A HAZARDOUS LEAP!
At that moment Yelpa missed his footing and fell. In less than the 100th part of a second I had lassoed him round the collar, and saved my gallant and faithful friend; but there was no time for attending to his wounds, as at that instant the Wild Hog, frantic with rage, sprang from the rock straight at me, mouth open and bristles erect. One billionth part of a second of suspense, and the next minute my pig-sticking spear had passed through him, and Wheezer, I, and the Hog sank exhausted on the other side of the ravine, just as a shriek broke on my ear, and I was able to see that Swindlah's underbred horse having refused a narrower place lower down, had, in consequence (for this, strange as it may appear, was the first time that braggart Swindlah had ever been out riding) pitched Swindlah right over his head into the abyss below. I returned home in triumph. Bonfires and rejoicings all night. Torch and Nautch till daybreak. No one thought of looking for Swindlah till next morning, when nothing was found of him except his turban. His horse was browsing peacefully within a few yards of the spot where Swindlah had disappeared. The money I had fairly won was never paid, but the nobility and gentry subscribed towards a medal, which was struck in commemoration of the event. I send one to you, one to the Vatican, and a third to the British Museum. I need hardly say that after this—(We omit the remainder, as the work will probably be published in full at some future time).
1889 A MERRY CHRISTMAS, 1890
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