Without a thought of danger Lionheart sprang from the side of the road
and dashed towards the horse's head, clutching at the reins, and a farm
labourer, coming in the opposite direction, threw up his arms in front.
[Illustration: "WITHOUT A THOUGHT OF DANGER, LIONHEART DASHED TOWARDS
THE HORSE'S HEAD."]
Startled by this double onslaught the horse swerved and then stood
still, trembling with fright.
"It's the strap!" cried Dick, breathlessly. "See, that strap has
broken and the end was flicking his side, and that frightened him."
"Sure enough, and I couldn't think what ailed him," cried the driver,
wiping the perspiration from his brow. "Seven years I've had Boxer,
and he never played me that trick afore. I'm very much obliged to ye,
my brave lad, and you too, friend, and I'll stand a shilling apiece and
thankful. The canal bridge is just a half mile further on, and if he
hadn't been stopped and the bridge had chanced to be open----"
The labourer took the shilling with a grin, and held the horse while
the carrier mended the broken strap with string, but Dick said
hesitatingly, "I don't want a whole shilling just for _trying_ to hold
him, it's too much. But would you mind giving me a lift instead.
We're going to Weyn, and we've walked such a long way.
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