28.05.2013 Views

Danger in the Dark - ZseZse

Danger in the Dark - ZseZse

Danger in the Dark - ZseZse

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

290 DANGER IN THE DARK.<br />

"These prairies greatly deceive <strong>the</strong> eyes, yon '11f<strong>in</strong>d."<br />

Aga<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>y moved forward-dash<strong>in</strong>g down upon<br />

<strong>the</strong> dewy pla<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong> a sweep<strong>in</strong>g trot-all full of life and<br />

animation. But not far had <strong>the</strong>y advanced, when<br />

Wimple's pony unluckily struck his foot aga<strong>in</strong>st· a<br />

goffer-hill, and fell down, tumbl<strong>in</strong>g his rider off, heels<br />

over-head! The soft, matted grass, however, prevented<br />

him from gett<strong>in</strong>g hurt. Ga<strong>the</strong>r<strong>in</strong>g himself up<br />

amid <strong>the</strong> shouts and laughter of his companions, he<br />

soon gave signs of be<strong>in</strong>g ruffled, and pitched at his<br />

pony to give it a chastis<strong>in</strong>g; but hav<strong>in</strong>g no whip, and<br />

be<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> prairie where <strong>the</strong>re were no clubs, he<br />

concluded to use his feet, and so commenced kick<strong>in</strong>g<br />

his poor animal furiously; his legs, however, proved<br />

ra<strong>the</strong>r short to effect much, and f<strong>in</strong>ally mak<strong>in</strong>g a misslick,<br />

he lost <strong>the</strong> center of gravity, and fell backward<br />

on his head. This gave fresh occasion for merriment;<br />

Burbanks cried "bravo!" and <strong>the</strong> whole company<br />

laughed immoderately. Now still more enraged by<br />

<strong>the</strong> second mishap, and <strong>the</strong> merriment which was at<br />

his expense, he aga<strong>in</strong> made a terrible assault upon<br />

<strong>the</strong> little horse, both with curses and blows; but this<br />

time used his fist <strong>in</strong>stead of his foot, and managed to<br />

hurt himself a great deal worse than he did pony.<br />

Gett<strong>in</strong>g out of breath, he at last desisted, and aga<strong>in</strong><br />

mounted, say<strong>in</strong>g, as he did so: "I guess now I've<br />

beat some sense <strong>in</strong>to you, and taugh t you a morsel of<br />

decency."<br />

"If sense and decency," remarked Burbanks, "can<br />

be pounded <strong>in</strong> with <strong>the</strong> fist, it would most undoubt-

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!