IthappeneduponaNovembereveningwhenIwasaboutfifteenyearsold，andout-growingmystrengthveryrapidly，mysisterAnniebeingturnedthirteen，andadealofrainhavingfallen，andallthetroughsintheyardbeingflooded，andthebarkfromthewood-rickswasheddownthegutters，andevenourwater-shootgoingbrownthattheducksinthecourtmadeaterriblequacking，insteadofmarchingofftotheirpen，onebehindanother。ThereuponAnnieandIranouttoseewhatmightbethesenseofit。Therewerethirteenducks，andtenlily-whiteasthefashionthenofduckswas，notImeantwenty-threeinall，buttenwhiteandthreebrown-stripedones；andwithoutbeingniceabouttheircolour，theyallquackedverymovingly。Theypushedtheirgold-colouredbillshereandthereyetdirty，asgoldisapttobe，andtheyjumpedonthetrianglesoftheirfeet，andsoundedoutoftheirnostrils；andsomeoftheover-excitedonesranalonglowontheground，quackinggrievouslywiththeirbillssnappingandbending，andtheroofoftheirmouthsexhibited。
Anniebegantocry’Dilly，dilly，einy，einy，ducksey，’
accordingtotheburdenofatunetheyseemtohaveacceptedasthenationalduck’santhem；butinsteadofbeingsoothedbyit，theyonlyquackedthreetimesashard，andranroundtillweweregiddy。Andthentheyshooktheirtailstogether，andlookedgrave，andwentroundandroundagain。NowIamuncommonlyfondofducks，bothroastedandroastingandroystering；anditisafinesighttobeholdthemwalk，poddlingoneafterother，withtheirtoesout，likesoldiersdrilling，andtheirlittleeyescockedallwaysatonce，andthewaythattheydibwiththeirbills，anddabble，andthrowuptheirheadsandenjoysomething，andthentelltheothersaboutit。ThereforeIknewatonce，bythewaytheywerecarryingon，thattheremustbesomethingorothergonewhollyamissintheduck-world。SisterAnnieperceivedittoo，butwithagreaterquickness；
forshecountedthemlikeagoodduck-wife，andcouldonlytellthirteenofthem，whensheknewthereoughttobefourteen。
Andsowebegantosearchabout，andtheducksrantoleadusaright，havingcomethatfartofetchus；andwhenwegotdowntothefootofthecourt-yardwherethetwogreatash-treesstandbythesideofthelittlewater，wefoundgoodreasonfortheurgenceandmelancholyoftheduck-birds。Lo!theoldwhitedrake，thefatherofall，abirdofhighmannersandchivalry，alwaysthelasttohelphimselffromthepanofbarley-meal，andthefirsttoshowfighttoadogorcockintrudinguponhisfamily，thisfinefellow，andpillarofthestate，wasnowinasadpredicament，yetquackingverystoutly。Forthebrook，wherewithhehadbeenfamiliarfromhiscallowchildhood，andwhereinhewaswonttoquestforwater-newts，andtadpoles，andcaddis-worms，andothergame，thisbrook，whichaffordedhimveryoftenscantyspacetodabblein，andsometimesstarvedthecresses，wasnowcomingdowninagreatbrownflood，asifthebanksneverbelongedtoit。Thefoamingofit，andthenoise，andthecrestingofthecorners，andtheupanddown，likeawaveofthesea，wereenoughtofrightenanyduck，thoughbreduponstormywaters，whichourducksneverhadbeen。
Thereisalwaysahurdlesixfeetlongandfourandahalfindepth，swungbyachainateitherendfromanoaklaidacrossthechannel。Andtheuseofthishurdleistokeepourkineatmilkingtimefromstrayingawaytheredrinkingforintruththeyareverydaintyandtofencestrangecattle，orFarmerSnowe’shorses，fromcomingalongthebedofthebrookunknown，tostealoursubstance。Butnowthishurdle，whichhunginthesummerafootabovethetrickle，wouldhavebeendippedmorethantwofeetdeepbutforthepoweragainstit。Forthetorrentcamedownsovehementlythatthechainsatfullstretchwerecreaking，andthehurdlebuffetedalmostflat，andthatchedsotosaywiththedrift-stuff，wasgoingsee-saw，withasulkysplashonthedirtyredcombofthewaters。Butsaddesttoseewasbetweentwobars，whereafogwasofrushes，andflood-wood，andwild-celeryhaulm，anddeadcrowsfoot，whobutourvenerablemallardjammedinbythejointofhisshoulder，speakingaloudasheroseandfell，withhistop-knotfullofwater，unabletocomprehendit，withhistailwashedfarawayfromhim，butoftencompelledtobesilent，beingduckedveryharshlyagainsthiswillbythechokingfall-toofthehurdle。
ForamomentIcouldnothelplaughing，because，beingborneuphighanddrybyatumultofthetorrent，hegavemealookfromhisonelittleeyehavinglostoneinfightwiththeturkey-cock，agazeofappealingsorrow，andthenaloudquacktosecondit。Butthequackcameoutoftime，Isuppose，forhisthroatgotfilledwithwater，asthehurdlecarriedhimbackagain。Andthentherewasscarcelythescrewofhistailtobeseenuntilheswungupagain，andleftsmalldoubtbythewayhesputtered，andfailedtoquack，andhungdownhispoorcrest，butwhathemustdrowninanotherminute，andfrogstriumphoverhisbody。
Anniewascrying，andwringingherhands，andIwasabouttorushintothewater，althoughIlikednotthelookofit，buthopedtoholdonbythehurdle，whenamanonhorsebackcamesuddenlyroundthecornerofthegreatash-hedgeontheothersideofthestream，andhishorse’sfeetwereinthewater。
’Ho，there，’hecried；’gettheeback，boy。Thefloodwillcarrytheedownlikeastraw。Iwilldoitforthee，andnotrouble。’
Withthatheleanedforward，andspoketohismare——shewasjustofthetintofastrawberry，ayoungthing，verybeautiful——andshearchedupherneck，asmislikingthejob；yet，trustinghim，wouldattemptit。
Sheenteredtheflood，withherdaintyfore-legsslopedfurtherandfurtherinfrontofher，andherdelicateearsprickedforward，andthesizeofhergreateyesincreasing，buthekeptherstraightintheturbidrush，bythepressureofhiskneeonher。Thenshelookedback，andwonderedathim，astheforceofthetorrentgrewstronger，buthebadehergoon；andonshewent，anditfoamedupoverhershoulders；andshetossedupherlipandscornedit，fornowhercouragewaswaking。Thenastherushofitsweptheraway，andshestruckwithherforefeetdownthestream，heleanedfromhissaddleinamannerwhichInevercouldhavethoughtpossible，andcaughtupoldTomwithhislefthand，andsethimbetweenhisholsters，andsmiledathisfaintquackofgratitude。Inamomentallthesewerecarrieddownstream，andtheriderlayflatonhishorse，andtossedthehurdleclearfromhim，andmadeforthebendofsmoothwater。
Theylandedsomethirtyorfortyyardslower，inthemidstofourkitchen-garden，wherethewinter-cabbagewas；butthoughAnnieandIcreptinthroughthehedge，andwerefullofourthanksandadmiringhim，hewouldanswerusneveraword，untilhehadspokeninfulltothemare，asifexplainingthewholetoher。
’Sweetheart，Iknowthoucouldsthaveleapedit，’hesaid，ashepattedhercheek，beingonthegroundbythistime，andshewasnudginguptohim，withthewaterpatteringoffher；’butIhadgoodreason，Winniedear，formakingtheegothroughit。’
Sheansweredhimkindlywithhersofteyes，andsmiledathimverylovingly，andtheyunderstoodoneanother。
Thenhetookfromhiswaistcoattwopeppercorns，andmadetheolddrakeswallowthem，andtriedhimsoftlyuponhislegs，wheretheleadinggapinthehedgewas。
OldTomstoodupquitebravely，andclappedhiswings，andshookoffthewetfromhistail-feathers；andthenawayintothecourt-yard，andhisfamilygatheredaroundhim，andtheyallmadeanoiseintheirthroats，andstoodup，andputtheirbillstogether，tothankGodforthisgreatdeliverance。
Havingtakenallthistrouble，andwatchedtheendofthatadventure，thegentlemanturnedroundtouswithapleasantsmileonhisface，asifhewerelightlyamusedwithhimself；andwecameupandlookedathim。
Hewasrathershort，aboutJohnFry’sheight，ormaybealittletaller，butverystronglybuiltandspringy，ashisgaitateverystepshowedplainly，althoughhislegswerebowedwithmuchriding，andhelookedasifhelivedonhorseback。Toaboylikemeheseemedveryold，beingovertwenty，andwell-foundinbeard；buthewasnotmorethanfour-and-twenty，freshandruddylooking，withashortnoseandkeenblueeyes，andamerrywaggishjerkabouthim，asiftheworldwerenotinearnest。Yethehadasharp，sternway，likethecrackofapistol，ifanythingmislikedhim；andweknewforchildrenseesuchthingsthatitwassafertoticklethanbuffethim。
’Well，younguns，whatbegapingat？’HegaveprettyAnnieachuckonthechin，andtookmeallinwithoutwinking。
’Yourmare，’saidI，standingstoutlyup，beingatallboynow；’Ineversawsuchabeauty，sir。Willyouletmehavearideofher？’
’Thinkthoucouldstrideher，lad？Shewillhavenoburdenbutmine。Thoucouldstneverrideher。Tut!I
wouldbeloathtokillthee。’
’Rideher!’Icriedwiththebravestscorn，forshelookedsokindandgentle；’thereneverwashorseuponExmoorfoaled，butIcouldtackleinhalfanhour。
OnlyIneverrideuponsaddle。Takethemleathersoffofher。’
Helookedatmewithadrylittlewhistle，andthrusthishandsintohisbreeches-pockets，andsogrinnedthatIcouldnotstandit。AndAnnielaidholdofmeinsuchawaythatIwasalmostmadwithher。Andhelaughed，andapprovedherfordoingso。Andtheworstofallwas——hesaidnothing。
’Getaway，Annie，willyou？DoyouthinkI’mafool，goodsir!Onlytrustmewithher，andIwillnotoverrideher。’
’ForthatIwillgobail，myson。Sheislikertooverridethee。Butthegroundissofttofallupon，afterallthisrain。Nowcomeoutintotheyard，youngman，forthesakeofyourmother’scabbages。Andthemellowstraw-bedwillbesofterforthee，sincepridemusthaveitsfall。Iamthymother’scousin，boy，andamgoinguptohouse。TomFaggusismyname，aseverybodyknows；andthisismyyoungmare，Winnie。’
WhatafoolImusthavebeennottoknowitatonce!
TomFaggus，thegreathighwayman，andhisyoungblood-mare，thestrawberry!Alreadyherfamewasnoisedabroad，nearlyasmuchashermaster’s；andmylongingtoridehergrewtenfold，butfearcameatthebackofit。NotthatIhadthesmallestfearofwhatthemarecoulddotome，byfairplayandhorse-trickery，butthatthegloryofsittinguponherseemedtobetoogreatforme；especiallyastherewererumoursabroadthatshewasnotamareafterall，butawitch。However，shelookedlikeafillyallover，andwonderfullybeautiful，withhersupplestride，andsoftslopeofshoulder，andglossycoatbeadedwithwater，andprominenteyesfullofdocilefire。WhetherthiscamefromherEasternbloodoftheArabsnewlyimported，andwhetherthecream-colour，mixedwithourbay，ledtothatbrightstrawberrytint，iscertainlymorethanIcandecide，beingchieflyacquaintwithfarm-horses。Andthesecomeofanycolourandform；
younevercancountwhattheywillbe，andareluckytogetfourlegstothem。
Mr。Faggusgavehismareawink，andshewalkeddemurelyafterhim，abrightyoungthing，flowingoverwithlife，yetdroppinghersoultoahigherone，andledbylovetoanything；asthemannerisoffemales，whentheyknowwhatisthebestforthem。ThenWinnietrodlightlyuponthestraw，becauseithadsoftmuckunderit，andherdelicatefeetcamebackagain。
’Upforitstill，boy，beye？’TomFaggusstopped，andthemarestoppedthere；andtheylookedatmeprovokingly。
’Issheabletoleap，sir？Thereisgoodtake-offonthissideofthebrook。’
Mr。Fagguslaughedveryquietly，turningroundtoWinniesothatshemightenterintoit。Andshe，forherpart，seemedtoknowexactlywherethefunlay。
’Goodtumble-off，youmean，myboy。Well，therecanbesmallharmtothee。Iamakintothyfamily，andknowthesubstanceoftheirskulls。’
’Letmegetup，’saidI，waxingwroth，forreasonsI
cannottellyou，becausetheyaretoomanifold；’takeoffyoursaddle-bagthings。Iwilltrynottosqueezeherribsin，unlesssheplaysnonsensewithme。’
ThenMr。Fagguswasuponhismettle，atthisproudspeechofmine；andJohnFrywasrunningupallthewhile，andBillDadds，andhalfadozen。TomFaggusgaveoneglancearound，andthendroppedallregardforme。Thehighreputeofhismarewasatstake，andwhatwasmylifecomparedtoit？Throughmydefiance，andstupidways，herewasIinaduello，andmylegsnotcometotheirstrengthyet，andmyarmsaslimpasaherring。
Somethingofthisoccurredtohimeveninhiswrathwithme，forhespokeverysoftlytothefilly，whonowcouldscarcesubdueherself；butshedrewinhernostrils，andbreathedtohisbreathanddidallshecouldtoanswerhim。
’Nottoohard，mydear，’hesaid：’ledhimgentlydownonthemixen。Thatwillbequiteenough。’Thenheturnedthesaddleoff，andIwasupinamoment。Shebeganatfirstsoeasily，andprickedherearssolovingly，andmincedaboutasifpleasedtofindsolightaweightuponher，thatIthoughtsheknewI
couldridealittle，andfearedtoshowanycapers。
’Geewug，Polly!’criedI，forallthemenwerenowlookingon，beingthenattheleaving-offtime：’Geewug，Polly，andshowwhatthoube’estmadeof。’WiththatIpluggedmyheelsintoher，andBillyDaddsflunghishatup。
Nevertheless，sheoutragednot，thoughhereyeswerefrighteningAnnie，andJohnFrytookapicktokeephimsafe；butshecurbedtoandfrowithherstrongforearmsrisinglikespringsingathered，waitingandquiveringgrievously，andbeginningtosweataboutit。