Every spring he had a similar crossing, and he knew almost to an inch at what height it was safe to go into the river.

But this time, as ill-luck would have it, the off-side leader was a young, vicious, thorough-bred colt, who had been handed over to him to be cured of a propensity for striking people with his fore-feet.

As the horses worked their way into the river, the colt, with the courage of his breeding, pulled manfully, and breasted the current fearlessly.

But suddenly a floating log drifted down, and struck him on the front legs.

In an instant he reared up, and threw himself heavily sideways against his mate, bringing him to his knees; then the two of them, floundering and scrambling, were borne away with the current, dragging the coach after them.