rmined to go through with the affair, at all hazards. I was always,
even as a boy, of a determined, or, as ill-natured people would call it,
obstinate disposition, and I doubt whether I am entirely cured of the
fault at the present time.

"Please yourself; only mind, I have warned you not to ride her if you
are afraid," said Cumberland.

~38~~"A nice warning," replied I, turning away;--"who'll lend me a pair
of spurs?"

"I've got a pair here, sir; if you'll step this way I'll put them on for
you," said the man whom I had heard addressed as "James,"--adding, in a
lower tone, as he buckled them on, "for Heaven's sake, young gentleman,
don't mount that mare unless you're a first-rate rider."

"Why, what's the matter with her? does she kick?" inquired I.

"She'll try and pitch you off, if possible, and if she can't do that,
she'll bolt with you, and then the Lord have mercy upon you!"

This was encouraging, certainly!

"You are an honest fellow, James," replied I; "and I am much obliged to
you. Ride her I must, my honour is at stake, but I'll be as careful as I
can, and, if I come back safe, you shall have half a crown."

"Thank you, sir," was the reply, "I shall be glad enough to see you come
back in any other way than on a shutter, without the money."

Of a truth, the race of Job's comforters is not yet extinct, thought I,
as I turned to look for Coleman, who had been up to this moment employed
in superintending the operation of saddling Punch, and now made his
appearance, leading that renowned steed by the bridle.

"Why, Fairlegh, you are not going to ride that vicious brute to be sure;
even Lawless won't mount her, and he does not care what he rides in
general."

"Nevermind about Lawless," said I, assuming an air of confidence I was
very far from feeling; "she won't eat me, I daresay."

"I don't know that," rejoined Coleman, regarding Mad Bess with a look of
horror; "Cumberland, don't let him mount her."

"Nay, I can't prevent it; Fairlegh is his own master, and must do as he
likes," was the answer.

"Come, we can't keep the men standing here the whole day," said I to
Coleman; "mount Punch, and get out of my way as fast as you can, if you
are going to do so at all"--a request with which, seeing I was quite
determined, he at length unwillingly complied, and having, after one or
two failures, succeeded in throwing his leg over the cob's broad back,
rode slowly out of the yard, and took up his station outsi