hair
of reducing the enemy's left nostril to the same condition as the right.
But alas for the generous folly of youth! Shag had to pay dearly for
that exhibition of devotion. Valders-Roan, enraged by this wanton
insult, made a dash at Shag, and by the mere impetus of his huge bulk
nearly knocked him senseless. The colt rolled over, flung all his four
legs into the air, and as soon as he could recover his footing reeled
sideways like a drunken man and made haste to retire to a safe distance.

Valders-Roan had now a clear field and could turn his undivided
attention to Lady Clare. I am not sure that he had not made an example
of Shag merely to frighten her. Bounding forward with his mighty chest
expanded and the blood dripping from his nostrils, he struck out with
a tremendous hind leg and would have returned Lady Clare's blow with
interest if she had not leaped high into the air. She had just managed
by her superior alertness to dodge that deadly hoof, and was perhaps not
prepared for an instant renewal of the attack. But she had barely gotten
her four feet in contact with the sod when two rows of terrific teeth
plunged into her withers. The pain was frightful, and with a long,
pitiful scream Lady Clare sank down upon the ground, and, writhing with
agony, beat the air with her hoofs. Shag, who had by this time recovered
his senses, heard the noise of the battle, and, plucking up his courage,
trotted bravely forward against the victorious Valders-Roan. He was so
frightened that his heart shot up into his throat. But there lay Lady
Clare mangled and bleeding. He could not leave her in the lurch, so
forward he came, trembling, just as Lady Clare was trying to scramble
to her feet. Led away by his sympathy Shag bent his head down toward
her and thereby prevented her from rising. And in the same instant
a stunning blow hit him straight in the forehead, a shower of sparks
danced before his eyes, and then Shag saw and heard no more. A
convulsive quiver ran through his body, then he stretched out his neck
on the bloody grass, heaved a sigh, and died.

Lady Clare, seeing Shag killed by the blow which had been intended for
herself, felt her blood run cold. She was strongly inclined to run, for
she could easily beat the heavy Valders-Roan at a race, and her fleet
legs might yet save her. I cannot say whether it was a generous wrath at
the killing of her humble champion or a mere blind fury which overcame
this inclination. But sh