row
part of the street, of which a waggon and some other vehicles occupied a
considerable portion. In attempting to pass between the waggon and
pavement the cab was driven against the hinder wheel of the ponderous
waggon, which was going in the same direction that it was--towards the
Bank. The natural consequence ensued--the horse came down, and both the
young gentlemen were thrown out, one narrowly escaping falling under the
wheel of the waggon, while the tiger behind, whose head struck against
the hood, fell off stunned. Owen ran forward to render what assistance
he could.

"Go to the horse's head, boy!" exclaimed the elder of the gentlemen,
addressing Owen in an imperious tone, while he was picking himself up.
"Reginald, are you hurt?"

"Not much," was the answer of the younger, who began swearing in no
measured terms at the waggoner for not keeping out of the way, and
ordering him to stop. The latter, however, taking no notice of this,
went on. "They got the worst of it this time," he muttered. "Better
that than to have run over an old woman, as I see'd just such a pair as
they do not long ago."

A fresh volley of abuse uttered by the young naval officer followed the
retreating waggoner.

"Come, Reginald, don't waste your breath on the rascal," cried the elder
gentleman. "I'll help the boy to hold down the horse, while you undo
the traces. What's become of Cato?"

"Here I, my Lord," said the black tiger, who, having partially
recovered, now came hobbling up.

Owen, in the meantime, had been using every exertion to keep down the
spirited horse, until the harness, detached from the cab, would allow
the animal to rise without injuring itself. Several persons, mostly
idle men and women, instead of coming forward to assist, stood by,
amused at the disaster which had occurred to the gentlemen.

"Had but the young cove kept a decent tongue in his head plenty would
have been ready to help him," remarked one of the bystanders.

The black boy seemed somewhat afraid of the horse, and having scarcely
recovered was of no use. The gentlemen, therefore, had to depend on
their own exertions, aided by Owen.

The one called Reginald, when once he set to work, quickly got the
harness unstrapped.

"Here, Arlingford, you take the horse's head, and let him get up. Out
of the way, boy, or he'll be over you," he shouted to Owen.

The horse, hitherto held down by Owen, rose to its feet. It took some
time before th