d with his heels, and finding that did no good, he
raised the switch, to strike him.

"Lightfoot was a 'cute' Yankee horse, he wasn't 'raised' in Vermont for
nothing; so when he caught sight of the switch, he ducked his head, and
off went Harry like a flash of lightning, and found himself sprawling on
the grass.

"You would think that was enough; and that Harry, after all these
gymnastics, would go home like a boy that had some sense pounded into
him by all these hard knocks. Not at all. Up he sprang, ran to
Lightfoot, and jumped for the third time upon his back.

"'Get up! Get up! you goose!' he cried. This time the horse heard him,
without any doubt; he gave a nourish with his long tail, cleared the
fence with a bound, and rushed down the road like an arrow shot from a
bow.

"And now our young friend would gladly have dismounted, but that was
easier thought of than done. To get off a horse in full gallop may not
be difficult, if you are not particular whether you come down on your
heels or your head. Harry reflected, that though possibly his head might
be harder than the stones in the road, and the stones would be hurt the
most, yet there was rather a chance that the stones might crack his head
instead, so he concluded to hold on if he could.

"On dashed Lightfoot for miles and miles, with Harry clinging for dear
life to his neck and mane. At last they approached a large town, and
Lightfoot stopped of his own accord at a public house.

"Out came the landlord, staring with surprise, and lifted Harry off,
half-dead with fatigue and fright, while the hostler led the horse to
the stable.

"After the heedless boy had washed his face and brushed his clothes, he
felt better, but desperately hungry; there was no fun in that; so he
concluded to hunt up a dinner.

"When he entered the dining-room, the people looked at him from head to
foot. Of course this was because they were admiring him, he thought; so
he drew himself up, and putting on an air of dignity, as if he was a
gentleman on his travels, he said: 'I want my dinner. Bring me a
beefsteak, some potatoes, and an apple-dumpling.'

"At these words the landlord advanced, put his hand on Harry's shoulder,
and said: 'Who are you?'

"Harry preferred eating to talking just then, so he answered: 'Give me a
beefsteak directly. When I have eaten my dinner I will tell you my
history.'

"'Um! we'll see--tell it to me this instant, or you may get your dinner
as you can