Such a spectacle could not have failed of diverting the whole company
from the chase had his horse thought proper to pursue a different
route; but the beast was too keen a sporter to choose any other way
than that which the stag followed and therefore, without stopping
to gratify the curiosity of the spectators, he in a few minutes
outstripped every hunter in the field. There being a deep hollow
betwixt him and the hounds, rather than ride round, about the
length of a furlong, in a path that crossed the lane, he transported
himself at one jump, to the unspeakable astonishment and terror of
a waggoner who chanced to be underneath, and saw this phenomenon
fly over his carriage. This was not the only adventure he achieved.
The stag, having taken a deep river that lay in his way, every
man directed his course to a bridge in the neighbourhood; but our
bridegroom's courser, despising all such conveniences, plunged
into the stream without hesitation, and swam in a twinkling to the
opposite shore. This sudden immersion into an element of which
Trunnion was properly a native, in all probability helped to
recruit the exhausted spirits of his rider, at his landing on the
other side gave some tokens of sensation, by hallooing aloud for
assistance, which he could not possibly receive, because his horse
still maintained the advantage he had gained, and would not allow
himself to be overtaken.

In short, after a long chase that lasted several hours, and extended
to a dozen miles at least, he was the first in at the death of the
deer, being seconded by the lieutenant's gelding, which, actuated
by the same spirit, had, without a rider, followed his companion's
example.