The cavalry thought that this dreadful language was meant for the enemy , and were filled with admiration of his courage . Many of their horses too were quite upset by this whirlwind that galloped howling through their midst , and in a few minutes , after a little plunging and rearing and kicking , the whole troop were following on Moti 's heels . Far in advance , Moti continued his wild career . Presently in his course he came to a great field of castor-oil plants , ten or twelve feet high , big and bushy , but quite green and soft . Hoping to escape from the back of his fiery steed Moti grasped one in passing , but its roots gave way , and he dashed on , with the whole plant looking like a young tree flourishing in his grip . The enemy were in battle array , advancing over the plain , their king with them confident and cheerful , when suddenly from the front came a desperate rider at a furious gallop . ` Sire ! ' he cried , ` save yourself ! the enemy are coming ! ' ` What do you mean ? ' said the king . ` Oh , sire ! ' panted the messenger , ` fly at once , there is no time to lose . Foremost of the enemy rides a mad giant at a furious gallop . He flourishes a tree for a club and is wild with anger , for as he goes he cries , `` You wait till I get hold of you ! I 'll skin you alive ! I 'll wring your neck ! I 'll break every bone in your body ! '' Others ride behind , and you will do well to retire before this whirlwind of destruction comes upon you . ' Just then out of a cloud of dust in the distance the king saw Moti approaching at a hard gallop , looking indeed like a giant compared with the little beast he rode , whirling his castor-oil plant , which in the distance might have been an oak tree , and the sound of his revilings and shoutings came down upon the breeze !
Behind him the dust cloud moved to the sound of the thunder XXXXX hoofs , whilst here and there flashed the glitter of steel .
after by for in of on over through to with