ess. At last, as I was still madly dashing on, panting and
blowing, and had almost given up all hope, I saw at a distance before me
a heap of stones by the side of the road, probably placed there for the
purpose of repairing it; a thought appeared to strike me--I will shy at
those stones, and if I can't get rid of him so, resign myself to my fate.
So I increased my speed, till arriving within about ten yards of the
heap, I made a desperate start, turning half round with nearly the
velocity of a millstone. Oh, the joy I experienced when I felt my enemy
canted over my neck, and saw him lying senseless in the road. 'I have
you now in my power,' I said, or rather neighed, as, going up to my
prostrate foe, I stood over him. 'Suppose I were to rear now, and let my
fore feet fall upon you, what would your life be worth? that is,
supposing you are not killed already; but lie there, I will do you no
farther harm, but trot to Horncastle without a rider, and when there--'
and without further reflection off I trotted in the direction of
Horncastle, but had not gone far before my bridle, falling from my neck,
got entangled with my off fore foot. I felt myself falling, a thrill of
agony shot through me--my knees would be broken, and what should I do at
Horncastle with a pair of broken knees? I struggled, but I could not
disengage my off fore foot, and downward I fell, but before I had reached
the ground I awoke, and found myself half out of bed, my bandaged arm in
considerable pain, and my left hand just touching the floor.

With some difficulty I readjusted myself in bed. It was now early
morning, and the first rays of the sun were beginning to penetrate the
white curtains of a window on my left, which probably looked into a
garden, as I caught a glimpse or two of the leaves of trees through a
small uncovered part at the side. For some time I felt uneasy and
anxious, my spirits being in a strange fluttering state. At last my eyes
fell upon a small row of tea-cups, seemingly of china, which stood on a
mantelpiece exactly fronting the bottom of the bed. The sight of these
objects, I know not why, soothed and pacified me; I kept my eyes fixed
upon them, as I lay on my back on the bed, with my head upon the pillow,
till at last I fell into a calm and refreshing sleep.

CHAPTER XXXII

THE MORNING AFTER A FALL--THE TEAPOT--UNPRETENDING HOSPITALITY--THE
CHINESE STUDENT

It might be about eight o'clock in the morning wh