134 THE HORSE: IIS TAMING, 



was how to keep him in when there. There were over 

 200 of the members present, but all had secured 

 some means of retreat when necessary ; and a 

 general stir was made, leaving Mr. Galvayne alone 

 with the brute. But in a few moments the Austra- 

 lian had him fixed, and big and strong as he 

 was, he was at the mercy of the tamer, who treated 

 the horse far too kindly and considerately, as was 

 afterwards proved. During the first portion of the 

 horse's training, he kicked most furiously wath all 

 his might, strength, and determination, kicking some- 

 times twelve feet high ; in fact, he touched the tent 

 roof parallel with the ring, at the same time letting out 

 a tremendous roar, more like a real royal denizen of 

 an African forest than a resident of Titwood. The 

 sweat began then to pour off man and beast, so Mr. 

 Galvayne told one of his assistants to wipe ' Lord 

 Lyon ' down : but when he approached, the horse 

 let out with a roar and struck at him with both feet, 

 and the man glided out of the ring and declined 

 further intercourse with his lordship. After a while 

 the stallion was turned perfectly loose in the ring, 

 when he sullenly followed Mr. Galvayne about, stop- 

 ping and turning at word of command. But when 

 being taught to back at the word, and after he had 

 been backed twice or thrice round the ring, he refused 

 to obey, and with a roar like his namesake, he rushed 

 open-mouthed, with his ears close to his head, at the 



