In an instant it reared up upon its hind legs with a snort of rage, and pranced and tossed in a way that would have unseated any but a most skilful rider.

The situation was full of peril.

Every plunge of the excited horse brought it against the horns again, and goaded it to fresh madness.

It was all that the girl could do to keep herself in the saddle, yet a slip would mean a terrible death under the hoofs of the unwieldy and terrified animals.

Unaccustomed to sudden emergencies, her head began to swim, and her grip upon the bridle to relax.