292 THE SO-CALLED "INCAPACITATING VICES." 



an eldevly washerwoman, and, spite of her screams and resistance, pro- 

 peUed ber a considerable space. The gentleman, almost thrown by the 

 unexpected motion of his nag, and half smothered by the wet garments, 

 which clung about his head, was wholly at a loss to comprehend the 

 cause of the female screams, rendered yet more discordant by the shrill 

 cries of her terrified grandson. 



When, however, he understood everything, a donation calmed the 

 agitation of the female, while, hastening to a roadside inn, he found a 

 man who was willing to take the horse back to the livery stables. The 

 rider returned by another conveyance, and he has never since trusted 

 himself outside an unknown animal. 



Swerving, however, is no more than a mild form of shying, when com- 

 pared with the numerous evils which result from defects of the visual 

 organs. Every possible variety of eccentric gait is not to be imagined, 

 much less is it to be described. One consequence of this peculiarity, 

 perhaps the worst shape it can assume, is bolting or running away. 



