ooks, startled from their encampment in the wood, circled and
wheeled between us and the moon, shading her light, and filling the
midnight air with their discordant screams. This attracted the
attention of Satan, and, bringing his fore-feet to the ground, he
pricked up his ears, and listened. I sprang forward, seized him by the
mane, and vaulted upon his back. As I stooped forward to gather up the
reins, which were dangling from his head, he caught me by the cuff of
the jacket--luckily it was but the cuff!--and tore it up to the
shoulder. Instantly he seized me again; but this time he succeeded
rather better, having a small portion of the skin and flesh of my
thigh between his teeth. The intense pain occasioned by the bite, or
rather bruise, of a horse's mouth, can only be properly judged of by
those who have felt it. I was the madder of the two now; and of all
animals, an enraged man is the most dangerous and the most fearless. I
gave him a blow between the ears with the end of the whip; and he went
down at once, stunned and senseless, with his legs doubled up under
him, and his nose buried in the ground. I drew his fore-legs from
under him, that he might rise the more readily, and then lashed him
into life. He turned his head slowly round, and looked at me, and then
I saw that the savage glare of his eye was nearly quenched, and that,
if I could follow up the advantage I had gained, I should ultimately
be the conqueror. I now assisted him to rise, mounted him, and struck
at once with whip and spur. He gave a few bounds forward, a stagger or
two, and then fell heavily upon his side. I was nearly under him;
however, I did save my distance, although that was all. I now began to
feel sorry for him; his wonderful speed had won my respect; and as I
was far from being naturally cruel, whip or spur I never used except
in cases of necessity: so I thought I would allow him to lie for a few
minutes, if he did not incline to get up of himself. However, as I had
no faith in the creature, I sat down upon him, and watched him
intently. He lay motionless, with his eyes shut; and had it not been
for the firm and fast beat of his heart, I should have considered him
dying from the effects of the blow; but the strong pulsation told me
that there was plenty of life in him; and I suspected that he was
lying quiet, meditating mischief. I was right. Every muscle began
presently to quiver with suppressed rage. He opened his eyes, and gave
me a