Hence loose reins and a looser seat.

He rolled about like a tipsy man, holding on, in fact, far more by his spurs than by his knees, to the utter infuriation of Shiver-the-timbers, who kicked and snorted over the down like one of Mephistopheles's Demon-steeds.

They had mounted the hill--the deer fled before them in terror--they neared the park palings.

In the road beyond them the hounds were just killing their fox, struggling and growling in fierce groups for the red gobbets of fur, a panting, steaming ring of horses round them.

Half a dozen voices hailed him as he came up.
'Where have you been ?' 'He'll tumble off!' 'He's had a fall!' 'No he hasn't!' ''Ware hounds, man alive!' 'He'll break his neck!' 'He has broken it, at last!' shouted the colonel, as Shiver-the- timbers rushed at the high pales, out of breath, and blind with rage.