

64 THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER. 



terminus, had obtained access to the line in the course 

 of the night, and ran off in front of the engine when 

 the mail train started from Colchester at a quarter 

 before three o'clock. It being quite dark, the animal 

 was not at first observed by the engine-driver ; but 

 after the train had proceeded a short distance, and a 

 smart speed was attained, the mare was seen ahead 

 of the engine, between the up-line of rails, going 

 along at a rate which seemed likely to test the power 

 of the locomotive. The driver sounded the whistle, 

 in the hope of frightening the mare from the line ; but 

 this only served to quicken her speed without divert- 

 ing her course ; on she went like the wind, with the 

 engine and train puffing, clattering, and groaning, in 

 her rear : so desperate was her pace, that though the 

 speed of the train had reached twenty-five miles an 

 hour, the driver and stoker frequently lost sight of 

 her in the gloom, and at first supposed the train had 

 passed her, but ever and anon she was again caught 

 sight of, still rushing along in the course of the en- 

 gine ; and the screaming whistle, which was now 

 blown repeatedly, acting on the terrified mare more 

 powerfully than the combination of spur, whip, and 

 voice, drove her madly forward far ahead of the iron 

 monster. What would have been the issue of this 

 strange race had it continued much longer it is not 

 difficult to surmise ; the mare's spirit was good, but 

 what in the long run can flesh and blood do against 



