"By jove, that's a good one!" replied Anthony. "Here have you been bunging up my eyes and making attempts upon my ribs for the last week, and yet you expect me to have no other earthly consideration beyond your personal comfort! How the deuce am I to manage my scabbard when both hands are occupied?"
"Can't you follow the example of Prince Charles, and throw it away?"
"Thank you for nothing! But, I say that sort of madness seems contagious. Here's M'Whirter's horse performing a fandango, which is far more curious than agreeable."
"What's the matter with Masaniello?" cried Archy Chaffinch; "he looks seriously inclined to bolt."
I had awful suspicions of the same nature. No sooner had the regimental band struck up, than my charger began to evince disagreeable signs of impatience; he pawed, pranced, snorted, curveted, and was utterly deaf to the blandishments with which I strove to allay his irritability. I was even thankful when we were put into motion preparatory to the charge, in the belief that action might render him less restive; and so it did for a time. But no sooner had we broke into a gallop, than I felt it was all up with me. I might as well have been without a bridle. The ungovernable brute laid back his ears like a tiger, and I shot past Randolph in an instant, very nearly upsetting that judicious warrior in my course.
Nor was I alone. Pounset's mare, who never brooked a rival, and who, moreover, had taken umbrage at the sonorous jolting of Anthony, was resolved not to be outstripped; and, taking the bridle between her teeth, came hard and heavy on my flank. The cry of "halt!" sounded far and faint behind us. We dashed past a carriage, in which, from a momentary glimpse, I recognised the form of Edith; while a dragoon officer--I knew intuitively it was Roper--had drawn up his horse by the side. They were laughing--yes! by heavens they were laughing--at the moment I was borne away headlong, and perhaps to destruction. My sword flew out of my hand--I had need of both to hold the reins. I shouted to Pounset to draw in, but an oath was the only reply!
I heard the blast of the recall bugle behind us, but Masaniello only stretched out more wildly. We splashed through the shallow pools of water, sending up the spray behind us; and onwards--onwards we went towards Joppa, with more than the velocity of the wind.