THE OLD CHARGER. 75

was mounted on a horse which had belonged to a field-officer,
and, though aged, still possessed much spirit. It happened
that a troop of yeomanry were out exercising on a neigh-
bouring common. No sooner did the old horse see the line
of warriors, and hear the bugle-call, than, greatly to the
dismay of his rider, he leaped the fence and was speedily at

 

his post in front of the regiment, nor could his rider induce
him by any means to quit the ground till the regiment left
it. As long as they kept the field, the horse remained in
front of the troop; and then insisted on marching at their

head into the town, prancing as well as his old legs would