with a sharp cut across the horse's flank, at the same
time loosening the rein which hitherto he had held
tight.
The wild horse uttered a passionate cry, and sprang
forward like the bolt from a cross-bow.
And now commenced a race which, if not so prolonged,
was at least as furious as that of the far-famed
Mazeppa. Dick was a splendid rider, however--at
least as far as "sticking on" goes. He might not
have come up to the precise pitch desiderated by a