But these specimens of the golden youth of a simple pastoral folk found in it a rich mine of opportunities.

They asked her if she would not like to ride straddle-legged, and if she had bought her dress from an old Hottentot who had done with it, and if she had been rolling about tipsy in the veldt to get all the mud on it; and generally availed themselves of this unparalleled occasion to be witty at the expense of an English lady in sore distress.

Indeed, one gay young dog called Jacobus was proceeding from jokes linguistic to jokes practical.

Perceiving that Jess only kept her seat on the man's saddle by the exercise of a faculty of balance, it occurred to him that it would be a fine thing to upset it and make her fall upon her face.
Accordingly, with a sudden twist of the rein he brought his horse sharply against her wearied animal, nearly throwing it down; but she was too quick for him, and saved herself by catching at the mane.

Jess said nothing; indeed, she made no answer to her tormentors, and fortunately John understood little of what they were saying.