The horse made a violent struggle to avoid going over. With its nose and forefeet laid close along the path, it vainly strove to regain the position from which it had so imprudently parted.
At this moment its rider determined to make a desperate exertion for the saving of his life.
Seizing the animal by the ears, and drawing himself up, he placed one foot on the brink of the precipice; and then sprang clear over the horse’s head, just as the creature relinquished its hold.
In another instant the unfortunate quadruped was precipitated into the sea, its body striking the water with a dull plunge, as if the life had already gone out of it.
The remainder of the ledge was traversed without any difficulty; and after all had got safely over, Harry’s companions were loud in congratulating him upon his narrow escape.
The youth remained silent.
His soul was too full of gratitude to God to take any heed of the words of man.