One spring, one plunge, and away we were, galloping along at the other side.

Not so the captain; his horse had refused the fence, and he was now taking a circuit of the field for another trial of it.
"Pounded, by Jove!" said I, as I turned round in my saddle to observe him.
Once more she came at it, and once more balked, rearing up, at the same time, almost so as to fall backward.
My triumph was complete; and I again was about to follow the hounds, when, throwing a look back, I saw Hammersley clearing the wall in a most splendid manner, and taking a stretch of at least thirteen feet beyond it.

Once more he was on my flanks, and the contest renewed.

Whatever might be the sentiments of the riders (mine I confess to), between the horses it now became a tremendous struggle.

The English mare, though evidently superior in stride and strength, was slightly overweighted, and had not, besides, that cat-like activity an Irish horse possesses; so that the advantages and disadvantages on either side were about equalized.