As we improved in equitation, we would go afield, to ride them home from the pasture, where they were fastened by chains to short stakes of iron driven into the earth.

There was more of adventure here, for not only was the ride longer, but the horses were more frisky, and would sometimes set off at the gallop.

Then the chief danger was again the door, lest they should dash in, and knock knees against posts and heads against lintels, for we had only halters to hold them with.

But after I had once been thrown from back to neck, and from neck to ground in a clumsy but wild gallop extemporized by Dobbin, I was raised to the dignity of a bridle, which I always carried with me when we went to fetch them.

It was my father's express desire that until we could sit well on the bare back we should not be allowed a saddle.