ABOUT BUYING A HORSE. 135 



together, and a grasp of iron. He comes round much 

 quieter than I had expected, and commences going away 

 with a will We all feel (though we don't say so) that we've 

 had a narrow escape. I begin to mistrust my own driving, 

 and I'm sure that both Gloppin and my Aunt have lost all 

 confidence in me. I also feel that a few hours of this ex- 

 citement would turn my hair grey. 



My Aunt, who has held her breathing in suspense for a 

 few seconds, now respires profoundly. Gloppin, too, has 

 been silent. As to Gloppin, if anything happens, he can 

 step out behind easily enough : we can't. 



" He knows his way back," observes Gloppin, pleasantly. 

 "He can go," 



He can. With his head down, and his body heaving 

 under the kicking-strap like a surging sea. 



The horrid thought occurs to me that my grasp of iron 

 won't last out. 



" Give him his head a little more," says Gloppin. 



I doubt the policy. But to show my Aunt that I know 

 W'hat I'm about, and am not in the least afraid, I relax 

 my grip, gradually. I address him in a conciliatory tone, 

 " Gentl)^, old man — gently, gent — ly !" 



But, with his head down, and stepping out faster and 

 faster, the " old man " only seems to be saying, " Come 

 along ! back to Trott's ! Back to Trott's ! ! Let me get 

 rid of this confounded harness, and away from the sound 

 of those horrid wheels, that follow me about everywhere. 

 Come on ! back to Trott's ! in less than no time ! Hooray ! !" 



He seems to be flying from the wheels, as from the re- 



