IN SEARCH OF A HORSE. 



229 



his side. I dare not describe the terrific consequen- 

 ces ; finis coronat ojoas. * * * 'j^ * One fatal 

 scream announced the catastrophe ; and Caliban, 

 satisfied with the mischief he had perpetrated, danced 

 off in the right direction, to the old tune of " the 

 devil taJce the hindmost." I turned my head — not to 

 laugh, I solemnly declare — but to take my hat, and 

 apologize. It was however past apology ; white hand- 

 kerchiefs were wiping away the falling tears ! another 

 look would have been death. I decamped. The 

 mob had new matter for fun, and I escaped un- 

 scathed. Let my readers take a lesson to beware of 

 a " horse wot backs," as he was then merrily christ- 

 ened by the laughing bystanders ! The lady that 

 principally received the rude salute, was elegantly 

 dressed in green silk. 



20* 



