When at length he scrambled on the embankment beside him, the poor, shivering, perishing creature gave a low neigh of delight: he did not know Gibbie, but he was a human being.

He was quite cowed and submissive, and Gibbie at once set about his rescue.

He had reasoned as he came along that, if there were beasts at the Mains, there must be room for Snowball, and thither he would endeavour to take him.

He tied the end of the line to the remnant of the halter on his head, the other end being still fast to the barrel, and took to the water again.

Encouraged by the power upon his head, the pressure, namely, of the halter, the horse followed, and they made for the Mains.