and the horse seemed to answer her back, for he gave a
gentle neigh and prepared himself for the leap.

Any one else he would have resisted, but not Hollyhock, not his beloved
mistress. He knew exactly how to accomplish the exploit required of
him. He bounded a bit back, then a bit forward, then sprang across
with a noble endeavour, and reached the opposite bank.

They were both in safety.

'Oh, but you are good, Lightning Speed,' said Hollyhock. 'You have
done the worst now, and shall have an apple for your pains. Then we
must turn back; but the backward leap will not be so dangerous by half
as was the forward.'

By this time Lightning Speed felt as excited as his young mistress. He
could scarcely bring himself to eat the apple, so anxious he seemed to
complete his task and get back to the safety and shelter of the gorge.
He was not frightened now, not he. He would have leaped double that
distance if he could for Hollyhock the brave. He prepared himself for
the return leap. He sprang out over the awful chasm.

But what ailed Hollyhock herself? The horse showed no fear; but the
girl trembled and reeled. Just as they had almost reached the opposite
side, and, as far as Lightning Speed was concerned, were in absolute
safety, Hollyhock found herself slipping from the saddle. The horse
was safe as safe could be; but she--she had slipped and rolled headlong
down the steep bank. The aching in her head was so tremendous that she
had absolutely no strength to keep her seat. She felt herself falling,
falling, bruised and battered by sharp rocks. And then all was a
merciful blank. She knew no more.

When she came to her senses again she sat up with a great shiver, and
found herself perilously perched on a narrow ledge of rock, while away
above her head Lightning Speed looked down at her and whinnied in the
deepest distress. To get down to her, to help, to reach her, was for
him impossible. His whole heart was hers; but he could do nothing for
her, nothing at all!

She saw his gallant head looking down at her, and she managed to call
out to him, 'Go home, my bonnie Lightning Speed; go home, and get some
one to bring ropes for poor Hollyhock. Oh, but you are a brave and
noble beastie!'

The horse was puzzled whether to obey or not. Home to him was not the
Palace of the Kings, but his own comfortable loose-box at The Garden.
The stable would be locked now; but he might go to the front-door and
scrabble w