DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.11789#0119
WIT OUTWITTED. 109
could extricate himself from them. By keeping at
a modest pace and a respectful distance behind, he
succeeded at last, as he supposed, in making the
horse understand that the challenge was not ac-
cepted ; and that if he (the horse), should feel in-
clined to stop, no ungenerous advantage would be
taken of it, and no unhandsome insinuations would
be made, to the effect that he stopped because he
was tired or out of breath, or that he could not
have kept ahead with perfect ease had he chosen to
do so. At last, the fleeter of the two animals,
quite satisfied, as it would seem, to have shown his
superiority, and to perceive it was acknowledged by
one who wished to pass for his better, stopped on
the very pinnacle of a high hill, and gazed around
him with calm complacency. Our traveller ap-
proaches gently, respectfully — he rejoices now
that his moderation and good management have
won the day; he cautiously puts out his hand to
take the bridle—but, alas! "the best laid schemes o'
mice an' men gang aft a-gley ;"—at that instant
again up go the heels, with another exulting squeal,
and away flies the steed to his manger in Jerusalem.
Mr. K-confessed he felt a little mortified in be-
ing obliged to explain to the landlord the cause of his
unexpected return to the Holy City, and was not a
10
could extricate himself from them. By keeping at
a modest pace and a respectful distance behind, he
succeeded at last, as he supposed, in making the
horse understand that the challenge was not ac-
cepted ; and that if he (the horse), should feel in-
clined to stop, no ungenerous advantage would be
taken of it, and no unhandsome insinuations would
be made, to the effect that he stopped because he
was tired or out of breath, or that he could not
have kept ahead with perfect ease had he chosen to
do so. At last, the fleeter of the two animals,
quite satisfied, as it would seem, to have shown his
superiority, and to perceive it was acknowledged by
one who wished to pass for his better, stopped on
the very pinnacle of a high hill, and gazed around
him with calm complacency. Our traveller ap-
proaches gently, respectfully — he rejoices now
that his moderation and good management have
won the day; he cautiously puts out his hand to
take the bridle—but, alas! "the best laid schemes o'
mice an' men gang aft a-gley ;"—at that instant
again up go the heels, with another exulting squeal,
and away flies the steed to his manger in Jerusalem.
Mr. K-confessed he felt a little mortified in be-
ing obliged to explain to the landlord the cause of his
unexpected return to the Holy City, and was not a
10