I?" said I, "and what has happened?" "You are in my house,"
said the old man, "and you have been flung from a horse. I am sorry to
say that I was the cause. As I was driving home, the lights in my gig
frightened the animal." "Where is the horse?" said I. "Below, in my
stable," said the elderly individual. "I saw you fall, but knowing that
on account of my age I could be of little use to you, I instantly hurried
home, the accident did not occur more than a furlong off, and procuring
the assistance of my lad, and two or three neighbouring cottagers, I
returned to the spot where you were lying senseless. We raised you up,
and brought you here. My lad then went in quest of the horse, who had
run away as we drew nigh. When we saw him first he was standing near
you; he caught him with some difficulty, and brought him home. What are
you about?" said the old man, as I strove to get off the bed. "I want to
see the horse," said I. "I entreat you to be still," said the old man;
"the horse is safe, I assure you." "I am thinking about his knees," said
I. "Instead of thinking about your horse's knees," said the old man, "be
thankful that you have not broke your own neck." "You do not talk
wisely," said I; "when a man's neck is broke, he is provided for; but
when his horse's knees are broke, he is a lost jockey, that is, if he has
nothing but his horse to depend upon. A pretty figure I should cut at
Horncastle, mounted on a horse blood-raw at the knees." "Oh, you are
going to Horncastle," said the old man, seriously, "then I can sympathize
with you in your anxiety about your horse, being a Lincolnshire man, and
the son of one who bred horses. I will myself go down into the stable,
and examine into the condition of your horse, so pray remain quiet till I
return; it would certainly be a terrible thing to appear at Horncastle on
a broken-kneed horse."

He left the room and returned in about ten minutes, followed by another
person. "Your horse is safe," said he, "and his knees are unblemished;
not a hair ruffled. He is a fine animal, and will do credit to
Horncastle; but here is the surgeon come to examine into your own
condition." The surgeon was a man about thirty-five, thin, and rather
tall; his face was long and pale, and his hair, which was light, was
carefully combed back as much as possible from his forehead. He was
dressed very neatly, and spoke in a very precise tone. "Allow me to feel
your pulse, friend?" s