got my foot clear from the stirrup. 

 Then I let go just as Blondey was 

 gathering himself together for another 

 ditch. 



I was stunned, but escaped any seri- 

 ous hurt. Nimrod was a great deal 

 more undone than I. He had not dared 

 to go fast for fear of making Blondey 

 go faster, and he now came rushing up, 

 with the fear of death upon his face 

 and the most terrible swears on his lips. 



Although a good deal shaken, I be- 

 gan to laugh, the combination was so 

 incongruous. Nimrod rarely swears, 

 and was now quite unconscious what 

 his tongue was doing. Upon being as- 

 sured that all was well, he started after 

 Blondey and soon brought him back to 

 me ; but while he was gone the imp and 

 I had a mortal combat. 



I did up my hair, rearranged my 



