“Go, Zoe!” I shrieked.
She bounded away. The next moment, a cry came from the horse behind us, and I heard the woman say “Good God!” I stopped, and peered through the dark. I saw something, but it was no higher above the ground than myself. Terror seized me. I turned and rode back.
“My stupid animal has bogged himself!” said lady Cairnedge quietly.
Deep in the dark watery peat, as thick as porridge, her horse gave a fruitless plunge or two, and sank lower.
“For God's sake,” I cried, “get off! Your weight is sinking the poor animal! You will smother him!”
“It will serve him right,” she said venomously, and gave the helpless creature a cut across the ears.
“You will go down with him, if you do not make haste,” I insisted.
Another moment and she stood erect on the back of the slowly sinking horse.
“Come and give me your hand,” she cried.
“You want to smother me with him! I think I will not,” I answered. “You can get on the solid well enough. I will ride home and bring help for your horse, poor fellow! Stay by him, talk to him, and keep him as quiet as you can. If he go on struggling, nothing will save him.”