lying quiet, meditating mischief. I was right. Every muscle began
presently to quiver with suppressed rage. He opened his eyes, and gave
me a look, in which fear and fury were strangely blended. I am not
without superstition, and for an instant I quailed under that look, as
the thought struck me, that the black, unshapely brute before me might
actually be the spirit indicated by his name. With a muttered growl at
my folly, I threw the idea from me--leaped up--seized the reins--with
a lash and a cry made him spring to his feet--mounted him as he rose,
and struck the spurs into his sides. He reared and wheeled; but
finding that he could not get rid of me, and being unable to stand the
torture of the spurs, which I used freely (it was no time for mercy!)
he gave two or three plunges, and then bounded away at that dreadful
leaping gallop--that pace which seemed peculiarly his own. I tried to
moderate his speed with the bridle; but found, to my surprise, that I
had no command over him. I knew at once that something was wrong, as,
with the bit I had in his mouth, I ought to have had the power to have
broken his jawbone. I stooped forward to ascertain the cause; the
loose curb dangling at the side of his head gave a satisfactory
explanation.

He had it all his own way now; he was fairly off with me; and all I
could do was to bear his head as well up as I could, to prevent him
from stumbling. However, as it would have been bad policy to let him
know how much he was master, I gave him an occasional touch with the
spur, as if wishing him to accelerate his pace; and when he made an
extra bound, I patted him on the neck, as if pleased with his
performance.

A watery cloud was passing over the face of the moon, which rendered
everything dim and indistinct, as we tore away down a grassy slope;