"Ar'n't you hurt ?" said I.

"Hurt!" said the voice; "not I; don't think it, whatever the horse may be.

I tell you what, my fellow, I thought you were a robber, and now I find you are not; I have a good mind--" "To do what ?" "To serve you out; ar'n't you ashamed-- ?" "At what ?" said I; "not to have robbed you?
Shall I set about it now ?" "Ha, ha!" said the man, dropping the bullying tone which he had assumed; "you are joking--robbing! who talks of robbing?
I wonder how my horse's knees are; not much hurt, I think--only mired." The man, whoever he was, then got upon his horse; and, after moving him about a little, said, "Good night, friend; where are you ?" "Here I am," said I, "just behind you." "You are, are you?
Take that." I know not what he did, but probably pricking his horse with the spur the animal kicked out violently; one of his heels struck me on the shoulder, but luckily missed my face; I fell back with the violence of the blow, whilst the fellow scampered off at a great rate.

Stopping at some distance, he loaded me with abuse, and then, continuing his way at a rapid trot, I heard no more of him.
"What a difference!" said I, getting up; "last night I was feted in the hall of a rich genius, and to-night I am knocked down and mired in a dark lane by the heel of Master Wise's horse--I wonder who gave him that name?
And yet he was wise enough to wreak his revenge upon me, and I was not wise enough to keep out of his way.

Well, I am not much hurt, so it is of little consequence." I now bethought me that, as I had a carriage of my own, I might as well make use of it; I therefore got into the cart, and, taking the reins in my hand, gave an encouraging cry to the pony, whereupon the sturdy little animal started again at as brisk a pace as if he had not already come many a long mile.