But accidents will happen even to heroes. Mr. Jinks is not a great
rider--it is his sole weak point. Fodder receiving a blow behind,
starts forward--then stops, kicking up violently.
The forward movement causes the shoulders of Mr. Jinks to fly down on
the animal's back, the legs of Mr. Jinks to rise into the air. The
backward movement of the donkey's heels interposes at this moment to
knock Mr. Jinks back to his former position.
But his feet are out of the stirrups, he cannot keep his seat; and
suddenly he feels a hand upon his leg--his enemy glares on him; he is
whirled down to the earth, and O'Brallaghan has caught his prey.
The stormy combat, with its cries, and shouts, and blows, and
imprecations, closes over them, and all seems lost for Jinks.
Not so. When fate seems to lower darkest, sunlight comes. O'Brallaghan
has brought his stalwart fist down on Mr. Jinks' nose but once, has
scarcely caused the "gory blood" of that gentleman to spout forth from
the natural orifices, when a vigorous female hand is laid upon his
collar, and he turns.
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