But they were far apart, and at best it was an awesome place even on foot, while with a horse the dangers were as plain as the path itself.
Still it was a point of honour to cross the Coupee on Riding Day, and some even compassed it cautiously without dismounting, and took much credit to themselves, though others might call it by other names.
Some of the girls preferred to take no risks, and got down and walked wisely and safely, amid the laughter and good-humoured banter of the elect, across the gulf.

Most, however, showed their confidence in their swains, and at the same time trebled their anxieties, by keeping their seats and allowing their horses to be led across.
Young Torode came galloping across the Common while Gray Robin and Carette and I were still waiting our turn.

He reined in Black Boy with a firm hand, and the ruffled black sides worked like bellows, and the angry black head jerked restively, and the quick-glancing eyes looked troubled and vicious.
Torode laughed derisively as Elie Guerin set out with cautious step to lead his old horse over, with Judith Drillot clutching the saddle firmly and wearing a face that showed plainly that it was only a stern sense of duty to Elie that kept her up aloft.
"Ma foi!" laughed Torode.

"He would do it better in a boat.

It's well seen that Monsieur Guerin was not born to the saddle.