“Emily,” said her father, “Is not your horse restive?  He starts.  I fear he will be troublesome.”

“O no, father, it is only his spirit.”  Melville gazed anxiously at the horse, which occasionally started, rearing a little and swinging his head in a vicious manner.

“Take care!  O heavens!” suddenly cried Mr. Inglis, as Emily’s horse started at the sight of a blasted tree.  He snatched at the reins.  The horse, disturbed by this unexpected attack, reared up and pranced furiously.

“Father!  O save me!” cried the terrified girl.  Her father sprang once more at the reins-the horse darted forward, and then with a wild neigh, stretched out his head, and away he went, away, away, with the speed of the wind!

“O God!  O heaven!” cried the father, in agony.

For a moment Melville paused-for an instant-and then lashing his horse he rushed on furiously in pursuit of the frightened steed of Emily.  On they went, the pursuing and the pursued.  People who were in the road, seeing the fierce beast, shrank away.  Emily, pale as marble, still kept her seat, clinging to her horse, but every moment expecting death.  She heard the voice of one pursuing, and her heart told her who it was.

Away they went, and nothing was gained on either side.  Melville shuddered, and beat his horse to increase his speed-a little was gained, but not enough to admit of hope.  On they went.  At length the road took a long winding around a spot where the ground made a descent, and ended in a deep gully.  Emily’s horse followed the road and sped on in his headlong course.

Melville suddenly paused, and looked at the gully.  The ground descended gently, the gully was about twelve feet wide, but its perpendicular sides descended to an unseen depth-stones and rocks were strewed around on both sides.

Melville shut his mouth tightly, and lashed his horse.  With one spring he cleared the stone wall of the field, and then dashed furiously over the stony ground.  It was a fearful sight.  Emily saw it as she clung closely to her horse, and the yawning gulf and the fearful deed of Melville took away all thought of herself.  She screamed in agony!

But on went the brave horse-on to the deep gully.  He prepared-Melville lashed him.  One spring-one bound-and the deep chasm was cleared, and away he went-the brave youth, up the other side.  Another bound and he was over into the road, just as the horse of Emily, all foaming and perspiring, came up.  He rushed before the horse, and with a giant grasp seized the bridle and stopped his furious career.  The jerk threw Emily backward.  She fell into Melville’s outstretched arms.

The horse stood trembling.  Melville dismounted, and took Emily to a seat near by.  She looked at him so kindly, so tenderly, that a flood of happiness rushed through his soul.

“O thank you, my brave preserver!”

“I am recompensed beyond all that I can hope, in seeing you safe.”