Page 578 - Child's own book

on foot stil! ? — “ I must indeed,” replied he ; “ here have I
a Jump to carry home; it is gold certainly, but I cannot hold
my head up, and it hurts my shoulder.*’— “ Do you know,"
said the rider, “ we will exchange : I give you my horse, and
you shall give me your lump/'— “ With all my heart," replied
H ans;’* but I tell you, you will be sadly burthencd/*
The man dismounted, took the gold, and helped Hans on,
and, giving him hold of the hridlc* he said, “ If he should
not go quite quickly enough, you must rattle your tongue, and
cry, Gee up! geo up! '*
Now Han3 was very glad as he sat upon the horse, and rode
on so freely and bravely; but presently he wished to go
quicker, so he began to rattle his tongue, and cry Gee up.
The horse began a smart trot, and before Hans knew what
was the matter, he was thrown off, and fell into a ditch which
divided the fields from the road. The horse would have run
away, if a peasant who was coming that wav, driving a cow
before him, had not stopped him. Hans picked himself up
again, and felt whether his bones were all right; but he was
quite in a passion, and said to the countryman, 4‘ Riding is bad
sport, particularly if one happens with suoh a mare as this, which
kicks and throws one off fit to break one's neck. I won’t get
on her any more, any how. Commend to me your cow; for
one can walk behind her with ease, and have besides, every day,
milk, butter, and cheese. What would I not give to have a
cow i "—“ Why,” said the countryman, “ since you have met
with such a mishap, I will exchange my cow for your horse.”
Hans consented with a thousand thanks, and the countryman,
mounting the horse, rode off at once.
Hans drove his cow quietly before him, and thought he bad
made a cApital bargain. “ Let me have but a piece of bread,'*
thought he, u and that at present 1 have no fear of wanting,