"HERE HE COMES
Every neck is stretched further, and every eye strained wider. Away across the
endless dead level of the prairie a black speck appears against the sky, and it is plain
that it moves. Well, I should think so!
In a second or two it becomes a horse and rider, rising and falling, rising and
falling-sweeping toward us nearer and nearer-growing more and more distinct, more
and more sharply defined-nearer and still nearer, and the flutter
of the hoofs comes
faintly to the ear-another instant a whoop and a hurrah from our upper deck, a wave of
the rider's hand, but no reply, and man and horse burst past our excited faces, and go
winging away like a belated fragment of a storm!
So sudden is it all, and so like a flash of
unreal fancy, that but for the flake of white foam
left quivering and perishing on a mail-sack after
the vision had flashed by and disappeared, we
might have doubted whether we had seen any
actual horse and man at all, maybe.
Public Domain
Sample Assessment Question
Which statement best describes the reaction of the spectators to the passing of the horse and
rider?
OA. The spectators ignored the passing of the horse and rider.
OB. The spectators were grateful that the horse and rider had successfully delivered the
mail.
OC. The spectators were disappointed that the horse and rider did not stop to talk.
D. The spectators reacted enthusiastically as the horse and rider passed by