself from sloping
bank into the saddle, and, although he drag
gcd the Groom across the road, | hal both
feet in the stirrups before he burst his hold.
Snoring fierecly, he bucked ard plunged I'M
til thought the girths woull surely crack;
but other horsemen galloping past enabled
me to hustle him into full speed, and IN five
minutes he settled down into long, luxuri-
ous stride, with his legs under bis launches,
that felt like common eantcr, but really de-
vourcd tlle way, and swept me past everything
on the road. Up hill and down, it was all
the same, he bounded, like machine full of
power on the sotcst steclsprings
Ten miles were soon past, and We reached
IIolywclI; up the steep hill and through the
town. and down the steep narrow lanes, we
went and reached the level road along the
shore leading to Flint, without halt, until
within two miles of that town; then drew /,
bride, to walk in cool.
BY this time the weather, which had been
bright al day, had changed; few heat drops .
of rain fell, thunder was heard rolling in the
distance, aud wind seemed rising aud mur-
muring from the sea.
looked at my watch as we entered the
town; it was an hour past the time when
to have crosscd-but Laura must
hot be disappointed, SO only halted at the
mn long enough to let the brown wash his
mouth ont, and, without dismounting, rode
m to the guides house. As | passed the
he Castle, ] heard a band playing; it was a
party Of officers, with their friends, who had
,omc up on a picnic from Chester.
When reached the cottage of old David,
he guide, he was sitting on the bench at the
loor putting on his shoes and stockings;
md part of the party had met in the morn
ng, as they passed, cried, you're late, mas
er; Won must hurry on to cross tonight"
David was beginning to dissuade Iae but
when threw him out shilling, and trottcd
m, he followed me, pattering down the beach.
"You must make haste, master, for the
Winds getting up, and viii bring the tide
ike roaring lion--it will. Bat | suppose
he pretty lady with the rosy face expects
-ou. But where's the red horse! wish you
lad him. do not like strange horses on
uch a time as this-indecd and do not"
le added. But had no time for explana-
ions, although David was agreat ally of ours.
knew | was expected; it was getting dusk,
nd Laura would be anxious, Thoped.
Pushing briskly along we soon reached
he ford of the channel, so calm and shallow
n the morning, but now filling fast with the
ide; dark clouds were covering the sky, and
he wind brought up hollow murmuring
ound.
Now get across, young gentleman, as fast
: you can, and keep your eye on the wind
iilI, and don't spare your spurs, and you
i'll have plenty of time; so good evening,
iod bless Won, young gentleman, and the {
rettv lady too cried David. honestest of {
Welsh guides.
tried to walk the brown horse through
he ford where it was not more than three or
,ur feet deep; but he first refused then
hen pressed, plunged iercely in, and was {
Ut Of his depth in a moment. He swan
cldly enough, but obstinately kept his head
own stream; 50 that, instead of landing on {
n easy, shelving shore, be came out where l
] but a perpendicular bank of soft sand :
al to be leaped and climbed over. After ]
,veral unsuccessful efforts | was Obliged 10 :
ip Of, and climb up on foot, side by side j
ith my horse, holding on by the fap Of
le saddle. If | mad not dismounted we ,
Mould probably have rolled back together.
When reached the top Of the bank, rath-
out of breath, looked back, and saw Da- Z