Seeing me, they knew me to be a poor friendless little slave boy, helpless and unprotected, and they could therefore do with me as they pleased, and have some fine sport at my expense.
When I was asked to ride one of the fast horses, I felt proud of the honor conferred, and was assisted to mount, feeling highly elated with the lofty position I had gained.
The word "go," was shouted, and the horse whirled off, and it seemed to me as if he flew with the speed of lightning.

My hat fell off the first thing; and there I was, clinging with might and main to the neck of the fiery animal, my head bare, my feet bootless, and my old stripped shirt blown from my back, and streaming out behind, and fluttering like a banner in the breeze; my ragged pants off at the knees, and my long legs dangling down some length below; and at the same time crying "Whoa! whoa!" as loud as I could.

Nor was this all; frightened as I was, nearly to death, I cast a despairing look behind me, and the loud, derisive laugh of the bystanders rung in my ears.
Ludicrous as I must have appeared, this was too much,--I felt a giddiness coming over me, my brain reeled, my hold relaxed, and the next instant I had fallen to the ground, where all consciousness left me.

When I came to my senses I was lying in bed, surrounded by all the appurtenances of a dying person.
The first thing I heard was Mr.Tower scolding the men who put me on the horse, and threatening them with a law-suit for presuming to do such a thing without his permission.

Mr.Tower considered himself holden to Capt.
Helm for my safe return, and was therefore justly indignant at their placing my life in such peril.