Kate Coventry | Page 7

was not much of an equestrian, he
proposed that I should get upon the chestnut mare first, and try her
paces and temper before his daughter mounted her. As we neared the
stables out came one of the grooms with a sidesaddle on his head, and
the longest face I ever beheld.
"O Sir 'Arry," said he--I quote his exact words--"that new mare's a

wicious warmint; afore I was well into the stable, she ups and lets out
at me just above the knee: I do believe as my thigh's broke."
"Nonsense, man," said my uncle; "put the saddle on and bring her out."
Presently the chestnut mare appeared; and I saw at once that she was
not in the best of humours. But I was young, full of spirits, and fresh
from lessons; so, fearing if one of the men should venture to mount her
she might show temper, and I should lose my ride, I made a sign to the
head-groom to give me a hand; and before my uncle had time to
exclaim, "For goodness sake, Kate!" I was seated, muslin dress and all,
on the back of the chestnut mare. What she did I never could quite
make out; it seemed to me that she crouched as if she was going to lie
down, and then bounded into the air, with all four legs off the ground. I
was as near gone as possible; but for the only time in my life I caught
hold of the pommel with my right hand, and that saved me. In another
instant she had broke from the groom's hold, and was careering along
the approach like a mad thing. If I had pulled at her the least she would
have run away with me.
Luckily, the park was roomy, and the old trees far apart; so when we
got upon the grass I knew who would be mistress. I gave her a rousing
good gallop, shook my reins and patted her, to show her how confident
I was, and brought her back to my uncle as quiet as a lamb.
Unfortunately, however, the mare had taken a dislike to certain stone
pillars which supported the stable gates, and nothing would induce her
to pass them. Flushed with success, I borrowed my uncle's riding-whip
to punish her; and now began a battle in good earnest. She reared and
plunged, and wheeled round and round, and did all she knew to get rid
of me; whilst I flogged and jerked, and screamed at her (I didn't swear,
because I didn't know how), and vowed in my wicked little heart I
would be killed rather than give in. During the tussle we got nearer and
nearer to a certain large pond about a hundred yards from the stable
gates, at which the cattle used to water in the quiet summer afternoons.
I knew it wasn't very deep, for I had seen them standing in it often. By
the time we were close on the brink the whole household had turned
out to see "Miss Kate killed;" and just as I hit the mare a finishing cut
over the ears, I caught a glimpse of my governess in an attitude of

combined shame, horror, and disgust that I shall never forget. The next
moment we were overhead in the pond, the mare having dashed blindly
in, caught her fore-feet in the bridle, and rolled completely over. What
a ducking I got to be sure! But it was nothing to the scolding I had to
endure afterwards from all the females of the family, including my
governess; only Uncle Horsingham stuck up for me, and from that time
till the day of his death vowed he had "never known but one plucky
fellow in the world, and that was his little niece Kate."
No wonder I feel at home on Brilliant, who never did wrong in his life,
who will eat out of my hand, put his foot in my apron-pocket, follow
me about like a dog, and is, I am firmly persuaded, the very best horse
in England. He is quite thoroughbred, though he has never been in
training--and is as beautiful as he is good. Bright bay, with such black
legs, and such a silky mane and tail! I know lots of ladies whose hair is
coarser than Brilliant's. Fifteen hands three inches, and Cousin John
says well up to his weight--an honest fourteen stone. With the smallest
nose, and the leanest head, and the fullest dark eye, and the widest,
reddest nostril--his expression of countenance, when a little blown, is
the most beautiful I ever beheld; and not a white mark about him
except a tiny star in the very middle of his forehead; I know it well, for
I have kissed it