Not a Good Rider.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 19 February 1891, Page 2

Not a Good Ri der.

To those who do not care to laugh at another persons misfortunes, the description given by the Rev. Mr Paton of his ride on horseback} Jn an out-of-the-way place iii Australia will evoke the due amount of sympathy, for the position he unexpectedly got placed in." I was advertised to conduct Services at Narracoort on Sabbath, and at a Station on\ th> Way ott Saturday evening. But how to gel from Penola was a terrible perplexity. On Saturday morning, however, a, young lady me, out of gratitude for ble*ssings received, the use of her riding horse for the journey* "Garibalfli" w&s" m : 8 Mriie, atid though bred for a race -horse, I was assured that if I kept him firmly in hand, he would easily carry me over the two-and-twenty miles. He was to be left at the journey's end, and the lady Herself would feteh 1 him back. I shrank from the undertaking, knowing little of horses/ and having vague recollections of being dreadfully punished for more thai* a week after my last and only ride. But every one in that country ia quite at ease on the back of a horse. They saw no risk ; and, as there appeared no other way of getting there to fulfil my engagements. . . .1 accepted the lady's offer, and started on my pilgrimage. A friend showed me the road, and gave me ample directions. In the bush, I was to keep my eye on the notches in the trees, and follow them. . . . After I had walked quietly tor some distance, three gentlemen on horseback overtook me. We entered into conversation . They inquired how far I was going, and advised me to sit a little " freer " in the saddle, as it would be easier for me. jThey seemed greatly amused at ray^ awkward riding 1 Dark clouds were now gath(3rujg ahead, and the atmosphere prophet sied a storm ; therefore they urged that I should ride a little faster, as they, for a considerable distance, could guide me on the right way. I explained to them my plight through inexperience, said that I could only creep on slowly with safety, and bade them good-bye. As the sky was getting darker every minute, they consented, wishing me a safe journey, and started off at a smart pace*" . " I straggled to hold my horse ; but seizing the bit with his teeth, laying back his ears, and stretchingout his eager neck, he manifestly, felt that his honour was at stake ; and in less time than I take to write it, - the three friends cleared a way for us, and he tore past them at an appalling speed. They tried for a time to keep within reach of us, but that sound only put fire into his blood ; and in an incredibly short time I heard them not ; nor, from the moment that he bore me swinging past them, durst I turn my head by one inch to look for them again. In vain I tried to hold him in ; he tore on, with what appeared to me the speed of the wind. Then the thunderstorm broke around ; us, with flash of lightning and flood of rain, and at every fresh peal 'my "Garibaldi" dashed more wildly onward." " To me, it was a vast surprise to discover that I could sit more easily on this wild flying thing than when at a canter or a trot. At every turn I expected that he would^dash himself and me .against the great . forest * trees ; but instinct, rather than my hand, guided him miraculously. Sometimes I had a glimpse of the r road, but "notches," I never sa^e' one of them ; we passed . them with lightning speed. Indeed I durst not lift my eyes for one moment from watching the horse's head aud the trees on our track. My high crowned hat was not only drenched, but battered out of shape, for whenever we came -to -a rather clear space, I seized the, chance and gave it another knock down over my head. I was spattered and covered with mud and mire." " Crash, crash, went the thunder, and on, on, went " Garibaldi " through the gloom of the forest, emerging at length upon a clearer ground with a more visible pathway. Reaching the top of the slope, a large house stood out far in front of us to the left ; and the horse had ap pavently determined to make straight for that, as if it were his home. He skirted along the hill and took the road to his own familiar ground all my eftorts to hold him in or to guide him having no more effect than that of a child. By this time I suspect, I really had lost all power. "Garibaldi" had been at that house probably frequently before ; he knew those stables and my fate seemed to be instant death against door or wall." " Some members of the family, on the outlook for the missionary, saw us come tearing along as if mad or drunk ; and now all rushed to the verandah, expecting some dread catastrophe. A tall and stout young groom, amazed at our wild cqafepthrowing wide open the gate, seizW . the bridle at great risk to himself" and ran full speed, yet holding back with all his might, and shouting at me to do the same. We succeeded " Garibaldi " having attained his purpose, —in bringing him to halt within a few paces of the door. Staring at me with open mouth, the , man exclaimed, " I have saved your

life, What madness to ride like thefct \'\ Ti&qking. him, though I Gould scarcely by this time articulate a word, IJpld him that the horse had run away, and that I had lost all control." -iiiTruL^ I was in a sorry plight, dreriEhM, covered with mud, and my Hat" battered jjlown, over iriy eyes; little" WoridW tHey tHdugHfc nic drunk or mad! Finally, as if to confirm every suspicion, and amuse them all —for master, mistress, governess and children now looked on from the verandah,— when I was helped off Ihe horse, I cduld not Stand on my fedtl My head still Trent rushing on in the race ; I staggered, and down I tumbled into the mud, feeling chagrin and mortification ; yet there I had to sit for some time before I recovered myself, so as either i 9 rise 01' Speak a Word;"