I think that it had probably reared a little and that she had tried to check it, for now it was backing slowly and uneasily toward the edge of that awesome cliff that was but ten paces from its heels.

Even now the girl was backing him yet more in her efforts to make him stand still, and I dared not make a move to catch the bridle lest he should swing round at once from me and go over.
"Spur him, Elfrida.

Let his head go, and spur him," I said as quietly as I could, but so that she must needs hear.
It was all that I could do.
She spurred him, and then as he made a little leap forward, checked him, and that was yet worse.

Then I saw Erpwald, with an ashy face, dismount and go hastily toward the edge behind her, sidelong, and I swung my horse away from him, so that by chance hers might follow me out of danger.
But that was useless.

The brute was yet backing, and his heels were almost on the brink.