Chapter XXXV

BUTinthewinterofthatveryyearEdward,whilehunting,hadanaccident.Foryearshehadmadeapracticeofridingunmanageablehorses,andheneverheardofaviciousbeastwithoutwishingtotryit.Heknewthathewasafinerider,andsincehewasnevershyofparadinghispowers,norloathtotauntothersonthescoreofinferiorskillorcourage,hepreferreddifficultanimals.Itgratifiedhimtoseepeoplepointtohimandsay,“There’sagoodrider:”andhisbestjokewithsomepersononahorsethatpulledorrefused,wastocry:“Youdon’tseemfriendswithyourgeewouldyouliketotrymine?”Andthen,touchingitssideswithhisspurs,hesetitprancing.Hewasmercilesswiththecautioushunterswholookedforlowpartsofahedgeortriedtogetthroughagateinsteadofoveritandwhenanyonesaidajumpwasdangerous,Edwardwithalaughpromptlywentforit,shoutingashedidso— “Iwouldn’ttryitifIwereyou.Youmightfalloff.” Hehadjustboughtaroanforameresong,becauseitjumpeduncertainly,andhadatrickofswingingafore-legasitrose.Hetookitoutontheearliestopportunity,andthefirsttwohedgesandaditchthehorseclearedeasily.Edwardthoughtthatonceagainhehadgotforalmostnothingahunterthatmerelywantedridingproperlytobehavelikealamb.Theyrodeon,andcametoapostandrailfence. “Now,mybeauty,this’llshowwhatyou’remadeof.” Hetookthehorseupinacanter,andpressedhislegsthehorsedidnotrise,butswervedroundsuddenly. “No,youdon’t,”saidEdward,takinghimback. Hedughisspursin,andthehorsecanteredup,andrefusedagain.ThistimeEdwardgrewangry.ArthurBrandertoncameflyingby,andhavingmanyoldscorestopay,laughedloudly. “Whydon’tyougetdownandwalkover?”heshouted,ashepassedEdwardandtookthejump. “I’lleithergetoverorbreakmyneck,”saidEdward,settinghisteeth. Buthedidneither.Hesettheroanatthejumpforthefourthtime,hittinghimwithhiscropthebeastrose,andthenlettingthefore-legswing,camedownwithacrash. Edwardfellheavily,andforaminutewasstunned.Whenherecoveredconsciousness,hefoundsomeonepouringbrandydownhisneck. “Isthehorsehurt?”heasked,notthinkingofhimself. “Nohe’sallright.Howd’youfeel?” Ayoungsurgeonwasinthefield,androdeup.“What’sthematter?Anyoneinjured?” “No,”saidEdward,strugglingtohisfeet,somewhatannoyedattheexhibitionhethoughthewasmakingofhimself.“Onewouldthinknoneofyoufellowshadeverseenamancomedownbefore.I’veseenmostofyoucomeoffoftenenough.” Hewalkeduptothehorse,andputhisfootinthestirrup. “You’dbettergohome,Craddock,”saidthesurgeon.“Iexpectyou’reabitshakenup.” “Gohomebedamned.Confound!”Ashetriedtomount,Edwardfeltapainatthetopofhischest.“IbelieveI’vebrokensomething.” Thesurgeonwentupandhelpedhimoffwithhiscoat.HetwistedEdward’sarm. “Doesthathurt?” “Abit.” “You’vebrokenyourcollar-bone,”saidthesurgeon,afteramoment’sexamination. “IthoughtI’dsmashedsomething.Howlongwillittaketomend?” “Onlythreeweeks.Youneedn’tbealarmed.” “I’mnotalarmed,butIsupposeIshallhavetogiveuphuntingforatleastamonth.” EdwardwasdriventoDr.Ramsay,wh