Mike sat still, his heart close shut, the beauty of the scene in its quick and core.  Then yielding utterly he drove the boat ashore, and calling to the nearest, to one who had stopped and was tightening his horse’s girths, he offered to buy his horse.  A hundred pounds was asked.  “It is not worth it,” he thought; “but I must spend my four thousand a year.”  The desire to do what others think of doing but don’t do was always active in Mike.  He gave his name and address; and, fearing to miss dealing on such advantageous terms, the owner consented to allow Mike to try the horse then and there.  But the hounds had got on the scent of a fox.  The horn was heard ringing in the seared wood in the crimson morning, and the hounds streamed across the meadows.

“I must try him over some fences.  Take my boat and row up to Ash Cottage; I’ll meet you there.”

“I’ll do nothing of the sort!” roared the man in top-boots.

“Then walk across the fields,” cried Mike; and he rode at the hedge and rail, coming down heavily, but before the owner could reach him he had mounted and was away.

Some hours later, as he approached the cottage, he saw Frank and a man in top-boots engaged in deep converse.

“Get off my horse instantly!” exclaimed the latter.

“The horse is mine,” said Mike, who unfortunately could not control his laughter.

“Your horse!  Certainly not!  Get off my horse, or I’ll pull you off.”

Mike jumped off.

“Since you will have it so, I’ll not dispute with you.  There is your horse; not a bad sort of animal—­capital sport.”

“Now pay me my hundred pounds!” said the owner, between his clenched teeth.

“You said just now that you hadn’t sold me the horse.  There is your horse, and here is the name of my solicitors, if you want to go to law with me.”

“Law with you!  I’ll give you law!” and letting go the horse, that immediately began to browse, he rushed at Mike, his whip in the air.

Mike fought, his long legs wide apart, his long arms going like lightning, straight from the shoulder, scattering blood over necktie and collar; and presently the man withdrew, cursing Mike for an Irish horse-stealer.

“I never heard of such a thing!” said Frank.  “You got on his horse and rode away, leaving him standing on the outside of the cover.”

“Yes,” shouted Mike, delighted with his exploit; “I felt I must go after the hounds.”

“Yes, but to go away with the man’s horse!”

“My dear fellow, why not?  Those are the things that other fellows think of doing but don’t do.  An excitement like that is worth anything.”