"Now," said the instructor, as he pulled down the leathern belt which
hung from the rope and fastened it around Toby's waist, "stand up
in the saddle, and try to keep there. You can't fall, because the
rope will hold you up, even if the horse goes out from under you;
but it isn't hard work to keep on if you mind what you are about;
and if you don't this whip will help you. Now stand up."
Toby did as he was bid; and as the horse was led at a walk, and as
he had the long bridle to aid him in keeping his footing, he had
no difficulty in standing during the time that the horse went once
around the ring; but that was all.
Mr. Castle seemed to think that this was preparation enough for
the boy to be able to understand how to ride, and he started the
horse into a canter. As might have been expected, Toby lost his
balance, the horse went on ahead, and he was left dangling at the
end of the rope, very much like a crab that has just been caught
by the means of a pole and line.
Toby kicked, waved his hands, and floundered about generally,
but all to no purpose, until the horse came round again, and then
he made frantic efforts to regain his footing, which efforts were
aided -- or perhaps it would be more proper to say retarded -- by
the long lash of Mr. Castle's whip, that played around his legs
with merciless severity.
"Stand up! stand up!" cried his instructor, as Toby reeled first
to one side and then to the other, now standing erect in the saddle
and now dangling at the end of the rope, with the horse almost out
from under him.
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