158 



'Twas in November's dreary sky 



Strange meteors were seen to fly, 



And rumour spread through all the land 



That some convulsion was at hand ; 



And presently the fact was known 



That one who weighed good seventeen stone, 



Light of hand and firm of seat, 



Arrived at Quorn, was bad to beat. 



Well, all men deemed the fact absurd, 

 And Gilmour laughed at what he heard ; 

 And not until he saw the man 

 The sinking in his boots began. 



"When first he shewed, beside the gorse. 



Colossal seem'd his coal-black horse ; 



His frowning brow and deep-set eye 



His heart's resolve did not belie. 



Not oft he smiled, but if a trace 



Of mirth did flit across his face 



No joy, I ween, it might impart. 



But chill'd the shuddering gazer's heart ; 



And Gilmour, at that harrowing look, 



Down to his very small clothes shook. 



When towards him with the lightning's speed 



The stranger spurred his fiery steed. 



"My name," he said, "is Peter Miles, f 

 And there is none like me 

 Erom Land's End to Northumberland 

 And all the North Countrie. 



t Colonel Charles Miles. 



