Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-01-28
Gales aud Skttehes.
AGALLOP FOR LIFE.
(Continuec from yesterday. }


Late in the dav I purchased brown
stallion, with a strain of Arab blood, rather
understood, but compact and one OF the
handsomest horses | ever saw before or
since, very powerful. nearly thorough
bred. When the auctioneer had Knocked
him down to me, | said to one of the
grooms of the establishment who was
helping my man-handipg him crown
piece at the same time
Gas the little brown horse is mine, with
all faults, just have the goodness to tell
me what is his tault?"
why, SIR" he answered, The can
walk, trot, gallop, and jump, first rate,
surely but he's very awkward to mount
and when you are on. hell try uncommon
hard to get YOU off, for two minutes; il
YOU stick fast. he will be quiet enough all
day"
THANK you. my man." l replied; III
try him directly"
! Just before starting found the chest
nut had shoe loose, and had to send him
to the nearest village. two miles off.
had promised Laura to return by eight
O'Clock, to finish delightful book we
were reading aloud together, until the
tiff about Capt. Egret had interrupted us.
You may Judge if | was not impatient
and vet, with Is miles to 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. He trotted along, with shin
| ing coat and arched neck. snorting and
waving his great tail like lion. AS he
piaffed and paraded sideways along, cast
ing back his full eye most wickedly. every
motion spoke mischief, but there was no
time for consideration; l had barely an
hour to do Is miles of rough roads before
crossing the river, and must get to the
riverside, cool. had intended to have
ridden the chestnut, who was experienced
in water, but the loose shoe upset that
arrangement.
Without giving him any time to see
what was about, l caught him by the
name and the reins, threw myself from a
sloping bank into the saddle. and although
he dragged the groom across the road, |
had both feet in the stirrups before he
burst from bis hold. Snorting fercely. he
bucked and plunged until thought the
girths would surely crack; but other
horsemen galloping past, enabled me to
hustle him into full speed. and in five
minutes he settled down into long, lux
urious stride. with his legs under his
launches, that felt like common canter,
but really devoured the way, and swept
me past everything on the road. Up hill
and down, it was all the same, he bound
ed like machine full of power on the
softest of steel springs.
Ten miles were soon past, and we
JD1x ba orr hill nd
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 all day. had changed; few
heat drops of rain fell, thunder was heard
rolling in the distance, and a wind seemed
rising and murmuring from the sea.
looked at my watch as we entered the
town; it was an hour past the time when
intended to have crossed. But Laura
must not be disappointed, so | only halt
ed at the inn long enough to let the brown
wash his mouth out. and without dis
mounting, rode OH to the guides house.
AS passed the Castle ] heard band
playing; it was a party of officers with
their friends, who had come up on picnic
from Chester.
| When | reached the cottage of old Da-
vd, the guide, he was sitting on the bench
at the door, putting on his shoes and stock
ings; and part of the party had met in
the morning, as they passed, cried,
You're late, master; you must hurry on
to cross tonight" David was beginning
to dssuade me. but when threw him a
shilling, and trotted on. he followed me,
pattering down the beach.
You must make haste, master, for the
winds getting up, and will bring the tide
like a roaring lion-it will. But | sup
pose the pretty lady with the rosy face ex-
poets you. But where's the red horse? |
wish YOU had him | do not like
as this-indeed. and | do not he
added. But had no time for explana-
tons. although David was great ally OF
ours. ! knew was expected 1T was get
ting dusk, and Laura would be anxious, |
! hoped.
Pushing briskly along. we soon reached
the ford of the channel. so calm and shall
low in the morning, but now filling fast
with the tide; dark clouds were covering
| the sky, and the wind brought up a hol
low murmurng sound.
"Now get across, young gentleman, as
fast as you can, and keep your eye on the
windmill. and you will have plenty of
time; so good evening, God bless you
young gentleman. and the pretty lady.
too cried David, honestest of Welsh
guides.
tried to walk the brown horse through
the ford where it was not more than three
OF four feet deep. but he first refused.
| then, when pressed, plunged fiercely in.
and was out OF his depth in moment.
He swan body enough. but obstinatelv
kept his head down the stream; so that.
instead of landing on an easy, shelving
shore. he came out where all but a per-
pendicular bank of soft sand had to be
leaped and climbed over. After several
unsuccessful efforts, was obliged to slip
off, and climb up on foot. side by side
with nv horse. holding on by the flap OF
the saddle. If had not dismounted, we
should probably have rolled back together.
When l reached the top of the bank,
rather out of breath, looked back. and
saw David making piteous signs. as he
moved off rapidly, for me to push along.
But this was easier said than done the
brown horse would not let me come near
him. Round and round he went. rearing
| and p1np until woS o,,;to