I think I can
manage."

"Hah!" cried the skipper. "Well done, youngster! I see what you mean,
and if you can do that there will be no trouble with the others. Well
done! Good idea!"

The anger against the King seemed to die out at once, and giving his
orders sharply, in a very brief space of time the shallow barge had been
allowed to drift astern, there was a fairly clear space on deck, there
was the open gangway on the side of the vessel nearest the shore, and
the time had come for the young esquire to act.

The next minute Denis cast loose the halter which tethered his charger
to the vessel's side, turned it round, patted the arched neck once more,
and then, bridle in hand, sprang up, threw over one leg, and the next
moment was seated upon his barebacked steed.

The sailors gave a cheer, which startled the horse, but a few words from
Denis quieted it again, and in obedience to the pressure of the rider's
heels it paced forward along the deck as far as the hamper of the vessel
would allow, turned in obedience to the pressure on the rein, and paced
back again in the other direction, to be turned once more.

Everyone else on board was turned into a spectator now, the men in the
flat watching as eagerly as the rest. "He will never do it, Saint
Simon," said the King.

"Think not, sir?" was the reply. "I believe he will. Look!"

For after walking his beautiful steed to and fro again, Denis waited
till they reached the open gangway, and then turned the noble animal's
head and let it stop to stretch out its muzzle towards the shore to gaze
with starting eyes at the solid land and moving people there.

It snuffed the air loudly, and then a loud neigh rang out like a
challenge, which was answered by one of the horses attached to a trolley
high-up on a wharf.

This had the effect of setting the other two chargers challenging in
turn, and as they ceased, Denis spoke to and patted his steed, bending
well forward the while. Then he turned its head again and rode a few
yards up and down the deck once more.

"Well done, my lad," cried the skipper, coming to his side. "You will
do it. Go on."

"How deep is the water here?" said Denis eagerly.

"About a fathom. Plenty of room for you to swim."

Denis set his teeth, walked his horse up and down once more, turned it
sharply toward the gangway, and then with voice and heel urged it
forward, but only to elicit a loud snort as it stood with all four feet
pressed