478 PERSONAL EXPEDIENCE. 



knowing that I really knew nothing about horse-taming ; 

 but I had the money, and felt that I must, if possible, carry 

 the matter through, so as to be able to hold it. 



In the neighborhood was one of the most uriexception- 

 ally vicious, biting mares ever known in that country. 

 When turned loose, she would run at a man with all the fe- 

 rocity of a bulldog ; but of all this I knew nothing. When 

 I organized the class, I observed that all got up overhead 

 except one, who from a side stable turned the mare loose 

 upon the barn floor where I was standing. With ears laid 

 back and mouth open, she instantly ran for me, showing the 

 most savage ferocity. I saw that she would bite and tram- 

 ple me under foot. Directly behind me was an empty hay- 

 mow extending three or four feet below the floor, thus mak- 

 ing a fall of from seven to eight feet from the top of the 

 girt to the ground. I turned quickly, but not having time 

 to jump, I threw myself head foremost over the girt. The 

 ground was covered with stones and limbs. I was consid- 

 erably stunned, of course, by the fall, but not seriously in- 

 jured. Fortunately I had a common slip-noose halter in 

 my hand, which I retained. When I arose, I saw the mare's 

 head over the girt looking at me. Overhead were my 

 scholars out of harm's way, laughing at my defeat. I con- 

 sider the event of sufficient interest to give an illustration 

 of it. 



The mare had nothing on her, and it was evident that 

 no one could approach her with safety. Here I was at the 

 first movement helpless and defeated ; but my temper was 

 up, and I was bound to go through with the matter at any 

 hazard, and make it a success. I still held the halter in 

 my hand, and scarcely thinking what I did, I picked up a 

 stick, and hanging the head-piece on one end I reached up 

 and carefully placed it over her head. I now put the end 

 of the stick against her jaw to keep her head from me, and 



