244 THE SQUIRE IN THE DUCK-POND. 



often before experienced the difficulty of mounting 

 his high horse, was sitting, the picture of despair, 

 in his saddle, with his back to the stable-door, not 

 heeding the exclamation of the herdsman, " And 

 now the bull's out" (as if the climax of all things 

 had arrived), when that infuriated animal, charging 

 his horse in the rear, sent the old gentleman flying 

 out of his seat into the duck-pond, whose waters 

 were none of the sweetest, resembling in colour 

 the darkest coffee. The depth not being sufficient 

 to float the leviathan, there would have been an in- 

 glorious end to this renowned sportsman (who, from 

 having fallen on his back, was powerless to raise 

 himself) but for the timely assistance of the hind, who 

 rushed to his rescue, holding his head above water, 

 and vainly attempting to drag him out ; he might 

 as well have pulled at the bull's tail. 



" Here, Thomas," cried he, " to a clod looking 

 on and grinning from a barn, " lend a hand, will 

 'e, or t'ould Squire '11 be smothered. I can't wag 

 un an hinch." 



A buxom dairy-maid, pitying him (as women 

 always do those in distress), lent Thomas a flap in 

 the face with her brawny fist, which stopped his 

 laughter instanter; and by the aid of the three 

 the old gentleman was dragged forth and set up 

 on the perpendicular against the wall (still ex- 



