Part 13 (2/2)
Nic was nonplussed, and his father came to his help:
”Nic hasn't had time to practise much; he'll be a better rider next tiht,” cried Lady O'Hara ”There: goodbye, and bless you, my boy! Give my dear love to your mother, and tell her I shall want to steal you for a visit first time I come”
”I shall not be able to spare him,” said the doctor, who had mounted, and now held the rein of the second horse ”Come, Nic, boy, up with you”
Nic nervously raised his foot to the stirrup,to the pommel and cantle of the saddle, and somehow came down in his seat; but the horse started, and nearly threw him on to its neck
”Steady!” cried the doctor sharply, as he held the rein firmly; and, nervous and startled, Nic shuffled back and nipped the saddle with all the force of which his knees were capable
”Are you all right, boy?” cried the governor
”Yes, sir,” said Nic, as fir it would be before he was all wrong
”Good-bye, O'Hara,” cried the doctor ”You will hear froovernor; and, leaning toward his old friend, he whispered:
”I'd take care: that boy can't ride a bit”
”I know,” said the doctor ”Don't let him see that you do Good-bye”
He touched his horse's sides, and the beautiful beast started to go off at a canter, but was checked instantly, to keep it in a walk, with the result that it began to fret and dance Nic's lighter steed followed suit, and the boy's position grew moment by moment more desperate Now he lost one stirrup, then the other; and it was only by getting a good grip of the pommel with one hand that he was able to stay on
Finally, though, the horses were quieted down, and paced together in a walk, when the doctor said quietly:
”Why, Nic, it's a good thing that it is still dark I'm afraid we should have had some remarks made if people had been about”
”I--I never said I could ride, father,” said Nic, in a reproachful tone
”I' that you have no spurs”
”Is it, father?”
”Of course,” cried the doctor; ”if you had, Sour Sorrel would have soon pitched you off”
”I'm very sorry, father,” faltered Nic, who felt very et down and lead him?”
”If you feel so much afraid that you dare not stop on, , and Nic turned to glance at his father's thin, cleanly cut profile, to see that he was gazing straight before hion could be dimly seen in front
”Well, are you?” continued the doctor, without turning his head