"The odds, why, in your favour, to be sure, as I dare say the horse can
witness."

"Well, howsomever, there was a good field--and off we went. The level
country was all prime; but he took a hedge, and nearly julked all the
life out o' me. I lost my stirrup, and should have lost my seat, had'nt
I clutched his mane--"

"And kept your seat by main force?"

"Very good."

"Well, away we went, like Johnny Gilpin. Hunting may be sport, says I,
but I'm blest if its pleasure. This infernal horse was always fond of
shying, and now he's going to shy me off; and, ecod! no sooner said than
done. Over his head I go, like a rocket."

"Like a foot-ball, you mean," interrupted Mr. Timmis.

"And, as luck would have it, tumbles into a ditch, plump with my head
agin the bank."

"By jingo! such a 'run' upon the bank was enough to break it," cried my
master, whose propensity to crack a joke overcame all feeling of sympathy
for his friend.

"It broke my head though; and warn't I in a precious mess--that's all--up
to my neck, and no mistake--and black as a chimney-sweep--such mud!"

"And only think of a man of your property investing his substance in mud!