38 MEMORIES OF MEN AND HORSES 



made frantic endeavours to stimulate the somewhat 

 obese animal to excessive speed. 



Suddenly, while we were thus rattling along downhill, 

 the white horse, for some mysterious reason, took upon 

 itself to fall headlong to earth, hurling its unhappy rider 

 violently upon the hard macadamised road. I slipped 

 past them all right, but Lord Feversham, following close 

 in the wake of the fallen, was nearly upset. We pulled 

 up while the trousered one slowly arose, rubbing his 

 knees, clasping his elbows, and evidently in much pain. 

 I was about to inquire whether he was hurt, when 

 Lord Feversham, who had been seriously alarmed by 

 the danger that had threatened himself, broke out : 



" D n you, man ! You did that on purpose ! You 



did it on purpose to throw me down ! I know your 

 ways! Take your beastly horse away, and if ever 

 you dare to throw him down before me again in that 

 way I'll have you committed for trial I will, so help 

 me God ! " 



The poor man was too bewildered to say anything, 

 and with a withering glance of rage Lord Feversham 

 cantered on. 



I, too, made the best of my way forward, on seeing 

 that the man was not materially injured, not a little 

 amazed at the idea of anyone being supposed capable 

 of selecting such a very self-sacrificing way to injure 

 his Lordship. 



Hounds were making straight for Gilling Wood and 

 scarcely getting \q&y enough on to stop the bold Reynard 

 before he reached that point of security. Still it was 

 evidently going to be a near touch ; and when at last 

 they actually ran through the village, with all the 

 inhabitants yelling out, " He's only just afore you ; gan 



