His head was stretched out, he was pulling, not more, however, than pleasantly, and he seemed to be as anxious as his rider.

But there was a little twitch about his ears which his rider did not like, and then it was impossible not to remember that awful warning given by the groom, "It's only sometimes, sir." And after what fashion should Phineas ride him at the obstacle?
He did not like to strike a horse that seemed to be going well, and was unwilling, as are all good riders, to use his heels.

So he spoke to him, and proposed to lift him at the ditch.

To the very edge the horse galloped,--too fast, indeed, if he meant to take the bank as Chiltern's horse had done,--and then stopping himself so suddenly that he must have shaken every joint in his body, he planted his fore feet on the very brink, and there he stood, with his head down, quivering in every muscle.

Phineas Finn, following naturally the momentum which had been given to him, went over the brute's neck head-foremost into the ditch.