whistle from up the home-hill, where the people had hurried to watch us;
and the mare stopped as if with a bullet, then set off for home with
the speed of a swallow, and going as smoothly and silently. I never had
dreamed of such delicate motion, fluent, and graceful, and ambient,
soft as the breeze flitting over the flowers, but swift as the summer
lightning. I sat up again, but my strength was all spent, and no time
left to recover it, and though she rose at our gate like a bird, I
tumbled off into the mixen.

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CHAPTER XI

TOM DESERVES HIS SUPPER

[Illustration: 086.jpg Illustrated Capital]

"Well done, lad," Mr. Faggus said good naturedly; for all were now
gathered round me, as I rose from the ground, somewhat tottering, and
miry, and crest-fallen, but otherwise none the worse (having fallen
upon my head, which is of uncommon substance); nevertheless John Fry was
laughing, so that I longed to clout his ears for him; "Not at all bad
work, my boy; we may teach you to ride by-and-by, I see; I thought not
to see you stick on so long--"

"I should have stuck on much longer, sir, if her sides had not been wet.
She was so slippery--"