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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/271-0.txt b/271-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..45ae44d --- /dev/null +++ b/271-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6394 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Black Beauty, by Anna Sewell + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Black Beauty + +Author: Anna Sewell + +Release Date: January 16, 2006 [EBook #271] +Last Updated: March 16, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BLACK BEAUTY *** + + + + +Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger + + + + + +BLACK BEAUTY + +The Autobiography of a Horse + +by Anna Sewell [English Quaker -- 1820-1878.] + + + +[Note: 'Black Beauty' was originally published in 1877. This etext was +transcribed from an American edition of 1911. Some small corrections +were made, after being confirmed against other sources.] + + + + + To my dear and honored Mother, + whose life, no less than her pen, + has been devoted to the welfare of others, + this little book is affectionately dedicated. + + + + +Contents + + + Part I + + Chapter + 01 My Early Home + 02 The Hunt + 03 My Breaking In + 04 Birtwick Park + 05 A Fair Start + 06 Liberty + 07 Ginger + 08 Ginger's Story Continued + 09 Merrylegs + 10 A Talk in the Orchard + 11 Plain Speaking + 12 A Stormy Day + 13 The Devil's Trade Mark + 14 James Howard + 15 The Old Hostler + 16 The Fire + 17 John Manly's Talk + 18 Going for the Doctor + 19 Only Ignorance + 20 Joe Green + 21 The Parting + + + Part II + + 22 Earlshall + 23 A Strike for Liberty + 24 The Lady Anne, or a Runaway Horse + 25 Reuben Smith + 26 How it Ended + 27 Ruined and Going Downhill + 28 A Job Horse and His Drivers + 29 Cockneys + 30 A Thief + 31 A Humbug + + + Part III + + 32 A Horse Fair + 33 A London Cab Horse + 34 An Old War Horse + 35 Jerry Barker + 36 The Sunday Cab + 37 The Golden Rule + 38 Dolly and a Real Gentleman + 39 Seedy Sam + 40 Poor Ginger + 41 The Butcher + 42 The Election + 43 A Friend in Need + 44 Old Captain and His Successor + 45 Jerry's New Year + + + Part IV + + 46 Jakes and the Lady + 47 Hard Times + 48 Farmer Thoroughgood and His Grandson Willie + 49 My Last Home + + + + + +Black Beauty + + + + +Part I + + + + +01 My Early Home + + +The first place that I can well remember was a large pleasant meadow +with a pond of clear water in it. Some shady trees leaned over it, and +rushes and water-lilies grew at the deep end. Over the hedge on one side +we looked into a plowed field, and on the other we looked over a gate +at our master's house, which stood by the roadside; at the top of the +meadow was a grove of fir trees, and at the bottom a running brook +overhung by a steep bank. + +While I was young I lived upon my mother's milk, as I could not eat +grass. In the daytime I ran by her side, and at night I lay down close +by her. When it was hot we used to stand by the pond in the shade of the +trees, and when it was cold we had a nice warm shed near the grove. + +As soon as I was old enough to eat grass my mother used to go out to +work in the daytime, and come back in the evening. + +There were six young colts in the meadow besides me; they were older +than I was; some were nearly as large as grown-up horses. I used to run +with them, and had great fun; we used to gallop all together round and +round the field as hard as we could go. Sometimes we had rather rough +play, for they would frequently bite and kick as well as gallop. + +One day, when there was a good deal of kicking, my mother whinnied to me +to come to her, and then she said: + +“I wish you to pay attention to what I am going to say to you. The colts +who live here are very good colts, but they are cart-horse colts, and +of course they have not learned manners. You have been well-bred +and well-born; your father has a great name in these parts, and +your grandfather won the cup two years at the Newmarket races; your +grandmother had the sweetest temper of any horse I ever knew, and I +think you have never seen me kick or bite. I hope you will grow up +gentle and good, and never learn bad ways; do your work with a good +will, lift your feet up well when you trot, and never bite or kick even +in play.” + +I have never forgotten my mother's advice; I knew she was a wise old +horse, and our master thought a great deal of her. Her name was Duchess, +but he often called her Pet. + +Our master was a good, kind man. He gave us good food, good lodging, and +kind words; he spoke as kindly to us as he did to his little children. +We were all fond of him, and my mother loved him very much. When she saw +him at the gate she would neigh with joy, and trot up to him. He would +pat and stroke her and say, “Well, old Pet, and how is your little +Darkie?” I was a dull black, so he called me Darkie; then he would give +me a piece of bread, which was very good, and sometimes he brought a +carrot for my mother. All the horses would come to him, but I think we +were his favorites. My mother always took him to the town on a market +day in a light gig. + +There was a plowboy, Dick, who sometimes came into our field to pluck +blackberries from the hedge. When he had eaten all he wanted he would +have what he called fun with the colts, throwing stones and sticks at +them to make them gallop. We did not much mind him, for we could gallop +off; but sometimes a stone would hit and hurt us. + +One day he was at this game, and did not know that the master was in the +next field; but he was there, watching what was going on; over the hedge +he jumped in a snap, and catching Dick by the arm, he gave him such a +box on the ear as made him roar with the pain and surprise. As soon as +we saw the master we trotted up nearer to see what went on. + +“Bad boy!” he said, “bad boy! to chase the colts. This is not the first +time, nor the second, but it shall be the last. There--take your money +and go home; I shall not want you on my farm again.” So we never saw +Dick any more. Old Daniel, the man who looked after the horses, was just +as gentle as our master, so we were well off. + + + + +02 The Hunt + + +Before I was two years old a circumstance happened which I have never +forgotten. It was early in the spring; there had been a little frost in +the night, and a light mist still hung over the woods and meadows. I +and the other colts were feeding at the lower part of the field when +we heard, quite in the distance, what sounded like the cry of dogs. The +oldest of the colts raised his head, pricked his ears, and said, “There +are the hounds!” and immediately cantered off, followed by the rest of +us to the upper part of the field, where we could look over the hedge +and see several fields beyond. My mother and an old riding horse of our +master's were also standing near, and seemed to know all about it. + +“They have found a hare,” said my mother, “and if they come this way we +shall see the hunt.” + +And soon the dogs were all tearing down the field of young wheat next +to ours. I never heard such a noise as they made. They did not bark, nor +howl, nor whine, but kept on a “yo! yo, o, o! yo! yo, o, o!” at the top +of their voices. After them came a number of men on horseback, some of +them in green coats, all galloping as fast as they could. The old horse +snorted and looked eagerly after them, and we young colts wanted to be +galloping with them, but they were soon away into the fields lower +down; here it seemed as if they had come to a stand; the dogs left off +barking, and ran about every way with their noses to the ground. + +“They have lost the scent,” said the old horse; “perhaps the hare will +get off.” + +“What hare?” I said. + +“Oh! I don't know what hare; likely enough it may be one of our own +hares out of the woods; any hare they can find will do for the dogs and +men to run after;” and before long the dogs began their “yo! yo, o, o!” + again, and back they came altogether at full speed, making straight for +our meadow at the part where the high bank and hedge overhang the brook. + +“Now we shall see the hare,” said my mother; and just then a hare wild +with fright rushed by and made for the woods. On came the dogs; they +burst over the bank, leaped the stream, and came dashing across the +field followed by the huntsmen. Six or eight men leaped their horses +clean over, close upon the dogs. The hare tried to get through the +fence; it was too thick, and she turned sharp round to make for the +road, but it was too late; the dogs were upon her with their wild cries; +we heard one shriek, and that was the end of her. One of the huntsmen +rode up and whipped off the dogs, who would soon have torn her to +pieces. He held her up by the leg torn and bleeding, and all the +gentlemen seemed well pleased. + +As for me, I was so astonished that I did not at first see what was +going on by the brook; but when I did look there was a sad sight; two +fine horses were down, one was struggling in the stream, and the other +was groaning on the grass. One of the riders was getting out of the +water covered with mud, the other lay quite still. + +“His neck is broke,” said my mother. + +“And serve him right, too,” said one of the colts. + +I thought the same, but my mother did not join with us. + +“Well, no,” she said, “you must not say that; but though I am an old +horse, and have seen and heard a great deal, I never yet could make out +why men are so fond of this sport; they often hurt themselves, often +spoil good horses, and tear up the fields, and all for a hare or a fox, +or a stag, that they could get more easily some other way; but we are +only horses, and don't know.” + +While my mother was saying this we stood and looked on. Many of the +riders had gone to the young man; but my master, who had been watching +what was going on, was the first to raise him. His head fell back and +his arms hung down, and every one looked very serious. There was no +noise now; even the dogs were quiet, and seemed to know that something +was wrong. They carried him to our master's house. I heard afterward +that it was young George Gordon, the squire's only son, a fine, tall +young man, and the pride of his family. + +There was now riding off in all directions to the doctor's, to the +farrier's, and no doubt to Squire Gordon's, to let him know about his +son. When Mr. Bond, the farrier, came to look at the black horse that +lay groaning on the grass, he felt him all over, and shook his head; one +of his legs was broken. Then some one ran to our master's house and came +back with a gun; presently there was a loud bang and a dreadful shriek, +and then all was still; the black horse moved no more. + +My mother seemed much troubled; she said she had known that horse for +years, and that his name was “Rob Roy”; he was a good horse, and +there was no vice in him. She never would go to that part of the field +afterward. + +Not many days after we heard the church-bell tolling for a long time, +and looking over the gate we saw a long, strange black coach that was +covered with black cloth and was drawn by black horses; after that came +another and another and another, and all were black, while the bell kept +tolling, tolling. They were carrying young Gordon to the churchyard to +bury him. He would never ride again. What they did with Rob Roy I never +knew; but 'twas all for one little hare. + + + + +03 My Breaking In + + +I was now beginning to grow handsome; my coat had grown fine and soft, +and was bright black. I had one white foot and a pretty white star on my +forehead. I was thought very handsome; my master would not sell me till +I was four years old; he said lads ought not to work like men, and colts +ought not to work like horses till they were quite grown up. + +When I was four years old Squire Gordon came to look at me. He examined +my eyes, my mouth, and my legs; he felt them all down; and then I had +to walk and trot and gallop before him. He seemed to like me, and said, +“When he has been well broken in he will do very well.” My master said +he would break me in himself, as he should not like me to be frightened +or hurt, and he lost no time about it, for the next day he began. + +Every one may not know what breaking in is, therefore I will describe +it. It means to teach a horse to wear a saddle and bridle, and to carry +on his back a man, woman or child; to go just the way they wish, and to +go quietly. Besides this he has to learn to wear a collar, a crupper, +and a breeching, and to stand still while they are put on; then to have +a cart or a chaise fixed behind, so that he cannot walk or trot without +dragging it after him; and he must go fast or slow, just as his driver +wishes. He must never start at what he sees, nor speak to other horses, +nor bite, nor kick, nor have any will of his own; but always do his +master's will, even though he may be very tired or hungry; but the worst +of all is, when his harness is once on, he may neither jump for joy nor +lie down for weariness. So you see this breaking in is a great thing. + +I had of course long been used to a halter and a headstall, and to be +led about in the fields and lanes quietly, but now I was to have a bit +and bridle; my master gave me some oats as usual, and after a good deal +of coaxing he got the bit into my mouth, and the bridle fixed, but it +was a nasty thing! Those who have never had a bit in their mouths cannot +think how bad it feels; a great piece of cold hard steel as thick as +a man's finger to be pushed into one's mouth, between one's teeth, and +over one's tongue, with the ends coming out at the corner of your mouth, +and held fast there by straps over your head, under your throat, round +your nose, and under your chin; so that no way in the world can you get +rid of the nasty hard thing; it is very bad! yes, very bad! at least I +thought so; but I knew my mother always wore one when she went out, and +all horses did when they were grown up; and so, what with the nice oats, +and what with my master's pats, kind words, and gentle ways, I got to +wear my bit and bridle. + +Next came the saddle, but that was not half so bad; my master put it +on my back very gently, while old Daniel held my head; he then made the +girths fast under my body, patting and talking to me all the time; then +I had a few oats, then a little leading about; and this he did every +day till I began to look for the oats and the saddle. At length, one +morning, my master got on my back and rode me round the meadow on the +soft grass. It certainly did feel queer; but I must say I felt rather +proud to carry my master, and as he continued to ride me a little every +day I soon became accustomed to it. + +The next unpleasant business was putting on the iron shoes; that too was +very hard at first. My master went with me to the smith's forge, to see +that I was not hurt or got any fright. The blacksmith took my feet in +his hand, one after the other, and cut away some of the hoof. It did not +pain me, so I stood still on three legs till he had done them all. Then +he took a piece of iron the shape of my foot, and clapped it on, and +drove some nails through the shoe quite into my hoof, so that the shoe +was firmly on. My feet felt very stiff and heavy, but in time I got used +to it. + +And now having got so far, my master went on to break me to harness; +there were more new things to wear. First, a stiff heavy collar just +on my neck, and a bridle with great side-pieces against my eyes called +blinkers, and blinkers indeed they were, for I could not see on either +side, but only straight in front of me; next, there was a small saddle +with a nasty stiff strap that went right under my tail; that was the +crupper. I hated the crupper; to have my long tail doubled up and poked +through that strap was almost as bad as the bit. I never felt more like +kicking, but of course I could not kick such a good master, and so +in time I got used to everything, and could do my work as well as my +mother. + +I must not forget to mention one part of my training, which I have +always considered a very great advantage. My master sent me for a +fortnight to a neighboring farmer's, who had a meadow which was skirted +on one side by the railway. Here were some sheep and cows, and I was +turned in among them. + +I shall never forget the first train that ran by. I was feeding quietly +near the pales which separated the meadow from the railway, when I heard +a strange sound at a distance, and before I knew whence it came--with +a rush and a clatter, and a puffing out of smoke--a long black train of +something flew by, and was gone almost before I could draw my breath. I +turned and galloped to the further side of the meadow as fast as I could +go, and there I stood snorting with astonishment and fear. In the course +of the day many other trains went by, some more slowly; these drew up +at the station close by, and sometimes made an awful shriek and groan +before they stopped. I thought it very dreadful, but the cows went +on eating very quietly, and hardly raised their heads as the black +frightful thing came puffing and grinding past. + +For the first few days I could not feed in peace; but as I found that +this terrible creature never came into the field, or did me any harm, I +began to disregard it, and very soon I cared as little about the passing +of a train as the cows and sheep did. + +Since then I have seen many horses much alarmed and restive at the sight +or sound of a steam engine; but thanks to my good master's care, I am as +fearless at railway stations as in my own stable. + +Now if any one wants to break in a young horse well, that is the way. + +My master often drove me in double harness with my mother, because she +was steady and could teach me how to go better than a strange horse. She +told me the better I behaved the better I should be treated, and that +it was wisest always to do my best to please my master; “but,” said she, +“there are a great many kinds of men; there are good thoughtful men like +our master, that any horse may be proud to serve; and there are bad, +cruel men, who never ought to have a horse or dog to call their own. +Besides, there are a great many foolish men, vain, ignorant, and +careless, who never trouble themselves to think; these spoil more horses +than all, just for want of sense; they don't mean it, but they do it for +all that. I hope you will fall into good hands; but a horse never knows +who may buy him, or who may drive him; it is all a chance for us; but +still I say, do your best wherever it is, and keep up your good name.” + + + + +04 Birtwick Park + + +At this time I used to stand in the stable and my coat was brushed every +day till it shone like a rook's wing. It was early in May, when there +came a man from Squire Gordon's, who took me away to the hall. My master +said, “Good-by, Darkie; be a good horse, and always do your best.” I +could not say “good-by”, so I put my nose into his hand; he patted me +kindly, and I left my first home. As I lived some years with Squire +Gordon, I may as well tell something about the place. + +Squire Gordon's park skirted the village of Birtwick. It was entered by +a large iron gate, at which stood the first lodge, and then you trotted +along on a smooth road between clumps of large old trees; then another +lodge and another gate, which brought you to the house and the gardens. +Beyond this lay the home paddock, the old orchard, and the stables. +There was accommodation for many horses and carriages; but I need only +describe the stable into which I was taken; this was very roomy, with +four good stalls; a large swinging window opened into the yard, which +made it pleasant and airy. + +The first stall was a large square one, shut in behind with a wooden +gate; the others were common stalls, good stalls, but not nearly so +large; it had a low rack for hay and a low manger for corn; it was +called a loose box, because the horse that was put into it was not tied +up, but left loose, to do as he liked. It is a great thing to have a +loose box. + +Into this fine box the groom put me; it was clean, sweet, and airy. I +never was in a better box than that, and the sides were not so high but +that I could see all that went on through the iron rails that were at +the top. + +He gave me some very nice oats, he patted me, spoke kindly, and then +went away. + +When I had eaten my corn I looked round. In the stall next to mine stood +a little fat gray pony, with a thick mane and tail, a very pretty head, +and a pert little nose. + +I put my head up to the iron rails at the top of my box, and said, “How +do you do? What is your name?” + +He turned round as far as his halter would allow, held up his head, +and said, “My name is Merrylegs. I am very handsome; I carry the young +ladies on my back, and sometimes I take our mistress out in the low +chair. They think a great deal of me, and so does James. Are you going +to live next door to me in the box?” + +I said, “Yes.” + +“Well, then,” he said, “I hope you are good-tempered; I do not like any +one next door who bites.” + +Just then a horse's head looked over from the stall beyond; the ears +were laid back, and the eye looked rather ill-tempered. This was a tall +chestnut mare, with a long handsome neck. She looked across to me and +said: + +“So it is you who have turned me out of my box; it is a very strange +thing for a colt like you to come and turn a lady out of her own home.” + +“I beg your pardon,” I said, “I have turned no one out; the man who +brought me put me here, and I had nothing to do with it; and as to my +being a colt, I am turned four years old and am a grown-up horse. I +never had words yet with horse or mare, and it is my wish to live at +peace.” + +“Well,” she said, “we shall see. Of course, I do not want to have words +with a young thing like you.” I said no more. + +In the afternoon, when she went out, Merrylegs told me all about it. + +“The thing is this,” said Merrylegs. “Ginger has a bad habit of biting +and snapping; that is why they call her Ginger, and when she was in the +loose box she used to snap very much. One day she bit James in the arm +and made it bleed, and so Miss Flora and Miss Jessie, who are very fond +of me, were afraid to come into the stable. They used to bring me nice +things to eat, an apple or a carrot, or a piece of bread, but after +Ginger stood in that box they dared not come, and I missed them very +much. I hope they will now come again, if you do not bite or snap.” + +I told him I never bit anything but grass, hay, and corn, and could not +think what pleasure Ginger found it. + +“Well, I don't think she does find pleasure,” says Merrylegs; “it is +just a bad habit; she says no one was ever kind to her, and why should +she not bite? Of course, it is a very bad habit; but I am sure, if all +she says be true, she must have been very ill-used before she came here. +John does all he can to please her, and James does all he can, and our +master never uses a whip if a horse acts right; so I think she might be +good-tempered here. You see,” he said, with a wise look, “I am twelve +years old; I know a great deal, and I can tell you there is not a better +place for a horse all round the country than this. John is the best +groom that ever was; he has been here fourteen years; and you never saw +such a kind boy as James is; so that it is all Ginger's own fault that +she did not stay in that box.” + + + + +05 A Fair Start + + +The name of the coachman was John Manly; he had a wife and one little +child, and they lived in the coachman's cottage, very near the stables. + +The next morning he took me into the yard and gave me a good grooming, +and just as I was going into my box, with my coat soft and bright, the +squire came in to look at me, and seemed pleased. “John,” he said, +“I meant to have tried the new horse this morning, but I have other +business. You may as well take him around after breakfast; go by the +common and the Highwood, and back by the watermill and the river; that +will show his paces.” + +“I will, sir,” said John. After breakfast he came and fitted me with a +bridle. He was very particular in letting out and taking in the straps, +to fit my head comfortably; then he brought a saddle, but it was not +broad enough for my back; he saw it in a minute and went for another, +which fitted nicely. He rode me first slowly, then a trot, then a +canter, and when we were on the common he gave me a light touch with his +whip, and we had a splendid gallop. + +“Ho, ho! my boy,” he said, as he pulled me up, “you would like to follow +the hounds, I think.” + +As we came back through the park we met the Squire and Mrs. Gordon +walking; they stopped, and John jumped off. + +“Well, John, how does he go?” + +“First-rate, sir,” answered John; “he is as fleet as a deer, and has a +fine spirit too; but the lightest touch of the rein will guide him. Down +at the end of the common we met one of those traveling carts hung all +over with baskets, rugs, and such like; you know, sir, many horses will +not pass those carts quietly; he just took a good look at it, and then +went on as quiet and pleasant as could be. They were shooting rabbits +near the Highwood, and a gun went off close by; he pulled up a little +and looked, but did not stir a step to right or left. I just held the +rein steady and did not hurry him, and it's my opinion he has not been +frightened or ill-used while he was young.” + +“That's well,” said the squire, “I will try him myself to-morrow.” + +The next day I was brought up for my master. I remembered my mother's +counsel and my good old master's, and I tried to do exactly what he +wanted me to do. I found he was a very good rider, and thoughtful for +his horse too. When he came home the lady was at the hall door as he +rode up. + +“Well, my dear,” she said, “how do you like him?” + +“He is exactly what John said,” he replied; “a pleasanter creature I +never wish to mount. What shall we call him?” + +“Would you like Ebony?” said she; “he is as black as ebony.” + +“No, not Ebony.” + +“Will you call him Blackbird, like your uncle's old horse?” + +“No, he is far handsomer than old Blackbird ever was.” + +“Yes,” she said, “he is really quite a beauty, and he has such a sweet, +good-tempered face, and such a fine, intelligent eye--what do you say to +calling him Black Beauty?” + +“Black Beauty--why, yes, I think that is a very good name. If you like +it shall be his name;” and so it was. + +When John went into the stable he told James that master and mistress +had chosen a good, sensible English name for me, that meant something; +not like Marengo, or Pegasus, or Abdallah. They both laughed, and James +said, “If it was not for bringing back the past, I should have named him +Rob Roy, for I never saw two horses more alike.” + +“That's no wonder,” said John; “didn't you know that Farmer Grey's old +Duchess was the mother of them both?” + +I had never heard that before; and so poor Rob Roy who was killed +at that hunt was my brother! I did not wonder that my mother was so +troubled. It seems that horses have no relations; at least they never +know each other after they are sold. + +John seemed very proud of me; he used to make my mane and tail almost as +smooth as a lady's hair, and he would talk to me a great deal; of course +I did not understand all he said, but I learned more and more to know +what he meant, and what he wanted me to do. I grew very fond of him, he +was so gentle and kind; he seemed to know just how a horse feels, and +when he cleaned me he knew the tender places and the ticklish places; +when he brushed my head he went as carefully over my eyes as if they +were his own, and never stirred up any ill-temper. + +James Howard, the stable boy, was just as gentle and pleasant in his +way, so I thought myself well off. There was another man who helped in +the yard, but he had very little to do with Ginger and me. + +A few days after this I had to go out with Ginger in the carriage. I +wondered how we should get on together; but except laying her ears +back when I was led up to her, she behaved very well. She did her work +honestly, and did her full share, and I never wish to have a better +partner in double harness. When we came to a hill, instead of slackening +her pace, she would throw her weight right into the collar, and pull +away straight up. We had both the same sort of courage at our work, and +John had oftener to hold us in than to urge us forward; he never had to +use the whip with either of us; then our paces were much the same, and +I found it very easy to keep step with her when trotting, which made it +pleasant, and master always liked it when we kept step well, and so did +John. After we had been out two or three times together we grew quite +friendly and sociable, which made me feel very much at home. + +As for Merrylegs, he and I soon became great friends; he was such a +cheerful, plucky, good-tempered little fellow that he was a favorite +with every one, and especially with Miss Jessie and Flora, who used to +ride him about in the orchard, and have fine games with him and their +little dog Frisky. + +Our master had two other horses that stood in another stable. One was +Justice, a roan cob, used for riding or for the luggage cart; the other +was an old brown hunter, named Sir Oliver; he was past work now, but was +a great favorite with the master, who gave him the run of the park; he +sometimes did a little light carting on the estate, or carried one of +the young ladies when they rode out with their father, for he was very +gentle and could be trusted with a child as well as Merrylegs. The cob +was a strong, well-made, good-tempered horse, and we sometimes had a +little chat in the paddock, but of course I could not be so intimate +with him as with Ginger, who stood in the same stable. + + + + +06 Liberty + + +I was quite happy in my new place, and if there was one thing that I +missed it must not be thought I was discontented; all who had to do with +me were good and I had a light airy stable and the best of food. What +more could I want? Why, liberty! For three years and a half of my life +I had had all the liberty I could wish for; but now, week after week, +month after month, and no doubt year after year, I must stand up in a +stable night and day except when I am wanted, and then I must be just +as steady and quiet as any old horse who has worked twenty years. Straps +here and straps there, a bit in my mouth, and blinkers over my eyes. +Now, I am not complaining, for I know it must be so. I only mean to say +that for a young horse full of strength and spirits, who has been used +to some large field or plain where he can fling up his head and toss up +his tail and gallop away at full speed, then round and back again with +a snort to his companions--I say it is hard never to have a bit more +liberty to do as you like. Sometimes, when I have had less exercise than +usual, I have felt so full of life and spring that when John has taken +me out to exercise I really could not keep quiet; do what I would, it +seemed as if I must jump, or dance, or prance, and many a good shake I +know I must have given him, especially at the first; but he was always +good and patient. + +“Steady, steady, my boy,” he would say; “wait a bit, and we will have a +good swing, and soon get the tickle out of your feet.” Then as soon as +we were out of the village, he would give me a few miles at a spanking +trot, and then bring me back as fresh as before, only clear of the +fidgets, as he called them. Spirited horses, when not enough exercised, +are often called skittish, when it is only play; and some grooms will +punish them, but our John did not; he knew it was only high spirits. +Still, he had his own ways of making me understand by the tone of +his voice or the touch of the rein. If he was very serious and quite +determined, I always knew it by his voice, and that had more power with +me than anything else, for I was very fond of him. + +I ought to say that sometimes we had our liberty for a few hours; this +used to be on fine Sundays in the summer-time. The carriage never went +out on Sundays, because the church was not far off. + +It was a great treat to us to be turned out into the home paddock or +the old orchard; the grass was so cool and soft to our feet, the air so +sweet, and the freedom to do as we liked was so pleasant--to gallop, to +lie down, and roll over on our backs, or to nibble the sweet grass. +Then it was a very good time for talking, as we stood together under the +shade of the large chestnut tree. + + + + +07 Ginger + + +One day when Ginger and I were standing alone in the shade, we had a +great deal of talk; she wanted to know all about my bringing up and +breaking in, and I told her. + +“Well,” said she, “if I had had your bringing up I might have had as +good a temper as you, but now I don't believe I ever shall.” + +“Why not?” I said. + +“Because it has been all so different with me,” she replied. “I never +had any one, horse or man, that was kind to me, or that I cared to +please, for in the first place I was taken from my mother as soon as I +was weaned, and put with a lot of other young colts; none of them cared +for me, and I cared for none of them. There was no kind master like +yours to look after me, and talk to me, and bring me nice things to eat. +The man that had the care of us never gave me a kind word in my life. +I do not mean that he ill-used me, but he did not care for us one +bit further than to see that we had plenty to eat, and shelter in the +winter. A footpath ran through our field, and very often the great boys +passing through would fling stones to make us gallop. I was never hit, +but one fine young colt was badly cut in the face, and I should think +it would be a scar for life. We did not care for them, but of course +it made us more wild, and we settled it in our minds that boys were our +enemies. We had very good fun in the free meadows, galloping up and down +and chasing each other round and round the field; then standing still +under the shade of the trees. But when it came to breaking in, that was +a bad time for me; several men came to catch me, and when at last they +closed me in at one corner of the field, one caught me by the forelock, +another caught me by the nose and held it so tight I could hardly draw +my breath; then another took my under jaw in his hard hand and wrenched +my mouth open, and so by force they got on the halter and the bar into +my mouth; then one dragged me along by the halter, another flogging +behind, and this was the first experience I had of men's kindness; it +was all force. They did not give me a chance to know what they wanted. +I was high bred and had a great deal of spirit, and was very wild, no +doubt, and gave them, I dare say, plenty of trouble, but then it was +dreadful to be shut up in a stall day after day instead of having my +liberty, and I fretted and pined and wanted to get loose. You know +yourself it's bad enough when you have a kind master and plenty of +coaxing, but there was nothing of that sort for me. + +“There was one--the old master, Mr. Ryder--who, I think, could soon have +brought me round, and could have done anything with me; but he had given +up all the hard part of the trade to his son and to another experienced +man, and he only came at times to oversee. His son was a strong, tall, +bold man; they called him Samson, and he used to boast that he had never +found a horse that could throw him. There was no gentleness in him, as +there was in his father, but only hardness, a hard voice, a hard eye, a +hard hand; and I felt from the first that what he wanted was to wear all +the spirit out of me, and just make me into a quiet, humble, obedient +piece of horseflesh. 'Horseflesh'! Yes, that is all that he thought +about,” and Ginger stamped her foot as if the very thought of him made +her angry. Then she went on: + +“If I did not do exactly what he wanted he would get put out, and make +me run round with that long rein in the training field till he had +tired me out. I think he drank a good deal, and I am quite sure that the +oftener he drank the worse it was for me. One day he had worked me hard +in every way he could, and when I lay down I was tired, and miserable, +and angry; it all seemed so hard. The next morning he came for me early, +and ran me round again for a long time. I had scarcely had an hour's +rest, when he came again for me with a saddle and bridle and a new kind +of bit. I could never quite tell how it came about; he had only just +mounted me on the training ground, when something I did put him out +of temper, and he chucked me hard with the rein. The new bit was very +painful, and I reared up suddenly, which angered him still more, and he +began to flog me. I felt my whole spirit set against him, and I began +to kick, and plunge, and rear as I had never done before, and we had a +regular fight; for a long time he stuck to the saddle and punished me +cruelly with his whip and spurs, but my blood was thoroughly up, and I +cared for nothing he could do if only I could get him off. At last after +a terrible struggle I threw him off backward. I heard him fall heavily +on the turf, and without looking behind me, I galloped off to the other +end of the field; there I turned round and saw my persecutor slowly +rising from the ground and going into the stable. I stood under an oak +tree and watched, but no one came to catch me. The time went on, and the +sun was very hot; the flies swarmed round me and settled on my bleeding +flanks where the spurs had dug in. I felt hungry, for I had not eaten +since the early morning, but there was not enough grass in that meadow +for a goose to live on. I wanted to lie down and rest, but with the +saddle strapped tightly on there was no comfort, and there was not a +drop of water to drink. The afternoon wore on, and the sun got low. I +saw the other colts led in, and I knew they were having a good feed. + +“At last, just as the sun went down, I saw the old master come out with +a sieve in his hand. He was a very fine old gentleman with quite white +hair, but his voice was what I should know him by among a thousand. It +was not high, nor yet low, but full, and clear, and kind, and when +he gave orders it was so steady and decided that every one knew, both +horses and men, that he expected to be obeyed. He came quietly along, +now and then shaking the oats about that he had in the sieve, and +speaking cheerfully and gently to me: 'Come along, lassie, come along, +lassie; come along, come along.' I stood still and let him come up; he +held the oats to me, and I began to eat without fear; his voice took all +my fear away. He stood by, patting and stroking me while I was eating, +and seeing the clots of blood on my side he seemed very vexed. 'Poor +lassie! it was a bad business, a bad business;' then he quietly took the +rein and led me to the stable; just at the door stood Samson. I laid my +ears back and snapped at him. 'Stand back,' said the master, 'and keep +out of her way; you've done a bad day's work for this filly.' He growled +out something about a vicious brute. 'Hark ye,' said the father, 'a +bad-tempered man will never make a good-tempered horse. You've not +learned your trade yet, Samson.' Then he led me into my box, took off +the saddle and bridle with his own hands, and tied me up; then he called +for a pail of warm water and a sponge, took off his coat, and while the +stable-man held the pail, he sponged my sides a good while, so tenderly +that I was sure he knew how sore and bruised they were. 'Whoa! my pretty +one,' he said, 'stand still, stand still.' His very voice did me good, +and the bathing was very comfortable. The skin was so broken at the +corners of my mouth that I could not eat the hay, the stalks hurt me. He +looked closely at it, shook his head, and told the man to fetch a good +bran mash and put some meal into it. How good that mash was! and so soft +and healing to my mouth. He stood by all the time I was eating, stroking +me and talking to the man. 'If a high-mettled creature like this,' +said he, 'can't be broken by fair means, she will never be good for +anything.' + +“After that he often came to see me, and when my mouth was healed the +other breaker, Job, they called him, went on training me; he was steady +and thoughtful, and I soon learned what he wanted.” + + + + +08 Ginger's Story Continued + + +The next time that Ginger and I were together in the paddock she told me +about her first place. + +“After my breaking in,” she said, “I was bought by a dealer to match +another chestnut horse. For some weeks he drove us together, and then we +were sold to a fashionable gentleman, and were sent up to London. I had +been driven with a check-rein by the dealer, and I hated it worse +than anything else; but in this place we were reined far tighter, the +coachman and his master thinking we looked more stylish so. We were +often driven about in the park and other fashionable places. You who +never had a check-rein on don't know what it is, but I can tell you it +is dreadful. + +“I like to toss my head about and hold it as high as any horse; but +fancy now yourself, if you tossed your head up high and were obliged to +hold it there, and that for hours together, not able to move it at all, +except with a jerk still higher, your neck aching till you did not know +how to bear it. Besides that, to have two bits instead of one--and mine +was a sharp one, it hurt my tongue and my jaw, and the blood from my +tongue colored the froth that kept flying from my lips as I chafed and +fretted at the bits and rein. It was worst when we had to stand by the +hour waiting for our mistress at some grand party or entertainment, and +if I fretted or stamped with impatience the whip was laid on. It was +enough to drive one mad.” + +“Did not your master take any thought for you?” I said. + +“No,” said she, “he only cared to have a stylish turnout, as they +call it; I think he knew very little about horses; he left that to his +coachman, who told him I had an irritable temper! that I had not been +well broken to the check-rein, but I should soon get used to it; but he +was not the man to do it, for when I was in the stable, miserable and +angry, instead of being smoothed and quieted by kindness, I got only a +surly word or a blow. If he had been civil I would have tried to +bear it. I was willing to work, and ready to work hard too; but to be +tormented for nothing but their fancies angered me. What right had they +to make me suffer like that? Besides the soreness in my mouth, and +the pain in my neck, it always made my windpipe feel bad, and if I had +stopped there long I know it would have spoiled my breathing; but I grew +more and more restless and irritable, I could not help it; and I began +to snap and kick when any one came to harness me; for this the groom +beat me, and one day, as they had just buckled us into the carriage, +and were straining my head up with that rein, I began to plunge and +kick with all my might. I soon broke a lot of harness, and kicked myself +clear; so that was an end of that place. + +“After this I was sent to Tattersall's to be sold; of course I could not +be warranted free from vice, so nothing was said about that. My handsome +appearance and good paces soon brought a gentleman to bid for me, and I +was bought by another dealer; he tried me in all kinds of ways and with +different bits, and he soon found out what I could not bear. At last +he drove me quite without a check-rein, and then sold me as a perfectly +quiet horse to a gentleman in the country; he was a good master, and I +was getting on very well, but his old groom left him and a new one came. +This man was as hard-tempered and hard-handed as Samson; he always spoke +in a rough, impatient voice, and if I did not move in the stall the +moment he wanted me, he would hit me above the hocks with his stable +broom or the fork, whichever he might have in his hand. Everything he +did was rough, and I began to hate him; he wanted to make me afraid +of him, but I was too high-mettled for that, and one day when he had +aggravated me more than usual I bit him, which of course put him in a +great rage, and he began to hit me about the head with a riding whip. +After that he never dared to come into my stall again; either my heels +or my teeth were ready for him, and he knew it. I was quite quiet with +my master, but of course he listened to what the man said, and so I was +sold again. + +“The same dealer heard of me, and said he thought he knew one place +where I should do well. ''Twas a pity,' he said, 'that such a fine horse +should go to the bad, for want of a real good chance,' and the end of it +was that I came here not long before you did; but I had then made up my +mind that men were my natural enemies and that I must defend myself. Of +course it is very different here, but who knows how long it will last? I +wish I could think about things as you do; but I can't, after all I have +gone through.” + +“Well,” I said, “I think it would be a real shame if you were to bite or +kick John or James.” + +“I don't mean to,” she said, “while they are good to me. I did bite +James once pretty sharp, but John said, 'Try her with kindness,' and +instead of punishing me as I expected, James came to me with his arm +bound up, and brought me a bran mash and stroked me; and I have never +snapped at him since, and I won't either.” + +I was sorry for Ginger, but of course I knew very little then, and I +thought most likely she made the worst of it; however, I found that as +the weeks went on she grew much more gentle and cheerful, and had lost +the watchful, defiant look that she used to turn on any strange person +who came near her; and one day James said, “I do believe that mare is +getting fond of me, she quite whinnied after me this morning when I had +been rubbing her forehead.” + +“Ay, ay, Jim, 'tis 'the Birtwick balls',” said John, “she'll be as good +as Black Beauty by and by; kindness is all the physic she wants, poor +thing!” Master noticed the change, too, and one day when he got out of +the carriage and came to speak to us, as he often did, he stroked her +beautiful neck. “Well, my pretty one, well, how do things go with you +now? You are a good bit happier than when you came to us, I think.” + +She put her nose up to him in a friendly, trustful way, while he rubbed +it gently. + +“We shall make a cure of her, John,” he said. + +“Yes, sir, she's wonderfully improved; she's not the same creature that +she was; it's 'the Birtwick balls', sir,” said John, laughing. + +This was a little joke of John's; he used to say that a regular course +of “the Birtwick horseballs” would cure almost any vicious horse; these +balls, he said, were made up of patience and gentleness, firmness and +petting, one pound of each to be mixed up with half a pint of common +sense, and given to the horse every day. + + + + +09 Merrylegs + + +Mr. Blomefield, the vicar, had a large family of boys and girls; +sometimes they used to come and play with Miss Jessie and Flora. One +of the girls was as old as Miss Jessie; two of the boys were older, and +there were several little ones. When they came there was plenty of work +for Merrylegs, for nothing pleased them so much as getting on him by +turns and riding him all about the orchard and the home paddock, and +this they would do by the hour together. + +One afternoon he had been out with them a long time, and when James +brought him in and put on his halter he said: + +“There, you rogue, mind how you behave yourself, or we shall get into +trouble.” + +“What have you been doing, Merrylegs?” I asked. + +“Oh!” said he, tossing his little head, “I have only been giving those +young people a lesson; they did not know when they had had enough, nor +when I had had enough, so I just pitched them off backward; that was the +only thing they could understand.” + +“What!” said I, “you threw the children off? I thought you did know +better than that! Did you throw Miss Jessie or Miss Flora?” + +He looked very much offended, and said: + +“Of course not; I would not do such a thing for the best oats that ever +came into the stable; why, I am as careful of our young ladies as the +master could be, and as for the little ones it is I who teach them to +ride. When they seem frightened or a little unsteady on my back I go as +smooth and as quiet as old pussy when she is after a bird; and when they +are all right I go on again faster, you see, just to use them to it; so +don't you trouble yourself preaching to me; I am the best friend and the +best riding-master those children have. It is not them, it is the boys; +boys,” said he, shaking his mane, “are quite different; they must be +broken in as we were broken in when we were colts, and just be taught +what's what. The other children had ridden me about for nearly two +hours, and then the boys thought it was their turn, and so it was, and +I was quite agreeable. They rode me by turns, and I galloped them about, +up and down the fields and all about the orchard, for a good hour. They +had each cut a great hazel stick for a riding-whip, and laid it on a +little too hard; but I took it in good part, till at last I thought we +had had enough, so I stopped two or three times by way of a hint. +Boys, you see, think a horse or pony is like a steam-engine or a +thrashing-machine, and can go on as long and as fast as they please; +they never think that a pony can get tired, or have any feelings; so as +the one who was whipping me could not understand I just rose up on +my hind legs and let him slip off behind--that was all. He mounted me +again, and I did the same. Then the other boy got up, and as soon as +he began to use his stick I laid him on the grass, and so on, till they +were able to understand--that was all. They are not bad boys; they don't +wish to be cruel. I like them very well; but you see I had to give them +a lesson. When they brought me to James and told him I think he was very +angry to see such big sticks. He said they were only fit for drovers or +gypsies, and not for young gentlemen.” + +“If I had been you,” said Ginger, “I would have given those boys a good +kick, and that would have given them a lesson.” + +“No doubt you would,” said Merrylegs; “but then I am not quite such a +fool (begging your pardon) as to anger our master or make James ashamed +of me. Besides, those children are under my charge when they are riding; +I tell you they are intrusted to me. Why, only the other day I heard our +master say to Mrs. Blomefield, 'My dear madam, you need not be anxious +about the children; my old Merrylegs will take as much care of them as +you or I could; I assure you I would not sell that pony for any money, +he is so perfectly good-tempered and trustworthy;' and do you think I am +such an ungrateful brute as to forget all the kind treatment I have +had here for five years, and all the trust they place in me, and turn +vicious because a couple of ignorant boys used me badly? No, no! you +never had a good place where they were kind to you, and so you don't +know, and I'm sorry for you; but I can tell you good places make good +horses. I wouldn't vex our people for anything; I love them, I do,” said +Merrylegs, and he gave a low “ho, ho, ho!” through his nose, as he used +to do in the morning when he heard James' footstep at the door. + +“Besides,” he went on, “if I took to kicking where should I be? Why, +sold off in a jiffy, and no character, and I might find myself slaved +about under a butcher's boy, or worked to death at some seaside place +where no one cared for me, except to find out how fast I could go, or be +flogged along in some cart with three or four great men in it going out +for a Sunday spree, as I have often seen in the place I lived in before +I came here; no,” said he, shaking his head, “I hope I shall never come +to that.” + + + + +10 A Talk in the Orchard + + +Ginger and I were not of the regular tall carriage horse breed, we had +more of the racing blood in us. We stood about fifteen and a half hands +high; we were therefore just as good for riding as we were for driving, +and our master used to say that he disliked either horse or man that +could do but one thing; and as he did not want to show off in London +parks, he preferred a more active and useful kind of horse. As for us, +our greatest pleasure was when we were saddled for a riding party; the +master on Ginger, the mistress on me, and the young ladies on Sir Oliver +and Merrylegs. It was so cheerful to be trotting and cantering all +together that it always put us in high spirits. I had the best of it, +for I always carried the mistress; her weight was little, her voice was +sweet, and her hand was so light on the rein that I was guided almost +without feeling it. + +Oh! if people knew what a comfort to horses a light hand is, and how it +keeps a good mouth and a good temper, they surely would not chuck, and +drag, and pull at the rein as they often do. Our mouths are so tender +that where they have not been spoiled or hardened with bad or ignorant +treatment, they feel the slightest movement of the driver's hand, and +we know in an instant what is required of us. My mouth has never been +spoiled, and I believe that was why the mistress preferred me to Ginger, +although her paces were certainly quite as good. She used often to envy +me, and said it was all the fault of breaking in, and the gag bit in +London, that her mouth was not so perfect as mine; and then old Sir +Oliver would say, “There, there! don't vex yourself; you have the +greatest honor; a mare that can carry a tall man of our master's weight, +with all your spring and sprightly action, does not need to hold her +head down because she does not carry the lady; we horses must take +things as they come, and always be contented and willing so long as we +are kindly used.” + +I had often wondered how it was that Sir Oliver had such a very short +tail; it really was only six or seven inches long, with a tassel of hair +hanging from it; and on one of our holidays in the orchard I ventured to +ask him by what accident it was that he had lost his tail. “Accident!” + he snorted with a fierce look, “it was no accident! it was a cruel, +shameful, cold-blooded act! When I was young I was taken to a place +where these cruel things were done; I was tied up, and made fast so that +I could not stir, and then they came and cut off my long and beautiful +tail, through the flesh and through the bone, and took it away. + +“How dreadful!” I exclaimed. + +“Dreadful, ah! it was dreadful; but it was not only the pain, though +that was terrible and lasted a long time; it was not only the indignity +of having my best ornament taken from me, though that was bad; but it +was this, how could I ever brush the flies off my sides and my hind legs +any more? You who have tails just whisk the flies off without thinking +about it, and you can't tell what a torment it is to have them settle +upon you and sting and sting, and have nothing in the world to lash them +off with. I tell you it is a lifelong wrong, and a lifelong loss; but +thank heaven, they don't do it now.” + +“What did they do it for then?” said Ginger. + +“For fashion!” said the old horse with a stamp of his foot; “for +fashion! if you know what that means; there was not a well-bred young +horse in my time that had not his tail docked in that shameful way, just +as if the good God that made us did not know what we wanted and what +looked best.” + +“I suppose it is fashion that makes them strap our heads up with those +horrid bits that I was tortured with in London,” said Ginger. + +“Of course it is,” said he; “to my mind, fashion is one of the wickedest +things in the world. Now look, for instance, at the way they serve dogs, +cutting off their tails to make them look plucky, and shearing up their +pretty little ears to a point to make them both look sharp, forsooth. I +had a dear friend once, a brown terrier; 'Skye' they called her. She was +so fond of me that she never would sleep out of my stall; she made +her bed under the manger, and there she had a litter of five as pretty +little puppies as need be; none were drowned, for they were a valuable +kind, and how pleased she was with them! and when they got their eyes +open and crawled about, it was a real pretty sight; but one day the man +came and took them all away; I thought he might be afraid I should tread +upon them. But it was not so; in the evening poor Skye brought them back +again, one by one in her mouth; not the happy little things that they +were, but bleeding and crying pitifully; they had all had a piece of +their tails cut off, and the soft flap of their pretty little ears was +cut quite off. How their mother licked them, and how troubled she was, +poor thing! I never forgot it. They healed in time, and they forgot the +pain, but the nice soft flap, that of course was intended to protect the +delicate part of their ears from dust and injury, was gone forever. Why +don't they cut their own children's ears into points to make them look +sharp? Why don't they cut the end off their noses to make them look +plucky? One would be just as sensible as the other. What right have they +to torment and disfigure God's creatures?” + +Sir Oliver, though he was so gentle, was a fiery old fellow, and what +he said was all so new to me, and so dreadful, that I found a bitter +feeling toward men rise up in my mind that I never had before. Of course +Ginger was very much excited; she flung up her head with flashing +eyes and distended nostrils, declaring that men were both brutes and +blockheads. + +“Who talks about blockheads?” said Merrylegs, who just came up from +the old apple-tree, where he had been rubbing himself against the low +branch. “Who talks about blockheads? I believe that is a bad word.” + +“Bad words were made for bad things,” said Ginger, and she told him what +Sir Oliver had said. + +“It is all true,” said Merrylegs sadly, “and I've seen that about the +dogs over and over again where I lived first; but we won't talk about +it here. You know that master, and John and James are always good to +us, and talking against men in such a place as this doesn't seem fair +or grateful, and you know there are good masters and good grooms beside +ours, though of course ours are the best.” + +This wise speech of good little Merrylegs, which we knew was quite true, +cooled us all down, especially Sir Oliver, who was dearly fond of his +master; and to turn the subject I said, “Can any one tell me the use of +blinkers?” + +“No!” said Sir Oliver shortly, “because they are no use.” + +“They are supposed,” said Justice, the roan cob, in his calm way, “to +prevent horses from shying and starting, and getting so frightened as to +cause accidents.” + +“Then what is the reason they do not put them on riding horses; +especially on ladies' horses?” said I. + +“There is no reason at all,” said he quietly, “except the fashion; they +say that a horse would be so frightened to see the wheels of his own +cart or carriage coming behind him that he would be sure to run away, +although of course when he is ridden he sees them all about him if the +streets are crowded. I admit they do sometimes come too close to be +pleasant, but we don't run away; we are used to it, and understand it, +and if we never had blinkers put on we should never want them; we should +see what was there, and know what was what, and be much less frightened +than by only seeing bits of things that we can't understand. Of course +there may be some nervous horses who have been hurt or frightened when +they were young, who may be the better for them; but as I never was +nervous, I can't judge.” + +“I consider,” said Sir Oliver, “that blinkers are dangerous things in +the night; we horses can see much better in the dark than men can, and +many an accident would never have happened if horses might have had the +full use of their eyes. Some years ago, I remember, there was a hearse +with two horses returning one dark night, and just by Farmer Sparrow's +house, where the pond is close to the road, the wheels went too near the +edge, and the hearse was overturned into the water; both the horses were +drowned, and the driver hardly escaped. Of course after this accident +a stout white rail was put up that might be easily seen, but if those +horses had not been partly blinded, they would of themselves have kept +further from the edge, and no accident would have happened. When our +master's carriage was overturned, before you came here, it was said that +if the lamp on the left side had not gone out, John would have seen the +great hole that the road-makers had left; and so he might, but if old +Colin had not had blinkers on he would have seen it, lamp or no lamp, +for he was far too knowing an old horse to run into danger. As it was, +he was very much hurt, the carriage was broken, and how John escaped +nobody knew.” + +“I should say,” said Ginger, curling her nostril, “that these men, who +are so wise, had better give orders that in the future all foals should +be born with their eyes set just in the middle of their foreheads, +instead of on the side; they always think they can improve upon nature +and mend what God has made.” + +Things were getting rather sore again, when Merrylegs held up his +knowing little face and said, “I'll tell you a secret: I believe John +does not approve of blinkers; I heard him talking with master about it +one day. The master said that 'if horses had been used to them, it might +be dangerous in some cases to leave them off'; and John said he thought +it would be a good thing if all colts were broken in without blinkers, +as was the case in some foreign countries. So let us cheer up, and have +a run to the other end of the orchard; I believe the wind has blown down +some apples, and we might just as well eat them as the slugs.” + +Merrylegs could not be resisted, so we broke off our long conversation, +and got up our spirits by munching some very sweet apples which lay +scattered on the grass. + + + + +11 Plain Speaking + + +The longer I lived at Birtwick the more proud and happy I felt at having +such a place. Our master and mistress were respected and beloved by all +who knew them; they were good and kind to everybody and everything; not +only men and women, but horses and donkeys, dogs and cats, cattle and +birds; there was no oppressed or ill-used creature that had not a friend +in them, and their servants took the same tone. If any of the village +children were known to treat any creature cruelly they soon heard about +it from the Hall. + +The squire and Farmer Grey had worked together, as they said, for more +than twenty years to get check-reins on the cart-horses done away with, +and in our parts you seldom saw them; and sometimes, if mistress met +a heavily laden horse with his head strained up she would stop the +carriage and get out, and reason with the driver in her sweet serious +voice, and try to show him how foolish and cruel it was. + +I don't think any man could withstand our mistress. I wish all ladies +were like her. Our master, too, used to come down very heavy sometimes. +I remember he was riding me toward home one morning when we saw a +powerful man driving toward us in a light pony chaise, with a beautiful +little bay pony, with slender legs and a high-bred sensitive head and +face. Just as he came to the park gates the little thing turned toward +them; the man, without word or warning, wrenched the creature's head +round with such a force and suddenness that he nearly threw it on its +haunches. Recovering itself it was going on, when he began to lash it +furiously. The pony plunged forward, but the strong, heavy hand held the +pretty creature back with force almost enough to break its jaw, while +the whip still cut into him. It was a dreadful sight to me, for I knew +what fearful pain it gave that delicate little mouth; but master gave me +the word, and we were up with him in a second. + +“Sawyer,” he cried in a stern voice, “is that pony made of flesh and +blood?” + +“Flesh and blood and temper,” he said; “he's too fond of his own will, +and that won't suit me.” He spoke as if he was in a strong passion. He +was a builder who had often been to the park on business. + +“And do you think,” said master sternly, “that treatment like this will +make him fond of your will?” + +“He had no business to make that turn; his road was straight on!” said +the man roughly. + +“You have often driven that pony up to my place,” said master; “it only +shows the creature's memory and intelligence; how did he know that you +were not going there again? But that has little to do with it. I must +say, Mr. Sawyer, that a more unmanly, brutal treatment of a little +pony it was never my painful lot to witness, and by giving way to such +passion you injure your own character as much, nay more, than you injure +your horse; and remember, we shall all have to be judged according to +our works, whether they be toward man or toward beast.” + +Master rode me home slowly, and I could tell by his voice how the thing +had grieved him. He was just as free to speak to gentlemen of his own +rank as to those below him; for another day, when we were out, we met +a Captain Langley, a friend of our master's; he was driving a splendid +pair of grays in a kind of break. After a little conversation the +captain said: + +“What do you think of my new team, Mr. Douglas? You know, you are the +judge of horses in these parts, and I should like your opinion.” + +The master backed me a little, so as to get a good view of them. “They +are an uncommonly handsome pair,” he said, “and if they are as good as +they look I am sure you need not wish for anything better; but I see +you still hold that pet scheme of yours for worrying your horses and +lessening their power.” + +“What do you mean,” said the other, “the check-reins? Oh, ah! I know +that's a hobby of yours; well, the fact is, I like to see my horses hold +their heads up.” + +“So do I,” said master, “as well as any man, but I don't like to +see them held up; that takes all the shine out of it. Now, you are a +military man, Langley, and no doubt like to see your regiment look well +on parade, 'heads up', and all that; but you would not take much credit +for your drill if all your men had their heads tied to a backboard! It +might not be much harm on parade, except to worry and fatigue them; but +how would it be in a bayonet charge against the enemy, when they want +the free use of every muscle, and all their strength thrown forward? I +would not give much for their chance of victory. And it is just the same +with horses: you fret and worry their tempers, and decrease their power; +you will not let them throw their weight against their work, and so +they have to do too much with their joints and muscles, and of course +it wears them up faster. You may depend upon it, horses were intended +to have their heads free, as free as men's are; and if we could act a +little more according to common sense, and a good deal less according +to fashion, we should find many things work easier; besides, you know as +well as I that if a horse makes a false step, he has much less chance +of recovering himself if his head and neck are fastened back. And now,” + said the master, laughing, “I have given my hobby a good trot out, can't +you make up your mind to mount him, too, captain? Your example would go +a long way.” + +“I believe you are right in theory,” said the other, “and that's rather +a hard hit about the soldiers; but--well--I'll think about it,” and so +they parted. + + + + +12 A Stormy Day + + +One day late in the autumn my master had a long journey to go on +business. I was put into the dog-cart, and John went with his master. I +always liked to go in the dog-cart, it was so light and the high wheels +ran along so pleasantly. There had been a great deal of rain, and now +the wind was very high and blew the dry leaves across the road in a +shower. We went along merrily till we came to the toll-bar and the low +wooden bridge. The river banks were rather high, and the bridge, instead +of rising, went across just level, so that in the middle, if the river +was full, the water would be nearly up to the woodwork and planks; but +as there were good substantial rails on each side, people did not mind +it. + +The man at the gate said the river was rising fast, and he feared it +would be a bad night. Many of the meadows were under water, and in one +low part of the road the water was halfway up to my knees; the bottom +was good, and master drove gently, so it was no matter. + +When we got to the town of course I had a good bait, but as the master's +business engaged him a long time we did not start for home till rather +late in the afternoon. The wind was then much higher, and I heard the +master say to John that he had never been out in such a storm; and so I +thought, as we went along the skirts of a wood, where the great branches +were swaying about like twigs, and the rushing sound was terrible. + +“I wish we were well out of this wood,” said my master. + +“Yes, sir,” said John, “it would be rather awkward if one of these +branches came down upon us.” + +The words were scarcely out of his mouth when there was a groan, and a +crack, and a splitting sound, and tearing, crashing down among the other +trees came an oak, torn up by the roots, and it fell right across the +road just before us. I will never say I was not frightened, for I was. I +stopped still, and I believe I trembled; of course I did not turn round +or run away; I was not brought up to that. John jumped out and was in a +moment at my head. + +“That was a very near touch,” said my master. “What's to be done now?” + +“Well, sir, we can't drive over that tree, nor yet get round it; there +will be nothing for it, but to go back to the four crossways, and that +will be a good six miles before we get round to the wooden bridge again; +it will make us late, but the horse is fresh.” + +So back we went and round by the crossroads, but by the time we got to +the bridge it was very nearly dark; we could just see that the water was +over the middle of it; but as that happened sometimes when the floods +were out, master did not stop. We were going along at a good pace, but +the moment my feet touched the first part of the bridge I felt sure +there was something wrong. I dare not go forward, and I made a dead +stop. “Go on, Beauty,” said my master, and he gave me a touch with the +whip, but I dare not stir; he gave me a sharp cut; I jumped, but I dare +not go forward. + +“There's something wrong, sir,” said John, and he sprang out of the +dog-cart and came to my head and looked all about. He tried to lead me +forward. “Come on, Beauty, what's the matter?” Of course I could not +tell him, but I knew very well that the bridge was not safe. + +Just then the man at the toll-gate on the other side ran out of the +house, tossing a torch about like one mad. + +“Hoy, hoy, hoy! halloo! stop!” he cried. + +“What's the matter?” shouted my master. + +“The bridge is broken in the middle, and part of it is carried away; if +you come on you'll be into the river.” + +“Thank God!” said my master. “You Beauty!” said John, and took the +bridle and gently turned me round to the right-hand road by the river +side. The sun had set some time; the wind seemed to have lulled off +after that furious blast which tore up the tree. It grew darker and +darker, stiller and stiller. I trotted quietly along, the wheels hardly +making a sound on the soft road. For a good while neither master nor +John spoke, and then master began in a serious voice. I could not +understand much of what they said, but I found they thought, if I had +gone on as the master wanted me, most likely the bridge would have given +way under us, and horse, chaise, master, and man would have fallen into +the river; and as the current was flowing very strongly, and there was +no light and no help at hand, it was more than likely we should all have +been drowned. Master said, God had given men reason, by which they could +find out things for themselves; but he had given animals knowledge which +did not depend on reason, and which was much more prompt and perfect in +its way, and by which they had often saved the lives of men. John had +many stories to tell of dogs and horses, and the wonderful things they +had done; he thought people did not value their animals half enough nor +make friends of them as they ought to do. I am sure he makes friends of +them if ever a man did. + +At last we came to the park gates and found the gardener looking out for +us. He said that mistress had been in a dreadful way ever since dark, +fearing some accident had happened, and that she had sent James off on +Justice, the roan cob, toward the wooden bridge to make inquiry after +us. + +We saw a light at the hall-door and at the upper windows, and as we came +up mistress ran out, saying, “Are you really safe, my dear? Oh! I +have been so anxious, fancying all sorts of things. Have you had no +accident?” + +“No, my dear; but if your Black Beauty had not been wiser than we were +we should all have been carried down the river at the wooden bridge.” + I heard no more, as they went into the house, and John took me to the +stable. Oh, what a good supper he gave me that night, a good bran mash +and some crushed beans with my oats, and such a thick bed of straw! and +I was glad of it, for I was tired. + + + + +13 The Devil's Trade Mark + + +One day when John and I had been out on some business of our master's, +and were returning gently on a long, straight road, at some distance we +saw a boy trying to leap a pony over a gate; the pony would not take the +leap, and the boy cut him with the whip, but he only turned off on one +side. He whipped him again, but the pony turned off on the other side. +Then the boy got off and gave him a hard thrashing, and knocked him +about the head; then he got up again and tried to make him leap the +gate, kicking him all the time shamefully, but still the pony refused. +When we were nearly at the spot the pony put down his head and threw up +his heels, and sent the boy neatly over into a broad quickset hedge, and +with the rein dangling from his head he set off home at a full gallop. +John laughed out quite loud. “Served him right,” he said. + +“Oh, oh, oh!” cried the boy as he struggled about among the thorns; “I +say, come and help me out.” + +“Thank ye,” said John, “I think you are quite in the right place, and +maybe a little scratching will teach you not to leap a pony over a gate +that is too high for him,” and so with that John rode off. “It may be,” + said he to himself, “that young fellow is a liar as well as a cruel one; +we'll just go home by Farmer Bushby's, Beauty, and then if anybody wants +to know you and I can tell 'em, ye see.” So we turned off to the right, +and soon came up to the stack-yard, and within sight of the house. The +farmer was hurrying out into the road, and his wife was standing at the +gate, looking very frightened. + +“Have you seen my boy?” said Mr. Bushby as we came up; “he went out an +hour ago on my black pony, and the creature is just come back without a +rider.” + +“I should think, sir,” said John, “he had better be without a rider, +unless he can be ridden properly.” + +“What do you mean?” said the farmer. + +“Well, sir, I saw your son whipping, and kicking, and knocking that good +little pony about shamefully because he would not leap a gate that was +too high for him. The pony behaved well, sir, and showed no vice; but at +last he just threw up his heels and tipped the young gentleman into the +thorn hedge. He wanted me to help him out, but I hope you will excuse +me, sir, I did not feel inclined to do so. There's no bones broken, sir; +he'll only get a few scratches. I love horses, and it riles me to see +them badly used; it is a bad plan to aggravate an animal till he uses +his heels; the first time is not always the last.” + +During this time the mother began to cry, “Oh, my poor Bill, I must go +and meet him; he must be hurt.” + +“You had better go into the house, wife,” said the farmer; “Bill wants a +lesson about this, and I must see that he gets it; this is not the first +time, nor the second, that he has ill-used that pony, and I shall stop +it. I am much obliged to you, Manly. Good-evening.” + +So we went on, John chuckling all the way home; then he told James about +it, who laughed and said, “Serve him right. I knew that boy at school; +he took great airs on himself because he was a farmer's son; he used to +swagger about and bully the little boys. Of course, we elder ones would +not have any of that nonsense, and let him know that in the school and +the playground farmers' sons and laborers' sons were all alike. I well +remember one day, just before afternoon school, I found him at the large +window catching flies and pulling off their wings. He did not see me and +I gave him a box on the ears that laid him sprawling on the floor. Well, +angry as I was, I was almost frightened, he roared and bellowed in such +a style. The boys rushed in from the playground, and the master ran in +from the road to see who was being murdered. Of course I said fair and +square at once what I had done, and why; then I showed the master the +flies, some crushed and some crawling about helpless, and I showed him +the wings on the window sill. I never saw him so angry before; but as +Bill was still howling and whining, like the coward that he was, he did +not give him any more punishment of that kind, but set him up on a stool +for the rest of the afternoon, and said that he should not go out to +play for that week. Then he talked to all the boys very seriously about +cruelty, and said how hard-hearted and cowardly it was to hurt the +weak and the helpless; but what stuck in my mind was this, he said that +cruelty was the devil's own trade-mark, and if we saw any one who took +pleasure in cruelty we might know who he belonged to, for the devil was +a murderer from the beginning, and a tormentor to the end. On the other +hand, where we saw people who loved their neighbors, and were kind to +man and beast, we might know that was God's mark.” + +“Your master never taught you a truer thing,” said John; “there is no +religion without love, and people may talk as much as they like about +their religion, but if it does not teach them to be good and kind to man +and beast it is all a sham--all a sham, James, and it won't stand when +things come to be turned inside out.” + + + + +14 James Howard + + +Early one morning in December John had just led me into my box after my +daily exercise, and was strapping my cloth on and James was coming in +from the corn chamber with some oats, when the master came into the +stable. He looked rather serious, and held an open letter in his hand. +John fastened the door of my box, touched his cap, and waited for +orders. + +“Good-morning, John,” said the master. “I want to know if you have any +complaint to make of James.” + +“Complaint, sir? No, sir.” + +“Is he industrious at his work and respectful to you?” + +“Yes, sir, always.” + +“You never find he slights his work when your back is turned?” + +“Never, sir.” + +“That's well; but I must put another question. Have you no reason to +suspect, when he goes out with the horses to exercise them or to take a +message, that he stops about talking to his acquaintances, or goes into +houses where he has no business, leaving the horses outside?” + +“No, sir, certainly not; and if anybody has been saying that about +James, I don't believe it, and I don't mean to believe it unless I have +it fairly proved before witnesses; it's not for me to say who has been +trying to take away James' character, but I will say this, sir, that a +steadier, pleasanter, honester, smarter young fellow I never had in this +stable. I can trust his word and I can trust his work; he is gentle and +clever with the horses, and I would rather have them in charge with him +than with half the young fellows I know of in laced hats and liveries; +and whoever wants a character of James Howard,” said John, with a +decided jerk of his head, “let them come to John Manly.” + +The master stood all this time grave and attentive, but as John finished +his speech a broad smile spread over his face, and looking kindly +across at James, who all this time had stood still at the door, he said, +“James, my lad, set down the oats and come here; I am very glad to find +that John's opinion of your character agrees so exactly with my own. +John is a cautious man,” he said, with a droll smile, “and it is not +always easy to get his opinion about people, so I thought if I beat the +bush on this side the birds would fly out, and I should learn what I +wanted to know quickly; so now we will come to business. I have a letter +from my brother-in-law, Sir Clifford Williams, of Clifford Hall. +He wants me to find him a trustworthy young groom, about twenty or +twenty-one, who knows his business. His old coachman, who has lived with +him thirty years, is getting feeble, and he wants a man to work with him +and get into his ways, who would be able, when the old man was pensioned +off, to step into his place. He would have eighteen shillings a week at +first, a stable suit, a driving suit, a bedroom over the coachhouse, and +a boy under him. Sir Clifford is a good master, and if you could get the +place it would be a good start for you. I don't want to part with you, +and if you left us I know John would lose his right hand.” + +“That I should, sir,” said John, “but I would not stand in his light for +the world.” + +“How old are you, James?” said master. + +“Nineteen next May, sir.” + +“That's young; what do you think, John?” + +“Well, sir, it is young; but he is as steady as a man, and is strong, +and well grown, and though he has not had much experience in driving, he +has a light firm hand and a quick eye, and he is very careful, and I am +quite sure no horse of his will be ruined for want of having his feet +and shoes looked after.” + +“Your word will go the furthest, John,” said the master, “for Sir +Clifford adds in a postscript, 'If I could find a man trained by your +John I should like him better than any other;' so, James, lad, think it +over, talk to your mother at dinner-time, and then let me know what you +wish.” + +In a few days after this conversation it was fully settled that James +should go to Clifford Hall, in a month or six weeks, as it suited his +master, and in the meantime he was to get all the practice in driving +that could be given to him. I never knew the carriage to go out so often +before; when the mistress did not go out the master drove himself in the +two-wheeled chaise; but now, whether it was master or the young ladies, +or only an errand, Ginger and I were put in the carriage and James drove +us. At the first John rode with him on the box, telling him this and +that, and after that James drove alone. + +Then it was wonderful what a number of places the master would go to in +the city on Saturday, and what queer streets we were driven through. He +was sure to go to the railway station just as the train was coming in, +and cabs and carriages, carts and omnibuses were all trying to get over +the bridge together; that bridge wanted good horses and good drivers +when the railway bell was ringing, for it was narrow, and there was a +very sharp turn up to the station, where it would not have been at all +difficult for people to run into each other, if they did not look sharp +and keep their wits about them. + + + + +15 The Old Hostler + + +After this it was decided by my master and mistress to pay a visit to +some friends who lived about forty-six miles from our home, and James +was to drive them. The first day we traveled thirty-two miles. +There were some long, heavy hills, but James drove so carefully and +thoughtfully that we were not at all harassed. He never forgot to put on +the brake as we went downhill, nor to take it off at the right place. He +kept our feet on the smoothest part of the road, and if the uphill was +very long, he set the carriage wheels a little across the road, so as +not to run back, and gave us a breathing. All these little things help a +horse very much, particularly if he gets kind words into the bargain. + +We stopped once or twice on the road, and just as the sun was going down +we reached the town where we were to spend the night. We stopped at the +principal hotel, which was in the market-place; it was a very large one; +we drove under an archway into a long yard, at the further end of which +were the stables and coachhouses. Two hostlers came to take us out. The +head hostler was a pleasant, active little man, with a crooked leg, +and a yellow striped waistcoat. I never saw a man unbuckle harness so +quickly as he did, and with a pat and a good word he led me to a long +stable, with six or eight stalls in it, and two or three horses. The +other man brought Ginger; James stood by while we were rubbed down and +cleaned. + +I never was cleaned so lightly and quickly as by that little old man. +When he had done James stepped up and felt me over, as if he thought I +could not be thoroughly done, but he found my coat as clean and smooth +as silk. + +“Well,” he said, “I thought I was pretty quick, and our John quicker +still, but you do beat all I ever saw for being quick and thorough at +the same time.” + +“Practice makes perfect,” said the crooked little hostler, “and 'twould +be a pity if it didn't; forty years' practice, and not perfect! ha, ha! +that would be a pity; and as to being quick, why, bless you! that is +only a matter of habit; if you get into the habit of being quick it is +just as easy as being slow; easier, I should say; in fact it don't agree +with my health to be hulking about over a job twice as long as it need +take. Bless you! I couldn't whistle if I crawled over my work as some +folks do! You see, I have been about horses ever since I was twelve +years old, in hunting stables, and racing stables; and being small, ye +see, I was jockey for several years; but at the Goodwood, ye see, the +turf was very slippery and my poor Larkspur got a fall, and I broke my +knee, and so of course I was of no more use there. But I could not live +without horses, of course I couldn't, so I took to the hotels. And I +can tell ye it is a downright pleasure to handle an animal like this, +well-bred, well-mannered, well-cared-for; bless ye! I can tell how a +horse is treated. Give me the handling of a horse for twenty minutes, +and I'll tell you what sort of a groom he has had. Look at this one, +pleasant, quiet, turns about just as you want him, holds up his feet to +be cleaned out, or anything else you please to wish; then you'll find +another fidgety, fretty, won't move the right way, or starts across the +stall, tosses up his head as soon as you come near him, lays his ears, +and seems afraid of you; or else squares about at you with his heels. +Poor things! I know what sort of treatment they have had. If they are +timid it makes them start or shy; if they are high-mettled it makes them +vicious or dangerous; their tempers are mostly made when they are young. +Bless you! they are like children, train 'em up in the way they should +go, as the good book says, and when they are old they will not depart +from it, if they have a chance.” + +“I like to hear you talk,” said James, “that's the way we lay it down at +home, at our master's.” + +“Who is your master, young man? if it be a proper question. I should +judge he is a good one, from what I see.” + +“He is Squire Gordon, of Birtwick Park, the other side the Beacon +Hills,” said James. + +“Ah! so, so, I have heard tell of him; fine judge of horses, ain't he? +the best rider in the county.” + +“I believe he is,” said James, “but he rides very little now, since the +poor young master was killed.” + +“Ah! poor gentleman; I read all about it in the paper at the time. A +fine horse killed, too, wasn't there?” + +“Yes,” said James; “he was a splendid creature, brother to this one, and +just like him.” + +“Pity! pity!” said the old man; “'twas a bad place to leap, if I +remember; a thin fence at top, a steep bank down to the stream, wasn't +it? No chance for a horse to see where he is going. Now, I am for bold +riding as much as any man, but still there are some leaps that only +a very knowing old huntsman has any right to take. A man's life and a +horse's life are worth more than a fox's tail; at least, I should say +they ought to be.” + +During this time the other man had finished Ginger and had brought our +corn, and James and the old man left the stable together. + + + + +16 The Fire + + +Later on in the evening a traveler's horse was brought in by the second +hostler, and while he was cleaning him a young man with a pipe in his +mouth lounged into the stable to gossip. + +“I say, Towler,” said the hostler, “just run up the ladder into the loft +and put some hay down into this horse's rack, will you? only lay down +your pipe.” + +“All right,” said the other, and went up through the trapdoor; and I +heard him step across the floor overhead and put down the hay. James +came in to look at us the last thing, and then the door was locked. + +I cannot say how long I had slept, nor what time in the night it was, +but I woke up very uncomfortable, though I hardly knew why. I got up; +the air seemed all thick and choking. I heard Ginger coughing and one +of the other horses seemed very restless; it was quite dark, and I could +see nothing, but the stable seemed full of smoke, and I hardly knew how +to breathe. + +The trapdoor had been left open, and I thought that was the place it +came through. I listened, and heard a soft rushing sort of noise and a +low crackling and snapping. I did not know what it was, but there was +something in the sound so strange that it made me tremble all over. The +other horses were all awake; some were pulling at their halters, others +stamping. + +At last I heard steps outside, and the hostler who had put up the +traveler's horse burst into the stable with a lantern, and began to +untie the horses, and try to lead them out; but he seemed in such a +hurry and so frightened himself that he frightened me still more. The +first horse would not go with him; he tried the second and third, and +they too would not stir. He came to me next and tried to drag me out of +the stall by force; of course that was no use. He tried us all by turns +and then left the stable. + +No doubt we were very foolish, but danger seemed to be all round, and +there was nobody we knew to trust in, and all was strange and uncertain. +The fresh air that had come in through the open door made it easier to +breathe, but the rushing sound overhead grew louder, and as I looked +upward through the bars of my empty rack I saw a red light flickering +on the wall. Then I heard a cry of “Fire!” outside, and the old hostler +quietly and quickly came in; he got one horse out, and went to another, +but the flames were playing round the trapdoor, and the roaring overhead +was dreadful. + +The next thing I heard was James' voice, quiet and cheery, as it always +was. + +“Come, my beauties, it is time for us to be off, so wake up and come +along.” I stood nearest the door, so he came to me first, patting me as +he came in. + +“Come, Beauty, on with your bridle, my boy, we'll soon be out of this +smother.” It was on in no time; then he took the scarf off his neck, and +tied it lightly over my eyes, and patting and coaxing he led me out +of the stable. Safe in the yard, he slipped the scarf off my eyes, and +shouted, “Here somebody! take this horse while I go back for the other.” + +A tall, broad man stepped forward and took me, and James darted back +into the stable. I set up a shrill whinny as I saw him go. Ginger told +me afterward that whinny was the best thing I could have done for her, +for had she not heard me outside she would never have had courage to +come out. + +There was much confusion in the yard; the horses being got out of other +stables, and the carriages and gigs being pulled out of houses and +sheds, lest the flames should spread further. On the other side the yard +windows were thrown up, and people were shouting all sorts of things; +but I kept my eye fixed on the stable door, where the smoke poured out +thicker than ever, and I could see flashes of red light; presently I +heard above all the stir and din a loud, clear voice, which I knew was +master's: + +“James Howard! James Howard! Are you there?” There was no answer, but I +heard a crash of something falling in the stable, and the next moment +I gave a loud, joyful neigh, for I saw James coming through the smoke +leading Ginger with him; she was coughing violently, and he was not able +to speak. + +“My brave lad!” said master, laying his hand on his shoulder, “are you +hurt?” + +James shook his head, for he could not yet speak. + +“Ay,” said the big man who held me; “he is a brave lad, and no mistake.” + +“And now,” said master, “when you have got your breath, James, we'll get +out of this place as quickly as we can,” and we were moving toward the +entry, when from the market-place there came a sound of galloping feet +and loud rumbling wheels. + +“'Tis the fire-engine! the fire-engine!” shouted two or three voices, +“stand back, make way!” and clattering and thundering over the stones +two horses dashed into the yard with a heavy engine behind them. The +firemen leaped to the ground; there was no need to ask where the fire +was--it was rolling up in a great blaze from the roof. + +We got out as fast as we could into the broad quiet market-place; the +stars were shining, and except the noise behind us, all was still. +Master led the way to a large hotel on the other side, and as soon as +the hostler came, he said, “James, I must now hasten to your mistress; +I trust the horses entirely to you, order whatever you think is needed,” + and with that he was gone. The master did not run, but I never saw +mortal man walk so fast as he did that night. + +There was a dreadful sound before we got into our stalls--the shrieks of +those poor horses that were left burning to death in the stable--it was +very terrible! and made both Ginger and me feel very bad. We, however, +were taken in and well done by. + +The next morning the master came to see how we were and to speak to +James. I did not hear much, for the hostler was rubbing me down, but +I could see that James looked very happy, and I thought the master was +proud of him. Our mistress had been so much alarmed in the night that +the journey was put off till the afternoon, so James had the morning +on hand, and went first to the inn to see about our harness and the +carriage, and then to hear more about the fire. When he came back we +heard him tell the hostler about it. At first no one could guess how the +fire had been caused, but at last a man said he saw Dick Towler go into +the stable with a pipe in his mouth, and when he came out he had not +one, and went to the tap for another. Then the under hostler said he had +asked Dick to go up the ladder to put down some hay, but told him to lay +down his pipe first. Dick denied taking the pipe with him, but no one +believed him. I remember our John Manly's rule, never to allow a pipe in +the stable, and thought it ought to be the rule everywhere. + +James said the roof and floor had all fallen in, and that only the black +walls were standing; the two poor horses that could not be got out were +buried under the burnt rafters and tiles. + + + + +17 John Manly's Talk + + +The rest of our journey was very easy, and a little after sunset we +reached the house of my master's friend. We were taken into a clean, +snug stable; there was a kind coachman, who made us very comfortable, +and who seemed to think a good deal of James when he heard about the +fire. + +“There is one thing quite clear, young man,” he said, “your horses know +who they can trust; it is one of the hardest things in the world to get +horses out of a stable when there is either fire or flood. I don't know +why they won't come out, but they won't--not one in twenty.” + +We stopped two or three days at this place and then returned home. All +went well on the journey; we were glad to be in our own stable again, +and John was equally glad to see us. + +Before he and James left us for the night James said, “I wonder who is +coming in my place.” + +“Little Joe Green at the lodge,” said John. + +“Little Joe Green! why, he's a child!” + +“He is fourteen and a half,” said John. + +“But he is such a little chap!” + +“Yes, he is small, but he is quick and willing, and kind-hearted, too, +and then he wishes very much to come, and his father would like it; +and I know the master would like to give him the chance. He said if I +thought he would not do he would look out for a bigger boy; but I said I +was quite agreeable to try him for six weeks.” + +“Six weeks!” said James; “why, it will be six months before he can be of +much use! It will make you a deal of work, John.” + +“Well,” said John with a laugh, “work and I are very good friends; I +never was afraid of work yet.” + +“You are a very good man,” said James. “I wish I may ever be like you.” + +“I don't often speak of myself,” said John, “but as you are going away +from us out into the world to shift for yourself I'll just tell you how +I look on these things. I was just as old as Joseph when my father and +mother died of the fever within ten days of each other, and left me and +my cripple sister Nelly alone in the world, without a relation that we +could look to for help. I was a farmer's boy, not earning enough to keep +myself, much less both of us, and she must have gone to the workhouse +but for our mistress (Nelly calls her her angel, and she has good right +to do so). She went and hired a room for her with old Widow Mallet, and +she gave her knitting and needlework when she was able to do it; and +when she was ill she sent her dinners and many nice, comfortable things, +and was like a mother to her. Then the master he took me into the stable +under old Norman, the coachman that was then. I had my food at the house +and my bed in the loft, and a suit of clothes, and three shillings a +week, so that I could help Nelly. Then there was Norman; he might have +turned round and said at his age he could not be troubled with a raw boy +from the plow-tail, but he was like a father to me, and took no end of +pains with me. When the old man died some years after I stepped into his +place, and now of course I have top wages, and can lay by for a rainy +day or a sunny day, as it may happen, and Nelly is as happy as a bird. +So you see, James, I am not the man that should turn up his nose at a +little boy and vex a good, kind master. No, no! I shall miss you very +much, James, but we shall pull through, and there's nothing like doing a +kindness when 'tis put in your way, and I am glad I can do it.” + +“Then,” said James, “you don't hold with that saying, 'Everybody look +after himself, and take care of number one'?” + +“No, indeed,” said John, “where should I and Nelly have been if master +and mistress and old Norman had only taken care of number one? Why, +she in the workhouse and I hoeing turnips! Where would Black Beauty and +Ginger have been if you had only thought of number one? why, roasted to +death! No, Jim, no! that is a selfish, heathenish saying, whoever uses +it; and any man who thinks he has nothing to do but take care of number +one, why, it's a pity but what he had been drowned like a puppy or a +kitten, before he got his eyes open; that's what I think,” said John, +with a very decided jerk of his head. + +James laughed at this; but there was a thickness in his voice when he +said, “You have been my best friend except my mother; I hope you won't +forget me.” + +“No, lad, no!” said John, “and if ever I can do you a good turn I hope +you won't forget me.” + +The next day Joe came to the stables to learn all he could before James +left. He learned to sweep the stable, to bring in the straw and hay; he +began to clean the harness, and helped to wash the carriage. As he was +quite too short to do anything in the way of grooming Ginger and me, +James taught him upon Merrylegs, for he was to have full charge of +him, under John. He was a nice little bright fellow, and always came +whistling to his work. + +Merrylegs was a good deal put out at being “mauled about,” as he said, +“by a boy who knew nothing;” but toward the end of the second week he +told me confidentially that he thought the boy would turn out well. + +At last the day came when James had to leave us; cheerful as he always +was, he looked quite down-hearted that morning. + +“You see,” he said to John, “I am leaving a great deal behind; my mother +and Betsy, and you, and a good master and mistress, and then the horses, +and my old Merrylegs. At the new place there will not be a soul that I +shall know. If it were not that I shall get a higher place, and be able +to help my mother better, I don't think I should have made up my mind to +it; it is a real pinch, John.” + +“Ay, James, lad, so it is; but I should not think much of you if you +could leave your home for the first time and not feel it. Cheer up, +you'll make friends there; and if you get on well, as I am sure you +will, it will be a fine thing for your mother, and she will be proud +enough that you have got into such a good place as that.” + +So John cheered him up, but every one was sorry to lose James; as for +Merrylegs, he pined after him for several days, and went quite off his +appetite. So John took him out several mornings with a leading rein, +when he exercised me, and, trotting and galloping by my side, got up the +little fellow's spirits again, and he was soon all right. + +Joe's father would often come in and give a little help, as he +understood the work; and Joe took a great deal of pains to learn, and +John was quite encouraged about him. + + + + +18 Going for the Doctor + + +One night, a few days after James had left, I had eaten my hay and was +lying down in my straw fast asleep, when I was suddenly roused by the +stable bell ringing very loud. I heard the door of John's house open, +and his feet running up to the hall. He was back again in no time; he +unlocked the stable door, and came in, calling out, “Wake up, Beauty! +You must go well now, if ever you did;” and almost before I could think +he had got the saddle on my back and the bridle on my head. He just +ran round for his coat, and then took me at a quick trot up to the hall +door. The squire stood there, with a lamp in his hand. + +“Now, John,” he said, “ride for your life--that is, for your mistress' +life; there is not a moment to lose. Give this note to Dr. White; give +your horse a rest at the inn, and be back as soon as you can.” + +John said, “Yes, sir,” and was on my back in a minute. The gardener who +lived at the lodge had heard the bell ring, and was ready with the gate +open, and away we went through the park, and through the village, and +down the hill till we came to the toll-gate. John called very loud and +thumped upon the door; the man was soon out and flung open the gate. + +“Now,” said John, “do you keep the gate open for the doctor; here's the +money,” and off he went again. + +There was before us a long piece of level road by the river side; John +said to me, “Now, Beauty, do your best,” and so I did; I wanted no whip +nor spur, and for two miles I galloped as fast as I could lay my feet to +the ground; I don't believe that my old grandfather, who won the race +at Newmarket, could have gone faster. When we came to the bridge John +pulled me up a little and patted my neck. “Well done, Beauty! good old +fellow,” he said. He would have let me go slower, but my spirit was up, +and I was off again as fast as before. The air was frosty, the moon was +bright; it was very pleasant. We came through a village, then through +a dark wood, then uphill, then downhill, till after eight miles' run we +came to the town, through the streets and into the market-place. It was +all quite still except the clatter of my feet on the stones--everybody +was asleep. The church clock struck three as we drew up at Dr. White's +door. John rang the bell twice, and then knocked at the door like +thunder. A window was thrown up, and Dr. White, in his nightcap, put his +head out and said, “What do you want?” + +“Mrs. Gordon is very ill, sir; master wants you to go at once; he thinks +she will die if you cannot get there. Here is a note.” + +“Wait,” he said, “I will come.” + +He shut the window, and was soon at the door. + +“The worst of it is,” he said, “that my horse has been out all day and +is quite done up; my son has just been sent for, and he has taken the +other. What is to be done? Can I have your horse?” + +“He has come at a gallop nearly all the way, sir, and I was to give him +a rest here; but I think my master would not be against it, if you think +fit, sir.” + +“All right,” he said; “I will soon be ready.” + +John stood by me and stroked my neck; I was very hot. The doctor came +out with his riding-whip. + +“You need not take that, sir,” said John; “Black Beauty will go till he +drops. Take care of him, sir, if you can; I should not like any harm to +come to him.” + +“No, no, John,” said the doctor, “I hope not,” and in a minute we had +left John far behind. + +I will not tell about our way back. The doctor was a heavier man than +John, and not so good a rider; however, I did my very best. The man at +the toll-gate had it open. When we came to the hill the doctor drew me +up. “Now, my good fellow,” he said, “take some breath.” I was glad he +did, for I was nearly spent, but that breathing helped me on, and soon +we were in the park. Joe was at the lodge gate; my master was at the +hall door, for he had heard us coming. He spoke not a word; the doctor +went into the house with him, and Joe led me to the stable. I was glad +to get home; my legs shook under me, and I could only stand and pant. I +had not a dry hair on my body, the water ran down my legs, and I steamed +all over, Joe used to say, like a pot on the fire. Poor Joe! he was +young and small, and as yet he knew very little, and his father, who +would have helped him, had been sent to the next village; but I am sure +he did the very best he knew. He rubbed my legs and my chest, but he did +not put my warm cloth on me; he thought I was so hot I should not like +it. Then he gave me a pailful of water to drink; it was cold and very +good, and I drank it all; then he gave me some hay and some corn, and +thinking he had done right, he went away. Soon I began to shake and +tremble, and turned deadly cold; my legs ached, my loins ached, and my +chest ached, and I felt sore all over. Oh! how I wished for my warm, +thick cloth, as I stood and trembled. I wished for John, but he had +eight miles to walk, so I lay down in my straw and tried to go to sleep. +After a long while I heard John at the door; I gave a low moan, for I +was in great pain. He was at my side in a moment, stooping down by me. I +could not tell him how I felt, but he seemed to know it all; he covered +me up with two or three warm cloths, and then ran to the house for some +hot water; he made me some warm gruel, which I drank, and then I think I +went to sleep. + +John seemed to be very much put out. I heard him say to himself over and +over again, “Stupid boy! stupid boy! no cloth put on, and I dare say the +water was cold, too; boys are no good;” but Joe was a good boy, after +all. + +I was now very ill; a strong inflammation had attacked my lungs, and I +could not draw my breath without pain. John nursed me night and day; he +would get up two or three times in the night to come to me. My master, +too, often came to see me. “My poor Beauty,” he said one day, “my good +horse, you saved your mistress' life, Beauty; yes, you saved her life.” + I was very glad to hear that, for it seems the doctor had said if we had +been a little longer it would have been too late. John told my master he +never saw a horse go so fast in his life. It seemed as if the horse knew +what was the matter. Of course I did, though John thought not; at least +I knew as much as this--that John and I must go at the top of our speed, +and that it was for the sake of the mistress. + + + + +19 Only Ignorance + + +I do not know how long I was ill. Mr. Bond, the horse-doctor, came every +day. One day he bled me; John held a pail for the blood. I felt very +faint after it and thought I should die, and I believe they all thought +so too. + +Ginger and Merrylegs had been moved into the other stable, so that I +might be quiet, for the fever made me very quick of hearing; any little +noise seemed quite loud, and I could tell every one's footstep going to +and from the house. I knew all that was going on. One night John had to +give me a draught; Thomas Green came in to help him. After I had taken +it and John had made me as comfortable as he could, he said he should +stay half an hour to see how the medicine settled. Thomas said he +would stay with him, so they went and sat down on a bench that had been +brought into Merrylegs' stall, and put down the lantern at their feet, +that I might not be disturbed with the light. + +For awhile both men sat silent, and then Tom Green said in a low voice: + +“I wish, John, you'd say a bit of a kind word to Joe. The boy is quite +broken-hearted; he can't eat his meals, and he can't smile. He says he +knows it was all his fault, though he is sure he did the best he knew, +and he says if Beauty dies no one will ever speak to him again. It goes +to my heart to hear him. I think you might give him just a word; he is +not a bad boy.” + +After a short pause John said slowly, “You must not be too hard upon me, +Tom. I know he meant no harm, I never said he did; I know he is not a +bad boy. But you see, I am sore myself; that horse is the pride of my +heart, to say nothing of his being such a favorite with the master and +mistress; and to think that his life may be flung away in this manner is +more than I can bear. But if you think I am hard on the boy I will try +to give him a good word to-morrow--that is, I mean if Beauty is better.” + +“Well, John, thank you. I knew you did not wish to be too hard, and I am +glad you see it was only ignorance.” + +John's voice almost startled me as he answered: + +“Only ignorance! only ignorance! how can you talk about only ignorance? +Don't you know that it is the worst thing in the world, next to +wickedness?--and which does the most mischief heaven only knows. If +people can say, 'Oh! I did not know, I did not mean any harm,' they +think it is all right. I suppose Martha Mulwash did not mean to kill +that baby when she dosed it with Dalby and soothing syrups; but she did +kill it, and was tried for manslaughter.” + +“And serve her right, too,” said Tom. “A woman should not undertake to +nurse a tender little child without knowing what is good and what is bad +for it.” + +“Bill Starkey,” continued John, “did not mean to frighten his brother +into fits when he dressed up like a ghost and ran after him in the +moonlight; but he did; and that bright, handsome little fellow, that +might have been the pride of any mother's heart is just no better than +an idiot, and never will be, if he lives to be eighty years old. You +were a good deal cut up yourself, Tom, two weeks ago, when those young +ladies left your hothouse door open, with a frosty east wind blowing +right in; you said it killed a good many of your plants.” + +“A good many!” said Tom; “there was not one of the tender cuttings that +was not nipped off. I shall have to strike all over again, and the worst +of it is that I don't know where to go to get fresh ones. I was nearly +mad when I came in and saw what was done.” + +“And yet,” said John, “I am sure the young ladies did not mean it; it +was only ignorance.” + +I heard no more of this conversation, for the medicine did well and sent +me to sleep, and in the morning I felt much better; but I often thought +of John's words when I came to know more of the world. + + + + +20 Joe Green + + +Joe Green went on very well; he learned quickly, and was so attentive +and careful that John began to trust him in many things; but as I have +said, he was small of his age, and it was seldom that he was allowed to +exercise either Ginger or me; but it so happened one morning that John +was out with Justice in the luggage cart, and the master wanted a +note to be taken immediately to a gentleman's house, about three miles +distant, and sent his orders for Joe to saddle me and take it, adding +the caution that he was to ride steadily. + +The note was delivered, and we were quietly returning when we came +to the brick-field. Here we saw a cart heavily laden with bricks; the +wheels had stuck fast in the stiff mud of some deep ruts, and the carter +was shouting and flogging the two horses unmercifully. Joe pulled up. It +was a sad sight. There were the two horses straining and struggling with +all their might to drag the cart out, but they could not move it; the +sweat streamed from their legs and flanks, their sides heaved, and every +muscle was strained, while the man, fiercely pulling at the head of the +fore horse, swore and lashed most brutally. + +“Hold hard,” said Joe; “don't go on flogging the horses like that; the +wheels are so stuck that they cannot move the cart.” + +The man took no heed, but went on lashing. + +“Stop! pray stop!” said Joe. “I'll help you to lighten the cart; they +can't move it now.” + +“Mind your own business, you impudent young rascal, and I'll mind mine!” + The man was in a towering passion and the worse for drink, and laid on +the whip again. Joe turned my head, and the next moment we were going at +a round gallop toward the house of the master brick-maker. I cannot say +if John would have approved of our pace, but Joe and I were both of one +mind, and so angry that we could not have gone slower. + +The house stood close by the roadside. Joe knocked at the door, and +shouted, “Halloo! Is Mr. Clay at home?” The door was opened, and Mr. +Clay himself came out. + +“Halloo, young man! You seem in a hurry; any orders from the squire this +morning?” + +“No, Mr. Clay, but there's a fellow in your brick-yard flogging two +horses to death. I told him to stop, and he wouldn't; I said I'd help +him to lighten the cart, and he wouldn't; so I have come to tell you. +Pray, sir, go.” Joe's voice shook with excitement. + +“Thank ye, my lad,” said the man, running in for his hat; then pausing +for a moment, “Will you give evidence of what you saw if I should bring +the fellow up before a magistrate?” + +“That I will,” said Joe, “and glad too.” The man was gone, and we were +on our way home at a smart trot. + +“Why, what's the matter with you, Joe? You look angry all over,” said +John, as the boy flung himself from the saddle. + +“I am angry all over, I can tell you,” said the boy, and then in +hurried, excited words he told all that had happened. Joe was usually +such a quiet, gentle little fellow that it was wonderful to see him so +roused. + +“Right, Joe! you did right, my boy, whether the fellow gets a summons or +not. Many folks would have ridden by and said it was not their +business to interfere. Now I say that with cruelty and oppression it is +everybody's business to interfere when they see it; you did right, my +boy.” + +Joe was quite calm by this time, and proud that John approved of him, +and cleaned out my feet and rubbed me down with a firmer hand than +usual. + +They were just going home to dinner when the footman came down to the +stable to say that Joe was wanted directly in master's private room; +there was a man brought up for ill-using horses, and Joe's evidence was +wanted. The boy flushed up to his forehead, and his eyes sparkled. “They +shall have it,” said he. + +“Put yourself a bit straight,” said John. Joe gave a pull at his necktie +and a twitch at his jacket, and was off in a moment. Our master being +one of the county magistrates, cases were often brought to him to +settle, or say what should be done. In the stable we heard no more for +some time, as it was the men's dinner hour, but when Joe came next into +the stable I saw he was in high spirits; he gave me a good-natured slap, +and said, “We won't see such things done, will we, old fellow?” We heard +afterward that he had given his evidence so clearly, and the horses were +in such an exhausted state, bearing marks of such brutal usage, that the +carter was committed to take his trial, and might possibly be sentenced +to two or three months in prison. + +It was wonderful what a change had come over Joe. John laughed, and said +he had grown an inch taller in that week, and I believe he had. He +was just as kind and gentle as before, but there was more purpose and +determination in all that he did--as if he had jumped at once from a boy +into a man. + + + + +21 The Parting + + +Now I had lived in this happy place three years, but sad changes were +about to come over us. We heard from time to time that our mistress was +ill. The doctor was often at the house, and the master looked grave and +anxious. Then we heard that she must leave her home at once, and go to +a warm country for two or three years. The news fell upon the household +like the tolling of a deathbell. Everybody was sorry; but the master +began directly to make arrangements for breaking up his establishment +and leaving England. We used to hear it talked about in our stable; +indeed, nothing else was talked about. + +John went about his work silent and sad, and Joe scarcely whistled. +There was a great deal of coming and going; Ginger and I had full work. + +The first of the party who went were Miss Jessie and Flora, with their +governess. They came to bid us good-by. They hugged poor Merrylegs +like an old friend, and so indeed he was. Then we heard what had been +arranged for us. Master had sold Ginger and me to his old friend, +the Earl of W----, for he thought we should have a good place there. +Merrylegs he had given to the vicar, who was wanting a pony for Mrs. +Blomefield, but it was on the condition that he should never be sold, +and that when he was past work he should be shot and buried. + +Joe was engaged to take care of him and to help in the house, so I +thought that Merrylegs was well off. John had the offer of several good +places, but he said he should wait a little and look round. + +The evening before they left the master came into the stable to give +some directions, and to give his horses the last pat. He seemed very +low-spirited; I knew that by his voice. I believe we horses can tell +more by the voice than many men can. + +“Have you decided what to do, John?” he said. “I find you have not +accepted either of those offers.” + +“No, sir; I have made up my mind that if I could get a situation with +some first-rate colt-breaker and horse-trainer, it would be the right +thing for me. Many young animals are frightened and spoiled by wrong +treatment, which need not be if the right man took them in hand. I +always get on well with horses, and if I could help some of them to a +fair start I should feel as if I was doing some good. What do you think +of it, sir?” + +“I don't know a man anywhere,” said master, “that I should think so +suitable for it as yourself. You understand horses, and somehow they +understand you, and in time you might set up for yourself; I think you +could not do better. If in any way I can help you, write to me. I shall +speak to my agent in London, and leave your character with him.” + +Master gave John the name and address, and then he thanked him for his +long and faithful service; but that was too much for John. “Pray, don't, +sir, I can't bear it; you and my dear mistress have done so much for +me that I could never repay it. But we shall never forget you, sir, and +please God, we may some day see mistress back again like herself; we +must keep up hope, sir.” Master gave John his hand, but he did not +speak, and they both left the stable. + +The last sad day had come; the footman and the heavy luggage had gone +off the day before, and there were only master and mistress and her +maid. Ginger and I brought the carriage up to the hall door for the last +time. The servants brought out cushions and rugs and many other things; +and when all were arranged master came down the steps carrying the +mistress in his arms (I was on the side next to the house, and could see +all that went on); he placed her carefully in the carriage, while the +house servants stood round crying. + +“Good-by, again,” he said; “we shall not forget any of you,” and he got +in. “Drive on, John.” + +Joe jumped up, and we trotted slowly through the park and through the +village, where the people were standing at their doors to have a last +look and to say, “God bless them.” + +When we reached the railway station I think mistress walked from the +carriage to the waiting-room. I heard her say in her own sweet voice, +“Good-by, John. God bless you.” I felt the rein twitch, but John made no +answer; perhaps he could not speak. As soon as Joe had taken the things +out of the carriage John called him to stand by the horses, while he +went on the platform. Poor Joe! he stood close up to our heads to hide +his tears. Very soon the train came puffing up into the station; then +two or three minutes, and the doors were slammed to, the guard whistled, +and the train glided away, leaving behind it only clouds of white smoke +and some very heavy hearts. + +When it was quite out of sight John came back. + +“We shall never see her again,” he said--“never.” He took the reins, +mounted the box, and with Joe drove slowly home; but it was not our home +now. + + + + +Part II + + + + +22 Earlshall + + +The next morning after breakfast Joe put Merrylegs into the mistress' +low chaise to take him to the vicarage; he came first and said good-by +to us, and Merrylegs neighed to us from the yard. Then John put the +saddle on Ginger and the leading rein on me, and rode us across the +country about fifteen miles to Earlshall Park, where the Earl of W---- +lived. There was a very fine house and a great deal of stabling. We went +into the yard through a stone gateway, and John asked for Mr. York. It +was some time before he came. He was a fine-looking, middle-aged man, +and his voice said at once that he expected to be obeyed. He was very +friendly and polite to John, and after giving us a slight look he +called a groom to take us to our boxes, and invited John to take some +refreshment. + +We were taken to a light, airy stable, and placed in boxes adjoining +each other, where we were rubbed down and fed. In about half an hour +John and Mr. York, who was to be our new coachman, came in to see us. + +“Now, Mr. Manly,” he said, after carefully looking at us both, “I can +see no fault in these horses; but we all know that horses have their +peculiarities as well as men, and that sometimes they need different +treatment. I should like to know if there is anything particular in +either of these that you would like to mention.” + +“Well,” said John, “I don't believe there is a better pair of horses in +the country, and right grieved I am to part with them, but they are not +alike. The black one is the most perfect temper I ever knew; I suppose +he has never known a hard word or a blow since he was foaled, and all +his pleasure seems to be to do what you wish; but the chestnut, I fancy, +must have had bad treatment; we heard as much from the dealer. She came +to us snappish and suspicious, but when she found what sort of place +ours was, it all went off by degrees; for three years I have never seen +the smallest sign of temper, and if she is well treated there is not +a better, more willing animal than she is. But she is naturally a more +irritable constitution than the black horse; flies tease her more; +anything wrong in the harness frets her more; and if she were ill-used +or unfairly treated she would not be unlikely to give tit for tat. You +know that many high-mettled horses will do so.” + +“Of course,” said York, “I quite understand; but you know it is not easy +in stables like these to have all the grooms just what they should be. I +do my best, and there I must leave it. I'll remember what you have said +about the mare.” + +They were going out of the stable, when John stopped and said, “I had +better mention that we have never used the check-rein with either of +them; the black horse never had one on, and the dealer said it was the +gag-bit that spoiled the other's temper.” + +“Well,” said York, “if they come here they must wear the check-rein. I +prefer a loose rein myself, and his lordship is always very reasonable +about horses; but my lady--that's another thing; she will have style, +and if her carriage horses are not reined up tight she wouldn't look at +them. I always stand out against the gag-bit, and shall do so, but it +must be tight up when my lady rides!” + +“I am sorry for it, very sorry,” said John; “but I must go now, or I +shall lose the train.” + +He came round to each of us to pat and speak to us for the last time; +his voice sounded very sad. + +I held my face close to him; that was all I could do to say good-by; and +then he was gone, and I have never seen him since. + +The next day Lord W---- came to look at us; he seemed pleased with our +appearance. + +“I have great confidence in these horses,” he said, “from the character +my friend Mr. Gordon has given me of them. Of course they are not a +match in color, but my idea is that they will do very well for the +carriage while we are in the country. Before we go to London I must try +to match Baron; the black horse, I believe, is perfect for riding.” + +York then told him what John had said about us. + +“Well,” said he, “you must keep an eye to the mare, and put the +check-rein easy; I dare say they will do very well with a little +humoring at first. I'll mention it to your lady.” + +In the afternoon we were harnessed and put in the carriage, and as the +stable clock struck three we were led round to the front of the house. +It was all very grand, and three or four times as large as the old house +at Birtwick, but not half so pleasant, if a horse may have an opinion. +Two footmen were standing ready, dressed in drab livery, with scarlet +breeches and white stockings. Presently we heard the rustling sound of +silk as my lady came down the flight of stone steps. She stepped round +to look at us; she was a tall, proud-looking woman, and did not +seem pleased about something, but she said nothing, and got into the +carriage. This was the first time of wearing a check-rein, and I must +say, though it certainly was a nuisance not to be able to get my head +down now and then, it did not pull my head higher than I was accustomed +to carry it. I felt anxious about Ginger, but she seemed to be quiet and +content. + +The next day at three o'clock we were again at the door, and the footmen +as before; we heard the silk dress rustle and the lady came down the +steps, and in an imperious voice she said, “York, you must put those +horses' heads higher; they are not fit to be seen.” + +York got down, and said very respectfully, “I beg your pardon, my lady, +but these horses have not been reined up for three years, and my lord +said it would be safer to bring them to it by degrees; but if your +ladyship pleases I can take them up a little more.” + +“Do so,” she said. + +York came round to our heads and shortened the rein himself--one hole, +I think; every little makes a difference, be it for better or worse, and +that day we had a steep hill to go up. Then I began to understand what +I had heard of. Of course, I wanted to put my head forward and take the +carriage up with a will, as we had been used to do; but no, I had to +pull with my head up now, and that took all the spirit out of me, and +the strain came on my back and legs. When we came in Ginger said, “Now +you see what it is like; but this is not bad, and if it does not get +much worse than this I shall say nothing about it, for we are very well +treated here; but if they strain me up tight, why, let 'em look out! I +can't bear it, and I won't.” + +Day by day, hole by hole, our bearing reins were shortened, and instead +of looking forward with pleasure to having my harness put on, as I used +to do, I began to dread it. Ginger, too, seemed restless, though she +said very little. At last I thought the worst was over; for several days +there was no more shortening, and I determined to make the best of +it and do my duty, though it was now a constant harass instead of a +pleasure; but the worst was not come. + + + + +23 A Strike for Liberty + + +One day my lady came down later than usual, and the silk rustled more +than ever. + +“Drive to the Duchess of B----'s,” she said, and then after a pause, +“Are you never going to get those horses' heads up, York? Raise them at +once and let us have no more of this humoring and nonsense.” + +York came to me first, while the groom stood at Ginger's head. He drew +my head back and fixed the rein so tight that it was almost intolerable; +then he went to Ginger, who was impatiently jerking her head up and down +against the bit, as was her way now. She had a good idea of what was +coming, and the moment York took the rein off the terret in order to +shorten it she took her opportunity and reared up so suddenly that York +had his nose roughly hit and his hat knocked off; the groom was nearly +thrown off his legs. At once they both flew to her head; but she was +a match for them, and went on plunging, rearing, and kicking in a most +desperate manner. At last she kicked right over the carriage pole and +fell down, after giving me a severe blow on my near quarter. There is no +knowing what further mischief she might have done had not York promptly +sat himself down flat on her head to prevent her struggling, at the +same time calling out, “Unbuckle the black horse! Run for the winch and +unscrew the carriage pole! Cut the trace here, somebody, if you can't +unhitch it!” One of the footmen ran for the winch, and another brought +a knife from the house. The groom soon set me free from Ginger and the +carriage, and led me to my box. He just turned me in as I was and ran +back to York. I was much excited by what had happened, and if I had ever +been used to kick or rear I am sure I should have done it then; but +I never had, and there I stood, angry, sore in my leg, my head still +strained up to the terret on the saddle, and no power to get it down. I +was very miserable and felt much inclined to kick the first person who +came near me. + +Before long, however, Ginger was led in by two grooms, a good deal +knocked about and bruised. York came with her and gave his orders, and +then came to look at me. In a moment he let down my head. + +“Confound these check-reins!” he said to himself; “I thought we should +have some mischief soon. Master will be sorely vexed. But there, if a +woman's husband can't rule her of course a servant can't; so I wash my +hands of it, and if she can't get to the duchess' garden party I can't +help it.” + +York did not say this before the men; he always spoke respectfully when +they were by. Now he felt me all over, and soon found the place above my +hock where I had been kicked. It was swelled and painful; he ordered it +to be sponged with hot water, and then some lotion was put on. + +Lord W---- was much put out when he learned what had happened; he blamed +York for giving way to his mistress, to which he replied that in future +he would much prefer to receive his orders only from his lordship; but +I think nothing came of it, for things went on the same as before. I +thought York might have stood up better for his horses, but perhaps I am +no judge. + +Ginger was never put into the carriage again, but when she was well of +her bruises one of the Lord W----'s younger sons said he should like +to have her; he was sure she would make a good hunter. As for me, I was +obliged still to go in the carriage, and had a fresh partner called Max; +he had always been used to the tight rein. I asked him how it was he +bore it. + +“Well,” he said, “I bear it because I must; but it is shortening my +life, and it will shorten yours too if you have to stick to it.” + +“Do you think,” I said, “that our masters know how bad it is for us?” + +“I can't say,” he replied, “but the dealers and the horse-doctors know +it very well. I was at a dealer's once, who was training me and another +horse to go as a pair; he was getting our heads up, as he said, a little +higher and a little higher every day. A gentleman who was there asked +him why he did so. 'Because,' said he, 'people won't buy them unless we +do. The London people always want their horses to carry their heads high +and to step high. Of course it is very bad for the horses, but then it +is good for trade. The horses soon wear up, or get diseased, and they +come for another pair.' That,” said Max, “is what he said in my hearing, +and you can judge for yourself.” + +What I suffered with that rein for four long months in my lady's +carriage it would be hard to describe; but I am quite sure that, had it +lasted much longer, either my health or my temper would have given way. +Before that, I never knew what it was to foam at the mouth, but now +the action of the sharp bit on my tongue and jaw, and the constrained +position of my head and throat, always caused me to froth at the mouth +more or less. Some people think it very fine to see this, and say, “What +fine spirited creatures!” But it is just as unnatural for horses as +for men to foam at the mouth; it is a sure sign of some discomfort, +and should be attended to. Besides this, there was a pressure on my +windpipe, which often made my breathing very uncomfortable; when I +returned from my work my neck and chest were strained and painful, my +mouth and tongue tender, and I felt worn and depressed. + +In my old home I always knew that John and my master were my friends; +but here, although in many ways I was well treated, I had no friend. +York might have known, and very likely did know, how that rein harassed +me; but I suppose he took it as a matter of course that it could not be +helped; at any rate, nothing was done to relieve me. + + + + +24 The Lady Anne, or a Runaway Horse + + +Early in the spring, Lord W---- and part of his family went up to +London, and took York with them. I and Ginger and some other horses were +left at home for use, and the head groom was left in charge. + +The Lady Harriet, who remained at the hall, was a great invalid, and +never went out in the carriage, and the Lady Anne preferred riding on +horseback with her brother or cousins. She was a perfect horsewoman, and +as gay and gentle as she was beautiful. She chose me for her horse, and +named me “Black Auster”. I enjoyed these rides very much in the clear +cold air, sometimes with Ginger, sometimes with Lizzie. This Lizzie was +a bright bay mare, almost thoroughbred, and a great favorite with the +gentlemen, on account of her fine action and lively spirit; but Ginger, +who knew more of her than I did, told me she was rather nervous. + +There was a gentleman of the name of Blantyre staying at the hall; +he always rode Lizzie, and praised her so much that one day Lady Anne +ordered the side-saddle to be put on her, and the other saddle on me. +When we came to the door the gentleman seemed very uneasy. + +“How is this?” he said. “Are you tired of your good Black Auster?” + +“Oh, no, not at all,” she replied, “but I am amiable enough to let you +ride him for once, and I will try your charming Lizzie. You must confess +that in size and appearance she is far more like a lady's horse than my +own favorite.” + +“Do let me advise you not to mount her,” he said; “she is a charming +creature, but she is too nervous for a lady. I assure you, she is not +perfectly safe; let me beg you to have the saddles changed.” + +“My dear cousin,” said Lady Anne, laughing, “pray do not trouble your +good careful head about me. I have been a horsewoman ever since I was a +baby, and I have followed the hounds a great many times, though I know +you do not approve of ladies hunting; but still that is the fact, and +I intend to try this Lizzie that you gentlemen are all so fond of; so +please help me to mount, like a good friend as you are.” + +There was no more to be said; he placed her carefully on the saddle, +looked to the bit and curb, gave the reins gently into her hand, and +then mounted me. Just as we were moving off a footman came out with a +slip of paper and message from the Lady Harriet. “Would they ask this +question for her at Dr. Ashley's, and bring the answer?” + +The village was about a mile off, and the doctor's house was the last +in it. We went along gayly enough till we came to his gate. There was a +short drive up to the house between tall evergreens. + +Blantyre alighted at the gate, and was going to open it for Lady Anne, +but she said, “I will wait for you here, and you can hang Auster's rein +on the gate.” + +He looked at her doubtfully. “I will not be five minutes,” he said. + +“Oh, do not hurry yourself; Lizzie and I shall not run away from you.” + +He hung my rein on one of the iron spikes, and was soon hidden among the +trees. Lizzie was standing quietly by the side of the road a few paces +off, with her back to me. My young mistress was sitting easily with a +loose rein, humming a little song. I listened to my rider's footsteps +until they reached the house, and heard him knock at the door. There was +a meadow on the opposite side of the road, the gate of which stood open; +just then some cart horses and several young colts came trotting out in +a very disorderly manner, while a boy behind was cracking a great whip. +The colts were wild and frolicsome, and one of them bolted across the +road and blundered up against Lizzie's hind legs, and whether it was +the stupid colt, or the loud cracking of the whip, or both together, I +cannot say, but she gave a violent kick, and dashed off into a headlong +gallop. It was so sudden that Lady Anne was nearly unseated, but she +soon recovered herself. I gave a loud, shrill neigh for help; again and +again I neighed, pawing the ground impatiently, and tossing my head to +get the rein loose. I had not long to wait. Blantyre came running to +the gate; he looked anxiously about, and just caught sight of the flying +figure, now far away on the road. In an instant he sprang to the saddle. +I needed no whip, no spur, for I was as eager as my rider; he saw it, +and giving me a free rein, and leaning a little forward, we dashed after +them. + +For about a mile and a half the road ran straight, and then bent to the +right, after which it divided into two roads. Long before we came to +the bend she was out of sight. Which way had she turned? A woman was +standing at her garden gate, shading her eyes with her hand, and looking +eagerly up the road. Scarcely drawing the rein, Blantyre shouted, “Which +way?” “To the right!” cried the woman, pointing with her hand, and away +we went up the right-hand road; then for a moment we caught sight of +her; another bend and she was hidden again. Several times we caught +glimpses, and then lost them. We scarcely seemed to gain ground upon +them at all. An old road-mender was standing near a heap of stones, his +shovel dropped and his hands raised. As we came near he made a sign to +speak. Blantyre drew the rein a little. “To the common, to the common, +sir; she has turned off there.” I knew this common very well; it was for +the most part very uneven ground, covered with heather and dark-green +furze bushes, with here and there a scrubby old thorn-tree; there were +also open spaces of fine short grass, with ant-hills and mole-turns +everywhere; the worst place I ever knew for a headlong gallop. + +We had hardly turned on the common, when we caught sight again of the +green habit flying on before us. My lady's hat was gone, and her long +brown hair was streaming behind her. Her head and body were thrown back, +as if she were pulling with all her remaining strength, and as if that +strength were nearly exhausted. It was clear that the roughness of the +ground had very much lessened Lizzie's speed, and there seemed a chance +that we might overtake her. + +While we were on the highroad, Blantyre had given me my head; but now, +with a light hand and a practiced eye, he guided me over the ground in +such a masterly manner that my pace was scarcely slackened, and we were +decidedly gaining on them. + +About halfway across the heath there had been a wide dike recently cut, +and the earth from the cutting was cast up roughly on the other side. +Surely this would stop them! But no; with scarcely a pause Lizzie took +the leap, stumbled among the rough clods and fell. Blantyre groaned, +“Now, Auster, do your best!” He gave me a steady rein. I gathered myself +well together and with one determined leap cleared both dike and bank. + +Motionless among the heather, with her face to the earth, lay my poor +young mistress. Blantyre kneeled down and called her name: there was no +sound. Gently he turned her face upward: it was ghastly white and +the eyes were closed. “Annie, dear Annie, do speak!” But there was no +answer. He unbuttoned her habit, loosened her collar, felt her hands and +wrist, then started up and looked wildly round him for help. + +At no great distance there were two men cutting turf, who, seeing Lizzie +running wild without a rider, had left their work to catch her. + +Blantyre's halloo soon brought them to the spot. The foremost man seemed +much troubled at the sight, and asked what he could do. + +“Can you ride?” + +“Well, sir, I bean't much of a horseman, but I'd risk my neck for the +Lady Anne; she was uncommon good to my wife in the winter.” + +“Then mount this horse, my friend--your neck will be quite safe--and +ride to the doctor's and ask him to come instantly; then on to the hall; +tell them all that you know, and bid them send me the carriage, with +Lady Anne's maid and help. I shall stay here.” + +“All right, sir, I'll do my best, and I pray God the dear young lady may +open her eyes soon.” Then, seeing the other man, he called out, “Here, +Joe, run for some water, and tell my missis to come as quick as she can +to the Lady Anne.” + +He then somehow scrambled into the saddle, and with a “Gee up” and a +clap on my sides with both his legs, he started on his journey, making +a little circuit to avoid the dike. He had no whip, which seemed to +trouble him; but my pace soon cured that difficulty, and he found the +best thing he could do was to stick to the saddle and hold me in, which +he did manfully. I shook him as little as I could help, but once or +twice on the rough ground he called out, “Steady! Woah! Steady!” On the +highroad we were all right; and at the doctor's and the hall he did his +errand like a good man and true. They asked him in to take a drop of +something. “No, no,” he said; “I'll be back to 'em again by a short cut +through the fields, and be there afore the carriage.” + +There was a great deal of hurry and excitement after the news became +known. I was just turned into my box; the saddle and bridle were taken +off, and a cloth thrown over me. + +Ginger was saddled and sent off in great haste for Lord George, and I +soon heard the carriage roll out of the yard. + +It seemed a long time before Ginger came back, and before we were left +alone; and then she told me all that she had seen. + +“I can't tell much,” she said. “We went a gallop nearly all the way, and +got there just as the doctor rode up. There was a woman sitting on the +ground with the lady's head in her lap. The doctor poured something into +her mouth, but all that I heard was, 'She is not dead.' Then I was led +off by a man to a little distance. After awhile she was taken to +the carriage, and we came home together. I heard my master say to +a gentleman who stopped him to inquire, that he hoped no bones were +broken, but that she had not spoken yet.” + +When Lord George took Ginger for hunting, York shook his head; he said +it ought to be a steady hand to train a horse for the first season, and +not a random rider like Lord George. + +Ginger used to like it very much, but sometimes when she came back I +could see that she had been very much strained, and now and then she +gave a short cough. She had too much spirit to complain, but I could not +help feeling anxious about her. + +Two days after the accident Blantyre paid me a visit; he patted me and +praised me very much; he told Lord George that he was sure the horse +knew of Annie's danger as well as he did. “I could not have held him in +if I would,” said he, “she ought never to ride any other horse.” I found +by their conversation that my young mistress was now out of danger, and +would soon be able to ride again. This was good news to me and I looked +forward to a happy life. + + + + +25 Reuben Smith + + +Now I must say a little about Reuben Smith, who was left in charge of +the stables when York went to London. No one more thoroughly understood +his business than he did, and when he was all right there could not be +a more faithful or valuable man. He was gentle and very clever in his +management of horses, and could doctor them almost as well as a +farrier, for he had lived two years with a veterinary surgeon. He was a +first-rate driver; he could take a four-in-hand or a tandem as easily +as a pair. He was a handsome man, a good scholar, and had very pleasant +manners. I believe everybody liked him; certainly the horses did. The +only wonder was that he should be in an under situation and not in the +place of a head coachman like York; but he had one great fault and that +was the love of drink. He was not like some men, always at it; he used +to keep steady for weeks or months together, and then he would break +out and have a “bout” of it, as York called it, and be a disgrace to +himself, a terror to his wife, and a nuisance to all that had to do with +him. He was, however, so useful that two or three times York had hushed +the matter up and kept it from the earl's knowledge; but one night, when +Reuben had to drive a party home from a ball he was so drunk that he +could not hold the reins, and a gentleman of the party had to mount the +box and drive the ladies home. Of course, this could not be hidden, and +Reuben was at once dismissed; his poor wife and little children had to +turn out of the pretty cottage by the park gate and go where they could. +Old Max told me all this, for it happened a good while ago; but shortly +before Ginger and I came Smith had been taken back again. York had +interceded for him with the earl, who is very kind-hearted, and the man +had promised faithfully that he would never taste another drop as long +as he lived there. He had kept his promise so well that York thought he +might be safely trusted to fill his place while he was away, and he was +so clever and honest that no one else seemed so well fitted for it. + +It was now early in April, and the family was expected home some time in +May. The light brougham was to be fresh done up, and as Colonel Blantyre +was obliged to return to his regiment it was arranged that Smith should +drive him to the town in it, and ride back; for this purpose he took the +saddle with him, and I was chosen for the journey. At the station the +colonel put some money into Smith's hand and bid him good-by, saying, +“Take care of your young mistress, Reuben, and don't let Black Auster be +hacked about by any random young prig that wants to ride him--keep him +for the lady.” + +We left the carriage at the maker's, and Smith rode me to the White +Lion, and ordered the hostler to feed me well, and have me ready for him +at four o'clock. A nail in one of my front shoes had started as I came +along, but the hostler did not notice it till just about four o'clock. +Smith did not come into the yard till five, and then he said he should +not leave till six, as he had met with some old friends. The man then +told him of the nail, and asked if he should have the shoe looked to. + +“No,” said Smith, “that will be all right till we get home.” + +He spoke in a very loud, offhand way, and I thought it very unlike him +not to see about the shoe, as he was generally wonderfully particular +about loose nails in our shoes. He did not come at six nor seven, nor +eight, and it was nearly nine o'clock before he called for me, and then +it was with a loud, rough voice. He seemed in a very bad temper, and +abused the hostler, though I could not tell what for. + +The landlord stood at the door and said, “Have a care, Mr. Smith!” but +he answered angrily with an oath; and almost before he was out of the +town he began to gallop, frequently giving me a sharp cut with his whip, +though I was going at full speed. The moon had not yet risen, and it was +very dark. The roads were stony, having been recently mended; going over +them at this pace, my shoe became looser, and as we neared the turnpike +gate it came off. + +If Smith had been in his right senses he would have been sensible of +something wrong in my pace, but he was too drunk to notice. + +Beyond the turnpike was a long piece of road, upon which fresh stones +had just been laid--large sharp stones, over which no horse could be +driven quickly without risk of danger. Over this road, with one shoe +gone, I was forced to gallop at my utmost speed, my rider meanwhile +cutting into me with his whip, and with wild curses urging me to go +still faster. Of course my shoeless foot suffered dreadfully; the hoof +was broken and split down to the very quick, and the inside was terribly +cut by the sharpness of the stones. + +This could not go on; no horse could keep his footing under such +circumstances; the pain was too great. I stumbled, and fell with +violence on both my knees. Smith was flung off by my fall, and, owing to +the speed I was going at, he must have fallen with great force. I soon +recovered my feet and limped to the side of the road, where it was free +from stones. The moon had just risen above the hedge, and by its light +I could see Smith lying a few yards beyond me. He did not rise; he made +one slight effort to do so, and then there was a heavy groan. I could +have groaned, too, for I was suffering intense pain both from my foot +and knees; but horses are used to bear their pain in silence. I uttered +no sound, but I stood there and listened. One more heavy groan from +Smith; but though he now lay in the full moonlight I could see no +motion. I could do nothing for him nor myself, but, oh! how I listened +for the sound of horse, or wheels, or footsteps! The road was not much +frequented, and at this time of the night we might stay for hours before +help came to us. I stood watching and listening. It was a calm, sweet +April night; there were no sounds but a few low notes of a nightingale, +and nothing moved but the white clouds near the moon and a brown owl +that flitted over the hedge. It made me think of the summer nights long +ago, when I used to lie beside my mother in the green pleasant meadow at +Farmer Grey's. + + + + +26 How it Ended + + +It must have been nearly midnight when I heard at a great distance the +sound of a horse's feet. Sometimes the sound died away, then it grew +clearer again and nearer. The road to Earlshall led through woods that +belonged to the earl; the sound came in that direction, and I hoped it +might be some one coming in search of us. As the sound came nearer and +nearer I was almost sure I could distinguish Ginger's step; a little +nearer still, and I could tell she was in the dog-cart. I neighed +loudly, and was overjoyed to hear an answering neigh from Ginger, and +men's voices. They came slowly over the stones, and stopped at the dark +figure that lay upon the ground. + +One of the men jumped out, and stooped down over it. “It is Reuben,” he +said, “and he does not stir!” + +The other man followed, and bent over him. “He's dead,” he said; “feel +how cold his hands are.” + +They raised him up, but there was no life, and his hair was soaked with +blood. They laid him down again, and came and looked at me. They soon +saw my cut knees. + +“Why, the horse has been down and thrown him! Who would have thought the +black horse would have done that? Nobody thought he could fall. Reuben +must have been lying here for hours! Odd, too, that the horse has not +moved from the place.” + +Robert then attempted to lead me forward. I made a step, but almost fell +again. + +“Halloo! he's bad in his foot as well as his knees. Look here--his hoof +is cut all to pieces; he might well come down, poor fellow! I tell you +what, Ned, I'm afraid it hasn't been all right with Reuben. Just think +of his riding a horse over these stones without a shoe! Why, if he had +been in his right senses he would just as soon have tried to ride him +over the moon. I'm afraid it has been the old thing over again. Poor +Susan! she looked awfully pale when she came to my house to ask if +he had not come home. She made believe she was not a bit anxious, and +talked of a lot of things that might have kept him. But for all that she +begged me to go and meet him. But what must we do? There's the horse to +get home as well as the body, and that will be no easy matter.” + +Then followed a conversation between them, till it was agreed that +Robert, as the groom, should lead me, and that Ned must take the body. +It was a hard job to get it into the dog-cart, for there was no one to +hold Ginger; but she knew as well as I did what was going on, and stood +as still as a stone. I noticed that, because, if she had a fault, it was +that she was impatient in standing. + +Ned started off very slowly with his sad load, and Robert came and +looked at my foot again; then he took his handkerchief and bound it +closely round, and so he led me home. I shall never forget that night +walk; it was more than three miles. Robert led me on very slowly, and I +limped and hobbled on as well as I could with great pain. I am sure he +was sorry for me, for he often patted and encouraged me, talking to me +in a pleasant voice. + +At last I reached my own box, and had some corn; and after Robert +had wrapped up my knees in wet cloths, he tied up my foot in a bran +poultice, to draw out the heat and cleanse it before the horse-doctor +saw it in the morning, and I managed to get myself down on the straw, +and slept in spite of the pain. + +The next day after the farrier had examined my wounds, he said he hoped +the joint was not injured; and if so, I should not be spoiled for work, +but I should never lose the blemish. I believe they did the best to make +a good cure, but it was a long and painful one. Proud flesh, as they +called it, came up in my knees, and was burned out with caustic; and +when at last it was healed, they put a blistering fluid over the front +of both knees to bring all the hair off; they had some reason for this, +and I suppose it was all right. + +As Smith's death had been so sudden, and no one was there to see it, +there was an inquest held. The landlord and hostler at the White Lion, +with several other people, gave evidence that he was intoxicated when he +started from the inn. The keeper of the toll-gate said he rode at a hard +gallop through the gate; and my shoe was picked up among the stones, so +that the case was quite plain to them, and I was cleared of all blame. + +Everybody pitied Susan. She was nearly out of her mind; she kept saying +over and over again, “Oh! he was so good--so good! It was all that +cursed drink; why will they sell that cursed drink? Oh Reuben, Reuben!” + So she went on till after he was buried; and then, as she had no home or +relations, she, with her six little children, was obliged once more to +leave the pleasant home by the tall oak-trees, and go into that great +gloomy Union House. + + + + +27 Ruined and Going Downhill + + +As soon as my knees were sufficiently healed I was turned into a small +meadow for a month or two; no other creature was there; and though I +enjoyed the liberty and the sweet grass, yet I had been so long used to +society that I felt very lonely. Ginger and I had become fast friends, +and now I missed her company extremely. I often neighed when I heard +horses' feet passing in the road, but I seldom got an answer; till one +morning the gate was opened, and who should come in but dear old Ginger. +The man slipped off her halter, and left her there. With a joyful whinny +I trotted up to her; we were both glad to meet, but I soon found that it +was not for our pleasure that she was brought to be with me. Her story +would be too long to tell, but the end of it was that she had been +ruined by hard riding, and was now turned off to see what rest would do. + +Lord George was young and would take no warning; he was a hard rider, +and would hunt whenever he could get the chance, quite careless of his +horse. Soon after I left the stable there was a steeplechase, and he +determined to ride. Though the groom told him she was a little strained, +and was not fit for the race, he did not believe it, and on the day of +the race urged Ginger to keep up with the foremost riders. With her high +spirit, she strained herself to the utmost; she came in with the first +three horses, but her wind was touched, besides which he was too heavy +for her, and her back was strained. “And so,” she said, “here we are, +ruined in the prime of our youth and strength, you by a drunkard, and I +by a fool; it is very hard.” We both felt in ourselves that we were not +what we had been. However, that did not spoil the pleasure we had in +each other's company; we did not gallop about as we once did, but we +used to feed, and lie down together, and stand for hours under one +of the shady lime-trees with our heads close to each other; and so we +passed our time till the family returned from town. + +One day we saw the earl come into the meadow, and York was with him. +Seeing who it was, we stood still under our lime-tree, and let them come +up to us. They examined us carefully. The earl seemed much annoyed. + +“There is three hundred pounds flung away for no earthly use,” said he; +“but what I care most for is that these horses of my old friend, who +thought they would find a good home with me, are ruined. The mare shall +have a twelve-month's run, and we shall see what that will do for her; +but the black one, he must be sold; 'tis a great pity, but I could not +have knees like these in my stables.” + +“No, my lord, of course not,” said York; “but he might get a place where +appearance is not of much consequence, and still be well treated. I know +a man in Bath, the master of some livery stables, who often wants a +good horse at a low figure; I know he looks well after his horses. +The inquest cleared the horse's character, and your lordship's +recommendation, or mine, would be sufficient warrant for him.” + +“You had better write to him, York. I should be more particular about +the place than the money he would fetch.” + +After this they left us. + +“They'll soon take you away,” said Ginger, “and I shall lose the only +friend I have, and most likely we shall never see each other again. 'Tis +a hard world!” + +About a week after this Robert came into the field with a halter, which +he slipped over my head, and led me away. There was no leave-taking +of Ginger; we neighed to each other as I was led off, and she trotted +anxiously along by the hedge, calling to me as long as she could hear +the sound of my feet. + +Through the recommendation of York, I was bought by the master of the +livery stables. I had to go by train, which was new to me, and required +a good deal of courage the first time; but as I found the puffing, +rushing, whistling, and, more than all, the trembling of the horse-box +in which I stood did me no real harm, I soon took it quietly. + +When I reached the end of my journey I found myself in a tolerably +comfortable stable, and well attended to. These stables were not so +airy and pleasant as those I had been used to. The stalls were laid on +a slope instead of being level, and as my head was kept tied to the +manger, I was obliged always to stand on the slope, which was very +fatiguing. Men do not seem to know yet that horses can do more work if +they can stand comfortably and can turn about; however, I was well fed +and well cleaned, and, on the whole, I think our master took as much +care of us as he could. He kept a good many horses and carriages of +different kinds for hire. Sometimes his own men drove them; at +others, the horse and chaise were let to gentlemen or ladies who drove +themselves. + + + + +28 A Job Horse and His Drivers + + +Hitherto I had always been driven by people who at least knew how to +drive; but in this place I was to get my experience of all the different +kinds of bad and ignorant driving to which we horses are subjected; for +I was a “job horse”, and was let out to all sorts of people who wished +to hire me; and as I was good-tempered and gentle, I think I was oftener +let out to the ignorant drivers than some of the other horses, because +I could be depended upon. It would take a long time to tell of all the +different styles in which I was driven, but I will mention a few of +them. + +First, there were the tight-rein drivers--men who seemed to think that +all depended on holding the reins as hard as they could, never relaxing +the pull on the horse's mouth, or giving him the least liberty of +movement. They are always talking about “keeping the horse well in +hand”, and “holding a horse up”, just as if a horse was not made to hold +himself up. + +Some poor, broken-down horses, whose mouths have been made hard and +insensible by just such drivers as these, may, perhaps, find some +support in it; but for a horse who can depend upon his own legs, and who +has a tender mouth and is easily guided, it is not only tormenting, but +it is stupid. + +Then there are the loose-rein drivers, who let the reins lie easily on +our backs, and their own hand rest lazily on their knees. Of course, +such gentlemen have no control over a horse, if anything happens +suddenly. If a horse shies, or starts, or stumbles, they are nowhere, +and cannot help the horse or themselves till the mischief is done. Of +course, for myself I had no objection to it, as I was not in the habit +either of starting or stumbling, and had only been used to depend on my +driver for guidance and encouragement. Still, one likes to feel the rein +a little in going downhill, and likes to know that one's driver is not +gone to sleep. + +Besides, a slovenly way of driving gets a horse into bad and often lazy +habits, and when he changes hands he has to be whipped out of them with +more or less pain and trouble. Squire Gordon always kept us to our best +paces and our best manners. He said that spoiling a horse and letting +him get into bad habits was just as cruel as spoiling a child, and both +had to suffer for it afterward. + +Besides, these drivers are often careless altogether, and will attend to +anything else more than their horses. I went out in the phaeton one day +with one of them; he had a lady and two children behind. He flopped the +reins about as we started, and of course gave me several unmeaning cuts +with the whip, though I was fairly off. There had been a good deal of +road-mending going on, and even where the stones were not freshly laid +down there were a great many loose ones about. My driver was laughing +and joking with the lady and the children, and talking about the country +to the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while to keep +an eye on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; and +so it easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet. + +Now, if Mr. Gordon or John, or in fact any good driver, had been there, +he would have seen that something was wrong before I had gone three +paces. Or even if it had been dark a practiced hand would have felt by +the rein that there was something wrong in the step, and they would have +got down and picked out the stone. But this man went on laughing and +talking, while at every step the stone became more firmly wedged between +my shoe and the frog of my foot. The stone was sharp on the inside and +round on the outside, which, as every one knows, is the most dangerous +kind that a horse can pick up, at the same time cutting his foot and +making him most liable to stumble and fall. + +Whether the man was partly blind or only very careless I can't say, but +he drove me with that stone in my foot for a good half-mile before he +saw anything. By that time I was going so lame with the pain that at +last he saw it, and called out, “Well, here's a go! Why, they have sent +us out with a lame horse! What a shame!” + +He then chucked the reins and flipped about with the whip, saying, “Now, +then, it's no use playing the old soldier with me; there's the journey +to go, and it's no use turning lame and lazy.” + +Just at this time a farmer came riding up on a brown cob. He lifted his +hat and pulled up. + +“I beg your pardon, sir,” he said, “but I think there is something the +matter with your horse; he goes very much as if he had a stone in +his shoe. If you will allow me I will look at his feet; these loose +scattered stones are confounded dangerous things for the horses.” + +“He's a hired horse,” said my driver. “I don't know what's the matter +with him, but it is a great shame to send out a lame beast like this.” + +The farmer dismounted, and slipping his rein over his arm at once took +up my near foot. + +“Bless me, there's a stone! Lame! I should think so!” + +At first he tried to dislodge it with his hand, but as it was now +very tightly wedged he drew a stone-pick out of his pocket, and very +carefully and with some trouble got it out. Then holding it up he said, +“There, that's the stone your horse had picked up. It is a wonder he did +not fall down and break his knees into the bargain!” + +“Well, to be sure!” said my driver; “that is a queer thing! I never knew +that horses picked up stones before.” + +“Didn't you?” said the farmer rather contemptuously; “but they do, +though, and the best of them will do it, and can't help it sometimes on +such roads as these. And if you don't want to lame your horse you must +look sharp and get them out quickly. This foot is very much bruised,” + he said, setting it gently down and patting me. “If I might advise, +sir, you had better drive him gently for awhile; the foot is a good deal +hurt, and the lameness will not go off directly.” + +Then mounting his cob and raising his hat to the lady he trotted off. + +When he was gone my driver began to flop the reins about and whip the +harness, by which I understood that I was to go on, which of course I +did, glad that the stone was gone, but still in a good deal of pain. + +This was the sort of experience we job horses often came in for. + + + + +29 Cockneys + + +Then there is the steam-engine style of driving; these drivers were +mostly people from towns, who never had a horse of their own and +generally traveled by rail. + +They always seemed to think that a horse was something like a +steam-engine, only smaller. At any rate, they think that if only they +pay for it a horse is bound to go just as far and just as fast and with +just as heavy a load as they please. And be the roads heavy and muddy, +or dry and good; be they stony or smooth, uphill or downhill, it is all +the same--on, on, on, one must go, at the same pace, with no relief and +no consideration. + +These people never think of getting out to walk up a steep hill. Oh, no, +they have paid to ride, and ride they will! The horse? Oh, he's used +to it! What were horses made for, if not to drag people uphill? Walk! A +good joke indeed! And so the whip is plied and the rein is chucked and +often a rough, scolding voice cries out, “Go along, you lazy beast!” And +then another slash of the whip, when all the time we are doing our +very best to get along, uncomplaining and obedient, though often sorely +harassed and down-hearted. + +This steam-engine style of driving wears us up faster than any other +kind. I would far rather go twenty miles with a good considerate driver +than I would go ten with some of these; it would take less out of me. + +Another thing, they scarcely ever put on the brake, however steep the +downhill may be, and thus bad accidents sometimes happen; or if they do +put it on, they often forget to take it off at the bottom of the hill, +and more than once I have had to pull halfway up the next hill, with one +of the wheels held by the brake, before my driver chose to think about +it; and that is a terrible strain on a horse. + +Then these cockneys, instead of starting at an easy pace, as a gentleman +would do, generally set off at full speed from the very stable-yard; and +when they want to stop, they first whip us, and then pull up so suddenly +that we are nearly thrown on our haunches, and our mouths jagged with +the bit--they call that pulling up with a dash; and when they turn a +corner they do it as sharply as if there were no right side or wrong +side of the road. + +I well remember one spring evening I and Rory had been out for the day. +(Rory was the horse that mostly went with me when a pair was ordered, +and a good honest fellow he was.) We had our own driver, and as he was +always considerate and gentle with us, we had a very pleasant day. We +were coming home at a good smart pace, about twilight. Our road turned +sharp to the left; but as we were close to the hedge on our own side, +and there was plenty of room to pass, our driver did not pull us in. As +we neared the corner I heard a horse and two wheels coming rapidly down +the hill toward us. The hedge was high, and I could see nothing, but the +next moment we were upon each other. Happily for me, I was on the side +next the hedge. Rory was on the left side of the pole, and had not even +a shaft to protect him. The man who was driving was making straight for +the corner, and when he came in sight of us he had no time to pull over +to his own side. The whole shock came upon Rory. The gig shaft ran right +into the chest, making him stagger back with a cry that I shall never +forget. The other horse was thrown upon his haunches and one shaft +broken. It turned out that it was a horse from our own stables, with the +high-wheeled gig that the young men were so fond of. + +The driver was one of those random, ignorant fellows, who don't even +know which is their own side of the road, or, if they know, don't care. +And there was poor Rory with his flesh torn open and bleeding, and the +blood streaming down. They said if it had been a little more to one side +it would have killed him; and a good thing for him, poor fellow, if it +had. + +As it was, it was a long time before the wound healed, and then he was +sold for coal-carting; and what that is, up and down those steep hills, +only horses know. Some of the sights I saw there, where a horse had to +come downhill with a heavily loaded two-wheel cart behind him, on which +no brake could be placed, make me sad even now to think of. + +After Rory was disabled I often went in the carriage with a mare named +Peggy, who stood in the next stall to mine. She was a strong, well-made +animal, of a bright dun color, beautifully dappled, and with a +dark-brown mane and tail. There was no high breeding about her, but she +was very pretty and remarkably sweet-tempered and willing. Still, there +was an anxious look about her eye, by which I knew that she had some +trouble. The first time we went out together I thought she had a very +odd pace; she seemed to go partly a trot, partly a canter, three or four +paces, and then a little jump forward. + +It was very unpleasant for any horse who pulled with her, and made me +quite fidgety. When we got home I asked her what made her go in that +odd, awkward way. + +“Ah,” she said in a troubled manner, “I know my paces are very bad, but +what can I do? It really is not my fault; it is just because my legs are +so short. I stand nearly as high as you, but your legs are a good three +inches longer above your knee than mine, and of course you can take a +much longer step and go much faster. You see I did not make myself. +I wish I could have done so; I would have had long legs then. All my +troubles come from my short legs,” said Peggy, in a desponding tone. + +“But how is it,” I said, “when you are so strong and good-tempered and +willing?” + +“Why, you see,” said she, “men will go so fast, and if one can't keep up +to other horses it is nothing but whip, whip, whip, all the time. And so +I have had to keep up as I could, and have got into this ugly shuffling +pace. It was not always so; when I lived with my first master I always +went a good regular trot, but then he was not in such a hurry. He was a +young clergyman in the country, and a good, kind master he was. He had +two churches a good way apart, and a great deal of work, but he never +scolded or whipped me for not going faster. He was very fond of me. +I only wish I was with him now; but he had to leave and go to a large +town, and then I was sold to a farmer. + +“Some farmers, you know, are capital masters; but I think this one was a +low sort of man. He cared nothing about good horses or good driving; he +only cared for going fast. I went as fast as I could, but that would +not do, and he was always whipping; so I got into this way of making a +spring forward to keep up. On market nights he used to stay very late at +the inn, and then drive home at a gallop. + +“One dark night he was galloping home as usual, when all of a sudden the +wheel came against some great heavy thing in the road, and turned the +gig over in a minute. He was thrown out and his arm broken, and some of +his ribs, I think. At any rate, it was the end of my living with him, +and I was not sorry. But you see it will be the same everywhere for me, +if men must go so fast. I wish my legs were longer!” + +Poor Peggy! I was very sorry for her, and I could not comfort her, for +I knew how hard it was upon slow-paced horses to be put with fast ones; +all the whipping comes to their share, and they can't help it. + +She was often used in the phaeton, and was very much liked by some of +the ladies, because she was so gentle; and some time after this she was +sold to two ladies who drove themselves, and wanted a safe, good horse. + +I met her several times out in the country, going a good steady pace, +and looking as gay and contented as a horse could be. I was very glad to +see her, for she deserved a good place. + +After she left us another horse came in her stead. He was young, and had +a bad name for shying and starting, by which he had lost a good place. I +asked him what made him shy. + +“Well, I hardly know,” he said. “I was timid when I was young, and was a +good deal frightened several times, and if I saw anything strange I +used to turn and look at it--you see, with our blinkers one can't see +or understand what a thing is unless one looks round--and then my master +always gave me a whipping, which of course made me start on, and did not +make me less afraid. I think if he would have let me just look at things +quietly, and see that there was nothing to hurt me, it would have been +all right, and I should have got used to them. One day an old gentleman +was riding with him, and a large piece of white paper or rag blew across +just on one side of me. I shied and started forward. My master as usual +whipped me smartly, but the old man cried out, 'You're wrong! you're +wrong! You should never whip a horse for shying; he shies because he is +frightened, and you only frighten him more and make the habit worse.' +So I suppose all men don't do so. I am sure I don't want to shy for the +sake of it; but how should one know what is dangerous and what is not, +if one is never allowed to get used to anything? I am never afraid of +what I know. Now I was brought up in a park where there were deer; of +course I knew them as well as I did a sheep or a cow, but they are not +common, and I know many sensible horses who are frightened at them, and +who kick up quite a shindy before they will pass a paddock where there +are deer.” + +I knew what my companion said was true, and I wished that every young +horse had as good masters as Farmer Grey and Squire Gordon. + +Of course we sometimes came in for good driving here. I remember one +morning I was put into the light gig, and taken to a house in Pulteney +Street. Two gentlemen came out; the taller of them came round to my +head; he looked at the bit and bridle, and just shifted the collar with +his hand, to see if it fitted comfortably. + +“Do you consider this horse wants a curb?” he said to the hostler. + +“Well,” said the man, “I should say he would go just as well without; +he has an uncommon good mouth, and though he has a fine spirit he has no +vice; but we generally find people like the curb.” + +“I don't like it,” said the gentleman; “be so good as to take it off, +and put the rein in at the cheek. An easy mouth is a great thing on a +long journey, is it not, old fellow?” he said, patting my neck. + +Then he took the reins, and they both got up. I can remember now how +quietly he turned me round, and then with a light feel of the rein, and +drawing the whip gently across my back, we were off. + +I arched my neck and set off at my best pace. I found I had some one +behind me who knew how a good horse ought to be driven. It seemed like +old times again, and made me feel quite gay. + +This gentleman took a great liking to me, and after trying me several +times with the saddle he prevailed upon my master to sell me to a friend +of his, who wanted a safe, pleasant horse for riding. And so it came to +pass that in the summer I was sold to Mr. Barry. + + + + +30 A Thief + + +My new master was an unmarried man. He lived at Bath, and was much +engaged in business. His doctor advised him to take horse exercise, and +for this purpose he bought me. He hired a stable a short distance from +his lodgings, and engaged a man named Filcher as groom. My master knew +very little about horses, but he treated me well, and I should have had +a good and easy place but for circumstances of which he was ignorant. He +ordered the best hay with plenty of oats, crushed beans, and bran, +with vetches, or rye grass, as the man might think needful. I heard the +master give the order, so I knew there was plenty of good food, and I +thought I was well off. + +For a few days all went on well. I found that my groom understood +his business. He kept the stable clean and airy, and he groomed me +thoroughly; and was never otherwise than gentle. He had been an hostler +in one of the great hotels in Bath. He had given that up, and now +cultivated fruit and vegetables for the market, and his wife bred and +fattened poultry and rabbits for sale. After awhile it seemed to me that +my oats came very short; I had the beans, but bran was mixed with them +instead of oats, of which there were very few; certainly not more than a +quarter of what there should have been. In two or three weeks this began +to tell upon my strength and spirits. The grass food, though very good, +was not the thing to keep up my condition without corn. However, I +could not complain, nor make known my wants. So it went on for about two +months; and I wondered that my master did not see that something was +the matter. However, one afternoon he rode out into the country to see a +friend of his, a gentleman farmer, who lived on the road to Wells. + +This gentleman had a very quick eye for horses; and after he had +welcomed his friend he said, casting his eye over me: + +“It seems to me, Barry, that your horse does not look so well as he did +when you first had him; has he been well?” + +“Yes, I believe so,” said my master; “but he is not nearly so lively as +he was; my groom tells me that horses are always dull and weak in the +autumn, and that I must expect it.” + +“Autumn, fiddlesticks!” said the farmer. “Why, this is only August; and +with your light work and good food he ought not to go down like this, +even if it was autumn. How do you feed him?” + +My master told him. The other shook his head slowly, and began to feel +me over. + +“I can't say who eats your corn, my dear fellow, but I am much mistaken +if your horse gets it. Have you ridden very fast?” + +“No, very gently.” + +“Then just put your hand here,” said he, passing his hand over my neck +and shoulder; “he is as warm and damp as a horse just come up from +grass. I advise you to look into your stable a little more. I hate to be +suspicious, and, thank heaven, I have no cause to be, for I can trust my +men, present or absent; but there are mean scoundrels, wicked enough to +rob a dumb beast of his food. You must look into it.” And turning to +his man, who had come to take me, “Give this horse a right good feed of +bruised oats, and don't stint him.” + +“Dumb beasts!” Yes, we are; but if I could have spoken I could have told +my master where his oats went to. My groom used to come every morning +about six o'clock, and with him a little boy, who always had a covered +basket with him. He used to go with his father into the harness-room, +where the corn was kept, and I could see them, when the door stood ajar, +fill a little bag with oats out of the bin, and then he used to be off. + +Five or six mornings after this, just as the boy had left the stable, +the door was pushed open, and a policeman walked in, holding the child +tight by the arm; another policeman followed, and locked the door on the +inside, saying, “Show me the place where your father keeps his rabbits' +food.” + +The boy looked very frightened and began to cry; but there was no +escape, and he led the way to the corn-bin. Here the policeman found +another empty bag like that which was found full of oats in the boy's +basket. + +Filcher was cleaning my feet at the time, but they soon saw him, and +though he blustered a good deal they walked him off to the “lock-up”, +and his boy with him. I heard afterward that the boy was not held to be +guilty, but the man was sentenced to prison for two months. + + + + +31 A Humbug + + +My master was not immediately suited, but in a few days my new groom +came. He was a tall, good-looking fellow enough; but if ever there was +a humbug in the shape of a groom Alfred Smirk was the man. He was very +civil to me, and never used me ill; in fact, he did a great deal of +stroking and patting when his master was there to see it. He always +brushed my mane and tail with water and my hoofs with oil before he +brought me to the door, to make me look smart; but as to cleaning my +feet or looking to my shoes, or grooming me thoroughly, he thought no +more of that than if I had been a cow. He left my bit rusty, my saddle +damp, and my crupper stiff. + +Alfred Smirk considered himself very handsome; he spent a great deal of +time about his hair, whiskers and necktie, before a little looking-glass +in the harness-room. When his master was speaking to him it was always, +“Yes, sir; yes, sir”--touching his hat at every word; and every one +thought he was a very nice young man and that Mr. Barry was very +fortunate to meet with him. I should say he was the laziest, most +conceited fellow I ever came near. Of course, it was a great thing not +to be ill-used, but then a horse wants more than that. I had a loose +box, and might have been very comfortable if he had not been too +indolent to clean it out. He never took all the straw away, and the +smell from what lay underneath was very bad; while the strong vapors +that rose made my eyes smart and inflame, and I did not feel the same +appetite for my food. + +One day his master came in and said, “Alfred, the stable smells rather +strong; should not you give that stall a good scrub and throw down +plenty of water?” + +“Well, sir,” he said, touching his cap, “I'll do so if you please, sir; +but it is rather dangerous, sir, throwing down water in a horse's box; +they are very apt to take cold, sir. I should not like to do him an +injury, but I'll do it if you please, sir.” + +“Well,” said his master, “I should not like him to take cold; but I +don't like the smell of this stable. Do you think the drains are all +right?” + +“Well, sir, now you mention it, I think the drain does sometimes send +back a smell; there may be something wrong, sir.” + +“Then send for the bricklayer and have it seen to,” said his master. + +“Yes, sir, I will.” + +The bricklayer came and pulled up a great many bricks, but found nothing +amiss; so he put down some lime and charged the master five shillings, +and the smell in my box was as bad as ever. But that was not all: +standing as I did on a quantity of moist straw my feet grew unhealthy +and tender, and the master used to say: + +“I don't know what is the matter with this horse; he goes very +fumble-footed. I am sometimes afraid he will stumble.” + +“Yes, sir,” said Alfred, “I have noticed the same myself, when I have +exercised him.” + +Now the fact was that he hardly ever did exercise me, and when the +master was busy I often stood for days together without stretching my +legs at all, and yet being fed just as high as if I were at hard work. +This often disordered my health, and made me sometimes heavy and dull, +but more often restless and feverish. He never even gave me a meal +of green food or a bran mash, which would have cooled me, for he +was altogether as ignorant as he was conceited; and then, instead of +exercise or change of food, I had to take horse balls and draughts; +which, beside the nuisance of having them poured down my throat, used to +make me feel ill and uncomfortable. + +One day my feet were so tender that, trotting over some fresh stones +with my master on my back, I made two such serious stumbles that, as he +came down Lansdown into the city, he stopped at the farrier's, and asked +him to see what was the matter with me. The man took up my feet one +by one and examined them; then standing up and dusting his hands one +against the other, he said: + +“Your horse has got the 'thrush', and badly, too; his feet are very +tender; it is fortunate that he has not been down. I wonder your groom +has not seen to it before. This is the sort of thing we find in foul +stables, where the litter is never properly cleaned out. If you will +send him here to-morrow I will attend to the hoof, and I will direct +your man how to apply the liniment which I will give him.” + +The next day I had my feet thoroughly cleansed and stuffed with tow +soaked in some strong lotion; and an unpleasant business it was. + +The farrier ordered all the litter to be taken out of my box day by day, +and the floor kept very clean. Then I was to have bran mashes, a little +green food, and not so much corn, till my feet were well again. With +this treatment I soon regained my spirits; but Mr. Barry was so much +disgusted at being twice deceived by his grooms that he determined to +give up keeping a horse, and to hire when he wanted one. I was therefore +kept till my feet were quite sound, and was then sold again. + + + + +Part III + + + + +32 A Horse Fair + + +No doubt a horse fair is a very amusing place to those who have nothing +to lose; at any rate, there is plenty to see. + +Long strings of young horses out of the country, fresh from the marshes; +and droves of shaggy little Welsh ponies, no higher than Merrylegs; and +hundreds of cart horses of all sorts, some of them with their long tails +braided up and tied with scarlet cord; and a good many like myself, +handsome and high-bred, but fallen into the middle class, through some +accident or blemish, unsoundness of wind, or some other complaint. There +were some splendid animals quite in their prime, and fit for anything; +they were throwing out their legs and showing off their paces in high +style, as they were trotted out with a leading rein, the groom running +by the side. But round in the background there were a number of poor +things, sadly broken down with hard work, with their knees knuckling +over and their hind legs swinging out at every step, and there were some +very dejected-looking old horses, with the under lip hanging down and +the ears lying back heavily, as if there were no more pleasure in life, +and no more hope; there were some so thin you might see all their ribs, +and some with old sores on their backs and hips. These were sad sights +for a horse to look upon, who knows not but he may come to the same +state. + +There was a great deal of bargaining, of running up and beating down; +and if a horse may speak his mind so far as he understands, I should say +there were more lies told and more trickery at that horse fair than a +clever man could give an account of. I was put with two or three other +strong, useful-looking horses, and a good many people came to look at +us. The gentlemen always turned from me when they saw my broken knees; +though the man who had me swore it was only a slip in the stall. + +The first thing was to pull my mouth open, then to look at my eyes, then +feel all the way down my legs, and give me a hard feel of the skin and +flesh, and then try my paces. It was wonderful what a difference there +was in the way these things were done. Some did it in a rough, offhand +way, as if one was only a piece of wood; while others would take their +hands gently over one's body, with a pat now and then, as much as to +say, “By your leave.” Of course I judged a good deal of the buyers by +their manners to myself. + +There was one man, I thought, if he would buy me, I should be happy. +He was not a gentleman, nor yet one of the loud, flashy sort that call +themselves so. He was rather a small man, but well made, and quick in +all his motions. I knew in a moment by the way he handled me, that he +was used to horses; he spoke gently, and his gray eye had a kindly, +cheery look in it. It may seem strange to say--but it is true all the +same--that the clean, fresh smell there was about him made me take to +him; no smell of old beer and tobacco, which I hated, but a fresh smell +as if he had come out of a hayloft. He offered twenty-three pounds for +me, but that was refused, and he walked away. I looked after him, but +he was gone, and a very hard-looking, loud-voiced man came. I was +dreadfully afraid he would have me; but he walked off. One or two more +came who did not mean business. Then the hard-faced man came back again +and offered twenty-three pounds. A very close bargain was being driven, +for my salesman began to think he should not get all he asked, and must +come down; but just then the gray-eyed man came back again. I could not +help reaching out my head toward him. He stroked my face kindly. + +“Well, old chap,” he said, “I think we should suit each other. I'll give +twenty-four for him.” + +“Say twenty-five and you shall have him.” + +“Twenty-four ten,” said my friend, in a very decided tone, “and not +another sixpence--yes or no?” + +“Done,” said the salesman; “and you may depend upon it there's a +monstrous deal of quality in that horse, and if you want him for cab +work he's a bargain.” + +The money was paid on the spot, and my new master took my halter, and +led me out of the fair to an inn, where he had a saddle and bridle +ready. He gave me a good feed of oats and stood by while I ate it, +talking to himself and talking to me. Half an hour after we were on our +way to London, through pleasant lanes and country roads, until we came +into the great London thoroughfare, on which we traveled steadily, till +in the twilight we reached the great city. The gas lamps were already +lighted; there were streets to the right, and streets to the left, and +streets crossing each other, for mile upon mile. I thought we should +never come to the end of them. At last, in passing through one, we +came to a long cab stand, when my rider called out in a cheery voice, +“Good-night, governor!” + +“Halloo!” cried a voice. “Have you got a good one?” + +“I think so,” replied my owner. + +“I wish you luck with him.” + +“Thank you, governor,” and he rode on. We soon turned up one of the side +streets, and about halfway up that we turned into a very narrow street, +with rather poor-looking houses on one side, and what seemed to be +coach-houses and stables on the other. + +My owner pulled up at one of the houses and whistled. The door flew +open, and a young woman, followed by a little girl and boy, ran out. +There was a very lively greeting as my rider dismounted. + +“Now, then, Harry, my boy, open the gates, and mother will bring us the +lantern.” + +The next minute they were all standing round me in a small stable-yard. + +“Is he gentle, father?” + +“Yes, Dolly, as gentle as your own kitten; come and pat him.” + +At once the little hand was patting about all over my shoulder without +fear. How good it felt! + +“Let me get him a bran mash while you rub him down,” said the mother. + +“Do, Polly, it's just what he wants; and I know you've got a beautiful +mash ready for me.” + +“Sausage dumpling and apple turnover!” shouted the boy, which set them +all laughing. I was led into a comfortable, clean-smelling stall, with +plenty of dry straw, and after a capital supper I lay down, thinking I +was going to be happy. + + + + +33 A London Cab Horse + + +Jeremiah Barker was my new master's name, but as every one called him +Jerry, I shall do the same. Polly, his wife, was just as good a match as +a man could have. She was a plump, trim, tidy little woman, with smooth, +dark hair, dark eyes, and a merry little mouth. The boy was twelve years +old, a tall, frank, good-tempered lad; and little Dorothy (Dolly they +called her) was her mother over again, at eight years old. They were all +wonderfully fond of each other; I never knew such a happy, merry family +before or since. Jerry had a cab of his own, and two horses, which he +drove and attended to himself. His other horse was a tall, white, rather +large-boned animal called “Captain”. He was old now, but when he was +young he must have been splendid; he had still a proud way of +holding his head and arching his neck; in fact, he was a high-bred, +fine-mannered, noble old horse, every inch of him. He told me that in +his early youth he went to the Crimean War; he belonged to an officer +in the cavalry, and used to lead the regiment. I will tell more of that +hereafter. + +The next morning, when I was well-groomed, Polly and Dolly came into the +yard to see me and make friends. Harry had been helping his father since +the early morning, and had stated his opinion that I should turn out a +“regular brick”. Polly brought me a slice of apple, and Dolly a piece +of bread, and made as much of me as if I had been the “Black Beauty” of +olden time. It was a great treat to be petted again and talked to in a +gentle voice, and I let them see as well as I could that I wished to be +friendly. Polly thought I was very handsome, and a great deal too good +for a cab, if it was not for the broken knees. + +“Of course there's no one to tell us whose fault that was,” said Jerry, +“and as long as I don't know I shall give him the benefit of the doubt; +for a firmer, neater stepper I never rode. We'll call him 'Jack', after +the old one--shall we, Polly?” + +“Do,” she said, “for I like to keep a good name going.” + +Captain went out in the cab all the morning. Harry came in after school +to feed me and give me water. In the afternoon I was put into the +cab. Jerry took as much pains to see if the collar and bridle fitted +comfortably as if he had been John Manly over again. When the crupper +was let out a hole or two it all fitted well. There was no check-rein, +no curb, nothing but a plain ring snaffle. What a blessing that was! + +After driving through the side street we came to the large cab stand +where Jerry had said “Good-night”. On one side of this wide street were +high houses with wonderful shop fronts, and on the other was an old +church and churchyard, surrounded by iron palisades. Alongside these +iron rails a number of cabs were drawn up, waiting for passengers; bits +of hay were lying about on the ground; some of the men were standing +together talking; some were sitting on their boxes reading the +newspaper; and one or two were feeding their horses with bits of hay, +and giving them a drink of water. We pulled up in the rank at the back +of the last cab. Two or three men came round and began to look at me and +pass their remarks. + +“Very good for a funeral,” said one. + +“Too smart-looking,” said another, shaking his head in a very wise way; +“you'll find out something wrong one of these fine mornings, or my name +isn't Jones.” + +“Well,” said Jerry pleasantly, “I suppose I need not find it out till it +finds me out, eh? And if so, I'll keep up my spirits a little longer.” + +Then there came up a broad-faced man, dressed in a great gray coat +with great gray cape and great white buttons, a gray hat, and a blue +comforter loosely tied round his neck; his hair was gray, too; but +he was a jolly-looking fellow, and the other men made way for him. +He looked me all over, as if he had been going to buy me; and then +straightening himself up with a grunt, he said, “He's the right sort for +you, Jerry; I don't care what you gave for him, he'll be worth it.” Thus +my character was established on the stand. + +This man's name was Grant, but he was called “Gray Grant”, or “Governor +Grant”. He had been the longest on that stand of any of the men, and +he took it upon himself to settle matters and stop disputes. He was +generally a good-humored, sensible man; but if his temper was a little +out, as it was sometimes when he had drunk too much, nobody liked to +come too near his fist, for he could deal a very heavy blow. + +The first week of my life as a cab horse was very trying. I had never +been used to London, and the noise, the hurry, the crowds of horses, +carts, and carriages that I had to make my way through made me feel +anxious and harassed; but I soon found that I could perfectly trust my +driver, and then I made myself easy and got used to it. + +Jerry was as good a driver as I had ever known, and what was better, he +took as much thought for his horses as he did for himself. He soon found +out that I was willing to work and do my best, and he never laid the +whip on me unless it was gently drawing the end of it over my back when +I was to go on; but generally I knew this quite well by the way in which +he took up the reins, and I believe his whip was more frequently stuck +up by his side than in his hand. + +In a short time I and my master understood each other as well as horse +and man can do. In the stable, too, he did all that he could for our +comfort. The stalls were the old-fashioned style, too much on the slope; +but he had two movable bars fixed across the back of our stalls, so that +at night, and when we were resting, he just took off our halters and +put up the bars, and thus we could turn about and stand whichever way we +pleased, which is a great comfort. + +Jerry kept us very clean, and gave us as much change of food as he +could, and always plenty of it; and not only that, but he always gave us +plenty of clean fresh water, which he allowed to stand by us both night +and day, except of course when we came in warm. Some people say that a +horse ought not to drink all he likes; but I know if we are allowed to +drink when we want it we drink only a little at a time, and it does us +a great deal more good than swallowing down half a bucketful at a time, +because we have been left without till we are thirsty and miserable. +Some grooms will go home to their beer and leave us for hours with our +dry hay and oats and nothing to moisten them; then of course we gulp +down too much at once, which helps to spoil our breathing and sometimes +chills our stomachs. But the best thing we had here was our Sundays for +rest; we worked so hard in the week that I do not think we could have +kept up to it but for that day; besides, we had then time to enjoy each +other's company. It was on these days that I learned my companion's +history. + + + + +34 An Old War Horse + + +Captain had been broken in and trained for an army horse; his first +owner was an officer of cavalry going out to the Crimean war. He said he +quite enjoyed the training with all the other horses, trotting together, +turning together, to the right hand or the left, halting at the word of +command, or dashing forward at full speed at the sound of the trumpet +or signal of the officer. He was, when young, a dark, dappled iron-gray, +and considered very handsome. His master, a young, high-spirited +gentleman, was very fond of him, and treated him from the first with the +greatest care and kindness. He told me he thought the life of an army +horse was very pleasant; but when it came to being sent abroad over the +sea in a great ship, he almost changed his mind. + +“That part of it,” said he, “was dreadful! Of course we could not walk +off the land into the ship; so they were obliged to put strong straps +under our bodies, and then we were lifted off our legs in spite of our +struggles, and were swung through the air over the water, to the deck of +the great vessel. There we were placed in small close stalls, and never +for a long time saw the sky, or were able to stretch our legs. The ship +sometimes rolled about in high winds, and we were knocked about, and +felt bad enough. + +“However, at last it came to an end, and we were hauled up, and swung +over again to the land; we were very glad, and snorted and neighed for +joy, when we once more felt firm ground under our feet. + +“We soon found that the country we had come to was very different from +our own and that we had many hardships to endure besides the fighting; +but many of the men were so fond of their horses that they did +everything they could to make them comfortable in spite of snow, wet, +and all things out of order.” + +“But what about the fighting?” said I, “was not that worse than anything +else?” + +“Well,” said he, “I hardly know; we always liked to hear the trumpet +sound, and to be called out, and were impatient to start off, though +sometimes we had to stand for hours, waiting for the word of command; +and when the word was given we used to spring forward as gayly and +eagerly as if there were no cannon balls, bayonets, or bullets. I +believe so long as we felt our rider firm in the saddle, and his hand +steady on the bridle, not one of us gave way to fear, not even when the +terrible bomb-shells whirled through the air and burst into a thousand +pieces. + +“I, with my noble master, went into many actions together without a +wound; and though I saw horses shot down with bullets, pierced through +with lances, and gashed with fearful saber-cuts; though we left them +dead on the field, or dying in the agony of their wounds, I don't think +I feared for myself. My master's cheery voice, as he encouraged his +men, made me feel as if he and I could not be killed. I had such perfect +trust in him that while he was guiding me I was ready to charge up +to the very cannon's mouth. I saw many brave men cut down, many fall +mortally wounded from their saddles. I had heard the cries and groans +of the dying, I had cantered over ground slippery with blood, and +frequently had to turn aside to avoid trampling on wounded man or horse, +but, until one dreadful day, I had never felt terror; that day I shall +never forget.” + +Here old Captain paused for awhile and drew a long breath; I waited, and +he went on. + +“It was one autumn morning, and as usual, an hour before daybreak our +cavalry had turned out, ready caparisoned for the day's work, whether +it might be fighting or waiting. The men stood by their horses waiting, +ready for orders. As the light increased there seemed to be some +excitement among the officers; and before the day was well begun we +heard the firing of the enemy's guns. + +“Then one of the officers rode up and gave the word for the men to +mount, and in a second every man was in his saddle, and every horse +stood expecting the touch of the rein, or the pressure of his rider's +heels, all animated, all eager; but still we had been trained so well +that, except by the champing of our bits, and the restive tossing of our +heads from time to time, it could not be said that we stirred. + +“My dear master and I were at the head of the line, and as all sat +motionless and watchful, he took a little stray lock of my mane which +had turned over on the wrong side, laid it over on the right, and +smoothed it down with his hand; then patting my neck, he said, 'We shall +have a day of it to-day, Bayard, my beauty; but we'll do our duty as we +have done.' He stroked my neck that morning more, I think, than he had +ever done before; quietly on and on, as if he were thinking of something +else. I loved to feel his hand on my neck, and arched my crest proudly +and happily; but I stood very still, for I knew all his moods, and when +he liked me to be quiet, and when gay. + +“I cannot tell all that happened on that day, but I will tell of the +last charge that we made together; it was across a valley right in front +of the enemy's cannon. By this time we were well used to the roar of +heavy guns, the rattle of musket fire, and the flying of shot near us; +but never had I been under such a fire as we rode through on that day. +From the right, from the left, and from the front, shot and shell poured +in upon us. Many a brave man went down, many a horse fell, flinging his +rider to the earth; many a horse without a rider ran wildly out of the +ranks; then terrified at being alone, with no hand to guide him, came +pressing in among his old companions, to gallop with them to the charge. + +“Fearful as it was, no one stopped, no one turned back. Every moment the +ranks were thinned, but as our comrades fell, we closed in to keep +them together; and instead of being shaken or staggered in our pace our +gallop became faster and faster as we neared the cannon. + +“My master, my dear master was cheering on his comrades with his right +arm raised on high, when one of the balls whizzing close to my head +struck him. I felt him stagger with the shock, though he uttered no cry; +I tried to check my speed, but the sword dropped from his right hand, +the rein fell loose from the left, and sinking backward from the saddle +he fell to the earth; the other riders swept past us, and by the force +of their charge I was driven from the spot. + +“I wanted to keep my place by his side and not leave him under that +rush of horses' feet, but it was in vain; and now without a master or a +friend I was alone on that great slaughter ground; then fear took hold +on me, and I trembled as I had never trembled before; and I too, as I +had seen other horses do, tried to join in the ranks and gallop with +them; but I was beaten off by the swords of the soldiers. Just then a +soldier whose horse had been killed under him caught at my bridle and +mounted me, and with this new master I was again going forward; but our +gallant company was cruelly overpowered, and those who remained alive +after the fierce fight for the guns came galloping back over the same +ground. Some of the horses had been so badly wounded that they could +scarcely move from the loss of blood; other noble creatures were trying +on three legs to drag themselves along, and others were struggling to +rise on their fore feet, when their hind legs had been shattered by +shot. After the battle the wounded men were brought in and the dead were +buried.” + +“And what about the wounded horses?” I said; “were they left to die?” + +“No, the army farriers went over the field with their pistols and shot +all that were ruined; some that had only slight wounds were brought back +and attended to, but the greater part of the noble, willing creatures +that went out that morning never came back! In our stables there was +only about one in four that returned. + +“I never saw my dear master again. I believe he fell dead from the +saddle. I never loved any other master so well. I went into many other +engagements, but was only once wounded, and then not seriously; and when +the war was over I came back again to England, as sound and strong as +when I went out.” + +I said, “I have heard people talk about war as if it was a very fine +thing.” + +“Ah!” said he, “I should think they never saw it. No doubt it is very +fine when there is no enemy, when it is just exercise and parade and +sham fight. Yes, it is very fine then; but when thousands of good brave +men and horses are killed or crippled for life, it has a very different +look.” + +“Do you know what they fought about?” said I. + +“No,” he said, “that is more than a horse can understand, but the enemy +must have been awfully wicked people, if it was right to go all that way +over the sea on purpose to kill them.” + + + + +35 Jerry Barker + + +I never knew a better man than my new master. He was kind and good, and +as strong for the right as John Manly; and so good-tempered and merry +that very few people could pick a quarrel with him. He was very fond of +making little songs, and singing them to himself. One he was very fond +of was this: + + “Come, father and mother, + And sister and brother, + Come, all of you, turn to + And help one another.” + +And so they did; Harry was as clever at stable-work as a much older boy, +and always wanted to do what he could. Then Polly and Dolly used to come +in the morning to help with the cab--to brush and beat the cushions, +and rub the glass, while Jerry was giving us a cleaning in the yard, and +Harry was rubbing the harness. There used to be a great deal of laughing +and fun between them, and it put Captain and me in much better spirits +than if we had heard scolding and hard words. They were always early in +the morning, for Jerry would say: + + “If you in the morning + Throw minutes away, + You can't pick them up + In the course of a day. + You may hurry and scurry, + And flurry and worry, + You've lost them forever, + Forever and aye.” + +He could not bear any careless loitering and waste of time; and nothing +was so near making him angry as to find people, who were always late, +wanting a cab horse to be driven hard, to make up for their idleness. + +One day two wild-looking young men came out of a tavern close by the +stand, and called Jerry. + +“Here, cabby! look sharp, we are rather late; put on the steam, will +you, and take us to the Victoria in time for the one o'clock train? You +shall have a shilling extra.” + +“I will take you at the regular pace, gentlemen; shillings don't pay for +putting on the steam like that.” + +Larry's cab was standing next to ours; he flung open the door, and said, +“I'm your man, gentlemen! take my cab, my horse will get you there all +right;” and as he shut them in, with a wink toward Jerry, said, “It's +against his conscience to go beyond a jog-trot.” Then slashing his jaded +horse, he set off as hard as he could. Jerry patted me on the neck: “No, +Jack, a shilling would not pay for that sort of thing, would it, old +boy?” + +Although Jerry was determinedly set against hard driving, to please +careless people, he always went a good fair pace, and was not against +putting on the steam, as he said, if only he knew why. + +I well remember one morning, as we were on the stand waiting for a +fare, that a young man, carrying a heavy portmanteau, trod on a piece of +orange peel which lay on the pavement, and fell down with great force. + +Jerry was the first to run and lift him up. He seemed much stunned, and +as they led him into a shop he walked as if he were in great pain. Jerry +of course came back to the stand, but in about ten minutes one of the +shopmen called him, so we drew up to the pavement. + +“Can you take me to the South-Eastern Railway?” said the young man; +“this unlucky fall has made me late, I fear; but it is of great +importance that I should not lose the twelve o'clock train. I should be +most thankful if you could get me there in time, and will gladly pay you +an extra fare.” + +“I'll do my very best,” said Jerry heartily, “if you think you are well +enough, sir,” for he looked dreadfully white and ill. + +“I must go,” he said earnestly, “please to open the door, and let us +lose no time.” + +The next minute Jerry was on the box; with a cheery chirrup to me, and a +twitch of the rein that I well understood. + +“Now then, Jack, my boy,” said he, “spin along, we'll show them how we +can get over the ground, if we only know why.” + +It is always difficult to drive fast in the city in the middle of the +day, when the streets are full of traffic, but we did what could be +done; and when a good driver and a good horse, who understand each +other, are of one mind, it is wonderful what they can do. I had a very +good mouth--that is I could be guided by the slightest touch of the +rein; and that is a great thing in London, among carriages, omnibuses, +carts, vans, trucks, cabs, and great wagons creeping along at a walking +pace; some going one way, some another, some going slowly, others +wanting to pass them; omnibuses stopping short every few minutes to take +up a passenger, obliging the horse that is coming behind to pull up too, +or to pass, and get before them; perhaps you try to pass, but just then +something else comes dashing in through the narrow opening, and you +have to keep in behind the omnibus again; presently you think you see a +chance, and manage to get to the front, going so near the wheels on each +side that half an inch nearer and they would scrape. Well, you get along +for a bit, but soon find yourself in a long train of carts and carriages +all obliged to go at a walk; perhaps you come to a regular block-up, and +have to stand still for minutes together, till something clears out into +a side street, or the policeman interferes; you have to be ready for +any chance--to dash forward if there be an opening, and be quick as a +rat-dog to see if there be room and if there be time, lest you get your +own wheels locked or smashed, or the shaft of some other vehicle run +into your chest or shoulder. All this is what you have to be ready for. +If you want to get through London fast in the middle of the day it wants +a deal of practice. + +Jerry and I were used to it, and no one could beat us at getting through +when we were set upon it. I was quick and bold and could always trust +my driver; Jerry was quick and patient at the same time, and could trust +his horse, which was a great thing too. He very seldom used the whip; I +knew by his voice, and his click, click, when he wanted to get on fast, +and by the rein where I was to go; so there was no need for whipping; +but I must go back to my story. + +The streets were very full that day, but we got on pretty well as far +as the bottom of Cheapside, where there was a block for three or four +minutes. The young man put his head out and said anxiously, “I think I +had better get out and walk; I shall never get there if this goes on.” + +“I'll do all that can be done, sir,” said Jerry; “I think we shall be +in time. This block-up cannot last much longer, and your luggage is very +heavy for you to carry, sir.” + +Just then the cart in front of us began to move on, and then we had a +good turn. In and out, in and out we went, as fast as horseflesh could +do it, and for a wonder had a good clear time on London Bridge, for +there was a whole train of cabs and carriages all going our way at a +quick trot, perhaps wanting to catch that very train. At any rate, we +whirled into the station with many more, just as the great clock pointed +to eight minutes to twelve o'clock. + +“Thank God! we are in time,” said the young man, “and thank you, too, my +friend, and your good horse. You have saved me more than money can ever +pay for. Take this extra half-crown.” + +“No, sir, no, thank you all the same; so glad we hit the time, sir; +but don't stay now, sir, the bell is ringing. Here, porter! take this +gentleman's luggage--Dover line twelve o'clock train--that's it,” and +without waiting for another word Jerry wheeled me round to make room for +other cabs that were dashing up at the last minute, and drew up on one +side till the crush was past. + +“'So glad!' he said, 'so glad!' Poor young fellow! I wonder what it was +that made him so anxious!” + +Jerry often talked to himself quite loud enough for me to hear when we +were not moving. + +On Jerry's return to the rank there was a good deal of laughing and +chaffing at him for driving hard to the train for an extra fare, as they +said, all against his principles, and they wanted to know how much he +had pocketed. + +“A good deal more than I generally get,” said he, nodding slyly; “what +he gave me will keep me in little comforts for several days.” + +“Gammon!” said one. + +“He's a humbug,” said another; “preaching to us and then doing the same +himself.” + +“Look here, mates,” said Jerry; “the gentleman offered me half a crown +extra, but I didn't take it; 'twas quite pay enough for me to see how +glad he was to catch that train; and if Jack and I choose to have a +quick run now and then to please ourselves, that's our business and not +yours.” + +“Well,” said Larry, “you'll never be a rich man.” + +“Most likely not,” said Jerry; “but I don't know that I shall be the +less happy for that. I have heard the commandments read a great many +times and I never noticed that any of them said, 'Thou shalt be rich'; +and there are a good many curious things said in the New Testament about +rich men that I think would make me feel rather queer if I was one of +them.” + +“If you ever do get rich,” said Governor Gray, looking over his shoulder +across the top of his cab, “you'll deserve it, Jerry, and you won't find +a curse come with your wealth. As for you, Larry, you'll die poor; you +spend too much in whipcord.” + +“Well,” said Larry, “what is a fellow to do if his horse won't go +without it?” + +“You never take the trouble to see if he will go without it; your whip +is always going as if you had the St. Vitus' dance in your arm, and +if it does not wear you out it wears your horse out; you know you are +always changing your horses; and why? Because you never give them any +peace or encouragement.” + +“Well, I have not had good luck,” said Larry, “that's where it is.” + +“And you never will,” said the governor. “Good Luck is rather particular +who she rides with, and mostly prefers those who have got common sense +and a good heart; at least that is my experience.” + +Governor Gray turned round again to his newspaper, and the other men +went to their cabs. + + + + +36 The Sunday Cab + + +One morning, as Jerry had just put me into the shafts and was fastening +the traces, a gentleman walked into the yard. “Your servant, sir,” said +Jerry. + +“Good-morning, Mr. Barker,” said the gentleman. “I should be glad to +make some arrangements with you for taking Mrs. Briggs regularly to +church on Sunday mornings. We go to the New Church now, and that is +rather further than she can walk.” + +“Thank you, sir,” said Jerry, “but I have only taken out a six-days' +license,* and therefore I could not take a fare on a Sunday; it would +not be legal.” + + +* A few years since the annual charge for a cab license was very much +reduced, and the difference between the six and seven days' cabs was +abolished. + + +“Oh!” said the other, “I did not know yours was a six-days' cab; but of +course it would be very easy to alter your license. I would see that you +did not lose by it; the fact is, Mrs. Briggs very much prefers you to +drive her.” + +“I should be glad to oblige the lady, sir, but I had a seven-days' +license once, and the work was too hard for me, and too hard for my +horses. Year in and year out, not a day's rest, and never a Sunday with +my wife and children; and never able to go to a place of worship, which +I had always been used to do before I took to the driving box. So for +the last five years I have only taken a six-days' license, and I find it +better all the way round.” + +“Well, of course,” replied Mr. Briggs, “it is very proper that every +person should have rest, and be able to go to church on Sundays, but I +should have thought you would not have minded such a short distance for +the horse, and only once a day; you would have all the afternoon and +evening for yourself, and we are very good customers, you know.” + +“Yes, sir, that is true, and I am grateful for all favors, I am sure; +and anything that I could do to oblige you, or the lady, I should be +proud and happy to do; but I can't give up my Sundays, sir, indeed I +can't. I read that God made man, and he made horses and all the other +beasts, and as soon as He had made them He made a day of rest, and bade +that all should rest one day in seven; and I think, sir, He must have +known what was good for them, and I am sure it is good for me; I am +stronger and healthier altogether, now that I have a day of rest; the +horses are fresh too, and do not wear up nearly so fast. The six-day +drivers all tell me the same, and I have laid by more money in the +savings bank than ever I did before; and as for the wife and children, +sir, why, heart alive! they would not go back to the seven days for all +they could see.” + +“Oh, very well,” said the gentleman. “Don't trouble yourself, Mr. +Barker, any further. I will inquire somewhere else,” and he walked away. + +“Well,” says Jerry to me, “we can't help it, Jack, old boy; we must have +our Sundays.” + +“Polly!” he shouted, “Polly! come here.” + +She was there in a minute. + +“What is it all about, Jerry?” + +“Why, my dear, Mr. Briggs wants me to take Mrs. Briggs to church every +Sunday morning. I say I have only a six-days' license. He says, 'Get a +seven-days' license, and I'll make it worth your while;' and you know, +Polly, they are very good customers to us. Mrs. Briggs often goes out +shopping for hours, or making calls, and then she pays down fair and +honorable like a lady; there's no beating down or making three hours +into two hours and a half, as some folks do; and it is easy work for +the horses; not like tearing along to catch trains for people that are +always a quarter of an hour too late; and if I don't oblige her in this +matter it is very likely we shall lose them altogether. What do you say, +little woman?” + +“I say, Jerry,” says she, speaking very slowly, “I say, if Mrs. Briggs +would give you a sovereign every Sunday morning, I would not have you a +seven-days' cabman again. We have known what it was to have no Sundays, +and now we know what it is to call them our own. Thank God, you earn +enough to keep us, though it is sometimes close work to pay for all the +oats and hay, the license, and the rent besides; but Harry will soon be +earning something, and I would rather struggle on harder than we do than +go back to those horrid times when you hardly had a minute to look at +your own children, and we never could go to a place of worship together, +or have a happy, quiet day. God forbid that we should ever turn back to +those times; that's what I say, Jerry.” + +“And that is just what I told Mr. Briggs, my dear,” said Jerry, “and +what I mean to stick to. So don't go and fret yourself, Polly” (for she +had begun to cry); “I would not go back to the old times if I earned +twice as much, so that is settled, little woman. Now, cheer up, and I'll +be off to the stand.” + +Three weeks had passed away after this conversation, and no order had +come from Mrs. Briggs; so there was nothing but taking jobs from the +stand. Jerry took it to heart a good deal, for of course the work was +harder for horse and man. But Polly would always cheer him up, and say, +“Never mind, father, never, mind. + + “'Do your best, + And leave the rest, + 'Twill all come right + Some day or night.'” + +It soon became known that Jerry had lost his best customer, and for what +reason. Most of the men said he was a fool, but two or three took his +part. + +“If workingmen don't stick to their Sunday,” said Truman, “they'll soon +have none left; it is every man's right and every beast's right. By +God's law we have a day of rest, and by the law of England we have a day +of rest; and I say we ought to hold to the rights these laws give us and +keep them for our children.” + +“All very well for you religious chaps to talk so,” said Larry; “but +I'll turn a shilling when I can. I don't believe in religion, for I +don't see that your religious people are any better than the rest.” + +“If they are not better,” put in Jerry, “it is because they are not +religious. You might as well say that our country's laws are not good +because some people break them. If a man gives way to his temper, and +speaks evil of his neighbor, and does not pay his debts, he is not +religious, I don't care how much he goes to church. If some men are +shams and humbugs, that does not make religion untrue. Real religion is +the best and truest thing in the world, and the only thing that can make +a man really happy or make the world we live in any better.” + +“If religion was good for anything,” said Jones, “it would prevent your +religious people from making us work on Sundays, as you know many of +them do, and that's why I say religion is nothing but a sham; why, if it +was not for the church and chapel-goers it would be hardly worth while +our coming out on a Sunday. But they have their privileges, as they call +them, and I go without. I shall expect them to answer for my soul, if I +can't get a chance of saving it.” + +Several of the men applauded this, till Jerry said: + +“That may sound well enough, but it won't do; every man must look +after his own soul; you can't lay it down at another man's door like a +foundling and expect him to take care of it; and don't you see, if you +are always sitting on your box waiting for a fare, they will say, 'If we +don't take him some one else will, and he does not look for any Sunday.' +Of course, they don't go to the bottom of it, or they would see if they +never came for a cab it would be no use your standing there; but +people don't always like to go to the bottom of things; it may not be +convenient to do it; but if you Sunday drivers would all strike for a +day of rest the thing would be done.” + +“And what would all the good people do if they could not get to their +favorite preachers?” said Larry. + +“'Tis not for me to lay down plans for other people,” said Jerry, “but +if they can't walk so far they can go to what is nearer; and if it +should rain they can put on their mackintoshes as they do on a week-day. +If a thing is right it can be done, and if it is wrong it can be done +without; and a good man will find a way. And that is as true for us +cabmen as it is for the church-goers.” + + + + +37 The Golden Rule + + +Two or three weeks after this, as we came into the yard rather late in +the evening, Polly came running across the road with the lantern (she +always brought it to him if it was not very wet). + +“It has all come right, Jerry; Mrs. Briggs sent her servant this +afternoon to ask you to take her out to-morrow at eleven o'clock. I +said, 'Yes, I thought so, but we supposed she employed some one else +now.'” + +“'Well,' said he, 'the real fact is, master was put out because Mr. +Barker refused to come on Sundays, and he has been trying other cabs, +but there's something wrong with them all; some drive too fast, and some +too slow, and the mistress says there is not one of them so nice and +clean as yours, and nothing will suit her but Mr. Barker's cab again.'” + +Polly was almost out of breath, and Jerry broke out into a merry laugh. + +“''Twill all come right some day or night': you were right, my dear; you +generally are. Run in and get the supper, and I'll have Jack's harness +off and make him snug and happy in no time.” + +After this Mrs. Briggs wanted Jerry's cab quite as often as before, +never, however, on a Sunday; but there came a day when we had Sunday +work, and this was how it happened. We had all come home on the Saturday +night very tired, and very glad to think that the next day would be all +rest, but so it was not to be. + +On Sunday morning Jerry was cleaning me in the yard, when Polly stepped +up to him, looking very full of something. + +“What is it?” said Jerry. + +“Well, my dear,” she said, “poor Dinah Brown has just had a letter +brought to say that her mother is dangerously ill, and that she must +go directly if she wishes to see her alive. The place is more than ten +miles away from here, out in the country, and she says if she takes the +train she should still have four miles to walk; and so weak as she is, +and the baby only four weeks old, of course that would be impossible; +and she wants to know if you would take her in your cab, and she +promises to pay you faithfully, as she can get the money.” + +“Tut, tut! we'll see about that. It was not the money I was thinking +about, but of losing our Sunday; the horses are tired, and I am tired, +too--that's where it pinches.” + +“It pinches all round, for that matter,” said Polly, “for it's only +half Sunday without you, but you know we should do to other people as +we should like they should do to us; and I know very well what I should +like if my mother was dying; and Jerry, dear, I am sure it won't break +the Sabbath; for if pulling a poor beast or donkey out of a pit would +not spoil it, I am quite sure taking poor Dinah would not do it.” + +“Why, Polly, you are as good as the minister, and so, as I've had my +Sunday-morning sermon early to-day, you may go and tell Dinah that I'll +be ready for her as the clock strikes ten; but stop--just step round to +butcher Braydon's with my compliments, and ask him if he would lend me +his light trap; I know he never uses it on the Sunday, and it would make +a wonderful difference to the horse.” + +Away she went, and soon returned, saying that he could have the trap and +welcome. + +“All right,” said he; “now put me up a bit of bread and cheese, and I'll +be back in the afternoon as soon as I can.” + +“And I'll have the meat pie ready for an early tea instead of for +dinner,” said Polly; and away she went, while he made his preparations +to the tune of “Polly's the woman and no mistake”, of which tune he was +very fond. + +I was selected for the journey, and at ten o'clock we started, in a +light, high-wheeled gig, which ran so easily that after the four-wheeled +cab it seemed like nothing. + +It was a fine May day, and as soon as we were out of the town, the sweet +air, the smell of the fresh grass, and the soft country roads were as +pleasant as they used to be in the old times, and I soon began to feel +quite fresh. + +Dinah's family lived in a small farmhouse, up a green lane, close by a +meadow with some fine shady trees; there were two cows feeding in it. +A young man asked Jerry to bring his trap into the meadow, and he would +tie me up in the cowshed; he wished he had a better stable to offer. + +“If your cows would not be offended,” said Jerry, “there is nothing my +horse would like so well as to have an hour or two in your beautiful +meadow; he's quiet, and it would be a rare treat for him.” + +“Do, and welcome,” said the young man; “the best we have is at your +service for your kindness to my sister; we shall be having some dinner +in an hour, and I hope you'll come in, though with mother so ill we are +all out of sorts in the house.” + +Jerry thanked him kindly, but said as he had some dinner with him there +was nothing he should like so well as walking about in the meadow. + +When my harness was taken off I did not know what I should do +first--whether to eat the grass, or roll over on my back, or lie down +and rest, or have a gallop across the meadow out of sheer spirits at +being free; and I did all by turns. Jerry seemed to be quite as happy +as I was; he sat down by a bank under a shady tree, and listened to the +birds, then he sang himself, and read out of the little brown book he is +so fond of, then wandered round the meadow, and down by a little brook, +where he picked the flowers and the hawthorn, and tied them up with +long sprays of ivy; then he gave me a good feed of the oats which he had +brought with him; but the time seemed all too short--I had not been in a +field since I left poor Ginger at Earlshall. + +We came home gently, and Jerry's first words were, as we came into the +yard, “Well, Polly, I have not lost my Sunday after all, for the birds +were singing hymns in every bush, and I joined in the service; and as +for Jack, he was like a young colt.” + +When he handed Dolly the flowers she jumped about for joy. + + + + +38 Dolly and a Real Gentleman + + +Winter came in early, with a great deal of cold and wet. There was snow, +or sleet, or rain almost every day for weeks, changing only for keen +driving winds or sharp frosts. The horses all felt it very much. When +it is a dry cold a couple of good thick rugs will keep the warmth in us; +but when it is soaking rain they soon get wet through and are no good. +Some of the drivers had a waterproof cover to throw over, which was a +fine thing; but some of the men were so poor that they could not protect +either themselves or their horses, and many of them suffered very much +that winter. When we horses had worked half the day we went to our dry +stables, and could rest, while they had to sit on their boxes, sometimes +staying out as late as one or two o'clock in the morning if they had a +party to wait for. + +When the streets were slippery with frost or snow that was the worst of +all for us horses. One mile of such traveling, with a weight to draw +and no firm footing, would take more out of us than four on a good +road; every nerve and muscle of our bodies is on the strain to keep our +balance; and, added to this, the fear of falling is more exhausting than +anything else. If the roads are very bad indeed our shoes are roughed, +but that makes us feel nervous at first. + +When the weather was very bad many of the men would go and sit in the +tavern close by, and get some one to watch for them; but they often +lost a fare in that way, and could not, as Jerry said, be there without +spending money. He never went to the Rising Sun; there was a coffee-shop +near, where he now and then went, or he bought of an old man, who came +to our rank with tins of hot coffee and pies. It was his opinion that +spirits and beer made a man colder afterward, and that dry clothes, good +food, cheerfulness, and a comfortable wife at home, were the best things +to keep a cabman warm. Polly always supplied him with something to eat +when he could not get home, and sometimes he would see little Dolly +peeping from the corner of the street, to make sure if “father” was on +the stand. If she saw him she would run off at full speed and soon come +back with something in a tin or basket, some hot soup or pudding Polly +had ready. It was wonderful how such a little thing could get safely +across the street, often thronged with horses and carriages; but she was +a brave little maid, and felt it quite an honor to bring “father's first +course”, as he used to call it. She was a general favorite on the stand, +and there was not a man who would not have seen her safely across the +street, if Jerry had not been able to do it. + +One cold windy day Dolly had brought Jerry a basin of something hot, +and was standing by him while he ate it. He had scarcely begun when +a gentleman, walking toward us very fast, held up his umbrella. Jerry +touched his hat in return, gave the basin to Dolly, and was taking off +my cloth, when the gentleman, hastening up, cried out, “No, no, finish +your soup, my friend; I have not much time to spare, but I can wait +till you have done, and set your little girl safe on the pavement.” So +saying, he seated himself in the cab. Jerry thanked him kindly, and came +back to Dolly. + +“There, Dolly, that's a gentleman; that's a real gentleman, Dolly; he +has got time and thought for the comfort of a poor cabman and a little +girl.” + +Jerry finished his soup, set the child across, and then took his orders +to drive to Clapham Rise. Several times after that the same gentleman +took our cab. I think he was very fond of dogs and horses, for whenever +we took him to his own door two or three dogs would come bounding out +to meet him. Sometimes he came round and patted me, saying in his quiet, +pleasant way, “This horse has got a good master, and he deserves it.” + It was a very rare thing for any one to notice the horse that had been +working for him. I have known ladies to do it now and then, and this +gentleman, and one or two others have given me a pat and a kind word; +but ninety-nine persons out of a hundred would as soon think of patting +the steam engine that drew the train. + +The gentleman was not young, and there was a forward stoop in his +shoulders as if he was always going at something. His lips were thin and +close shut, though they had a very pleasant smile; his eye was keen, and +there was something in his jaw and the motion of his head that made one +think he was very determined in anything he set about. His voice was +pleasant and kind; any horse would trust that voice, though it was just +as decided as everything else about him. + +One day he and another gentleman took our cab; they stopped at a shop +in R---- Street, and while his friend went in he stood at the door. A +little ahead of us on the other side of the street a cart with two very +fine horses was standing before some wine vaults; the carter was not +with them, and I cannot tell how long they had been standing, but they +seemed to think they had waited long enough, and began to move off. +Before they had gone many paces the carter came running out and caught +them. He seemed furious at their having moved, and with whip and rein +punished them brutally, even beating them about the head. Our gentleman +saw it all, and stepping quickly across the street, said in a decided +voice: + +“If you don't stop that directly, I'll have you arrested for leaving +your horses, and for brutal conduct.” + +The man, who had clearly been drinking, poured forth some abusive +language, but he left off knocking the horses about, and taking the +reins, got into his cart; meantime our friend had quietly taken a +note-book from his pocket, and looking at the name and address painted +on the cart, he wrote something down. + +“What do you want with that?” growled the carter, as he cracked his whip +and was moving on. A nod and a grim smile was the only answer he got. + +On returning to the cab our friend was joined by his companion, who said +laughingly, “I should have thought, Wright, you had enough business of +your own to look after, without troubling yourself about other people's +horses and servants.” + +Our friend stood still for a moment, and throwing his head a little +back, “Do you know why this world is as bad as it is?” + +“No,” said the other. + +“Then I'll tell you. It is because people think only about their own +business, and won't trouble themselves to stand up for the oppressed, +nor bring the wrongdoer to light. I never see a wicked thing like this +without doing what I can, and many a master has thanked me for letting +him know how his horses have been used.” + +“I wish there were more gentlemen like you, sir,” said Jerry, “for they +are wanted badly enough in this city.” + +After this we continued our journey, and as they got out of the cab our +friend was saying, “My doctrine is this, that if we see cruelty or +wrong that we have the power to stop, and do nothing, we make ourselves +sharers in the guilt.” + + + + +39 Seedy Sam + + +I should say that for a cab-horse I was very well off indeed; my driver +was my owner, and it was his interest to treat me well and not overwork +me, even had he not been so good a man as he was; but there were a great +many horses which belonged to the large cab-owners, who let them out to +their drivers for so much money a day. As the horses did not belong to +these men the only thing they thought of was how to get their money out +of them, first, to pay the master, and then to provide for their own +living; and a dreadful time some of these horses had of it. Of course, +I understood but little, but it was often talked over on the stand, +and the governor, who was a kind-hearted man and fond of horses, would +sometimes speak up if one came in very much jaded or ill-used. + +One day a shabby, miserable-looking driver, who went by the name of +“Seedy Sam”, brought in his horse looking dreadfully beat, and the +governor said: + +“You and your horse look more fit for the police station than for this +rank.” + +The man flung his tattered rug over the horse, turned full round upon +the Governor and said in a voice that sounded almost desperate: + +“If the police have any business with the matter it ought to be with the +masters who charge us so much, or with the fares that are fixed so low. +If a man has to pay eighteen shillings a day for the use of a cab and +two horses, as many of us have to do in the season, and must make that +up before we earn a penny for ourselves I say 'tis more than hard work; +nine shillings a day to get out of each horse before you begin to get +your own living. You know that's true, and if the horses don't work we +must starve, and I and my children have known what that is before now. +I've six of 'em, and only one earns anything; I am on the stand fourteen +or sixteen hours a day, and I haven't had a Sunday these ten or twelve +weeks; you know Skinner never gives a day if he can help it, and if I +don't work hard, tell me who does! I want a warm coat and a mackintosh, +but with so many to feed how can a man get it? I had to pledge my clock +a week ago to pay Skinner, and I shall never see it again.” + +Some of the other drivers stood round nodding their heads and saying he +was right. The man went on: + +“You that have your own horses and cabs, or drive for good masters, have +a chance of getting on and a chance of doing right; I haven't. We can't +charge more than sixpence a mile after the first, within the four-mile +radius. This very morning I had to go a clear six miles and only took +three shillings. I could not get a return fare, and had to come all the +way back; there's twelve miles for the horse and three shillings for me. +After that I had a three-mile fare, and there were bags and boxes enough +to have brought in a good many twopences if they had been put outside; +but you know how people do; all that could be piled up inside on the +front seat were put in and three heavy boxes went on the top. That +was sixpence, and the fare one and sixpence; then I got a return for a +shilling. Now that makes eighteen miles for the horse and six shillings +for me; there's three shillings still for that horse to earn and nine +shillings for the afternoon horse before I touch a penny. Of course, it +is not always so bad as that, but you know it often is, and I say 'tis +a mockery to tell a man that he must not overwork his horse, for when a +beast is downright tired there's nothing but the whip that will keep +his legs a-going; you can't help yourself--you must put your wife and +children before the horse; the masters must look to that, we can't. I +don't ill-use my horse for the sake of it; none of you can say I do. +There's wrong lays somewhere--never a day's rest, never a quiet hour +with the wife and children. I often feel like an old man, though I'm +only forty-five. You know how quick some of the gentry are to suspect us +of cheating and overcharging; why, they stand with their purses in +their hands counting it over to a penny and looking at us as if we were +pickpockets. I wish some of 'em had got to sit on my box sixteen hours +a day and get a living out of it and eighteen shillings beside, and that +in all weathers; they would not be so uncommon particular never to give +us a sixpence over or to cram all the luggage inside. Of course, some of +'em tip us pretty handsome now and then, or else we could not live; but +you can't depend upon that.” + +The men who stood round much approved this speech, and one of them said, +“It is desperate hard, and if a man sometimes does what is wrong it is +no wonder, and if he gets a dram too much who's to blow him up?” + +Jerry had taken no part in this conversation, but I never saw his face +look so sad before. The governor had stood with both his hands in his +pockets; now he took his handkerchief out of his hat and wiped his +forehead. + +“You've beaten me, Sam,” he said, “for it's all true, and I won't cast +it up to you any more about the police; it was the look in that horse's +eye that came over me. It is hard lines for man and it is hard lines for +beast, and who's to mend it I don't know: but anyway you might tell +the poor beast that you were sorry to take it out of him in that way. +Sometimes a kind word is all we can give 'em, poor brutes, and 'tis +wonderful what they do understand.” + +A few mornings after this talk a new man came on the stand with Sam's +cab. + +“Halloo!” said one, “what's up with Seedy Sam?” + +“He's ill in bed,” said the man; “he was taken last night in the yard, +and could scarcely crawl home. His wife sent a boy this morning to +say his father was in a high fever and could not get out, so I'm here +instead.” + +The next morning the same man came again. + +“How is Sam?” inquired the governor. + +“He's gone,” said the man. + +“What, gone? You don't mean to say he's dead?” + +“Just snuffed out,” said the other; “he died at four o'clock this +morning; all yesterday he was raving--raving about Skinner, and having +no Sundays. 'I never had a Sunday's rest,' these were his last words.” + +No one spoke for a while, and then the governor said, “I'll tell you +what, mates, this is a warning for us.” + + + + +40 Poor Ginger + + +One day, while our cab and many others were waiting outside one of the +parks where music was playing, a shabby old cab drove up beside ours. +The horse was an old worn-out chestnut, with an ill-kept coat, and +bones that showed plainly through it, the knees knuckled over, and the +fore-legs were very unsteady. I had been eating some hay, and the wind +rolled a little lock of it that way, and the poor creature put out her +long thin neck and picked it up, and then turned and looked about for +more. There was a hopeless look in the dull eye that I could not help +noticing, and then, as I was thinking where I had seen that horse +before, she looked full at me and said, “Black Beauty, is that you?” + +It was Ginger! but how changed! The beautifully arched and glossy neck +was now straight, and lank, and fallen in; the clean straight legs and +delicate fetlocks were swelled; the joints were grown out of shape with +hard work; the face, that was once so full of spirit and life, was now +full of suffering, and I could tell by the heaving of her sides, and her +frequent cough, how bad her breath was. + +Our drivers were standing together a little way off, so I sidled up to +her a step or two, that we might have a little quiet talk. It was a sad +tale that she had to tell. + +After a twelvemonth's run off at Earlshall, she was considered to be fit +for work again, and was sold to a gentleman. For a little while she +got on very well, but after a longer gallop than usual the old strain +returned, and after being rested and doctored she was again sold. In +this way she changed hands several times, but always getting lower down. + +“And so at last,” said she, “I was bought by a man who keeps a number of +cabs and horses, and lets them out. You look well off, and I am glad of +it, but I could not tell you what my life has been. When they found out +my weakness they said I was not worth what they gave for me, and that I +must go into one of the low cabs, and just be used up; that is what +they are doing, whipping and working with never one thought of what I +suffer--they paid for me, and must get it out of me, they say. The man +who hires me now pays a deal of money to the owner every day, and so he +has to get it out of me too; and so it's all the week round and round, +with never a Sunday rest.” + +I said, “You used to stand up for yourself if you were ill-used.” + +“Ah!” she said, “I did once, but it's no use; men are strongest, and if +they are cruel and have no feeling, there is nothing that we can do, but +just bear it--bear it on and on to the end. I wish the end was come, +I wish I was dead. I have seen dead horses, and I am sure they do not +suffer pain; I wish I may drop down dead at my work, and not be sent off +to the knackers.” + +I was very much troubled, and I put my nose up to hers, but I could say +nothing to comfort her. I think she was pleased to see me, for she said, +“You are the only friend I ever had.” + +Just then her driver came up, and with a tug at her mouth backed her out +of the line and drove off, leaving me very sad indeed. + +A short time after this a cart with a dead horse in it passed our +cab-stand. The head hung out of the cart-tail, the lifeless tongue was +slowly dropping with blood; and the sunken eyes! but I can't speak of +them, the sight was too dreadful. It was a chestnut horse with a long, +thin neck. I saw a white streak down the forehead. I believe it was +Ginger; I hoped it was, for then her troubles would be over. Oh! if men +were more merciful they would shoot us before we came to such misery. + + + + +41 The Butcher + + +I saw a great deal of trouble among the horses in London, and much of +it might have been prevented by a little common sense. We horses do not +mind hard work if we are treated reasonably, and I am sure there are +many driven by quite poor men who have a happier life than I had when I +used to go in the Countess of W----'s carriage, with my silver-mounted +harness and high feeding. + +It often went to my heart to see how the little ponies were used, +straining along with heavy loads or staggering under heavy blows from +some low, cruel boy. Once I saw a little gray pony with a thick mane +and a pretty head, and so much like Merrylegs that if I had not been in +harness I should have neighed to him. He was doing his best to pull a +heavy cart, while a strong rough boy was cutting him under the belly +with his whip and chucking cruelly at his little mouth. Could it be +Merrylegs? It was just like him; but then Mr. Blomefield was never to +sell him, and I think he would not do it; but this might have been quite +as good a little fellow, and had as happy a place when he was young. + +I often noticed the great speed at which butchers' horses were made to +go, though I did not know why it was so till one day when we had to wait +some time in St. John's Wood. There was a butcher's shop next door, and +as we were standing a butcher's cart came dashing up at a great pace. +The horse was hot and much exhausted; he hung his head down, while his +heaving sides and trembling legs showed how hard he had been driven. The +lad jumped out of the cart and was getting the basket when the master +came out of the shop much displeased. After looking at the horse he +turned angrily to the lad. + +“How many times shall I tell you not to drive in this way? You ruined +the last horse and broke his wind, and you are going to ruin this in the +same way. If you were not my own son I would dismiss you on the spot; +it is a disgrace to have a horse brought to the shop in a condition like +that; you are liable to be taken up by the police for such driving, and +if you are you need not look to me for bail, for I have spoken to you +till I'm tired; you must look out for yourself.” + +During this speech the boy had stood by, sullen and dogged, but when his +father ceased he broke out angrily. It wasn't his fault, and he wouldn't +take the blame; he was only going by orders all the time. + +“You always say, 'Now be quick; now look sharp!' and when I go to the +houses one wants a leg of mutton for an early dinner and I must be back +with it in a quarter of an hour; another cook has forgotten to order +the beef; I must go and fetch it and be back in no time, or the +mistress will scold; and the housekeeper says they have company coming +unexpectedly and must have some chops sent up directly; and the lady at +No. 4, in the Crescent, never orders her dinner till the meat comes +in for lunch, and it's nothing but hurry, hurry, all the time. If the +gentry would think of what they want, and order their meat the day +before, there need not be this blow up!” + +“I wish to goodness they would,” said the butcher; “'twould save me a +wonderful deal of harass, and I could suit my customers much better if +I knew beforehand--But there! what's the use of talking--who ever thinks +of a butcher's convenience or a butcher's horse! Now, then, take him +in and look to him well; mind, he does not go out again to-day, and if +anything else is wanted you must carry it yourself in the basket.” With +that he went in, and the horse was led away. + +But all boys are not cruel. I have seen some as fond of their pony or +donkey as if it had been a favorite dog, and the little creatures have +worked away as cheerfully and willingly for their young drivers as I +work for Jerry. It may be hard work sometimes, but a friend's hand and +voice make it easy. + +There was a young coster-boy who came up our street with greens and +potatoes; he had an old pony, not very handsome, but the cheerfullest +and pluckiest little thing I ever saw, and to see how fond those two +were of each other was a treat. The pony followed his master like a dog, +and when he got into his cart would trot off without a whip or a word, +and rattle down the street as merrily as if he had come out of the +queen's stables. Jerry liked the boy, and called him “Prince Charlie”, +for he said he would make a king of drivers some day. + +There was an old man, too, who used to come up our street with a little +coal cart; he wore a coal-heaver's hat, and looked rough and black. He +and his old horse used to plod together along the street, like two good +partners who understood each other; the horse would stop of his own +accord at the doors where they took coal of him; he used to keep one ear +bent toward his master. The old man's cry could be heard up the street +long before he came near. I never knew what he said, but the children +called him “Old Ba-a-ar Hoo”, for it sounded like that. Polly took her +coal of him, and was very friendly, and Jerry said it was a comfort to +think how happy an old horse might be in a poor place. + + + + +42 The Election + + +As we came into the yard one afternoon Polly came out. “Jerry! I've had +Mr. B---- here asking about your vote, and he wants to hire your cab for +the election; he will call for an answer.” + +“Well, Polly, you may say that my cab will be otherwise engaged. I +should not like to have it pasted over with their great bills, and as +to making Jack and Captain race about to the public-houses to bring up +half-drunken voters, why, I think 'twould be an insult to the horses. +No, I shan't do it.” + +“I suppose you'll vote for the gentleman? He said he was of your +politics.” + +“So he is in some things, but I shall not vote for him, Polly; you know +what his trade is?” + +“Yes.” + +“Well, a man who gets rich by that trade may be all very well in some +ways, but he is blind as to what workingmen want; I could not in my +conscience send him up to make the laws. I dare say they'll be angry, +but every man must do what he thinks to be the best for his country.” + +On the morning before the election, Jerry was putting me into the +shafts, when Dolly came into the yard sobbing and crying, with her +little blue frock and white pinafore spattered all over with mud. + +“Why, Dolly, what is the matter?” + +“Those naughty boys,” she sobbed, “have thrown the dirt all over me, and +called me a little raga--raga--” + +“They called her a little 'blue' ragamuffin, father,” said Harry, who +ran in looking very angry; “but I have given it to them; they won't +insult my sister again. I have given them a thrashing they will +remember; a set of cowardly, rascally 'orange' blackguards.” + +Jerry kissed the child and said, “Run in to mother, my pet, and tell her +I think you had better stay at home to-day and help her.” + +Then turning gravely to Harry: + +“My boy, I hope you will always defend your sister, and give anybody who +insults her a good thrashing--that is as it should be; but mind, I won't +have any election blackguarding on my premises. There are as many +'blue' blackguards as there are 'orange', and as many white as there are +purple, or any other color, and I won't have any of my family mixed up +with it. Even women and children are ready to quarrel for the sake of a +color, and not one in ten of them knows what it is about.” + +“Why, father, I thought blue was for Liberty.” + +“My boy, Liberty does not come from colors, they only show party, and +all the liberty you can get out of them is, liberty to get drunk at +other people's expense, liberty to ride to the poll in a dirty old cab, +liberty to abuse any one that does not wear your color, and to shout +yourself hoarse at what you only half-understand--that's your liberty!” + +“Oh, father, you are laughing.” + +“No, Harry, I am serious, and I am ashamed to see how men go on who +ought to know better. An election is a very serious thing; at least it +ought to be, and every man ought to vote according to his conscience, +and let his neighbor do the same.” + + + + +43 A Friend in Need + + +The election day came at last; there was no lack of work for Jerry and +me. First came a stout puffy gentleman with a carpet bag; he wanted to +go to the Bishopsgate station; then we were called by a party who wished +to be taken to the Regent's Park; and next we were wanted in a side +street where a timid, anxious old lady was waiting to be taken to the +bank; there we had to stop to take her back again, and just as we had +set her down a red-faced gentleman, with a handful of papers, came +running up out of breath, and before Jerry could get down he had opened +the door, popped himself in, and called out, “Bow Street Police Station, +quick!” so off we went with him, and when after another turn or two +we came back, there was no other cab on the stand. Jerry put on my +nose-bag, for as he said, “We must eat when we can on such days as +these; so munch away, Jack, and make the best of your time, old boy.” + +I found I had a good feed of crushed oats wetted up with a little bran; +this would be a treat any day, but very refreshing then. Jerry was so +thoughtful and kind--what horse would not do his best for such a master? +Then he took out one of Polly's meat pies, and standing near me, he +began to eat it. The streets were very full, and the cabs, with the +candidates' colors on them, were dashing about through the crowd as if +life and limb were of no consequence; we saw two people knocked down +that day, and one was a woman. The horses were having a bad time of it, +poor things! but the voters inside thought nothing of that; many of them +were half-drunk, hurrahing out of the cab windows if their own party +came by. It was the first election I had seen, and I don't want to be in +another, though I have heard things are better now. + +Jerry and I had not eaten many mouthfuls before a poor young woman, +carrying a heavy child, came along the street. She was looking this way +and that way, and seemed quite bewildered. Presently she made her way up +to Jerry and asked if he could tell her the way to St. Thomas' Hospital, +and how far it was to get there. She had come from the country that +morning, she said, in a market cart; she did not know about the +election, and was quite a stranger in London. She had got an order for +the hospital for her little boy. The child was crying with a feeble, +pining cry. + +“Poor little fellow!” she said, “he suffers a deal of pain; he is four +years old and can't walk any more than a baby; but the doctor said if I +could get him into the hospital he might get well; pray, sir, how far is +it; and which way is it?” + +“Why, missis,” said Jerry, “you can't get there walking through crowds +like this! why, it is three miles away, and that child is heavy.” + +“Yes, bless him, he is; but I am strong, thank God, and if I knew the +way I think I should get on somehow; please tell me the way.” + +“You can't do it,” said Jerry, “you might be knocked down and the child +be run over. Now look here, just get into this cab, and I'll drive you +safe to the hospital. Don't you see the rain is coming on?” + +“No, sir, no; I can't do that, thank you, I have only just money enough +to get back with. Please tell me the way.” + +“Look you here, missis,” said Jerry, “I've got a wife and dear children +at home, and I know a father's feelings; now get you into that cab, and +I'll take you there for nothing. I'd be ashamed of myself to let a woman +and a sick child run a risk like that.” + +“Heaven bless you!” said the woman, and burst into tears. + +“There, there, cheer up, my dear, I'll soon take you there; come, let me +put you inside.” + +As Jerry went to open the door two men, with colors in their hats and +buttonholes, ran up calling out, “Cab!” + +“Engaged,” cried Jerry; but one of the men, pushing past the woman, +sprang into the cab, followed by the other. Jerry looked as stern as a +policeman. “This cab is already engaged, gentlemen, by that lady.” + +“Lady!” said one of them; “oh! she can wait; our business is very +important, besides we were in first, it is our right, and we shall stay +in.” + +A droll smile came over Jerry's face as he shut the door upon them. “All +right, gentlemen, pray stay in as long as it suits you; I can wait while +you rest yourselves.” And turning his back upon them he walked up to the +young woman, who was standing near me. “They'll soon be gone,” he said, +laughing; “don't trouble yourself, my dear.” + +And they soon were gone, for when they understood Jerry's dodge they got +out, calling him all sorts of bad names and blustering about his number +and getting a summons. After this little stoppage we were soon on our +way to the hospital, going as much as possible through by-streets. Jerry +rung the great bell and helped the young woman out. + +“Thank you a thousand times,” she said; “I could never have got here +alone.” + +“You're kindly welcome, and I hope the dear child will soon be better.” + +He watched her go in at the door, and gently he said to himself, +“Inasmuch as ye have done it to one of the least of these.” Then he +patted my neck, which was always his way when anything pleased him. + +The rain was now coming down fast, and just as we were leaving the +hospital the door opened again, and the porter called out, “Cab!” We +stopped, and a lady came down the steps. Jerry seemed to know her at +once; she put back her veil and said, “Barker! Jeremiah Barker, is it +you? I am very glad to find you here; you are just the friend I want, +for it is very difficult to get a cab in this part of London to-day.” + +“I shall be proud to serve you, ma'am; I am right glad I happened to be +here. Where may I take you to, ma'am?” + +“To the Paddington Station, and then if we are in good time, as I think +we shall be, you shall tell me all about Mary and the children.” + +We got to the station in good time, and being under shelter the lady +stood a good while talking to Jerry. I found she had been Polly's +mistress, and after many inquiries about her she said: + +“How do you find the cab work suit you in winter? I know Mary was rather +anxious about you last year.” + +“Yes, ma'am, she was; I had a bad cough that followed me up quite into +the warm weather, and when I am kept out late she does worry herself a +good deal. You see, ma'am, it is all hours and all weathers, and that +does try a man's constitution; but I am getting on pretty well, and I +should feel quite lost if I had not horses to look after. I was brought +up to it, and I am afraid I should not do so well at anything else.” + +“Well, Barker,” she said, “it would be a great pity that you should +seriously risk your health in this work, not only for your own but for +Mary's and the children's sake; there are many places where good drivers +or good grooms are wanted, and if ever you think you ought to give up +this cab work let me know.” + +Then sending some kind messages to Mary she put something into his hand, +saying, “There is five shillings each for the two children; Mary will +know how to spend it.” + +Jerry thanked her and seemed much pleased, and turning out of the +station we at last reached home, and I, at least, was tired. + + + + +44 Old Captain and His Successor + + +Captain and I were great friends. He was a noble old fellow, and he was +very good company. I never thought that he would have to leave his home +and go down the hill; but his turn came, and this was how it happened. I +was not there, but I heard all about it. + +He and Jerry had taken a party to the great railway station over London +Bridge, and were coming back, somewhere between the bridge and the +monument, when Jerry saw a brewer's empty dray coming along, drawn by +two powerful horses. The drayman was lashing his horses with his heavy +whip; the dray was light, and they started off at a furious rate; the +man had no control over them, and the street was full of traffic. + +One young girl was knocked down and run over, and the next moment they +dashed up against our cab; both the wheels were torn off and the cab was +thrown over. Captain was dragged down, the shafts splintered, and one +of them ran into his side. Jerry, too, was thrown, but was only bruised; +nobody could tell how he escaped; he always said 'twas a miracle. When +poor Captain was got up he was found to be very much cut and knocked +about. Jerry led him home gently, and a sad sight it was to see the +blood soaking into his white coat and dropping from his side and +shoulder. The drayman was proved to be very drunk, and was fined, and +the brewer had to pay damages to our master; but there was no one to pay +damages to poor Captain. + +The farrier and Jerry did the best they could to ease his pain and make +him comfortable. The fly had to be mended, and for several days I did +not go out, and Jerry earned nothing. The first time we went to the +stand after the accident the governor came up to hear how Captain was. + +“He'll never get over it,” said Jerry, “at least not for my work, so the +farrier said this morning. He says he may do for carting, and that sort +of work. It has put me out very much. Carting, indeed! I've seen what +horses come to at that work round London. I only wish all the drunkards +could be put in a lunatic asylum instead of being allowed to run foul of +sober people. If they would break their own bones, and smash their own +carts, and lame their own horses, that would be their own affair, and +we might let them alone, but it seems to me that the innocent +always suffer; and then they talk about compensation! You can't make +compensation; there's all the trouble, and vexation, and loss of time, +besides losing a good horse that's like an old friend--it's nonsense +talking of compensation! If there's one devil that I should like to see +in the bottomless pit more than another, it's the drink devil.” + +“I say, Jerry,” said the governor, “you are treading pretty hard on my +toes, you know; I'm not so good as you are, more shame to me; I wish I +was.” + +“Well,” said Jerry, “why don't you cut with it, governor? You are too +good a man to be the slave of such a thing.” + +“I'm a great fool, Jerry, but I tried once for two days, and I thought I +should have died; how did you do?” + +“I had hard work at it for several weeks; you see I never did get drunk, +but I found that I was not my own master, and that when the craving came +on it was hard work to say 'no'. I saw that one of us must knock under, +the drink devil or Jerry Barker, and I said that it should not be Jerry +Barker, God helping me; but it was a struggle, and I wanted all the +help I could get, for till I tried to break the habit I did not know how +strong it was; but then Polly took such pains that I should have good +food, and when the craving came on I used to get a cup of coffee, or +some peppermint, or read a bit in my book, and that was a help to me; +sometimes I had to say over and over to myself, 'Give up the drink or +lose your soul! Give up the drink or break Polly's heart!' But thanks be +to God, and my dear wife, my chains were broken, and now for ten years I +have not tasted a drop, and never wish for it.” + +“I've a great mind to try at it,” said Grant, “for 'tis a poor thing not +to be one's own master.” + +“Do, governor, do, you'll never repent it, and what a help it would be +to some of the poor fellows in our rank if they saw you do without it. I +know there's two or three would like to keep out of that tavern if they +could.” + +At first Captain seemed to do well, but he was a very old horse, and it +was only his wonderful constitution, and Jerry's care, that had kept +him up at the cab work so long; now he broke down very much. The farrier +said he might mend up enough to sell for a few pounds, but Jerry said, +no! a few pounds got by selling a good old servant into hard work +and misery would canker all the rest of his money, and he thought the +kindest thing he could do for the fine old fellow would be to put a sure +bullet through his head, and then he would never suffer more; for he did +not know where to find a kind master for the rest of his days. + +The day after this was decided Harry took me to the forge for some new +shoes; when I returned Captain was gone. I and the family all felt it +very much. + +Jerry had now to look out for another horse, and he soon heard of one +through an acquaintance who was under-groom in a nobleman's stables. He +was a valuable young horse, but he had run away, smashed into another +carriage, flung his lordship out, and so cut and blemished himself that +he was no longer fit for a gentleman's stables, and the coachman had +orders to look round, and sell him as well as he could. + +“I can do with high spirits,” said Jerry, “if a horse is not vicious or +hard-mouthed.” + +“There is not a bit of vice in him,” said the man; “his mouth is very +tender, and I think myself that was the cause of the accident; you see +he had just been clipped, and the weather was bad, and he had not had +exercise enough, and when he did go out he was as full of spring as a +balloon. Our governor (the coachman, I mean) had him harnessed in as +tight and strong as he could, with the martingale, and the check-rein, a +very sharp curb, and the reins put in at the bottom bar. It is my belief +that it made the horse mad, being tender in the mouth and so full of +spirit.” + +“Likely enough; I'll come and see him,” said Jerry. + +The next day Hotspur, that was his name, came home; he was a fine brown +horse, without a white hair in him, as tall as Captain, with a very +handsome head, and only five years old. I gave him a friendly greeting +by way of good fellowship, but did not ask him any questions. The first +night he was very restless. Instead of lying down, he kept jerking his +halter rope up and down through the ring, and knocking the block about +against the manger till I could not sleep. However, the next day, after +five or six hours in the cab, he came in quiet and sensible. Jerry +patted and talked to him a good deal, and very soon they understood each +other, and Jerry said that with an easy bit and plenty of work he would +be as gentle as a lamb; and that it was an ill wind that blew nobody +good, for if his lordship had lost a hundred-guinea favorite, the cabman +had gained a good horse with all his strength in him. + +Hotspur thought it a great come-down to be a cab-horse, and was +disgusted at standing in the rank, but he confessed to me at the end of +the week that an easy mouth and a free head made up for a great deal, +and after all, the work was not so degrading as having one's head and +tail fastened to each other at the saddle. In fact, he settled in well, +and Jerry liked him very much. + + + + +45 Jerry's New Year + + +For some people Christmas and the New Year are very merry times; but for +cabmen and cabmen's horses it is no holiday, though it may be a harvest. +There are so many parties, balls, and places of amusement open that the +work is hard and often late. Sometimes driver and horse have to wait +for hours in the rain or frost, shivering with the cold, while the merry +people within are dancing away to the music. I wonder if the beautiful +ladies ever think of the weary cabman waiting on his box, and his +patient beast standing, till his legs get stiff with cold. + +I had now most of the evening work, as I was well accustomed to +standing, and Jerry was also more afraid of Hotspur taking cold. We had +a great deal of late work in the Christmas week, and Jerry's cough was +bad; but however late we were, Polly sat up for him, and came out with a +lantern to meet him, looking anxious and troubled. + +On the evening of the New Year we had to take two gentlemen to a house +in one of the West End Squares. We set them down at nine o'clock, and +were told to come again at eleven, “but,” said one, “as it is a card +party, you may have to wait a few minutes, but don't be late.” + +As the clock struck eleven we were at the door, for Jerry was always +punctual. The clock chimed the quarters, one, two, three, and then +struck twelve, but the door did not open. + +The wind had been very changeable, with squalls of rain during the day, +but now it came on sharp, driving sleet, which seemed to come all the +way round; it was very cold, and there was no shelter. Jerry got off +his box and came and pulled one of my cloths a little more over my neck; +then he took a turn or two up and down, stamping his feet; then he began +to beat his arms, but that set him off coughing; so he opened the cab +door and sat at the bottom with his feet on the pavement, and was a +little sheltered. Still the clock chimed the quarters, and no one came. +At half-past twelve he rang the bell and asked the servant if he would +be wanted that night. + +“Oh, yes, you'll be wanted safe enough,” said the man; “you must not go, +it will soon be over,” and again Jerry sat down, but his voice was so +hoarse I could hardly hear him. + +At a quarter past one the door opened, and the two gentlemen came out; +they got into the cab without a word, and told Jerry where to drive, +that was nearly two miles. My legs were numb with cold, and I thought +I should have stumbled. When the men got out they never said they were +sorry to have kept us waiting so long, but were angry at the charge; +however, as Jerry never charged more than was his due, so he never took +less, and they had to pay for the two hours and a quarter waiting; but +it was hard-earned money to Jerry. + +At last we got home; he could hardly speak, and his cough was dreadful. +Polly asked no questions, but opened the door and held the lantern for +him. + +“Can't I do something?” she said. + +“Yes; get Jack something warm, and then boil me some gruel.” + +This was said in a hoarse whisper; he could hardly get his breath, but +he gave me a rub-down as usual, and even went up into the hayloft for an +extra bundle of straw for my bed. Polly brought me a warm mash that made +me comfortable, and then they locked the door. + +It was late the next morning before any one came, and then it was only +Harry. He cleaned us and fed us, and swept out the stalls, then he put +the straw back again as if it was Sunday. He was very still, and neither +whistled nor sang. At noon he came again and gave us our food and water; +this time Dolly came with him; she was crying, and I could gather from +what they said that Jerry was dangerously ill, and the doctor said it +was a bad case. So two days passed, and there was great trouble indoors. +We only saw Harry, and sometimes Dolly. I think she came for company, +for Polly was always with Jerry, and he had to be kept very quiet. + +On the third day, while Harry was in the stable, a tap came at the door, +and Governor Grant came in. + +“I wouldn't go to the house, my boy,” he said, “but I want to know how +your father is.” + +“He is very bad,” said Harry, “he can't be much worse; they call +it 'bronchitis'; the doctor thinks it will turn one way or another +to-night.” + +“That's bad, very bad,” said Grant, shaking his head; “I know two men +who died of that last week; it takes 'em off in no time; but while +there's life there's hope, so you must keep up your spirits.” + +“Yes,” said Harry quickly, “and the doctor said that father had a better +chance than most men, because he didn't drink. He said yesterday the +fever was so high that if father had been a drinking man it would have +burned him up like a piece of paper; but I believe he thinks he will get +over it; don't you think he will, Mr. Grant?” + +The governor looked puzzled. + +“If there's any rule that good men should get over these things, I'm +sure he will, my boy; he's the best man I know. I'll look in early +to-morrow.” + +Early next morning he was there. + +“Well?” said he. + +“Father is better,” said Harry. “Mother hopes he will get over it.” + +“Thank God!” said the governor, “and now you must keep him warm, and +keep his mind easy, and that brings me to the horses; you see Jack will +be all the better for the rest of a week or two in a warm stable, and +you can easily take him a turn up and down the street to stretch his +legs; but this young one, if he does not get work, he will soon be all +up on end, as you may say, and will be rather too much for you; and when +he does go out there'll be an accident.” + +“It is like that now,” said Harry. “I have kept him short of corn, but +he's so full of spirit I don't know what to do with him.” + +“Just so,” said Grant. “Now look here, will you tell your mother that +if she is agreeable I will come for him every day till something is +arranged, and take him for a good spell of work, and whatever he earns, +I'll bring your mother half of it, and that will help with the horses' +feed. Your father is in a good club, I know, but that won't keep the +horses, and they'll be eating their heads off all this time; I'll come +at noon and hear what she says,” and without waiting for Harry's thanks +he was gone. + +At noon I think he went and saw Polly, for he and Harry came to the +stable together, harnessed Hotspur, and took him out. + +For a week or more he came for Hotspur, and when Harry thanked him or +said anything about his kindness, he laughed it off, saying it was all +good luck for him, for his horses were wanting a little rest which they +would not otherwise have had. + +Jerry grew better steadily, but the doctor said that he must never go +back to the cab work again if he wished to be an old man. The children +had many consultations together about what father and mother would do, +and how they could help to earn money. + +One afternoon Hotspur was brought in very wet and dirty. + +“The streets are nothing but slush,” said the governor; “it will give +you a good warming, my boy, to get him clean and dry.” + +“All right, governor,” said Harry, “I shall not leave him till he is; +you know I have been trained by my father.” + +“I wish all the boys had been trained like you,” said the governor. + +While Harry was sponging off the mud from Hotspur's body and legs Dolly +came in, looking very full of something. + +“Who lives at Fairstowe, Harry? Mother has got a letter from Fairstowe; +she seemed so glad, and ran upstairs to father with it.” + +“Don't you know? Why, it is the name of Mrs. Fowler's place--mother's +old mistress, you know--the lady that father met last summer, who sent +you and me five shillings each.” + +“Oh! Mrs. Fowler. Of course, I know all about her. I wonder what she is +writing to mother about.” + +“Mother wrote to her last week,” said Harry; “you know she told father +if ever he gave up the cab work she would like to know. I wonder what +she says; run in and see, Dolly.” + +Harry scrubbed away at Hotspur with a huish! huish! like any old +hostler. In a few minutes Dolly came dancing into the stable. + +“Oh! Harry, there never was anything so beautiful; Mrs. Fowler says we +are all to go and live near her. There is a cottage now empty that +will just suit us, with a garden and a henhouse, and apple-trees, and +everything! and her coachman is going away in the spring, and then she +will want father in his place; and there are good families round, where +you can get a place in the garden or the stable, or as a page-boy; +and there's a good school for me; and mother is laughing and crying by +turns, and father does look so happy!” + +“That's uncommon jolly,” said Harry, “and just the right thing, I should +say; it will suit father and mother both; but I don't intend to be a +page-boy with tight clothes and rows of buttons. I'll be a groom or a +gardener.” + +It was quickly settled that as soon as Jerry was well enough they should +remove to the country, and that the cab and horses should be sold as +soon as possible. + +This was heavy news for me, for I was not young now, and could not look +for any improvement in my condition. Since I left Birtwick I had never +been so happy as with my dear master Jerry; but three years of cab work, +even under the best conditions, will tell on one's strength, and I felt +that I was not the horse that I had been. + +Grant said at once that he would take Hotspur, and there were men on the +stand who would have bought me; but Jerry said I should not go to cab +work again with just anybody, and the governor promised to find a place +for me where I should be comfortable. + +The day came for going away. Jerry had not been allowed to go out yet, +and I never saw him after that New Year's eve. Polly and the children +came to bid me good-by. “Poor old Jack! dear old Jack! I wish we could +take you with us,” she said, and then laying her hand on my mane she put +her face close to my neck and kissed me. Dolly was crying and kissed +me too. Harry stroked me a great deal, but said nothing, only he seemed +very sad, and so I was led away to my new place. + + + + +Part IV + + + + +46 Jakes and the Lady + + +I was sold to a corn dealer and baker, whom Jerry knew, and with him he +thought I should have good food and fair work. In the first he was quite +right, and if my master had always been on the premises I do not think +I should have been overloaded, but there was a foreman who was always +hurrying and driving every one, and frequently when I had quite a full +load he would order something else to be taken on. My carter, whose name +was Jakes, often said it was more than I ought to take, but the other +always overruled him. “'Twas no use going twice when once would do, and +he chose to get business forward.” + +Jakes, like the other carters, always had the check-rein up, which +prevented me from drawing easily, and by the time I had been there three +or four months I found the work telling very much on my strength. + +One day I was loaded more than usual, and part of the road was a steep +uphill. I used all my strength, but I could not get on, and was obliged +continually to stop. This did not please my driver, and he laid his whip +on badly. “Get on, you lazy fellow,” he said, “or I'll make you.” + +Again I started the heavy load, and struggled on a few yards; again the +whip came down, and again I struggled forward. The pain of that great +cart whip was sharp, but my mind was hurt quite as much as my poor +sides. To be punished and abused when I was doing my very best was +so hard it took the heart out of me. A third time he was flogging me +cruelly, when a lady stepped quickly up to him, and said in a sweet, +earnest voice: + +“Oh! pray do not whip your good horse any more; I am sure he is doing +all he can, and the road is very steep; I am sure he is doing his best.” + +“If doing his best won't get this load up he must do something more than +his best; that's all I know, ma'am,” said Jakes. + +“But is it not a heavy load?” she said. + +“Yes, yes, too heavy,” he said; “but that's not my fault; the foreman +came just as we were starting, and would have three hundredweight more +put on to save him trouble, and I must get on with it as well as I can.” + +He was raising the whip again, when the lady said: + +“Pray, stop; I think I can help you if you will let me.” + +The man laughed. + +“You see,” she said, “you do not give him a fair chance; he cannot use +all his power with his head held back as it is with that check-rein; if +you would take it off I am sure he would do better--do try it,” she said +persuasively, “I should be very glad if you would.” + +“Well, well,” said Jakes, with a short laugh, “anything to please a +lady, of course. How far would you wish it down, ma'am?” + +“Quite down, give him his head altogether.” + +The rein was taken off, and in a moment I put my head down to my very +knees. What a comfort it was! Then I tossed it up and down several times +to get the aching stiffness out of my neck. + +“Poor fellow! that is what you wanted,” said she, patting and stroking +me with her gentle hand; “and now if you will speak kindly to him and +lead him on I believe he will be able to do better.” + +Jakes took the rein. “Come on, Blackie.” I put down my head, and threw +my whole weight against the collar; I spared no strength; the load +moved on, and I pulled it steadily up the hill, and then stopped to take +breath. + +The lady had walked along the footpath, and now came across into the +road. She stroked and patted my neck, as I had not been patted for many +a long day. + +“You see he was quite willing when you gave him the chance; I am sure he +is a fine-tempered creature, and I dare say has known better days. You +won't put that rein on again, will you?” for he was just going to hitch +it up on the old plan. + +“Well, ma'am, I can't deny that having his head has helped him up the +hill, and I'll remember it another time, and thank you, ma'am; but if +he went without a check-rein I should be the laughing-stock of all the +carters; it is the fashion, you see.” + +“Is it not better,” she said, “to lead a good fashion than to follow a +bad one? A great many gentlemen do not use check-reins now; our carriage +horses have not worn them for fifteen years, and work with much less +fatigue than those who have them; besides,” she added in a very serious +voice, “we have no right to distress any of God's creatures without a +very good reason; we call them dumb animals, and so they are, for they +cannot tell us how they feel, but they do not suffer less because they +have no words. But I must not detain you now; I thank you for trying +my plan with your good horse, and I am sure you will find it far better +than the whip. Good-day,” and with another soft pat on my neck she +stepped lightly across the path, and I saw her no more. + +“That was a real lady, I'll be bound for it,” said Jakes to himself; +“she spoke just as polite as if I was a gentleman, and I'll try her +plan, uphill, at any rate;” and I must do him the justice to say that +he let my rein out several holes, and going uphill after that, he always +gave me my head; but the heavy loads went on. Good feed and fair rest +will keep up one's strength under full work, but no horse can stand +against overloading; and I was getting so thoroughly pulled down from +this cause that a younger horse was bought in my place. I may as well +mention here what I suffered at this time from another cause. I had +heard horses speak of it, but had never myself had experience of the +evil; this was a badly-lighted stable; there was only one very small +window at the end, and the consequence was that the stalls were almost +dark. + +Besides the depressing effect this had on my spirits, it very much +weakened my sight, and when I was suddenly brought out of the darkness +into the glare of daylight it was very painful to my eyes. Several times +I stumbled over the threshold, and could scarcely see where I was going. + +I believe, had I stayed there very long, I should have become purblind, +and that would have been a great misfortune, for I have heard men say +that a stone-blind horse was safer to drive than one which had imperfect +sight, as it generally makes them very timid. However, I escaped without +any permanent injury to my sight, and was sold to a large cab owner. + + + + +47 Hard Times + + +My new master I shall never forget; he had black eyes and a hooked nose, +his mouth was as full of teeth as a bull-dog's, and his voice was as +harsh as the grinding of cart wheels over graveled stones. His name was +Nicholas Skinner, and I believe he was the man that poor Seedy Sam drove +for. + +I have heard men say that seeing is believing; but I should say that +feeling is believing; for much as I had seen before, I never knew till +now the utter misery of a cab-horse's life. + +Skinner had a low set of cabs and a low set of drivers; he was hard on +the men, and the men were hard on the horses. In this place we had no +Sunday rest, and it was in the heat of summer. + +Sometimes on a Sunday morning a party of fast men would hire the cab for +the day; four of them inside and another with the driver, and I had to +take them ten or fifteen miles out into the country, and back again; +never would any of them get down to walk up a hill, let it be ever +so steep, or the day ever so hot--unless, indeed, when the driver was +afraid I should not manage it, and sometimes I was so fevered and worn +that I could hardly touch my food. How I used to long for the nice bran +mash with niter in it that Jerry used to give us on Saturday nights in +hot weather, that used to cool us down and make us so comfortable. +Then we had two nights and a whole day for unbroken rest, and on Monday +morning we were as fresh as young horses again; but here there was no +rest, and my driver was just as hard as his master. He had a cruel whip +with something so sharp at the end that it sometimes drew blood, and he +would even whip me under the belly, and flip the lash out at my head. +Indignities like these took the heart out of me terribly, but still I +did my best and never hung back; for, as poor Ginger said, it was no +use; men are the strongest. + +My life was now so utterly wretched that I wished I might, like Ginger, +drop down dead at my work and be out of my misery, and one day my wish +very nearly came to pass. + +I went on the stand at eight in the morning, and had done a good share +of work, when we had to take a fare to the railway. A long train was +just expected in, so my driver pulled up at the back of some of the +outside cabs to take the chance of a return fare. It was a very heavy +train, and as all the cabs were soon engaged ours was called for. There +was a party of four; a noisy, blustering man with a lady, a little boy +and a young girl, and a great deal of luggage. The lady and the boy got +into the cab, and while the man ordered about the luggage the young girl +came and looked at me. + +“Papa,” she said, “I am sure this poor horse cannot take us and all our +luggage so far, he is so very weak and worn up. Do look at him.” + +“Oh! he's all right, miss,” said my driver, “he's strong enough.” + +The porter, who was pulling about some heavy boxes, suggested to the +gentleman, as there was so much luggage, whether he would not take a +second cab. + +“Can your horse do it, or can't he?” said the blustering man. + +“Oh! he can do it all right, sir; send up the boxes, porter; he could +take more than that;” and he helped to haul up a box so heavy that I +could feel the springs go down. + +“Papa, papa, do take a second cab,” said the young girl in a beseeching +tone. “I am sure we are wrong, I am sure it is very cruel.” + +“Nonsense, Grace, get in at once, and don't make all this fuss; a pretty +thing it would be if a man of business had to examine every cab-horse +before he hired it--the man knows his own business of course; there, get +in and hold your tongue!” + +My gentle friend had to obey, and box after box was dragged up and +lodged on the top of the cab or settled by the side of the driver. At +last all was ready, and with his usual jerk at the rein and slash of the +whip he drove out of the station. + +The load was very heavy and I had had neither food nor rest since +morning; but I did my best, as I always had done, in spite of cruelty +and injustice. + +I got along fairly till we came to Ludgate Hill; but there the heavy +load and my own exhaustion were too much. I was struggling to keep on, +goaded by constant chucks of the rein and use of the whip, when in a +single moment--I cannot tell how--my feet slipped from under me, and I +fell heavily to the ground on my side; the suddenness and the force +with which I fell seemed to beat all the breath out of my body. I lay +perfectly still; indeed, I had no power to move, and I thought now I was +going to die. I heard a sort of confusion round me, loud, angry voices, +and the getting down of the luggage, but it was all like a dream. I +thought I heard that sweet, pitiful voice saying, “Oh! that poor horse! +it is all our fault.” Some one came and loosened the throat strap of +my bridle, and undid the traces which kept the collar so tight upon me. +Some one said, “He's dead, he'll never get up again.” Then I could hear +a policeman giving orders, but I did not even open my eyes; I could only +draw a gasping breath now and then. Some cold water was thrown over +my head, and some cordial was poured into my mouth, and something was +covered over me. I cannot tell how long I lay there, but I found my life +coming back, and a kind-voiced man was patting me and encouraging me to +rise. After some more cordial had been given me, and after one or two +attempts, I staggered to my feet, and was gently led to some stables +which were close by. Here I was put into a well-littered stall, and some +warm gruel was brought to me, which I drank thankfully. + +In the evening I was sufficiently recovered to be led back to Skinner's +stables, where I think they did the best for me they could. In the +morning Skinner came with a farrier to look at me. He examined me very +closely and said: + +“This is a case of overwork more than disease, and if you could give him +a run off for six months he would be able to work again; but now there +is not an ounce of strength left in him.” + +“Then he must just go to the dogs,” said Skinner. “I have no meadows to +nurse sick horses in--he might get well or he might not; that sort of +thing don't suit my business; my plan is to work 'em as long as they'll +go, and then sell 'em for what they'll fetch, at the knacker's or +elsewhere.” + +“If he was broken-winded,” said the farrier, “you had better have him +killed out of hand, but he is not; there is a sale of horses coming off +in about ten days; if you rest him and feed him up he may pick up, and +you may get more than his skin is worth, at any rate.” + +Upon this advice Skinner, rather unwillingly, I think, gave orders that +I should be well fed and cared for, and the stable man, happily for me, +carried out the orders with a much better will than his master had in +giving them. Ten days of perfect rest, plenty of good oats, hay, +bran mashes, with boiled linseed mixed in them, did more to get up my +condition than anything else could have done; those linseed mashes were +delicious, and I began to think, after all, it might be better to live +than go to the dogs. When the twelfth day after the accident came, I +was taken to the sale, a few miles out of London. I felt that any change +from my present place must be an improvement, so I held up my head, and +hoped for the best. + + + + +48 Farmer Thoroughgood and His Grandson Willie + + +At this sale, of course I found myself in company with the old +broken-down horses--some lame, some broken-winded, some old, and some +that I am sure it would have been merciful to shoot. + +The buyers and sellers, too, many of them, looked not much better off +than the poor beasts they were bargaining about. There were poor old +men, trying to get a horse or a pony for a few pounds, that might drag +about some little wood or coal cart. There were poor men trying to sell +a worn-out beast for two or three pounds, rather than have the greater +loss of killing him. Some of them looked as if poverty and hard times +had hardened them all over; but there were others that I would have +willingly used the last of my strength in serving; poor and shabby, but +kind and human, with voices that I could trust. There was one tottering +old man who took a great fancy to me, and I to him, but I was not strong +enough--it was an anxious time! Coming from the better part of the fair, +I noticed a man who looked like a gentleman farmer, with a young boy by +his side; he had a broad back and round shoulders, a kind, ruddy face, +and he wore a broad-brimmed hat. When he came up to me and my companions +he stood still and gave a pitiful look round upon us. I saw his eye +rest on me; I had still a good mane and tail, which did something for my +appearance. I pricked my ears and looked at him. + +“There's a horse, Willie, that has known better days.” + +“Poor old fellow!” said the boy, “do you think, grandpapa, he was ever a +carriage horse?” + +“Oh, yes! my boy,” said the farmer, coming closer, “he might have been +anything when he was young; look at his nostrils and his ears, the shape +of his neck and shoulder; there's a deal of breeding about that horse.” + He put out his hand and gave me a kind pat on the neck. I put out my +nose in answer to his kindness; the boy stroked my face. + +“Poor old fellow! see, grandpapa, how well he understands kindness. +Could not you buy him and make him young again as you did with +Ladybird?” + +“My dear boy, I can't make all old horses young; besides, Ladybird was +not so very old, as she was run down and badly used.” + +“Well, grandpapa, I don't believe that this one is old; look at his mane +and tail. I wish you would look into his mouth, and then you could tell; +though he is so very thin, his eyes are not sunk like some old horses'.” + +The old gentleman laughed. “Bless the boy! he is as horsey as his old +grandfather.” + +“But do look at his mouth, grandpapa, and ask the price; I am sure he +would grow young in our meadows.” + +The man who had brought me for sale now put in his word. + +“The young gentleman's a real knowing one, sir. Now the fact is, this +'ere hoss is just pulled down with overwork in the cabs; he's not an old +one, and I heerd as how the vetenary should say, that a six months' run +off would set him right up, being as how his wind was not broken. +I've had the tending of him these ten days past, and a gratefuller, +pleasanter animal I never met with, and 'twould be worth a gentleman's +while to give a five-pound note for him, and let him have a chance. I'll +be bound he'd be worth twenty pounds next spring.” + +The old gentleman laughed, and the little boy looked up eagerly. + +“Oh, grandpapa, did you not say the colt sold for five pounds more than +you expected? You would not be poorer if you did buy this one.” + +The farmer slowly felt my legs, which were much swelled and strained; +then he looked at my mouth. “Thirteen or fourteen, I should say; just +trot him out, will you?” + +I arched my poor thin neck, raised my tail a little, and threw out my +legs as well as I could, for they were very stiff. + +“What is the lowest you will take for him?” said the farmer as I came +back. + +“Five pounds, sir; that was the lowest price my master set.” + +“'Tis a speculation,” said the old gentleman, shaking his head, but at +the same time slowly drawing out his purse, “quite a speculation! Have +you any more business here?” he said, counting the sovereigns into his +hand. + +“No, sir, I can take him for you to the inn, if you please.” + +“Do so, I am now going there.” + +They walked forward, and I was led behind. The boy could hardly control +his delight, and the old gentleman seemed to enjoy his pleasure. I had a +good feed at the inn, and was then gently ridden home by a servant of my +new master's, and turned into a large meadow with a shed in one corner +of it. + +Mr. Thoroughgood, for that was the name of my benefactor, gave orders +that I should have hay and oats every night and morning, and the run of +the meadow during the day, and, “you, Willie,” said he, “must take the +oversight of him; I give him in charge to you.” + +The boy was proud of his charge, and undertook it in all seriousness. +There was not a day when he did not pay me a visit; sometimes picking +me out from among the other horses, and giving me a bit of carrot, or +something good, or sometimes standing by me while I ate my oats. He +always came with kind words and caresses, and of course I grew very fond +of him. He called me Old Crony, as I used to come to him in the field +and follow him about. Sometimes he brought his grandfather, who always +looked closely at my legs. + +“This is our point, Willie,” he would say; “but he is improving so +steadily that I think we shall see a change for the better in the +spring.” + +The perfect rest, the good food, the soft turf, and gentle exercise, +soon began to tell on my condition and my spirits. I had a good +constitution from my mother, and I was never strained when I was young, +so that I had a better chance than many horses who have been worked +before they came to their full strength. During the winter my legs +improved so much that I began to feel quite young again. The spring came +round, and one day in March Mr. Thoroughgood determined that he would +try me in the phaeton. I was well pleased, and he and Willie drove me a +few miles. My legs were not stiff now, and I did the work with perfect +ease. + +“He's growing young, Willie; we must give him a little gentle work now, +and by mid-summer he will be as good as Ladybird. He has a beautiful +mouth and good paces; they can't be better.” + +“Oh, grandpapa, how glad I am you bought him!” + +“So am I, my boy; but he has to thank you more than me; we must now +be looking out for a quiet, genteel place for him, where he will be +valued.” + + + + +49 My Last Home + + +One day during this summer the groom cleaned and dressed me with such +extraordinary care that I thought some new change must be at hand; he +trimmed my fetlocks and legs, passed the tarbrush over my hoofs, and +even parted my forelock. I think the harness had an extra polish. Willie +seemed half-anxious, half-merry, as he got into the chaise with his +grandfather. + +“If the ladies take to him,” said the old gentleman, “they'll be suited +and he'll be suited. We can but try.” + +At the distance of a mile or two from the village we came to a pretty, +low house, with a lawn and shrubbery at the front and a drive up to the +door. Willie rang the bell, and asked if Miss Blomefield or Miss Ellen +was at home. Yes, they were. So, while Willie stayed with me, Mr. +Thoroughgood went into the house. In about ten minutes he returned, +followed by three ladies; one tall, pale lady, wrapped in a white shawl, +leaned on a younger lady, with dark eyes and a merry face; the other, +a very stately-looking person, was Miss Blomefield. They all came +and looked at me and asked questions. The younger lady--that was Miss +Ellen--took to me very much; she said she was sure she should like me, I +had such a good face. The tall, pale lady said that she should always +be nervous in riding behind a horse that had once been down, as I might +come down again, and if I did she should never get over the fright. + +“You see, ladies,” said Mr. Thoroughgood, “many first-rate horses have +had their knees broken through the carelessness of their drivers without +any fault of their own, and from what I see of this horse I should say +that is his case; but of course I do not wish to influence you. If you +incline you can have him on trial, and then your coachman will see what +he thinks of him.” + +“You have always been such a good adviser to us about our horses,” said +the stately lady, “that your recommendation would go a long way with me, +and if my sister Lavinia sees no objection we will accept your offer of +a trial, with thanks.” + +It was then arranged that I should be sent for the next day. + +In the morning a smart-looking young man came for me. At first he looked +pleased; but when he saw my knees he said in a disappointed voice: + +“I didn't think, sir, you would have recommended my ladies a blemished +horse like that.” + +“'Handsome is that handsome does',” said my master; “you are only taking +him on trial, and I am sure you will do fairly by him, young man. If he +is not as safe as any horse you ever drove send him back.” + +I was led to my new home, placed in a comfortable stable, fed, and left +to myself. The next day, when the groom was cleaning my face, he said: + +“That is just like the star that 'Black Beauty' had; he is much the same +height, too. I wonder where he is now.” + +A little further on he came to the place in my neck where I was bled and +where a little knot was left in the skin. He almost started, and began +to look me over carefully, talking to himself. + +“White star in the forehead, one white foot on the off side, this little +knot just in that place;” then looking at the middle of my back--“and, +as I am alive, there is that little patch of white hair that John used +to call 'Beauty's three-penny bit'. It must be 'Black Beauty'! Why, +Beauty! Beauty! do you know me?--little Joe Green, that almost killed +you?” And he began patting and patting me as if he was quite overjoyed. + +I could not say that I remembered him, for now he was a fine grown young +fellow, with black whiskers and a man's voice, but I was sure he knew +me, and that he was Joe Green, and I was very glad. I put my nose up +to him, and tried to say that we were friends. I never saw a man so +pleased. + +“Give you a fair trial! I should think so indeed! I wonder who the +rascal was that broke your knees, my old Beauty! you must have been +badly served out somewhere; well, well, it won't be my fault if you +haven't good times of it now. I wish John Manly was here to see you.” + +In the afternoon I was put into a low park chair and brought to the +door. Miss Ellen was going to try me, and Green went with her. I soon +found that she was a good driver, and she seemed pleased with my paces. +I heard Joe telling her about me, and that he was sure I was Squire +Gordon's old “Black Beauty”. + +When we returned the other sisters came out to hear how I had behaved +myself. She told them what she had just heard, and said: + +“I shall certainly write to Mrs. Gordon, and tell her that her favorite +horse has come to us. How pleased she will be!” + +After this I was driven every day for a week or so, and as I appeared +to be quite safe, Miss Lavinia at last ventured out in the small close +carriage. After this it was quite decided to keep me and call me by my +old name of “Black Beauty”. + +I have now lived in this happy place a whole year. Joe is the best and +kindest of grooms. My work is easy and pleasant, and I feel my strength +and spirits all coming back again. Mr. Thoroughgood said to Joe the +other day: + +“In your place he will last till he is twenty years old--perhaps more.” + +Willie always speaks to me when he can, and treats me as his special +friend. My ladies have promised that I shall never be sold, and so I +have nothing to fear; and here my story ends. My troubles are all over, +and I am at home; and often before I am quite awake, I fancy I am still +in the orchard at Birtwick, standing with my old friends under the +apple-trees. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Black Beauty, by Anna Sewell + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BLACK BEAUTY *** + +***** This file should be named 271-0.txt or 271-0.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/7/271/ + +Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/271-0.zip b/271-0.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..20049d4 --- /dev/null +++ b/271-0.zip diff --git a/271-h.zip b/271-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d56c10f --- /dev/null +++ b/271-h.zip diff --git a/271-h/271-h.htm b/271-h/271-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..211bde5 --- /dev/null +++ b/271-h/271-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,7604 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta content="pg2html (binary v0.17)" name="linkgenerator" /> + <title> + Black Beauty, by Anna Sewell English Quaker (1820-1878) + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Black Beauty, by Anna Sewell + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Black Beauty + +Author: Anna Sewell + +Release Date: January 16, 2006 [EBook #271] +Last Updated: March 16, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BLACK BEAUTY *** + + + + +Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + BLACK BEAUTY + </h1> + <h2> + The Autobiography of a Horse + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + by Anna Sewell [English Quaker — 1820-1878.] + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [Note: 'Black Beauty' was originally published in 1877. This etext was + transcribed from an American edition of 1911. Some small corrections + were made, after being confirmed against other sources.] +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + To my dear and honored Mother, + whose life, no less than her pen, + has been devoted to the welfare of others, + this little book is affectionately dedicated. +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> <b>BLACK BEAUTY</b> </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_PART"> <b>Part I</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> 01 My Early Home </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> 02 The Hunt </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> 03 My Breaking In </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0006"> 04 Birtwick Park </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0007"> 05 A Fair Start </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0008"> 06 Liberty </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0009"> 07 Ginger </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0010"> 08 Ginger's Story Continued </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0011"> 09 Merrylegs </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0012"> 10 A Talk in the Orchard </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0013"> 11 Plain Speaking </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0014"> 12 A Stormy Day </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0015"> 13 The Devil's Trade Mark </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0016"> 14 James Howard </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0017"> 15 The Old Hostler </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0018"> 16 The Fire </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0019"> 17 John Manly's Talk </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0020"> 18 Going for the Doctor </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0021"> 19 Only Ignorance </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0022"> 20 Joe Green </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0023"> 21 The Parting </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_PART2"> <b>Part II</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0025"> 22 Earlshall </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0026"> 23 A Strike for Liberty </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0027"> 24 The Lady Anne, or a Runaway Horse </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0028"> 25 Reuben Smith </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0029"> 26 How it Ended </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0030"> 27 Ruined and Going Downhill </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0031"> 28 A Job Horse and His Drivers </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0032"> 29 Cockneys </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0033"> 30 A Thief </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0034"> 31 A Humbug </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_PART3"> <b>Part III</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0036"> 32 A Horse Fair </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0037"> 33 A London Cab Horse </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0038"> 34 An Old War Horse </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0039"> 35 Jerry Barker </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0040"> 36 The Sunday Cab </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0041"> 37 The Golden Rule </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0042"> 38 Dolly and a Real Gentleman </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0043"> 39 Seedy Sam </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0044"> 40 Poor Ginger </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0045"> 41 The Butcher </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0046"> 42 The Election </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0047"> 43 A Friend in Need </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0048"> 44 Old Captain and His Successor </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0049"> 45 Jerry's New Year </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_PART4"> <b>Part IV</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0051"> 46 Jakes and the Lady </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0052"> 47 Hard Times </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0053"> 48 Farmer Thoroughgood and His Grandson Willie + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0054"> 49 My Last Home </a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Black Beauty + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2H_PART" id="link2H_PART"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Part I + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 01 My Early Home + </h2> + <p> + The first place that I can well remember was a large pleasant meadow with + a pond of clear water in it. Some shady trees leaned over it, and rushes + and water-lilies grew at the deep end. Over the hedge on one side we + looked into a plowed field, and on the other we looked over a gate at our + master's house, which stood by the roadside; at the top of the meadow was + a grove of fir trees, and at the bottom a running brook overhung by a + steep bank. + </p> + <p> + While I was young I lived upon my mother's milk, as I could not eat grass. + In the daytime I ran by her side, and at night I lay down close by her. + When it was hot we used to stand by the pond in the shade of the trees, + and when it was cold we had a nice warm shed near the grove. + </p> + <p> + As soon as I was old enough to eat grass my mother used to go out to work + in the daytime, and come back in the evening. + </p> + <p> + There were six young colts in the meadow besides me; they were older than + I was; some were nearly as large as grown-up horses. I used to run with + them, and had great fun; we used to gallop all together round and round + the field as hard as we could go. Sometimes we had rather rough play, for + they would frequently bite and kick as well as gallop. + </p> + <p> + One day, when there was a good deal of kicking, my mother whinnied to me + to come to her, and then she said: + </p> + <p> + “I wish you to pay attention to what I am going to say to you. The colts + who live here are very good colts, but they are cart-horse colts, and of + course they have not learned manners. You have been well-bred and + well-born; your father has a great name in these parts, and your + grandfather won the cup two years at the Newmarket races; your grandmother + had the sweetest temper of any horse I ever knew, and I think you have + never seen me kick or bite. I hope you will grow up gentle and good, and + never learn bad ways; do your work with a good will, lift your feet up + well when you trot, and never bite or kick even in play.” + </p> + <p> + I have never forgotten my mother's advice; I knew she was a wise old + horse, and our master thought a great deal of her. Her name was Duchess, + but he often called her Pet. + </p> + <p> + Our master was a good, kind man. He gave us good food, good lodging, and + kind words; he spoke as kindly to us as he did to his little children. We + were all fond of him, and my mother loved him very much. When she saw him + at the gate she would neigh with joy, and trot up to him. He would pat and + stroke her and say, “Well, old Pet, and how is your little Darkie?” I was + a dull black, so he called me Darkie; then he would give me a piece of + bread, which was very good, and sometimes he brought a carrot for my + mother. All the horses would come to him, but I think we were his + favorites. My mother always took him to the town on a market day in a + light gig. + </p> + <p> + There was a plowboy, Dick, who sometimes came into our field to pluck + blackberries from the hedge. When he had eaten all he wanted he would have + what he called fun with the colts, throwing stones and sticks at them to + make them gallop. We did not much mind him, for we could gallop off; but + sometimes a stone would hit and hurt us. + </p> + <p> + One day he was at this game, and did not know that the master was in the + next field; but he was there, watching what was going on; over the hedge + he jumped in a snap, and catching Dick by the arm, he gave him such a box + on the ear as made him roar with the pain and surprise. As soon as we saw + the master we trotted up nearer to see what went on. + </p> + <p> + “Bad boy!” he said, “bad boy! to chase the colts. This is not the first + time, nor the second, but it shall be the last. There—take your + money and go home; I shall not want you on my farm again.” So we never saw + Dick any more. Old Daniel, the man who looked after the horses, was just + as gentle as our master, so we were well off. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 02 The Hunt + </h2> + <p> + Before I was two years old a circumstance happened which I have never + forgotten. It was early in the spring; there had been a little frost in + the night, and a light mist still hung over the woods and meadows. I and + the other colts were feeding at the lower part of the field when we heard, + quite in the distance, what sounded like the cry of dogs. The oldest of + the colts raised his head, pricked his ears, and said, “There are the + hounds!” and immediately cantered off, followed by the rest of us to the + upper part of the field, where we could look over the hedge and see + several fields beyond. My mother and an old riding horse of our master's + were also standing near, and seemed to know all about it. + </p> + <p> + “They have found a hare,” said my mother, “and if they come this way we + shall see the hunt.” + </p> + <p> + And soon the dogs were all tearing down the field of young wheat next to + ours. I never heard such a noise as they made. They did not bark, nor + howl, nor whine, but kept on a “yo! yo, o, o! yo! yo, o, o!” at the top of + their voices. After them came a number of men on horseback, some of them + in green coats, all galloping as fast as they could. The old horse snorted + and looked eagerly after them, and we young colts wanted to be galloping + with them, but they were soon away into the fields lower down; here it + seemed as if they had come to a stand; the dogs left off barking, and ran + about every way with their noses to the ground. + </p> + <p> + “They have lost the scent,” said the old horse; “perhaps the hare will get + off.” + </p> + <p> + “What hare?” I said. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! I don't know what hare; likely enough it may be one of our own hares + out of the woods; any hare they can find will do for the dogs and men to + run after;” and before long the dogs began their “yo! yo, o, o!” again, + and back they came altogether at full speed, making straight for our + meadow at the part where the high bank and hedge overhang the brook. + </p> + <p> + “Now we shall see the hare,” said my mother; and just then a hare wild + with fright rushed by and made for the woods. On came the dogs; they burst + over the bank, leaped the stream, and came dashing across the field + followed by the huntsmen. Six or eight men leaped their horses clean over, + close upon the dogs. The hare tried to get through the fence; it was too + thick, and she turned sharp round to make for the road, but it was too + late; the dogs were upon her with their wild cries; we heard one shriek, + and that was the end of her. One of the huntsmen rode up and whipped off + the dogs, who would soon have torn her to pieces. He held her up by the + leg torn and bleeding, and all the gentlemen seemed well pleased. + </p> + <p> + As for me, I was so astonished that I did not at first see what was going + on by the brook; but when I did look there was a sad sight; two fine + horses were down, one was struggling in the stream, and the other was + groaning on the grass. One of the riders was getting out of the water + covered with mud, the other lay quite still. + </p> + <p> + “His neck is broke,” said my mother. + </p> + <p> + “And serve him right, too,” said one of the colts. + </p> + <p> + I thought the same, but my mother did not join with us. + </p> + <p> + “Well, no,” she said, “you must not say that; but though I am an old + horse, and have seen and heard a great deal, I never yet could make out + why men are so fond of this sport; they often hurt themselves, often spoil + good horses, and tear up the fields, and all for a hare or a fox, or a + stag, that they could get more easily some other way; but we are only + horses, and don't know.” + </p> + <p> + While my mother was saying this we stood and looked on. Many of the riders + had gone to the young man; but my master, who had been watching what was + going on, was the first to raise him. His head fell back and his arms hung + down, and every one looked very serious. There was no noise now; even the + dogs were quiet, and seemed to know that something was wrong. They carried + him to our master's house. I heard afterward that it was young George + Gordon, the squire's only son, a fine, tall young man, and the pride of + his family. + </p> + <p> + There was now riding off in all directions to the doctor's, to the + farrier's, and no doubt to Squire Gordon's, to let him know about his son. + When Mr. Bond, the farrier, came to look at the black horse that lay + groaning on the grass, he felt him all over, and shook his head; one of + his legs was broken. Then some one ran to our master's house and came back + with a gun; presently there was a loud bang and a dreadful shriek, and + then all was still; the black horse moved no more. + </p> + <p> + My mother seemed much troubled; she said she had known that horse for + years, and that his name was “Rob Roy”; he was a good horse, and there was + no vice in him. She never would go to that part of the field afterward. + </p> + <p> + Not many days after we heard the church-bell tolling for a long time, and + looking over the gate we saw a long, strange black coach that was covered + with black cloth and was drawn by black horses; after that came another + and another and another, and all were black, while the bell kept tolling, + tolling. They were carrying young Gordon to the churchyard to bury him. He + would never ride again. What they did with Rob Roy I never knew; but 'twas + all for one little hare. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 03 My Breaking In + </h2> + <p> + I was now beginning to grow handsome; my coat had grown fine and soft, and + was bright black. I had one white foot and a pretty white star on my + forehead. I was thought very handsome; my master would not sell me till I + was four years old; he said lads ought not to work like men, and colts + ought not to work like horses till they were quite grown up. + </p> + <p> + When I was four years old Squire Gordon came to look at me. He examined my + eyes, my mouth, and my legs; he felt them all down; and then I had to walk + and trot and gallop before him. He seemed to like me, and said, “When he + has been well broken in he will do very well.” My master said he would + break me in himself, as he should not like me to be frightened or hurt, + and he lost no time about it, for the next day he began. + </p> + <p> + Every one may not know what breaking in is, therefore I will describe it. + It means to teach a horse to wear a saddle and bridle, and to carry on his + back a man, woman or child; to go just the way they wish, and to go + quietly. Besides this he has to learn to wear a collar, a crupper, and a + breeching, and to stand still while they are put on; then to have a cart + or a chaise fixed behind, so that he cannot walk or trot without dragging + it after him; and he must go fast or slow, just as his driver wishes. He + must never start at what he sees, nor speak to other horses, nor bite, nor + kick, nor have any will of his own; but always do his master's will, even + though he may be very tired or hungry; but the worst of all is, when his + harness is once on, he may neither jump for joy nor lie down for + weariness. So you see this breaking in is a great thing. + </p> + <p> + I had of course long been used to a halter and a headstall, and to be led + about in the fields and lanes quietly, but now I was to have a bit and + bridle; my master gave me some oats as usual, and after a good deal of + coaxing he got the bit into my mouth, and the bridle fixed, but it was a + nasty thing! Those who have never had a bit in their mouths cannot think + how bad it feels; a great piece of cold hard steel as thick as a man's + finger to be pushed into one's mouth, between one's teeth, and over one's + tongue, with the ends coming out at the corner of your mouth, and held + fast there by straps over your head, under your throat, round your nose, + and under your chin; so that no way in the world can you get rid of the + nasty hard thing; it is very bad! yes, very bad! at least I thought so; + but I knew my mother always wore one when she went out, and all horses did + when they were grown up; and so, what with the nice oats, and what with my + master's pats, kind words, and gentle ways, I got to wear my bit and + bridle. + </p> + <p> + Next came the saddle, but that was not half so bad; my master put it on my + back very gently, while old Daniel held my head; he then made the girths + fast under my body, patting and talking to me all the time; then I had a + few oats, then a little leading about; and this he did every day till I + began to look for the oats and the saddle. At length, one morning, my + master got on my back and rode me round the meadow on the soft grass. It + certainly did feel queer; but I must say I felt rather proud to carry my + master, and as he continued to ride me a little every day I soon became + accustomed to it. + </p> + <p> + The next unpleasant business was putting on the iron shoes; that too was + very hard at first. My master went with me to the smith's forge, to see + that I was not hurt or got any fright. The blacksmith took my feet in his + hand, one after the other, and cut away some of the hoof. It did not pain + me, so I stood still on three legs till he had done them all. Then he took + a piece of iron the shape of my foot, and clapped it on, and drove some + nails through the shoe quite into my hoof, so that the shoe was firmly on. + My feet felt very stiff and heavy, but in time I got used to it. + </p> + <p> + And now having got so far, my master went on to break me to harness; there + were more new things to wear. First, a stiff heavy collar just on my neck, + and a bridle with great side-pieces against my eyes called blinkers, and + blinkers indeed they were, for I could not see on either side, but only + straight in front of me; next, there was a small saddle with a nasty stiff + strap that went right under my tail; that was the crupper. I hated the + crupper; to have my long tail doubled up and poked through that strap was + almost as bad as the bit. I never felt more like kicking, but of course I + could not kick such a good master, and so in time I got used to + everything, and could do my work as well as my mother. + </p> + <p> + I must not forget to mention one part of my training, which I have always + considered a very great advantage. My master sent me for a fortnight to a + neighboring farmer's, who had a meadow which was skirted on one side by + the railway. Here were some sheep and cows, and I was turned in among + them. + </p> + <p> + I shall never forget the first train that ran by. I was feeding quietly + near the pales which separated the meadow from the railway, when I heard a + strange sound at a distance, and before I knew whence it came—with a + rush and a clatter, and a puffing out of smoke—a long black train of + something flew by, and was gone almost before I could draw my breath. I + turned and galloped to the further side of the meadow as fast as I could + go, and there I stood snorting with astonishment and fear. In the course + of the day many other trains went by, some more slowly; these drew up at + the station close by, and sometimes made an awful shriek and groan before + they stopped. I thought it very dreadful, but the cows went on eating very + quietly, and hardly raised their heads as the black frightful thing came + puffing and grinding past. + </p> + <p> + For the first few days I could not feed in peace; but as I found that this + terrible creature never came into the field, or did me any harm, I began + to disregard it, and very soon I cared as little about the passing of a + train as the cows and sheep did. + </p> + <p> + Since then I have seen many horses much alarmed and restive at the sight + or sound of a steam engine; but thanks to my good master's care, I am as + fearless at railway stations as in my own stable. + </p> + <p> + Now if any one wants to break in a young horse well, that is the way. + </p> + <p> + My master often drove me in double harness with my mother, because she was + steady and could teach me how to go better than a strange horse. She told + me the better I behaved the better I should be treated, and that it was + wisest always to do my best to please my master; “but,” said she, “there + are a great many kinds of men; there are good thoughtful men like our + master, that any horse may be proud to serve; and there are bad, cruel + men, who never ought to have a horse or dog to call their own. Besides, + there are a great many foolish men, vain, ignorant, and careless, who + never trouble themselves to think; these spoil more horses than all, just + for want of sense; they don't mean it, but they do it for all that. I hope + you will fall into good hands; but a horse never knows who may buy him, or + who may drive him; it is all a chance for us; but still I say, do your + best wherever it is, and keep up your good name.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 04 Birtwick Park + </h2> + <p> + At this time I used to stand in the stable and my coat was brushed every + day till it shone like a rook's wing. It was early in May, when there came + a man from Squire Gordon's, who took me away to the hall. My master said, + “Good-by, Darkie; be a good horse, and always do your best.” I could not + say “good-by”, so I put my nose into his hand; he patted me kindly, and I + left my first home. As I lived some years with Squire Gordon, I may as + well tell something about the place. + </p> + <p> + Squire Gordon's park skirted the village of Birtwick. It was entered by a + large iron gate, at which stood the first lodge, and then you trotted + along on a smooth road between clumps of large old trees; then another + lodge and another gate, which brought you to the house and the gardens. + Beyond this lay the home paddock, the old orchard, and the stables. There + was accommodation for many horses and carriages; but I need only describe + the stable into which I was taken; this was very roomy, with four good + stalls; a large swinging window opened into the yard, which made it + pleasant and airy. + </p> + <p> + The first stall was a large square one, shut in behind with a wooden gate; + the others were common stalls, good stalls, but not nearly so large; it + had a low rack for hay and a low manger for corn; it was called a loose + box, because the horse that was put into it was not tied up, but left + loose, to do as he liked. It is a great thing to have a loose box. + </p> + <p> + Into this fine box the groom put me; it was clean, sweet, and airy. I + never was in a better box than that, and the sides were not so high but + that I could see all that went on through the iron rails that were at the + top. + </p> + <p> + He gave me some very nice oats, he patted me, spoke kindly, and then went + away. + </p> + <p> + When I had eaten my corn I looked round. In the stall next to mine stood a + little fat gray pony, with a thick mane and tail, a very pretty head, and + a pert little nose. + </p> + <p> + I put my head up to the iron rails at the top of my box, and said, “How do + you do? What is your name?” + </p> + <p> + He turned round as far as his halter would allow, held up his head, and + said, “My name is Merrylegs. I am very handsome; I carry the young ladies + on my back, and sometimes I take our mistress out in the low chair. They + think a great deal of me, and so does James. Are you going to live next + door to me in the box?” + </p> + <p> + I said, “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then,” he said, “I hope you are good-tempered; I do not like any + one next door who bites.” + </p> + <p> + Just then a horse's head looked over from the stall beyond; the ears were + laid back, and the eye looked rather ill-tempered. This was a tall + chestnut mare, with a long handsome neck. She looked across to me and + said: + </p> + <p> + “So it is you who have turned me out of my box; it is a very strange thing + for a colt like you to come and turn a lady out of her own home.” + </p> + <p> + “I beg your pardon,” I said, “I have turned no one out; the man who + brought me put me here, and I had nothing to do with it; and as to my + being a colt, I am turned four years old and am a grown-up horse. I never + had words yet with horse or mare, and it is my wish to live at peace.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” she said, “we shall see. Of course, I do not want to have words + with a young thing like you.” I said no more. + </p> + <p> + In the afternoon, when she went out, Merrylegs told me all about it. + </p> + <p> + “The thing is this,” said Merrylegs. “Ginger has a bad habit of biting and + snapping; that is why they call her Ginger, and when she was in the loose + box she used to snap very much. One day she bit James in the arm and made + it bleed, and so Miss Flora and Miss Jessie, who are very fond of me, were + afraid to come into the stable. They used to bring me nice things to eat, + an apple or a carrot, or a piece of bread, but after Ginger stood in that + box they dared not come, and I missed them very much. I hope they will now + come again, if you do not bite or snap.” + </p> + <p> + I told him I never bit anything but grass, hay, and corn, and could not + think what pleasure Ginger found it. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I don't think she does find pleasure,” says Merrylegs; “it is just + a bad habit; she says no one was ever kind to her, and why should she not + bite? Of course, it is a very bad habit; but I am sure, if all she says be + true, she must have been very ill-used before she came here. John does all + he can to please her, and James does all he can, and our master never uses + a whip if a horse acts right; so I think she might be good-tempered here. + You see,” he said, with a wise look, “I am twelve years old; I know a + great deal, and I can tell you there is not a better place for a horse all + round the country than this. John is the best groom that ever was; he has + been here fourteen years; and you never saw such a kind boy as James is; + so that it is all Ginger's own fault that she did not stay in that box.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0007" id="link2H_4_0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 05 A Fair Start + </h2> + <p> + The name of the coachman was John Manly; he had a wife and one little + child, and they lived in the coachman's cottage, very near the stables. + </p> + <p> + The next morning he took me into the yard and gave me a good grooming, and + just as I was going into my box, with my coat soft and bright, the squire + came in to look at me, and seemed pleased. “John,” he said, “I meant to + have tried the new horse this morning, but I have other business. You may + as well take him around after breakfast; go by the common and the + Highwood, and back by the watermill and the river; that will show his + paces.” + </p> + <p> + “I will, sir,” said John. After breakfast he came and fitted me with a + bridle. He was very particular in letting out and taking in the straps, to + fit my head comfortably; then he brought a saddle, but it was not broad + enough for my back; he saw it in a minute and went for another, which + fitted nicely. He rode me first slowly, then a trot, then a canter, and + when we were on the common he gave me a light touch with his whip, and we + had a splendid gallop. + </p> + <p> + “Ho, ho! my boy,” he said, as he pulled me up, “you would like to follow + the hounds, I think.” + </p> + <p> + As we came back through the park we met the Squire and Mrs. Gordon + walking; they stopped, and John jumped off. + </p> + <p> + “Well, John, how does he go?” + </p> + <p> + “First-rate, sir,” answered John; “he is as fleet as a deer, and has a + fine spirit too; but the lightest touch of the rein will guide him. Down + at the end of the common we met one of those traveling carts hung all over + with baskets, rugs, and such like; you know, sir, many horses will not + pass those carts quietly; he just took a good look at it, and then went on + as quiet and pleasant as could be. They were shooting rabbits near the + Highwood, and a gun went off close by; he pulled up a little and looked, + but did not stir a step to right or left. I just held the rein steady and + did not hurry him, and it's my opinion he has not been frightened or + ill-used while he was young.” + </p> + <p> + “That's well,” said the squire, “I will try him myself to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + The next day I was brought up for my master. I remembered my mother's + counsel and my good old master's, and I tried to do exactly what he wanted + me to do. I found he was a very good rider, and thoughtful for his horse + too. When he came home the lady was at the hall door as he rode up. + </p> + <p> + “Well, my dear,” she said, “how do you like him?” + </p> + <p> + “He is exactly what John said,” he replied; “a pleasanter creature I never + wish to mount. What shall we call him?” + </p> + <p> + “Would you like Ebony?” said she; “he is as black as ebony.” + </p> + <p> + “No, not Ebony.” + </p> + <p> + “Will you call him Blackbird, like your uncle's old horse?” + </p> + <p> + “No, he is far handsomer than old Blackbird ever was.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” she said, “he is really quite a beauty, and he has such a sweet, + good-tempered face, and such a fine, intelligent eye—what do you say + to calling him Black Beauty?” + </p> + <p> + “Black Beauty—why, yes, I think that is a very good name. If you + like it shall be his name;” and so it was. + </p> + <p> + When John went into the stable he told James that master and mistress had + chosen a good, sensible English name for me, that meant something; not + like Marengo, or Pegasus, or Abdallah. They both laughed, and James said, + “If it was not for bringing back the past, I should have named him Rob + Roy, for I never saw two horses more alike.” + </p> + <p> + “That's no wonder,” said John; “didn't you know that Farmer Grey's old + Duchess was the mother of them both?” + </p> + <p> + I had never heard that before; and so poor Rob Roy who was killed at that + hunt was my brother! I did not wonder that my mother was so troubled. It + seems that horses have no relations; at least they never know each other + after they are sold. + </p> + <p> + John seemed very proud of me; he used to make my mane and tail almost as + smooth as a lady's hair, and he would talk to me a great deal; of course I + did not understand all he said, but I learned more and more to know what + he meant, and what he wanted me to do. I grew very fond of him, he was so + gentle and kind; he seemed to know just how a horse feels, and when he + cleaned me he knew the tender places and the ticklish places; when he + brushed my head he went as carefully over my eyes as if they were his own, + and never stirred up any ill-temper. + </p> + <p> + James Howard, the stable boy, was just as gentle and pleasant in his way, + so I thought myself well off. There was another man who helped in the + yard, but he had very little to do with Ginger and me. + </p> + <p> + A few days after this I had to go out with Ginger in the carriage. I + wondered how we should get on together; but except laying her ears back + when I was led up to her, she behaved very well. She did her work + honestly, and did her full share, and I never wish to have a better + partner in double harness. When we came to a hill, instead of slackening + her pace, she would throw her weight right into the collar, and pull away + straight up. We had both the same sort of courage at our work, and John + had oftener to hold us in than to urge us forward; he never had to use the + whip with either of us; then our paces were much the same, and I found it + very easy to keep step with her when trotting, which made it pleasant, and + master always liked it when we kept step well, and so did John. After we + had been out two or three times together we grew quite friendly and + sociable, which made me feel very much at home. + </p> + <p> + As for Merrylegs, he and I soon became great friends; he was such a + cheerful, plucky, good-tempered little fellow that he was a favorite with + every one, and especially with Miss Jessie and Flora, who used to ride him + about in the orchard, and have fine games with him and their little dog + Frisky. + </p> + <p> + Our master had two other horses that stood in another stable. One was + Justice, a roan cob, used for riding or for the luggage cart; the other + was an old brown hunter, named Sir Oliver; he was past work now, but was a + great favorite with the master, who gave him the run of the park; he + sometimes did a little light carting on the estate, or carried one of the + young ladies when they rode out with their father, for he was very gentle + and could be trusted with a child as well as Merrylegs. The cob was a + strong, well-made, good-tempered horse, and we sometimes had a little chat + in the paddock, but of course I could not be so intimate with him as with + Ginger, who stood in the same stable. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 06 Liberty + </h2> + <p> + I was quite happy in my new place, and if there was one thing that I + missed it must not be thought I was discontented; all who had to do with + me were good and I had a light airy stable and the best of food. What more + could I want? Why, liberty! For three years and a half of my life I had + had all the liberty I could wish for; but now, week after week, month + after month, and no doubt year after year, I must stand up in a stable + night and day except when I am wanted, and then I must be just as steady + and quiet as any old horse who has worked twenty years. Straps here and + straps there, a bit in my mouth, and blinkers over my eyes. Now, I am not + complaining, for I know it must be so. I only mean to say that for a young + horse full of strength and spirits, who has been used to some large field + or plain where he can fling up his head and toss up his tail and gallop + away at full speed, then round and back again with a snort to his + companions—I say it is hard never to have a bit more liberty to do + as you like. Sometimes, when I have had less exercise than usual, I have + felt so full of life and spring that when John has taken me out to + exercise I really could not keep quiet; do what I would, it seemed as if I + must jump, or dance, or prance, and many a good shake I know I must have + given him, especially at the first; but he was always good and patient. + </p> + <p> + “Steady, steady, my boy,” he would say; “wait a bit, and we will have a + good swing, and soon get the tickle out of your feet.” Then as soon as we + were out of the village, he would give me a few miles at a spanking trot, + and then bring me back as fresh as before, only clear of the fidgets, as + he called them. Spirited horses, when not enough exercised, are often + called skittish, when it is only play; and some grooms will punish them, + but our John did not; he knew it was only high spirits. Still, he had his + own ways of making me understand by the tone of his voice or the touch of + the rein. If he was very serious and quite determined, I always knew it by + his voice, and that had more power with me than anything else, for I was + very fond of him. + </p> + <p> + I ought to say that sometimes we had our liberty for a few hours; this + used to be on fine Sundays in the summer-time. The carriage never went out + on Sundays, because the church was not far off. + </p> + <p> + It was a great treat to us to be turned out into the home paddock or the + old orchard; the grass was so cool and soft to our feet, the air so sweet, + and the freedom to do as we liked was so pleasant—to gallop, to lie + down, and roll over on our backs, or to nibble the sweet grass. Then it + was a very good time for talking, as we stood together under the shade of + the large chestnut tree. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0009" id="link2H_4_0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 07 Ginger + </h2> + <p> + One day when Ginger and I were standing alone in the shade, we had a great + deal of talk; she wanted to know all about my bringing up and breaking in, + and I told her. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said she, “if I had had your bringing up I might have had as good + a temper as you, but now I don't believe I ever shall.” + </p> + <p> + “Why not?” I said. + </p> + <p> + “Because it has been all so different with me,” she replied. “I never had + any one, horse or man, that was kind to me, or that I cared to please, for + in the first place I was taken from my mother as soon as I was weaned, and + put with a lot of other young colts; none of them cared for me, and I + cared for none of them. There was no kind master like yours to look after + me, and talk to me, and bring me nice things to eat. The man that had the + care of us never gave me a kind word in my life. I do not mean that he + ill-used me, but he did not care for us one bit further than to see that + we had plenty to eat, and shelter in the winter. A footpath ran through + our field, and very often the great boys passing through would fling + stones to make us gallop. I was never hit, but one fine young colt was + badly cut in the face, and I should think it would be a scar for life. We + did not care for them, but of course it made us more wild, and we settled + it in our minds that boys were our enemies. We had very good fun in the + free meadows, galloping up and down and chasing each other round and round + the field; then standing still under the shade of the trees. But when it + came to breaking in, that was a bad time for me; several men came to catch + me, and when at last they closed me in at one corner of the field, one + caught me by the forelock, another caught me by the nose and held it so + tight I could hardly draw my breath; then another took my under jaw in his + hard hand and wrenched my mouth open, and so by force they got on the + halter and the bar into my mouth; then one dragged me along by the halter, + another flogging behind, and this was the first experience I had of men's + kindness; it was all force. They did not give me a chance to know what + they wanted. I was high bred and had a great deal of spirit, and was very + wild, no doubt, and gave them, I dare say, plenty of trouble, but then it + was dreadful to be shut up in a stall day after day instead of having my + liberty, and I fretted and pined and wanted to get loose. You know + yourself it's bad enough when you have a kind master and plenty of + coaxing, but there was nothing of that sort for me. + </p> + <p> + “There was one—the old master, Mr. Ryder—who, I think, could + soon have brought me round, and could have done anything with me; but he + had given up all the hard part of the trade to his son and to another + experienced man, and he only came at times to oversee. His son was a + strong, tall, bold man; they called him Samson, and he used to boast that + he had never found a horse that could throw him. There was no gentleness + in him, as there was in his father, but only hardness, a hard voice, a + hard eye, a hard hand; and I felt from the first that what he wanted was + to wear all the spirit out of me, and just make me into a quiet, humble, + obedient piece of horseflesh. 'Horseflesh'! Yes, that is all that he + thought about,” and Ginger stamped her foot as if the very thought of him + made her angry. Then she went on: + </p> + <p> + “If I did not do exactly what he wanted he would get put out, and make me + run round with that long rein in the training field till he had tired me + out. I think he drank a good deal, and I am quite sure that the oftener he + drank the worse it was for me. One day he had worked me hard in every way + he could, and when I lay down I was tired, and miserable, and angry; it + all seemed so hard. The next morning he came for me early, and ran me + round again for a long time. I had scarcely had an hour's rest, when he + came again for me with a saddle and bridle and a new kind of bit. I could + never quite tell how it came about; he had only just mounted me on the + training ground, when something I did put him out of temper, and he + chucked me hard with the rein. The new bit was very painful, and I reared + up suddenly, which angered him still more, and he began to flog me. I felt + my whole spirit set against him, and I began to kick, and plunge, and rear + as I had never done before, and we had a regular fight; for a long time he + stuck to the saddle and punished me cruelly with his whip and spurs, but + my blood was thoroughly up, and I cared for nothing he could do if only I + could get him off. At last after a terrible struggle I threw him off + backward. I heard him fall heavily on the turf, and without looking behind + me, I galloped off to the other end of the field; there I turned round and + saw my persecutor slowly rising from the ground and going into the stable. + I stood under an oak tree and watched, but no one came to catch me. The + time went on, and the sun was very hot; the flies swarmed round me and + settled on my bleeding flanks where the spurs had dug in. I felt hungry, + for I had not eaten since the early morning, but there was not enough + grass in that meadow for a goose to live on. I wanted to lie down and + rest, but with the saddle strapped tightly on there was no comfort, and + there was not a drop of water to drink. The afternoon wore on, and the sun + got low. I saw the other colts led in, and I knew they were having a good + feed. + </p> + <p> + “At last, just as the sun went down, I saw the old master come out with a + sieve in his hand. He was a very fine old gentleman with quite white hair, + but his voice was what I should know him by among a thousand. It was not + high, nor yet low, but full, and clear, and kind, and when he gave orders + it was so steady and decided that every one knew, both horses and men, + that he expected to be obeyed. He came quietly along, now and then shaking + the oats about that he had in the sieve, and speaking cheerfully and + gently to me: 'Come along, lassie, come along, lassie; come along, come + along.' I stood still and let him come up; he held the oats to me, and I + began to eat without fear; his voice took all my fear away. He stood by, + patting and stroking me while I was eating, and seeing the clots of blood + on my side he seemed very vexed. 'Poor lassie! it was a bad business, a + bad business;' then he quietly took the rein and led me to the stable; + just at the door stood Samson. I laid my ears back and snapped at him. + 'Stand back,' said the master, 'and keep out of her way; you've done a bad + day's work for this filly.' He growled out something about a vicious + brute. 'Hark ye,' said the father, 'a bad-tempered man will never make a + good-tempered horse. You've not learned your trade yet, Samson.' Then he + led me into my box, took off the saddle and bridle with his own hands, and + tied me up; then he called for a pail of warm water and a sponge, took off + his coat, and while the stable-man held the pail, he sponged my sides a + good while, so tenderly that I was sure he knew how sore and bruised they + were. 'Whoa! my pretty one,' he said, 'stand still, stand still.' His very + voice did me good, and the bathing was very comfortable. The skin was so + broken at the corners of my mouth that I could not eat the hay, the stalks + hurt me. He looked closely at it, shook his head, and told the man to + fetch a good bran mash and put some meal into it. How good that mash was! + and so soft and healing to my mouth. He stood by all the time I was + eating, stroking me and talking to the man. 'If a high-mettled creature + like this,' said he, 'can't be broken by fair means, she will never be + good for anything.' + </p> + <p> + “After that he often came to see me, and when my mouth was healed the + other breaker, Job, they called him, went on training me; he was steady + and thoughtful, and I soon learned what he wanted.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 08 Ginger's Story Continued + </h2> + <p> + The next time that Ginger and I were together in the paddock she told me + about her first place. + </p> + <p> + “After my breaking in,” she said, “I was bought by a dealer to match + another chestnut horse. For some weeks he drove us together, and then we + were sold to a fashionable gentleman, and were sent up to London. I had + been driven with a check-rein by the dealer, and I hated it worse than + anything else; but in this place we were reined far tighter, the coachman + and his master thinking we looked more stylish so. We were often driven + about in the park and other fashionable places. You who never had a + check-rein on don't know what it is, but I can tell you it is dreadful. + </p> + <p> + “I like to toss my head about and hold it as high as any horse; but fancy + now yourself, if you tossed your head up high and were obliged to hold it + there, and that for hours together, not able to move it at all, except + with a jerk still higher, your neck aching till you did not know how to + bear it. Besides that, to have two bits instead of one—and mine was + a sharp one, it hurt my tongue and my jaw, and the blood from my tongue + colored the froth that kept flying from my lips as I chafed and fretted at + the bits and rein. It was worst when we had to stand by the hour waiting + for our mistress at some grand party or entertainment, and if I fretted or + stamped with impatience the whip was laid on. It was enough to drive one + mad.” + </p> + <p> + “Did not your master take any thought for you?” I said. + </p> + <p> + “No,” said she, “he only cared to have a stylish turnout, as they call it; + I think he knew very little about horses; he left that to his coachman, + who told him I had an irritable temper! that I had not been well broken to + the check-rein, but I should soon get used to it; but he was not the man + to do it, for when I was in the stable, miserable and angry, instead of + being smoothed and quieted by kindness, I got only a surly word or a blow. + If he had been civil I would have tried to bear it. I was willing to work, + and ready to work hard too; but to be tormented for nothing but their + fancies angered me. What right had they to make me suffer like that? + Besides the soreness in my mouth, and the pain in my neck, it always made + my windpipe feel bad, and if I had stopped there long I know it would have + spoiled my breathing; but I grew more and more restless and irritable, I + could not help it; and I began to snap and kick when any one came to + harness me; for this the groom beat me, and one day, as they had just + buckled us into the carriage, and were straining my head up with that + rein, I began to plunge and kick with all my might. I soon broke a lot of + harness, and kicked myself clear; so that was an end of that place. + </p> + <p> + “After this I was sent to Tattersall's to be sold; of course I could not + be warranted free from vice, so nothing was said about that. My handsome + appearance and good paces soon brought a gentleman to bid for me, and I + was bought by another dealer; he tried me in all kinds of ways and with + different bits, and he soon found out what I could not bear. At last he + drove me quite without a check-rein, and then sold me as a perfectly quiet + horse to a gentleman in the country; he was a good master, and I was + getting on very well, but his old groom left him and a new one came. This + man was as hard-tempered and hard-handed as Samson; he always spoke in a + rough, impatient voice, and if I did not move in the stall the moment he + wanted me, he would hit me above the hocks with his stable broom or the + fork, whichever he might have in his hand. Everything he did was rough, + and I began to hate him; he wanted to make me afraid of him, but I was too + high-mettled for that, and one day when he had aggravated me more than + usual I bit him, which of course put him in a great rage, and he began to + hit me about the head with a riding whip. After that he never dared to + come into my stall again; either my heels or my teeth were ready for him, + and he knew it. I was quite quiet with my master, but of course he + listened to what the man said, and so I was sold again. + </p> + <p> + “The same dealer heard of me, and said he thought he knew one place where + I should do well. ''Twas a pity,' he said, 'that such a fine horse should + go to the bad, for want of a real good chance,' and the end of it was that + I came here not long before you did; but I had then made up my mind that + men were my natural enemies and that I must defend myself. Of course it is + very different here, but who knows how long it will last? I wish I could + think about things as you do; but I can't, after all I have gone through.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” I said, “I think it would be a real shame if you were to bite or + kick John or James.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't mean to,” she said, “while they are good to me. I did bite James + once pretty sharp, but John said, 'Try her with kindness,' and instead of + punishing me as I expected, James came to me with his arm bound up, and + brought me a bran mash and stroked me; and I have never snapped at him + since, and I won't either.” + </p> + <p> + I was sorry for Ginger, but of course I knew very little then, and I + thought most likely she made the worst of it; however, I found that as the + weeks went on she grew much more gentle and cheerful, and had lost the + watchful, defiant look that she used to turn on any strange person who + came near her; and one day James said, “I do believe that mare is getting + fond of me, she quite whinnied after me this morning when I had been + rubbing her forehead.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay, ay, Jim, 'tis 'the Birtwick balls',” said John, “she'll be as good as + Black Beauty by and by; kindness is all the physic she wants, poor thing!” + Master noticed the change, too, and one day when he got out of the + carriage and came to speak to us, as he often did, he stroked her + beautiful neck. “Well, my pretty one, well, how do things go with you now? + You are a good bit happier than when you came to us, I think.” + </p> + <p> + She put her nose up to him in a friendly, trustful way, while he rubbed it + gently. + </p> + <p> + “We shall make a cure of her, John,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir, she's wonderfully improved; she's not the same creature that + she was; it's 'the Birtwick balls', sir,” said John, laughing. + </p> + <p> + This was a little joke of John's; he used to say that a regular course of + “the Birtwick horseballs” would cure almost any vicious horse; these + balls, he said, were made up of patience and gentleness, firmness and + petting, one pound of each to be mixed up with half a pint of common + sense, and given to the horse every day. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0011" id="link2H_4_0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 09 Merrylegs + </h2> + <p> + Mr. Blomefield, the vicar, had a large family of boys and girls; sometimes + they used to come and play with Miss Jessie and Flora. One of the girls + was as old as Miss Jessie; two of the boys were older, and there were + several little ones. When they came there was plenty of work for + Merrylegs, for nothing pleased them so much as getting on him by turns and + riding him all about the orchard and the home paddock, and this they would + do by the hour together. + </p> + <p> + One afternoon he had been out with them a long time, and when James + brought him in and put on his halter he said: + </p> + <p> + “There, you rogue, mind how you behave yourself, or we shall get into + trouble.” + </p> + <p> + “What have you been doing, Merrylegs?” I asked. + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” said he, tossing his little head, “I have only been giving those + young people a lesson; they did not know when they had had enough, nor + when I had had enough, so I just pitched them off backward; that was the + only thing they could understand.” + </p> + <p> + “What!” said I, “you threw the children off? I thought you did know better + than that! Did you throw Miss Jessie or Miss Flora?” + </p> + <p> + He looked very much offended, and said: + </p> + <p> + “Of course not; I would not do such a thing for the best oats that ever + came into the stable; why, I am as careful of our young ladies as the + master could be, and as for the little ones it is I who teach them to + ride. When they seem frightened or a little unsteady on my back I go as + smooth and as quiet as old pussy when she is after a bird; and when they + are all right I go on again faster, you see, just to use them to it; so + don't you trouble yourself preaching to me; I am the best friend and the + best riding-master those children have. It is not them, it is the boys; + boys,” said he, shaking his mane, “are quite different; they must be + broken in as we were broken in when we were colts, and just be taught + what's what. The other children had ridden me about for nearly two hours, + and then the boys thought it was their turn, and so it was, and I was + quite agreeable. They rode me by turns, and I galloped them about, up and + down the fields and all about the orchard, for a good hour. They had each + cut a great hazel stick for a riding-whip, and laid it on a little too + hard; but I took it in good part, till at last I thought we had had + enough, so I stopped two or three times by way of a hint. Boys, you see, + think a horse or pony is like a steam-engine or a thrashing-machine, and + can go on as long and as fast as they please; they never think that a pony + can get tired, or have any feelings; so as the one who was whipping me + could not understand I just rose up on my hind legs and let him slip off + behind—that was all. He mounted me again, and I did the same. Then + the other boy got up, and as soon as he began to use his stick I laid him + on the grass, and so on, till they were able to understand—that was + all. They are not bad boys; they don't wish to be cruel. I like them very + well; but you see I had to give them a lesson. When they brought me to + James and told him I think he was very angry to see such big sticks. He + said they were only fit for drovers or gypsies, and not for young + gentlemen.” + </p> + <p> + “If I had been you,” said Ginger, “I would have given those boys a good + kick, and that would have given them a lesson.” + </p> + <p> + “No doubt you would,” said Merrylegs; “but then I am not quite such a fool + (begging your pardon) as to anger our master or make James ashamed of me. + Besides, those children are under my charge when they are riding; I tell + you they are intrusted to me. Why, only the other day I heard our master + say to Mrs. Blomefield, 'My dear madam, you need not be anxious about the + children; my old Merrylegs will take as much care of them as you or I + could; I assure you I would not sell that pony for any money, he is so + perfectly good-tempered and trustworthy;' and do you think I am such an + ungrateful brute as to forget all the kind treatment I have had here for + five years, and all the trust they place in me, and turn vicious because a + couple of ignorant boys used me badly? No, no! you never had a good place + where they were kind to you, and so you don't know, and I'm sorry for you; + but I can tell you good places make good horses. I wouldn't vex our people + for anything; I love them, I do,” said Merrylegs, and he gave a low “ho, + ho, ho!” through his nose, as he used to do in the morning when he heard + James' footstep at the door. + </p> + <p> + “Besides,” he went on, “if I took to kicking where should I be? Why, sold + off in a jiffy, and no character, and I might find myself slaved about + under a butcher's boy, or worked to death at some seaside place where no + one cared for me, except to find out how fast I could go, or be flogged + along in some cart with three or four great men in it going out for a + Sunday spree, as I have often seen in the place I lived in before I came + here; no,” said he, shaking his head, “I hope I shall never come to that.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0012" id="link2H_4_0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 10 A Talk in the Orchard + </h2> + <p> + Ginger and I were not of the regular tall carriage horse breed, we had + more of the racing blood in us. We stood about fifteen and a half hands + high; we were therefore just as good for riding as we were for driving, + and our master used to say that he disliked either horse or man that could + do but one thing; and as he did not want to show off in London parks, he + preferred a more active and useful kind of horse. As for us, our greatest + pleasure was when we were saddled for a riding party; the master on + Ginger, the mistress on me, and the young ladies on Sir Oliver and + Merrylegs. It was so cheerful to be trotting and cantering all together + that it always put us in high spirits. I had the best of it, for I always + carried the mistress; her weight was little, her voice was sweet, and her + hand was so light on the rein that I was guided almost without feeling it. + </p> + <p> + Oh! if people knew what a comfort to horses a light hand is, and how it + keeps a good mouth and a good temper, they surely would not chuck, and + drag, and pull at the rein as they often do. Our mouths are so tender that + where they have not been spoiled or hardened with bad or ignorant + treatment, they feel the slightest movement of the driver's hand, and we + know in an instant what is required of us. My mouth has never been + spoiled, and I believe that was why the mistress preferred me to Ginger, + although her paces were certainly quite as good. She used often to envy + me, and said it was all the fault of breaking in, and the gag bit in + London, that her mouth was not so perfect as mine; and then old Sir Oliver + would say, “There, there! don't vex yourself; you have the greatest honor; + a mare that can carry a tall man of our master's weight, with all your + spring and sprightly action, does not need to hold her head down because + she does not carry the lady; we horses must take things as they come, and + always be contented and willing so long as we are kindly used.” + </p> + <p> + I had often wondered how it was that Sir Oliver had such a very short + tail; it really was only six or seven inches long, with a tassel of hair + hanging from it; and on one of our holidays in the orchard I ventured to + ask him by what accident it was that he had lost his tail. “Accident!” he + snorted with a fierce look, “it was no accident! it was a cruel, shameful, + cold-blooded act! When I was young I was taken to a place where these + cruel things were done; I was tied up, and made fast so that I could not + stir, and then they came and cut off my long and beautiful tail, through + the flesh and through the bone, and took it away. + </p> + <p> + “How dreadful!” I exclaimed. + </p> + <p> + “Dreadful, ah! it was dreadful; but it was not only the pain, though that + was terrible and lasted a long time; it was not only the indignity of + having my best ornament taken from me, though that was bad; but it was + this, how could I ever brush the flies off my sides and my hind legs any + more? You who have tails just whisk the flies off without thinking about + it, and you can't tell what a torment it is to have them settle upon you + and sting and sting, and have nothing in the world to lash them off with. + I tell you it is a lifelong wrong, and a lifelong loss; but thank heaven, + they don't do it now.” + </p> + <p> + “What did they do it for then?” said Ginger. + </p> + <p> + “For fashion!” said the old horse with a stamp of his foot; “for fashion! + if you know what that means; there was not a well-bred young horse in my + time that had not his tail docked in that shameful way, just as if the + good God that made us did not know what we wanted and what looked best.” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose it is fashion that makes them strap our heads up with those + horrid bits that I was tortured with in London,” said Ginger. + </p> + <p> + “Of course it is,” said he; “to my mind, fashion is one of the wickedest + things in the world. Now look, for instance, at the way they serve dogs, + cutting off their tails to make them look plucky, and shearing up their + pretty little ears to a point to make them both look sharp, forsooth. I + had a dear friend once, a brown terrier; 'Skye' they called her. She was + so fond of me that she never would sleep out of my stall; she made her bed + under the manger, and there she had a litter of five as pretty little + puppies as need be; none were drowned, for they were a valuable kind, and + how pleased she was with them! and when they got their eyes open and + crawled about, it was a real pretty sight; but one day the man came and + took them all away; I thought he might be afraid I should tread upon them. + But it was not so; in the evening poor Skye brought them back again, one + by one in her mouth; not the happy little things that they were, but + bleeding and crying pitifully; they had all had a piece of their tails cut + off, and the soft flap of their pretty little ears was cut quite off. How + their mother licked them, and how troubled she was, poor thing! I never + forgot it. They healed in time, and they forgot the pain, but the nice + soft flap, that of course was intended to protect the delicate part of + their ears from dust and injury, was gone forever. Why don't they cut + their own children's ears into points to make them look sharp? Why don't + they cut the end off their noses to make them look plucky? One would be + just as sensible as the other. What right have they to torment and + disfigure God's creatures?” + </p> + <p> + Sir Oliver, though he was so gentle, was a fiery old fellow, and what he + said was all so new to me, and so dreadful, that I found a bitter feeling + toward men rise up in my mind that I never had before. Of course Ginger + was very much excited; she flung up her head with flashing eyes and + distended nostrils, declaring that men were both brutes and blockheads. + </p> + <p> + “Who talks about blockheads?” said Merrylegs, who just came up from the + old apple-tree, where he had been rubbing himself against the low branch. + “Who talks about blockheads? I believe that is a bad word.” + </p> + <p> + “Bad words were made for bad things,” said Ginger, and she told him what + Sir Oliver had said. + </p> + <p> + “It is all true,” said Merrylegs sadly, “and I've seen that about the dogs + over and over again where I lived first; but we won't talk about it here. + You know that master, and John and James are always good to us, and + talking against men in such a place as this doesn't seem fair or grateful, + and you know there are good masters and good grooms beside ours, though of + course ours are the best.” + </p> + <p> + This wise speech of good little Merrylegs, which we knew was quite true, + cooled us all down, especially Sir Oliver, who was dearly fond of his + master; and to turn the subject I said, “Can any one tell me the use of + blinkers?” + </p> + <p> + “No!” said Sir Oliver shortly, “because they are no use.” + </p> + <p> + “They are supposed,” said Justice, the roan cob, in his calm way, “to + prevent horses from shying and starting, and getting so frightened as to + cause accidents.” + </p> + <p> + “Then what is the reason they do not put them on riding horses; especially + on ladies' horses?” said I. + </p> + <p> + “There is no reason at all,” said he quietly, “except the fashion; they + say that a horse would be so frightened to see the wheels of his own cart + or carriage coming behind him that he would be sure to run away, although + of course when he is ridden he sees them all about him if the streets are + crowded. I admit they do sometimes come too close to be pleasant, but we + don't run away; we are used to it, and understand it, and if we never had + blinkers put on we should never want them; we should see what was there, + and know what was what, and be much less frightened than by only seeing + bits of things that we can't understand. Of course there may be some + nervous horses who have been hurt or frightened when they were young, who + may be the better for them; but as I never was nervous, I can't judge.” + </p> + <p> + “I consider,” said Sir Oliver, “that blinkers are dangerous things in the + night; we horses can see much better in the dark than men can, and many an + accident would never have happened if horses might have had the full use + of their eyes. Some years ago, I remember, there was a hearse with two + horses returning one dark night, and just by Farmer Sparrow's house, where + the pond is close to the road, the wheels went too near the edge, and the + hearse was overturned into the water; both the horses were drowned, and + the driver hardly escaped. Of course after this accident a stout white + rail was put up that might be easily seen, but if those horses had not + been partly blinded, they would of themselves have kept further from the + edge, and no accident would have happened. When our master's carriage was + overturned, before you came here, it was said that if the lamp on the left + side had not gone out, John would have seen the great hole that the + road-makers had left; and so he might, but if old Colin had not had + blinkers on he would have seen it, lamp or no lamp, for he was far too + knowing an old horse to run into danger. As it was, he was very much hurt, + the carriage was broken, and how John escaped nobody knew.” + </p> + <p> + “I should say,” said Ginger, curling her nostril, “that these men, who are + so wise, had better give orders that in the future all foals should be + born with their eyes set just in the middle of their foreheads, instead of + on the side; they always think they can improve upon nature and mend what + God has made.” + </p> + <p> + Things were getting rather sore again, when Merrylegs held up his knowing + little face and said, “I'll tell you a secret: I believe John does not + approve of blinkers; I heard him talking with master about it one day. The + master said that 'if horses had been used to them, it might be dangerous + in some cases to leave them off'; and John said he thought it would be a + good thing if all colts were broken in without blinkers, as was the case + in some foreign countries. So let us cheer up, and have a run to the other + end of the orchard; I believe the wind has blown down some apples, and we + might just as well eat them as the slugs.” + </p> + <p> + Merrylegs could not be resisted, so we broke off our long conversation, + and got up our spirits by munching some very sweet apples which lay + scattered on the grass. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0013" id="link2H_4_0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 11 Plain Speaking + </h2> + <p> + The longer I lived at Birtwick the more proud and happy I felt at having + such a place. Our master and mistress were respected and beloved by all + who knew them; they were good and kind to everybody and everything; not + only men and women, but horses and donkeys, dogs and cats, cattle and + birds; there was no oppressed or ill-used creature that had not a friend + in them, and their servants took the same tone. If any of the village + children were known to treat any creature cruelly they soon heard about it + from the Hall. + </p> + <p> + The squire and Farmer Grey had worked together, as they said, for more + than twenty years to get check-reins on the cart-horses done away with, + and in our parts you seldom saw them; and sometimes, if mistress met a + heavily laden horse with his head strained up she would stop the carriage + and get out, and reason with the driver in her sweet serious voice, and + try to show him how foolish and cruel it was. + </p> + <p> + I don't think any man could withstand our mistress. I wish all ladies were + like her. Our master, too, used to come down very heavy sometimes. I + remember he was riding me toward home one morning when we saw a powerful + man driving toward us in a light pony chaise, with a beautiful little bay + pony, with slender legs and a high-bred sensitive head and face. Just as + he came to the park gates the little thing turned toward them; the man, + without word or warning, wrenched the creature's head round with such a + force and suddenness that he nearly threw it on its haunches. Recovering + itself it was going on, when he began to lash it furiously. The pony + plunged forward, but the strong, heavy hand held the pretty creature back + with force almost enough to break its jaw, while the whip still cut into + him. It was a dreadful sight to me, for I knew what fearful pain it gave + that delicate little mouth; but master gave me the word, and we were up + with him in a second. + </p> + <p> + “Sawyer,” he cried in a stern voice, “is that pony made of flesh and + blood?” + </p> + <p> + “Flesh and blood and temper,” he said; “he's too fond of his own will, and + that won't suit me.” He spoke as if he was in a strong passion. He was a + builder who had often been to the park on business. + </p> + <p> + “And do you think,” said master sternly, “that treatment like this will + make him fond of your will?” + </p> + <p> + “He had no business to make that turn; his road was straight on!” said the + man roughly. + </p> + <p> + “You have often driven that pony up to my place,” said master; “it only + shows the creature's memory and intelligence; how did he know that you + were not going there again? But that has little to do with it. I must say, + Mr. Sawyer, that a more unmanly, brutal treatment of a little pony it was + never my painful lot to witness, and by giving way to such passion you + injure your own character as much, nay more, than you injure your horse; + and remember, we shall all have to be judged according to our works, + whether they be toward man or toward beast.” + </p> + <p> + Master rode me home slowly, and I could tell by his voice how the thing + had grieved him. He was just as free to speak to gentlemen of his own rank + as to those below him; for another day, when we were out, we met a Captain + Langley, a friend of our master's; he was driving a splendid pair of grays + in a kind of break. After a little conversation the captain said: + </p> + <p> + “What do you think of my new team, Mr. Douglas? You know, you are the + judge of horses in these parts, and I should like your opinion.” + </p> + <p> + The master backed me a little, so as to get a good view of them. “They are + an uncommonly handsome pair,” he said, “and if they are as good as they + look I am sure you need not wish for anything better; but I see you still + hold that pet scheme of yours for worrying your horses and lessening their + power.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean,” said the other, “the check-reins? Oh, ah! I know + that's a hobby of yours; well, the fact is, I like to see my horses hold + their heads up.” + </p> + <p> + “So do I,” said master, “as well as any man, but I don't like to see them + held up; that takes all the shine out of it. Now, you are a military man, + Langley, and no doubt like to see your regiment look well on parade, + 'heads up', and all that; but you would not take much credit for your + drill if all your men had their heads tied to a backboard! It might not be + much harm on parade, except to worry and fatigue them; but how would it be + in a bayonet charge against the enemy, when they want the free use of + every muscle, and all their strength thrown forward? I would not give much + for their chance of victory. And it is just the same with horses: you fret + and worry their tempers, and decrease their power; you will not let them + throw their weight against their work, and so they have to do too much + with their joints and muscles, and of course it wears them up faster. You + may depend upon it, horses were intended to have their heads free, as free + as men's are; and if we could act a little more according to common sense, + and a good deal less according to fashion, we should find many things work + easier; besides, you know as well as I that if a horse makes a false step, + he has much less chance of recovering himself if his head and neck are + fastened back. And now,” said the master, laughing, “I have given my hobby + a good trot out, can't you make up your mind to mount him, too, captain? + Your example would go a long way.” + </p> + <p> + “I believe you are right in theory,” said the other, “and that's rather a + hard hit about the soldiers; but—well—I'll think about it,” + and so they parted. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0014" id="link2H_4_0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 12 A Stormy Day + </h2> + <p> + One day late in the autumn my master had a long journey to go on business. + I was put into the dog-cart, and John went with his master. I always liked + to go in the dog-cart, it was so light and the high wheels ran along so + pleasantly. There had been a great deal of rain, and now the wind was very + high and blew the dry leaves across the road in a shower. We went along + merrily till we came to the toll-bar and the low wooden bridge. The river + banks were rather high, and the bridge, instead of rising, went across + just level, so that in the middle, if the river was full, the water would + be nearly up to the woodwork and planks; but as there were good + substantial rails on each side, people did not mind it. + </p> + <p> + The man at the gate said the river was rising fast, and he feared it would + be a bad night. Many of the meadows were under water, and in one low part + of the road the water was halfway up to my knees; the bottom was good, and + master drove gently, so it was no matter. + </p> + <p> + When we got to the town of course I had a good bait, but as the master's + business engaged him a long time we did not start for home till rather + late in the afternoon. The wind was then much higher, and I heard the + master say to John that he had never been out in such a storm; and so I + thought, as we went along the skirts of a wood, where the great branches + were swaying about like twigs, and the rushing sound was terrible. + </p> + <p> + “I wish we were well out of this wood,” said my master. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir,” said John, “it would be rather awkward if one of these + branches came down upon us.” + </p> + <p> + The words were scarcely out of his mouth when there was a groan, and a + crack, and a splitting sound, and tearing, crashing down among the other + trees came an oak, torn up by the roots, and it fell right across the road + just before us. I will never say I was not frightened, for I was. I + stopped still, and I believe I trembled; of course I did not turn round or + run away; I was not brought up to that. John jumped out and was in a + moment at my head. + </p> + <p> + “That was a very near touch,” said my master. “What's to be done now?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, sir, we can't drive over that tree, nor yet get round it; there + will be nothing for it, but to go back to the four crossways, and that + will be a good six miles before we get round to the wooden bridge again; + it will make us late, but the horse is fresh.” + </p> + <p> + So back we went and round by the crossroads, but by the time we got to the + bridge it was very nearly dark; we could just see that the water was over + the middle of it; but as that happened sometimes when the floods were out, + master did not stop. We were going along at a good pace, but the moment my + feet touched the first part of the bridge I felt sure there was something + wrong. I dare not go forward, and I made a dead stop. “Go on, Beauty,” + said my master, and he gave me a touch with the whip, but I dare not stir; + he gave me a sharp cut; I jumped, but I dare not go forward. + </p> + <p> + “There's something wrong, sir,” said John, and he sprang out of the + dog-cart and came to my head and looked all about. He tried to lead me + forward. “Come on, Beauty, what's the matter?” Of course I could not tell + him, but I knew very well that the bridge was not safe. + </p> + <p> + Just then the man at the toll-gate on the other side ran out of the house, + tossing a torch about like one mad. + </p> + <p> + “Hoy, hoy, hoy! halloo! stop!” he cried. + </p> + <p> + “What's the matter?” shouted my master. + </p> + <p> + “The bridge is broken in the middle, and part of it is carried away; if + you come on you'll be into the river.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank God!” said my master. “You Beauty!” said John, and took the bridle + and gently turned me round to the right-hand road by the river side. The + sun had set some time; the wind seemed to have lulled off after that + furious blast which tore up the tree. It grew darker and darker, stiller + and stiller. I trotted quietly along, the wheels hardly making a sound on + the soft road. For a good while neither master nor John spoke, and then + master began in a serious voice. I could not understand much of what they + said, but I found they thought, if I had gone on as the master wanted me, + most likely the bridge would have given way under us, and horse, chaise, + master, and man would have fallen into the river; and as the current was + flowing very strongly, and there was no light and no help at hand, it was + more than likely we should all have been drowned. Master said, God had + given men reason, by which they could find out things for themselves; but + he had given animals knowledge which did not depend on reason, and which + was much more prompt and perfect in its way, and by which they had often + saved the lives of men. John had many stories to tell of dogs and horses, + and the wonderful things they had done; he thought people did not value + their animals half enough nor make friends of them as they ought to do. I + am sure he makes friends of them if ever a man did. + </p> + <p> + At last we came to the park gates and found the gardener looking out for + us. He said that mistress had been in a dreadful way ever since dark, + fearing some accident had happened, and that she had sent James off on + Justice, the roan cob, toward the wooden bridge to make inquiry after us. + </p> + <p> + We saw a light at the hall-door and at the upper windows, and as we came + up mistress ran out, saying, “Are you really safe, my dear? Oh! I have + been so anxious, fancying all sorts of things. Have you had no accident?” + </p> + <p> + “No, my dear; but if your Black Beauty had not been wiser than we were we + should all have been carried down the river at the wooden bridge.” I heard + no more, as they went into the house, and John took me to the stable. Oh, + what a good supper he gave me that night, a good bran mash and some + crushed beans with my oats, and such a thick bed of straw! and I was glad + of it, for I was tired. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0015" id="link2H_4_0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 13 The Devil's Trade Mark + </h2> + <p> + One day when John and I had been out on some business of our master's, and + were returning gently on a long, straight road, at some distance we saw a + boy trying to leap a pony over a gate; the pony would not take the leap, + and the boy cut him with the whip, but he only turned off on one side. He + whipped him again, but the pony turned off on the other side. Then the boy + got off and gave him a hard thrashing, and knocked him about the head; + then he got up again and tried to make him leap the gate, kicking him all + the time shamefully, but still the pony refused. When we were nearly at + the spot the pony put down his head and threw up his heels, and sent the + boy neatly over into a broad quickset hedge, and with the rein dangling + from his head he set off home at a full gallop. John laughed out quite + loud. “Served him right,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, oh, oh!” cried the boy as he struggled about among the thorns; “I + say, come and help me out.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank ye,” said John, “I think you are quite in the right place, and + maybe a little scratching will teach you not to leap a pony over a gate + that is too high for him,” and so with that John rode off. “It may be,” + said he to himself, “that young fellow is a liar as well as a cruel one; + we'll just go home by Farmer Bushby's, Beauty, and then if anybody wants + to know you and I can tell 'em, ye see.” So we turned off to the right, + and soon came up to the stack-yard, and within sight of the house. The + farmer was hurrying out into the road, and his wife was standing at the + gate, looking very frightened. + </p> + <p> + “Have you seen my boy?” said Mr. Bushby as we came up; “he went out an + hour ago on my black pony, and the creature is just come back without a + rider.” + </p> + <p> + “I should think, sir,” said John, “he had better be without a rider, + unless he can be ridden properly.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean?” said the farmer. + </p> + <p> + “Well, sir, I saw your son whipping, and kicking, and knocking that good + little pony about shamefully because he would not leap a gate that was too + high for him. The pony behaved well, sir, and showed no vice; but at last + he just threw up his heels and tipped the young gentleman into the thorn + hedge. He wanted me to help him out, but I hope you will excuse me, sir, I + did not feel inclined to do so. There's no bones broken, sir; he'll only + get a few scratches. I love horses, and it riles me to see them badly + used; it is a bad plan to aggravate an animal till he uses his heels; the + first time is not always the last.” + </p> + <p> + During this time the mother began to cry, “Oh, my poor Bill, I must go and + meet him; he must be hurt.” + </p> + <p> + “You had better go into the house, wife,” said the farmer; “Bill wants a + lesson about this, and I must see that he gets it; this is not the first + time, nor the second, that he has ill-used that pony, and I shall stop it. + I am much obliged to you, Manly. Good-evening.” + </p> + <p> + So we went on, John chuckling all the way home; then he told James about + it, who laughed and said, “Serve him right. I knew that boy at school; he + took great airs on himself because he was a farmer's son; he used to + swagger about and bully the little boys. Of course, we elder ones would + not have any of that nonsense, and let him know that in the school and the + playground farmers' sons and laborers' sons were all alike. I well + remember one day, just before afternoon school, I found him at the large + window catching flies and pulling off their wings. He did not see me and I + gave him a box on the ears that laid him sprawling on the floor. Well, + angry as I was, I was almost frightened, he roared and bellowed in such a + style. The boys rushed in from the playground, and the master ran in from + the road to see who was being murdered. Of course I said fair and square + at once what I had done, and why; then I showed the master the flies, some + crushed and some crawling about helpless, and I showed him the wings on + the window sill. I never saw him so angry before; but as Bill was still + howling and whining, like the coward that he was, he did not give him any + more punishment of that kind, but set him up on a stool for the rest of + the afternoon, and said that he should not go out to play for that week. + Then he talked to all the boys very seriously about cruelty, and said how + hard-hearted and cowardly it was to hurt the weak and the helpless; but + what stuck in my mind was this, he said that cruelty was the devil's own + trade-mark, and if we saw any one who took pleasure in cruelty we might + know who he belonged to, for the devil was a murderer from the beginning, + and a tormentor to the end. On the other hand, where we saw people who + loved their neighbors, and were kind to man and beast, we might know that + was God's mark.” + </p> + <p> + “Your master never taught you a truer thing,” said John; “there is no + religion without love, and people may talk as much as they like about + their religion, but if it does not teach them to be good and kind to man + and beast it is all a sham—all a sham, James, and it won't stand + when things come to be turned inside out.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0016" id="link2H_4_0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 14 James Howard + </h2> + <p> + Early one morning in December John had just led me into my box after my + daily exercise, and was strapping my cloth on and James was coming in from + the corn chamber with some oats, when the master came into the stable. He + looked rather serious, and held an open letter in his hand. John fastened + the door of my box, touched his cap, and waited for orders. + </p> + <p> + “Good-morning, John,” said the master. “I want to know if you have any + complaint to make of James.” + </p> + <p> + “Complaint, sir? No, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Is he industrious at his work and respectful to you?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir, always.” + </p> + <p> + “You never find he slights his work when your back is turned?” + </p> + <p> + “Never, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “That's well; but I must put another question. Have you no reason to + suspect, when he goes out with the horses to exercise them or to take a + message, that he stops about talking to his acquaintances, or goes into + houses where he has no business, leaving the horses outside?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir, certainly not; and if anybody has been saying that about James, + I don't believe it, and I don't mean to believe it unless I have it fairly + proved before witnesses; it's not for me to say who has been trying to + take away James' character, but I will say this, sir, that a steadier, + pleasanter, honester, smarter young fellow I never had in this stable. I + can trust his word and I can trust his work; he is gentle and clever with + the horses, and I would rather have them in charge with him than with half + the young fellows I know of in laced hats and liveries; and whoever wants + a character of James Howard,” said John, with a decided jerk of his head, + “let them come to John Manly.” + </p> + <p> + The master stood all this time grave and attentive, but as John finished + his speech a broad smile spread over his face, and looking kindly across + at James, who all this time had stood still at the door, he said, “James, + my lad, set down the oats and come here; I am very glad to find that + John's opinion of your character agrees so exactly with my own. John is a + cautious man,” he said, with a droll smile, “and it is not always easy to + get his opinion about people, so I thought if I beat the bush on this side + the birds would fly out, and I should learn what I wanted to know quickly; + so now we will come to business. I have a letter from my brother-in-law, + Sir Clifford Williams, of Clifford Hall. He wants me to find him a + trustworthy young groom, about twenty or twenty-one, who knows his + business. His old coachman, who has lived with him thirty years, is + getting feeble, and he wants a man to work with him and get into his ways, + who would be able, when the old man was pensioned off, to step into his + place. He would have eighteen shillings a week at first, a stable suit, a + driving suit, a bedroom over the coachhouse, and a boy under him. Sir + Clifford is a good master, and if you could get the place it would be a + good start for you. I don't want to part with you, and if you left us I + know John would lose his right hand.” + </p> + <p> + “That I should, sir,” said John, “but I would not stand in his light for + the world.” + </p> + <p> + “How old are you, James?” said master. + </p> + <p> + “Nineteen next May, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “That's young; what do you think, John?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, sir, it is young; but he is as steady as a man, and is strong, and + well grown, and though he has not had much experience in driving, he has a + light firm hand and a quick eye, and he is very careful, and I am quite + sure no horse of his will be ruined for want of having his feet and shoes + looked after.” + </p> + <p> + “Your word will go the furthest, John,” said the master, “for Sir Clifford + adds in a postscript, 'If I could find a man trained by your John I should + like him better than any other;' so, James, lad, think it over, talk to + your mother at dinner-time, and then let me know what you wish.” + </p> + <p> + In a few days after this conversation it was fully settled that James + should go to Clifford Hall, in a month or six weeks, as it suited his + master, and in the meantime he was to get all the practice in driving that + could be given to him. I never knew the carriage to go out so often + before; when the mistress did not go out the master drove himself in the + two-wheeled chaise; but now, whether it was master or the young ladies, or + only an errand, Ginger and I were put in the carriage and James drove us. + At the first John rode with him on the box, telling him this and that, and + after that James drove alone. + </p> + <p> + Then it was wonderful what a number of places the master would go to in + the city on Saturday, and what queer streets we were driven through. He + was sure to go to the railway station just as the train was coming in, and + cabs and carriages, carts and omnibuses were all trying to get over the + bridge together; that bridge wanted good horses and good drivers when the + railway bell was ringing, for it was narrow, and there was a very sharp + turn up to the station, where it would not have been at all difficult for + people to run into each other, if they did not look sharp and keep their + wits about them. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0017" id="link2H_4_0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 15 The Old Hostler + </h2> + <p> + After this it was decided by my master and mistress to pay a visit to some + friends who lived about forty-six miles from our home, and James was to + drive them. The first day we traveled thirty-two miles. There were some + long, heavy hills, but James drove so carefully and thoughtfully that we + were not at all harassed. He never forgot to put on the brake as we went + downhill, nor to take it off at the right place. He kept our feet on the + smoothest part of the road, and if the uphill was very long, he set the + carriage wheels a little across the road, so as not to run back, and gave + us a breathing. All these little things help a horse very much, + particularly if he gets kind words into the bargain. + </p> + <p> + We stopped once or twice on the road, and just as the sun was going down + we reached the town where we were to spend the night. We stopped at the + principal hotel, which was in the market-place; it was a very large one; + we drove under an archway into a long yard, at the further end of which + were the stables and coachhouses. Two hostlers came to take us out. The + head hostler was a pleasant, active little man, with a crooked leg, and a + yellow striped waistcoat. I never saw a man unbuckle harness so quickly as + he did, and with a pat and a good word he led me to a long stable, with + six or eight stalls in it, and two or three horses. The other man brought + Ginger; James stood by while we were rubbed down and cleaned. + </p> + <p> + I never was cleaned so lightly and quickly as by that little old man. When + he had done James stepped up and felt me over, as if he thought I could + not be thoroughly done, but he found my coat as clean and smooth as silk. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” he said, “I thought I was pretty quick, and our John quicker + still, but you do beat all I ever saw for being quick and thorough at the + same time.” + </p> + <p> + “Practice makes perfect,” said the crooked little hostler, “and 'twould be + a pity if it didn't; forty years' practice, and not perfect! ha, ha! that + would be a pity; and as to being quick, why, bless you! that is only a + matter of habit; if you get into the habit of being quick it is just as + easy as being slow; easier, I should say; in fact it don't agree with my + health to be hulking about over a job twice as long as it need take. Bless + you! I couldn't whistle if I crawled over my work as some folks do! You + see, I have been about horses ever since I was twelve years old, in + hunting stables, and racing stables; and being small, ye see, I was jockey + for several years; but at the Goodwood, ye see, the turf was very slippery + and my poor Larkspur got a fall, and I broke my knee, and so of course I + was of no more use there. But I could not live without horses, of course I + couldn't, so I took to the hotels. And I can tell ye it is a downright + pleasure to handle an animal like this, well-bred, well-mannered, + well-cared-for; bless ye! I can tell how a horse is treated. Give me the + handling of a horse for twenty minutes, and I'll tell you what sort of a + groom he has had. Look at this one, pleasant, quiet, turns about just as + you want him, holds up his feet to be cleaned out, or anything else you + please to wish; then you'll find another fidgety, fretty, won't move the + right way, or starts across the stall, tosses up his head as soon as you + come near him, lays his ears, and seems afraid of you; or else squares + about at you with his heels. Poor things! I know what sort of treatment + they have had. If they are timid it makes them start or shy; if they are + high-mettled it makes them vicious or dangerous; their tempers are mostly + made when they are young. Bless you! they are like children, train 'em up + in the way they should go, as the good book says, and when they are old + they will not depart from it, if they have a chance.” + </p> + <p> + “I like to hear you talk,” said James, “that's the way we lay it down at + home, at our master's.” + </p> + <p> + “Who is your master, young man? if it be a proper question. I should judge + he is a good one, from what I see.” + </p> + <p> + “He is Squire Gordon, of Birtwick Park, the other side the Beacon Hills,” + said James. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! so, so, I have heard tell of him; fine judge of horses, ain't he? the + best rider in the county.” + </p> + <p> + “I believe he is,” said James, “but he rides very little now, since the + poor young master was killed.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! poor gentleman; I read all about it in the paper at the time. A fine + horse killed, too, wasn't there?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said James; “he was a splendid creature, brother to this one, and + just like him.” + </p> + <p> + “Pity! pity!” said the old man; “'twas a bad place to leap, if I remember; + a thin fence at top, a steep bank down to the stream, wasn't it? No chance + for a horse to see where he is going. Now, I am for bold riding as much as + any man, but still there are some leaps that only a very knowing old + huntsman has any right to take. A man's life and a horse's life are worth + more than a fox's tail; at least, I should say they ought to be.” + </p> + <p> + During this time the other man had finished Ginger and had brought our + corn, and James and the old man left the stable together. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0018" id="link2H_4_0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 16 The Fire + </h2> + <p> + Later on in the evening a traveler's horse was brought in by the second + hostler, and while he was cleaning him a young man with a pipe in his + mouth lounged into the stable to gossip. + </p> + <p> + “I say, Towler,” said the hostler, “just run up the ladder into the loft + and put some hay down into this horse's rack, will you? only lay down your + pipe.” + </p> + <p> + “All right,” said the other, and went up through the trapdoor; and I heard + him step across the floor overhead and put down the hay. James came in to + look at us the last thing, and then the door was locked. + </p> + <p> + I cannot say how long I had slept, nor what time in the night it was, but + I woke up very uncomfortable, though I hardly knew why. I got up; the air + seemed all thick and choking. I heard Ginger coughing and one of the other + horses seemed very restless; it was quite dark, and I could see nothing, + but the stable seemed full of smoke, and I hardly knew how to breathe. + </p> + <p> + The trapdoor had been left open, and I thought that was the place it came + through. I listened, and heard a soft rushing sort of noise and a low + crackling and snapping. I did not know what it was, but there was + something in the sound so strange that it made me tremble all over. The + other horses were all awake; some were pulling at their halters, others + stamping. + </p> + <p> + At last I heard steps outside, and the hostler who had put up the + traveler's horse burst into the stable with a lantern, and began to untie + the horses, and try to lead them out; but he seemed in such a hurry and so + frightened himself that he frightened me still more. The first horse would + not go with him; he tried the second and third, and they too would not + stir. He came to me next and tried to drag me out of the stall by force; + of course that was no use. He tried us all by turns and then left the + stable. + </p> + <p> + No doubt we were very foolish, but danger seemed to be all round, and + there was nobody we knew to trust in, and all was strange and uncertain. + The fresh air that had come in through the open door made it easier to + breathe, but the rushing sound overhead grew louder, and as I looked + upward through the bars of my empty rack I saw a red light flickering on + the wall. Then I heard a cry of “Fire!” outside, and the old hostler + quietly and quickly came in; he got one horse out, and went to another, + but the flames were playing round the trapdoor, and the roaring overhead + was dreadful. + </p> + <p> + The next thing I heard was James' voice, quiet and cheery, as it always + was. + </p> + <p> + “Come, my beauties, it is time for us to be off, so wake up and come + along.” I stood nearest the door, so he came to me first, patting me as he + came in. + </p> + <p> + “Come, Beauty, on with your bridle, my boy, we'll soon be out of this + smother.” It was on in no time; then he took the scarf off his neck, and + tied it lightly over my eyes, and patting and coaxing he led me out of the + stable. Safe in the yard, he slipped the scarf off my eyes, and shouted, + “Here somebody! take this horse while I go back for the other.” + </p> + <p> + A tall, broad man stepped forward and took me, and James darted back into + the stable. I set up a shrill whinny as I saw him go. Ginger told me + afterward that whinny was the best thing I could have done for her, for + had she not heard me outside she would never have had courage to come out. + </p> + <p> + There was much confusion in the yard; the horses being got out of other + stables, and the carriages and gigs being pulled out of houses and sheds, + lest the flames should spread further. On the other side the yard windows + were thrown up, and people were shouting all sorts of things; but I kept + my eye fixed on the stable door, where the smoke poured out thicker than + ever, and I could see flashes of red light; presently I heard above all + the stir and din a loud, clear voice, which I knew was master's: + </p> + <p> + “James Howard! James Howard! Are you there?” There was no answer, but I + heard a crash of something falling in the stable, and the next moment I + gave a loud, joyful neigh, for I saw James coming through the smoke + leading Ginger with him; she was coughing violently, and he was not able + to speak. + </p> + <p> + “My brave lad!” said master, laying his hand on his shoulder, “are you + hurt?” + </p> + <p> + James shook his head, for he could not yet speak. + </p> + <p> + “Ay,” said the big man who held me; “he is a brave lad, and no mistake.” + </p> + <p> + “And now,” said master, “when you have got your breath, James, we'll get + out of this place as quickly as we can,” and we were moving toward the + entry, when from the market-place there came a sound of galloping feet and + loud rumbling wheels. + </p> + <p> + “'Tis the fire-engine! the fire-engine!” shouted two or three voices, + “stand back, make way!” and clattering and thundering over the stones two + horses dashed into the yard with a heavy engine behind them. The firemen + leaped to the ground; there was no need to ask where the fire was—it + was rolling up in a great blaze from the roof. + </p> + <p> + We got out as fast as we could into the broad quiet market-place; the + stars were shining, and except the noise behind us, all was still. Master + led the way to a large hotel on the other side, and as soon as the hostler + came, he said, “James, I must now hasten to your mistress; I trust the + horses entirely to you, order whatever you think is needed,” and with that + he was gone. The master did not run, but I never saw mortal man walk so + fast as he did that night. + </p> + <p> + There was a dreadful sound before we got into our stalls—the shrieks + of those poor horses that were left burning to death in the stable—it + was very terrible! and made both Ginger and me feel very bad. We, however, + were taken in and well done by. + </p> + <p> + The next morning the master came to see how we were and to speak to James. + I did not hear much, for the hostler was rubbing me down, but I could see + that James looked very happy, and I thought the master was proud of him. + Our mistress had been so much alarmed in the night that the journey was + put off till the afternoon, so James had the morning on hand, and went + first to the inn to see about our harness and the carriage, and then to + hear more about the fire. When he came back we heard him tell the hostler + about it. At first no one could guess how the fire had been caused, but at + last a man said he saw Dick Towler go into the stable with a pipe in his + mouth, and when he came out he had not one, and went to the tap for + another. Then the under hostler said he had asked Dick to go up the ladder + to put down some hay, but told him to lay down his pipe first. Dick denied + taking the pipe with him, but no one believed him. I remember our John + Manly's rule, never to allow a pipe in the stable, and thought it ought to + be the rule everywhere. + </p> + <p> + James said the roof and floor had all fallen in, and that only the black + walls were standing; the two poor horses that could not be got out were + buried under the burnt rafters and tiles. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0019" id="link2H_4_0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 17 John Manly's Talk + </h2> + <p> + The rest of our journey was very easy, and a little after sunset we + reached the house of my master's friend. We were taken into a clean, snug + stable; there was a kind coachman, who made us very comfortable, and who + seemed to think a good deal of James when he heard about the fire. + </p> + <p> + “There is one thing quite clear, young man,” he said, “your horses know + who they can trust; it is one of the hardest things in the world to get + horses out of a stable when there is either fire or flood. I don't know + why they won't come out, but they won't—not one in twenty.” + </p> + <p> + We stopped two or three days at this place and then returned home. All + went well on the journey; we were glad to be in our own stable again, and + John was equally glad to see us. + </p> + <p> + Before he and James left us for the night James said, “I wonder who is + coming in my place.” + </p> + <p> + “Little Joe Green at the lodge,” said John. + </p> + <p> + “Little Joe Green! why, he's a child!” + </p> + <p> + “He is fourteen and a half,” said John. + </p> + <p> + “But he is such a little chap!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, he is small, but he is quick and willing, and kind-hearted, too, and + then he wishes very much to come, and his father would like it; and I know + the master would like to give him the chance. He said if I thought he + would not do he would look out for a bigger boy; but I said I was quite + agreeable to try him for six weeks.” + </p> + <p> + “Six weeks!” said James; “why, it will be six months before he can be of + much use! It will make you a deal of work, John.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said John with a laugh, “work and I are very good friends; I never + was afraid of work yet.” + </p> + <p> + “You are a very good man,” said James. “I wish I may ever be like you.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't often speak of myself,” said John, “but as you are going away + from us out into the world to shift for yourself I'll just tell you how I + look on these things. I was just as old as Joseph when my father and + mother died of the fever within ten days of each other, and left me and my + cripple sister Nelly alone in the world, without a relation that we could + look to for help. I was a farmer's boy, not earning enough to keep myself, + much less both of us, and she must have gone to the workhouse but for our + mistress (Nelly calls her her angel, and she has good right to do so). She + went and hired a room for her with old Widow Mallet, and she gave her + knitting and needlework when she was able to do it; and when she was ill + she sent her dinners and many nice, comfortable things, and was like a + mother to her. Then the master he took me into the stable under old + Norman, the coachman that was then. I had my food at the house and my bed + in the loft, and a suit of clothes, and three shillings a week, so that I + could help Nelly. Then there was Norman; he might have turned round and + said at his age he could not be troubled with a raw boy from the + plow-tail, but he was like a father to me, and took no end of pains with + me. When the old man died some years after I stepped into his place, and + now of course I have top wages, and can lay by for a rainy day or a sunny + day, as it may happen, and Nelly is as happy as a bird. So you see, James, + I am not the man that should turn up his nose at a little boy and vex a + good, kind master. No, no! I shall miss you very much, James, but we shall + pull through, and there's nothing like doing a kindness when 'tis put in + your way, and I am glad I can do it.” + </p> + <p> + “Then,” said James, “you don't hold with that saying, 'Everybody look + after himself, and take care of number one'?” + </p> + <p> + “No, indeed,” said John, “where should I and Nelly have been if master and + mistress and old Norman had only taken care of number one? Why, she in the + workhouse and I hoeing turnips! Where would Black Beauty and Ginger have + been if you had only thought of number one? why, roasted to death! No, + Jim, no! that is a selfish, heathenish saying, whoever uses it; and any + man who thinks he has nothing to do but take care of number one, why, it's + a pity but what he had been drowned like a puppy or a kitten, before he + got his eyes open; that's what I think,” said John, with a very decided + jerk of his head. + </p> + <p> + James laughed at this; but there was a thickness in his voice when he + said, “You have been my best friend except my mother; I hope you won't + forget me.” + </p> + <p> + “No, lad, no!” said John, “and if ever I can do you a good turn I hope you + won't forget me.” + </p> + <p> + The next day Joe came to the stables to learn all he could before James + left. He learned to sweep the stable, to bring in the straw and hay; he + began to clean the harness, and helped to wash the carriage. As he was + quite too short to do anything in the way of grooming Ginger and me, James + taught him upon Merrylegs, for he was to have full charge of him, under + John. He was a nice little bright fellow, and always came whistling to his + work. + </p> + <p> + Merrylegs was a good deal put out at being “mauled about,” as he said, “by + a boy who knew nothing;” but toward the end of the second week he told me + confidentially that he thought the boy would turn out well. + </p> + <p> + At last the day came when James had to leave us; cheerful as he always + was, he looked quite down-hearted that morning. + </p> + <p> + “You see,” he said to John, “I am leaving a great deal behind; my mother + and Betsy, and you, and a good master and mistress, and then the horses, + and my old Merrylegs. At the new place there will not be a soul that I + shall know. If it were not that I shall get a higher place, and be able to + help my mother better, I don't think I should have made up my mind to it; + it is a real pinch, John.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay, James, lad, so it is; but I should not think much of you if you could + leave your home for the first time and not feel it. Cheer up, you'll make + friends there; and if you get on well, as I am sure you will, it will be a + fine thing for your mother, and she will be proud enough that you have got + into such a good place as that.” + </p> + <p> + So John cheered him up, but every one was sorry to lose James; as for + Merrylegs, he pined after him for several days, and went quite off his + appetite. So John took him out several mornings with a leading rein, when + he exercised me, and, trotting and galloping by my side, got up the little + fellow's spirits again, and he was soon all right. + </p> + <p> + Joe's father would often come in and give a little help, as he understood + the work; and Joe took a great deal of pains to learn, and John was quite + encouraged about him. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0020" id="link2H_4_0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 18 Going for the Doctor + </h2> + <p> + One night, a few days after James had left, I had eaten my hay and was + lying down in my straw fast asleep, when I was suddenly roused by the + stable bell ringing very loud. I heard the door of John's house open, and + his feet running up to the hall. He was back again in no time; he unlocked + the stable door, and came in, calling out, “Wake up, Beauty! You must go + well now, if ever you did;” and almost before I could think he had got the + saddle on my back and the bridle on my head. He just ran round for his + coat, and then took me at a quick trot up to the hall door. The squire + stood there, with a lamp in his hand. + </p> + <p> + “Now, John,” he said, “ride for your life—that is, for your + mistress' life; there is not a moment to lose. Give this note to Dr. + White; give your horse a rest at the inn, and be back as soon as you can.” + </p> + <p> + John said, “Yes, sir,” and was on my back in a minute. The gardener who + lived at the lodge had heard the bell ring, and was ready with the gate + open, and away we went through the park, and through the village, and down + the hill till we came to the toll-gate. John called very loud and thumped + upon the door; the man was soon out and flung open the gate. + </p> + <p> + “Now,” said John, “do you keep the gate open for the doctor; here's the + money,” and off he went again. + </p> + <p> + There was before us a long piece of level road by the river side; John + said to me, “Now, Beauty, do your best,” and so I did; I wanted no whip + nor spur, and for two miles I galloped as fast as I could lay my feet to + the ground; I don't believe that my old grandfather, who won the race at + Newmarket, could have gone faster. When we came to the bridge John pulled + me up a little and patted my neck. “Well done, Beauty! good old fellow,” + he said. He would have let me go slower, but my spirit was up, and I was + off again as fast as before. The air was frosty, the moon was bright; it + was very pleasant. We came through a village, then through a dark wood, + then uphill, then downhill, till after eight miles' run we came to the + town, through the streets and into the market-place. It was all quite + still except the clatter of my feet on the stones—everybody was + asleep. The church clock struck three as we drew up at Dr. White's door. + John rang the bell twice, and then knocked at the door like thunder. A + window was thrown up, and Dr. White, in his nightcap, put his head out and + said, “What do you want?” + </p> + <p> + “Mrs. Gordon is very ill, sir; master wants you to go at once; he thinks + she will die if you cannot get there. Here is a note.” + </p> + <p> + “Wait,” he said, “I will come.” + </p> + <p> + He shut the window, and was soon at the door. + </p> + <p> + “The worst of it is,” he said, “that my horse has been out all day and is + quite done up; my son has just been sent for, and he has taken the other. + What is to be done? Can I have your horse?” + </p> + <p> + “He has come at a gallop nearly all the way, sir, and I was to give him a + rest here; but I think my master would not be against it, if you think + fit, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “All right,” he said; “I will soon be ready.” + </p> + <p> + John stood by me and stroked my neck; I was very hot. The doctor came out + with his riding-whip. + </p> + <p> + “You need not take that, sir,” said John; “Black Beauty will go till he + drops. Take care of him, sir, if you can; I should not like any harm to + come to him.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, John,” said the doctor, “I hope not,” and in a minute we had left + John far behind. + </p> + <p> + I will not tell about our way back. The doctor was a heavier man than + John, and not so good a rider; however, I did my very best. The man at the + toll-gate had it open. When we came to the hill the doctor drew me up. + “Now, my good fellow,” he said, “take some breath.” I was glad he did, for + I was nearly spent, but that breathing helped me on, and soon we were in + the park. Joe was at the lodge gate; my master was at the hall door, for + he had heard us coming. He spoke not a word; the doctor went into the + house with him, and Joe led me to the stable. I was glad to get home; my + legs shook under me, and I could only stand and pant. I had not a dry hair + on my body, the water ran down my legs, and I steamed all over, Joe used + to say, like a pot on the fire. Poor Joe! he was young and small, and as + yet he knew very little, and his father, who would have helped him, had + been sent to the next village; but I am sure he did the very best he knew. + He rubbed my legs and my chest, but he did not put my warm cloth on me; he + thought I was so hot I should not like it. Then he gave me a pailful of + water to drink; it was cold and very good, and I drank it all; then he + gave me some hay and some corn, and thinking he had done right, he went + away. Soon I began to shake and tremble, and turned deadly cold; my legs + ached, my loins ached, and my chest ached, and I felt sore all over. Oh! + how I wished for my warm, thick cloth, as I stood and trembled. I wished + for John, but he had eight miles to walk, so I lay down in my straw and + tried to go to sleep. After a long while I heard John at the door; I gave + a low moan, for I was in great pain. He was at my side in a moment, + stooping down by me. I could not tell him how I felt, but he seemed to + know it all; he covered me up with two or three warm cloths, and then ran + to the house for some hot water; he made me some warm gruel, which I + drank, and then I think I went to sleep. + </p> + <p> + John seemed to be very much put out. I heard him say to himself over and + over again, “Stupid boy! stupid boy! no cloth put on, and I dare say the + water was cold, too; boys are no good;” but Joe was a good boy, after all. + </p> + <p> + I was now very ill; a strong inflammation had attacked my lungs, and I + could not draw my breath without pain. John nursed me night and day; he + would get up two or three times in the night to come to me. My master, + too, often came to see me. “My poor Beauty,” he said one day, “my good + horse, you saved your mistress' life, Beauty; yes, you saved her life.” I + was very glad to hear that, for it seems the doctor had said if we had + been a little longer it would have been too late. John told my master he + never saw a horse go so fast in his life. It seemed as if the horse knew + what was the matter. Of course I did, though John thought not; at least I + knew as much as this—that John and I must go at the top of our + speed, and that it was for the sake of the mistress. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0021" id="link2H_4_0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 19 Only Ignorance + </h2> + <p> + I do not know how long I was ill. Mr. Bond, the horse-doctor, came every + day. One day he bled me; John held a pail for the blood. I felt very faint + after it and thought I should die, and I believe they all thought so too. + </p> + <p> + Ginger and Merrylegs had been moved into the other stable, so that I might + be quiet, for the fever made me very quick of hearing; any little noise + seemed quite loud, and I could tell every one's footstep going to and from + the house. I knew all that was going on. One night John had to give me a + draught; Thomas Green came in to help him. After I had taken it and John + had made me as comfortable as he could, he said he should stay half an + hour to see how the medicine settled. Thomas said he would stay with him, + so they went and sat down on a bench that had been brought into Merrylegs' + stall, and put down the lantern at their feet, that I might not be + disturbed with the light. + </p> + <p> + For awhile both men sat silent, and then Tom Green said in a low voice: + </p> + <p> + “I wish, John, you'd say a bit of a kind word to Joe. The boy is quite + broken-hearted; he can't eat his meals, and he can't smile. He says he + knows it was all his fault, though he is sure he did the best he knew, and + he says if Beauty dies no one will ever speak to him again. It goes to my + heart to hear him. I think you might give him just a word; he is not a bad + boy.” + </p> + <p> + After a short pause John said slowly, “You must not be too hard upon me, + Tom. I know he meant no harm, I never said he did; I know he is not a bad + boy. But you see, I am sore myself; that horse is the pride of my heart, + to say nothing of his being such a favorite with the master and mistress; + and to think that his life may be flung away in this manner is more than I + can bear. But if you think I am hard on the boy I will try to give him a + good word to-morrow—that is, I mean if Beauty is better.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, John, thank you. I knew you did not wish to be too hard, and I am + glad you see it was only ignorance.” + </p> + <p> + John's voice almost startled me as he answered: + </p> + <p> + “Only ignorance! only ignorance! how can you talk about only ignorance? + Don't you know that it is the worst thing in the world, next to + wickedness?—and which does the most mischief heaven only knows. If + people can say, 'Oh! I did not know, I did not mean any harm,' they think + it is all right. I suppose Martha Mulwash did not mean to kill that baby + when she dosed it with Dalby and soothing syrups; but she did kill it, and + was tried for manslaughter.” + </p> + <p> + “And serve her right, too,” said Tom. “A woman should not undertake to + nurse a tender little child without knowing what is good and what is bad + for it.” + </p> + <p> + “Bill Starkey,” continued John, “did not mean to frighten his brother into + fits when he dressed up like a ghost and ran after him in the moonlight; + but he did; and that bright, handsome little fellow, that might have been + the pride of any mother's heart is just no better than an idiot, and never + will be, if he lives to be eighty years old. You were a good deal cut up + yourself, Tom, two weeks ago, when those young ladies left your hothouse + door open, with a frosty east wind blowing right in; you said it killed a + good many of your plants.” + </p> + <p> + “A good many!” said Tom; “there was not one of the tender cuttings that + was not nipped off. I shall have to strike all over again, and the worst + of it is that I don't know where to go to get fresh ones. I was nearly mad + when I came in and saw what was done.” + </p> + <p> + “And yet,” said John, “I am sure the young ladies did not mean it; it was + only ignorance.” + </p> + <p> + I heard no more of this conversation, for the medicine did well and sent + me to sleep, and in the morning I felt much better; but I often thought of + John's words when I came to know more of the world. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0022" id="link2H_4_0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 20 Joe Green + </h2> + <p> + Joe Green went on very well; he learned quickly, and was so attentive and + careful that John began to trust him in many things; but as I have said, + he was small of his age, and it was seldom that he was allowed to exercise + either Ginger or me; but it so happened one morning that John was out with + Justice in the luggage cart, and the master wanted a note to be taken + immediately to a gentleman's house, about three miles distant, and sent + his orders for Joe to saddle me and take it, adding the caution that he + was to ride steadily. + </p> + <p> + The note was delivered, and we were quietly returning when we came to the + brick-field. Here we saw a cart heavily laden with bricks; the wheels had + stuck fast in the stiff mud of some deep ruts, and the carter was shouting + and flogging the two horses unmercifully. Joe pulled up. It was a sad + sight. There were the two horses straining and struggling with all their + might to drag the cart out, but they could not move it; the sweat streamed + from their legs and flanks, their sides heaved, and every muscle was + strained, while the man, fiercely pulling at the head of the fore horse, + swore and lashed most brutally. + </p> + <p> + “Hold hard,” said Joe; “don't go on flogging the horses like that; the + wheels are so stuck that they cannot move the cart.” + </p> + <p> + The man took no heed, but went on lashing. + </p> + <p> + “Stop! pray stop!” said Joe. “I'll help you to lighten the cart; they + can't move it now.” + </p> + <p> + “Mind your own business, you impudent young rascal, and I'll mind mine!” + The man was in a towering passion and the worse for drink, and laid on the + whip again. Joe turned my head, and the next moment we were going at a + round gallop toward the house of the master brick-maker. I cannot say if + John would have approved of our pace, but Joe and I were both of one mind, + and so angry that we could not have gone slower. + </p> + <p> + The house stood close by the roadside. Joe knocked at the door, and + shouted, “Halloo! Is Mr. Clay at home?” The door was opened, and Mr. Clay + himself came out. + </p> + <p> + “Halloo, young man! You seem in a hurry; any orders from the squire this + morning?” + </p> + <p> + “No, Mr. Clay, but there's a fellow in your brick-yard flogging two horses + to death. I told him to stop, and he wouldn't; I said I'd help him to + lighten the cart, and he wouldn't; so I have come to tell you. Pray, sir, + go.” Joe's voice shook with excitement. + </p> + <p> + “Thank ye, my lad,” said the man, running in for his hat; then pausing for + a moment, “Will you give evidence of what you saw if I should bring the + fellow up before a magistrate?” + </p> + <p> + “That I will,” said Joe, “and glad too.” The man was gone, and we were on + our way home at a smart trot. + </p> + <p> + “Why, what's the matter with you, Joe? You look angry all over,” said + John, as the boy flung himself from the saddle. + </p> + <p> + “I am angry all over, I can tell you,” said the boy, and then in hurried, + excited words he told all that had happened. Joe was usually such a quiet, + gentle little fellow that it was wonderful to see him so roused. + </p> + <p> + “Right, Joe! you did right, my boy, whether the fellow gets a summons or + not. Many folks would have ridden by and said it was not their business to + interfere. Now I say that with cruelty and oppression it is everybody's + business to interfere when they see it; you did right, my boy.” + </p> + <p> + Joe was quite calm by this time, and proud that John approved of him, and + cleaned out my feet and rubbed me down with a firmer hand than usual. + </p> + <p> + They were just going home to dinner when the footman came down to the + stable to say that Joe was wanted directly in master's private room; there + was a man brought up for ill-using horses, and Joe's evidence was wanted. + The boy flushed up to his forehead, and his eyes sparkled. “They shall + have it,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “Put yourself a bit straight,” said John. Joe gave a pull at his necktie + and a twitch at his jacket, and was off in a moment. Our master being one + of the county magistrates, cases were often brought to him to settle, or + say what should be done. In the stable we heard no more for some time, as + it was the men's dinner hour, but when Joe came next into the stable I saw + he was in high spirits; he gave me a good-natured slap, and said, “We + won't see such things done, will we, old fellow?” We heard afterward that + he had given his evidence so clearly, and the horses were in such an + exhausted state, bearing marks of such brutal usage, that the carter was + committed to take his trial, and might possibly be sentenced to two or + three months in prison. + </p> + <p> + It was wonderful what a change had come over Joe. John laughed, and said + he had grown an inch taller in that week, and I believe he had. He was + just as kind and gentle as before, but there was more purpose and + determination in all that he did—as if he had jumped at once from a + boy into a man. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0023" id="link2H_4_0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 21 The Parting + </h2> + <p> + Now I had lived in this happy place three years, but sad changes were + about to come over us. We heard from time to time that our mistress was + ill. The doctor was often at the house, and the master looked grave and + anxious. Then we heard that she must leave her home at once, and go to a + warm country for two or three years. The news fell upon the household like + the tolling of a deathbell. Everybody was sorry; but the master began + directly to make arrangements for breaking up his establishment and + leaving England. We used to hear it talked about in our stable; indeed, + nothing else was talked about. + </p> + <p> + John went about his work silent and sad, and Joe scarcely whistled. There + was a great deal of coming and going; Ginger and I had full work. + </p> + <p> + The first of the party who went were Miss Jessie and Flora, with their + governess. They came to bid us good-by. They hugged poor Merrylegs like an + old friend, and so indeed he was. Then we heard what had been arranged for + us. Master had sold Ginger and me to his old friend, the Earl of W——, + for he thought we should have a good place there. Merrylegs he had given + to the vicar, who was wanting a pony for Mrs. Blomefield, but it was on + the condition that he should never be sold, and that when he was past work + he should be shot and buried. + </p> + <p> + Joe was engaged to take care of him and to help in the house, so I thought + that Merrylegs was well off. John had the offer of several good places, + but he said he should wait a little and look round. + </p> + <p> + The evening before they left the master came into the stable to give some + directions, and to give his horses the last pat. He seemed very + low-spirited; I knew that by his voice. I believe we horses can tell more + by the voice than many men can. + </p> + <p> + “Have you decided what to do, John?” he said. “I find you have not + accepted either of those offers.” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir; I have made up my mind that if I could get a situation with some + first-rate colt-breaker and horse-trainer, it would be the right thing for + me. Many young animals are frightened and spoiled by wrong treatment, + which need not be if the right man took them in hand. I always get on well + with horses, and if I could help some of them to a fair start I should + feel as if I was doing some good. What do you think of it, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know a man anywhere,” said master, “that I should think so + suitable for it as yourself. You understand horses, and somehow they + understand you, and in time you might set up for yourself; I think you + could not do better. If in any way I can help you, write to me. I shall + speak to my agent in London, and leave your character with him.” + </p> + <p> + Master gave John the name and address, and then he thanked him for his + long and faithful service; but that was too much for John. “Pray, don't, + sir, I can't bear it; you and my dear mistress have done so much for me + that I could never repay it. But we shall never forget you, sir, and + please God, we may some day see mistress back again like herself; we must + keep up hope, sir.” Master gave John his hand, but he did not speak, and + they both left the stable. + </p> + <p> + The last sad day had come; the footman and the heavy luggage had gone off + the day before, and there were only master and mistress and her maid. + Ginger and I brought the carriage up to the hall door for the last time. + The servants brought out cushions and rugs and many other things; and when + all were arranged master came down the steps carrying the mistress in his + arms (I was on the side next to the house, and could see all that went + on); he placed her carefully in the carriage, while the house servants + stood round crying. + </p> + <p> + “Good-by, again,” he said; “we shall not forget any of you,” and he got + in. “Drive on, John.” + </p> + <p> + Joe jumped up, and we trotted slowly through the park and through the + village, where the people were standing at their doors to have a last look + and to say, “God bless them.” + </p> + <p> + When we reached the railway station I think mistress walked from the + carriage to the waiting-room. I heard her say in her own sweet voice, + “Good-by, John. God bless you.” I felt the rein twitch, but John made no + answer; perhaps he could not speak. As soon as Joe had taken the things + out of the carriage John called him to stand by the horses, while he went + on the platform. Poor Joe! he stood close up to our heads to hide his + tears. Very soon the train came puffing up into the station; then two or + three minutes, and the doors were slammed to, the guard whistled, and the + train glided away, leaving behind it only clouds of white smoke and some + very heavy hearts. + </p> + <p> + When it was quite out of sight John came back. + </p> + <p> + “We shall never see her again,” he said—“never.” He took the reins, + mounted the box, and with Joe drove slowly home; but it was not our home + now. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_PART2" id="link2H_PART2"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Part II + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0025" id="link2H_4_0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 22 Earlshall + </h2> + <p> + The next morning after breakfast Joe put Merrylegs into the mistress' low + chaise to take him to the vicarage; he came first and said good-by to us, + and Merrylegs neighed to us from the yard. Then John put the saddle on + Ginger and the leading rein on me, and rode us across the country about + fifteen miles to Earlshall Park, where the Earl of W—— lived. + There was a very fine house and a great deal of stabling. We went into the + yard through a stone gateway, and John asked for Mr. York. It was some + time before he came. He was a fine-looking, middle-aged man, and his voice + said at once that he expected to be obeyed. He was very friendly and + polite to John, and after giving us a slight look he called a groom to + take us to our boxes, and invited John to take some refreshment. + </p> + <p> + We were taken to a light, airy stable, and placed in boxes adjoining each + other, where we were rubbed down and fed. In about half an hour John and + Mr. York, who was to be our new coachman, came in to see us. + </p> + <p> + “Now, Mr. Manly,” he said, after carefully looking at us both, “I can see + no fault in these horses; but we all know that horses have their + peculiarities as well as men, and that sometimes they need different + treatment. I should like to know if there is anything particular in either + of these that you would like to mention.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said John, “I don't believe there is a better pair of horses in + the country, and right grieved I am to part with them, but they are not + alike. The black one is the most perfect temper I ever knew; I suppose he + has never known a hard word or a blow since he was foaled, and all his + pleasure seems to be to do what you wish; but the chestnut, I fancy, must + have had bad treatment; we heard as much from the dealer. She came to us + snappish and suspicious, but when she found what sort of place ours was, + it all went off by degrees; for three years I have never seen the smallest + sign of temper, and if she is well treated there is not a better, more + willing animal than she is. But she is naturally a more irritable + constitution than the black horse; flies tease her more; anything wrong in + the harness frets her more; and if she were ill-used or unfairly treated + she would not be unlikely to give tit for tat. You know that many + high-mettled horses will do so.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course,” said York, “I quite understand; but you know it is not easy + in stables like these to have all the grooms just what they should be. I + do my best, and there I must leave it. I'll remember what you have said + about the mare.” + </p> + <p> + They were going out of the stable, when John stopped and said, “I had + better mention that we have never used the check-rein with either of them; + the black horse never had one on, and the dealer said it was the gag-bit + that spoiled the other's temper.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said York, “if they come here they must wear the check-rein. I + prefer a loose rein myself, and his lordship is always very reasonable + about horses; but my lady—that's another thing; she will have style, + and if her carriage horses are not reined up tight she wouldn't look at + them. I always stand out against the gag-bit, and shall do so, but it must + be tight up when my lady rides!” + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry for it, very sorry,” said John; “but I must go now, or I shall + lose the train.” + </p> + <p> + He came round to each of us to pat and speak to us for the last time; his + voice sounded very sad. + </p> + <p> + I held my face close to him; that was all I could do to say good-by; and + then he was gone, and I have never seen him since. + </p> + <p> + The next day Lord W—— came to look at us; he seemed pleased + with our appearance. + </p> + <p> + “I have great confidence in these horses,” he said, “from the character my + friend Mr. Gordon has given me of them. Of course they are not a match in + color, but my idea is that they will do very well for the carriage while + we are in the country. Before we go to London I must try to match Baron; + the black horse, I believe, is perfect for riding.” + </p> + <p> + York then told him what John had said about us. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said he, “you must keep an eye to the mare, and put the check-rein + easy; I dare say they will do very well with a little humoring at first. + I'll mention it to your lady.” + </p> + <p> + In the afternoon we were harnessed and put in the carriage, and as the + stable clock struck three we were led round to the front of the house. It + was all very grand, and three or four times as large as the old house at + Birtwick, but not half so pleasant, if a horse may have an opinion. Two + footmen were standing ready, dressed in drab livery, with scarlet breeches + and white stockings. Presently we heard the rustling sound of silk as my + lady came down the flight of stone steps. She stepped round to look at us; + she was a tall, proud-looking woman, and did not seem pleased about + something, but she said nothing, and got into the carriage. This was the + first time of wearing a check-rein, and I must say, though it certainly + was a nuisance not to be able to get my head down now and then, it did not + pull my head higher than I was accustomed to carry it. I felt anxious + about Ginger, but she seemed to be quiet and content. + </p> + <p> + The next day at three o'clock we were again at the door, and the footmen + as before; we heard the silk dress rustle and the lady came down the + steps, and in an imperious voice she said, “York, you must put those + horses' heads higher; they are not fit to be seen.” + </p> + <p> + York got down, and said very respectfully, “I beg your pardon, my lady, + but these horses have not been reined up for three years, and my lord said + it would be safer to bring them to it by degrees; but if your ladyship + pleases I can take them up a little more.” + </p> + <p> + “Do so,” she said. + </p> + <p> + York came round to our heads and shortened the rein himself—one + hole, I think; every little makes a difference, be it for better or worse, + and that day we had a steep hill to go up. Then I began to understand what + I had heard of. Of course, I wanted to put my head forward and take the + carriage up with a will, as we had been used to do; but no, I had to pull + with my head up now, and that took all the spirit out of me, and the + strain came on my back and legs. When we came in Ginger said, “Now you see + what it is like; but this is not bad, and if it does not get much worse + than this I shall say nothing about it, for we are very well treated here; + but if they strain me up tight, why, let 'em look out! I can't bear it, + and I won't.” + </p> + <p> + Day by day, hole by hole, our bearing reins were shortened, and instead of + looking forward with pleasure to having my harness put on, as I used to + do, I began to dread it. Ginger, too, seemed restless, though she said + very little. At last I thought the worst was over; for several days there + was no more shortening, and I determined to make the best of it and do my + duty, though it was now a constant harass instead of a pleasure; but the + worst was not come. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0026" id="link2H_4_0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 23 A Strike for Liberty + </h2> + <p> + One day my lady came down later than usual, and the silk rustled more than + ever. + </p> + <p> + “Drive to the Duchess of B——'s,” she said, and then after a + pause, “Are you never going to get those horses' heads up, York? Raise + them at once and let us have no more of this humoring and nonsense.” + </p> + <p> + York came to me first, while the groom stood at Ginger's head. He drew my + head back and fixed the rein so tight that it was almost intolerable; then + he went to Ginger, who was impatiently jerking her head up and down + against the bit, as was her way now. She had a good idea of what was + coming, and the moment York took the rein off the terret in order to + shorten it she took her opportunity and reared up so suddenly that York + had his nose roughly hit and his hat knocked off; the groom was nearly + thrown off his legs. At once they both flew to her head; but she was a + match for them, and went on plunging, rearing, and kicking in a most + desperate manner. At last she kicked right over the carriage pole and fell + down, after giving me a severe blow on my near quarter. There is no + knowing what further mischief she might have done had not York promptly + sat himself down flat on her head to prevent her struggling, at the same + time calling out, “Unbuckle the black horse! Run for the winch and unscrew + the carriage pole! Cut the trace here, somebody, if you can't unhitch it!” + One of the footmen ran for the winch, and another brought a knife from the + house. The groom soon set me free from Ginger and the carriage, and led me + to my box. He just turned me in as I was and ran back to York. I was much + excited by what had happened, and if I had ever been used to kick or rear + I am sure I should have done it then; but I never had, and there I stood, + angry, sore in my leg, my head still strained up to the terret on the + saddle, and no power to get it down. I was very miserable and felt much + inclined to kick the first person who came near me. + </p> + <p> + Before long, however, Ginger was led in by two grooms, a good deal knocked + about and bruised. York came with her and gave his orders, and then came + to look at me. In a moment he let down my head. + </p> + <p> + “Confound these check-reins!” he said to himself; “I thought we should + have some mischief soon. Master will be sorely vexed. But there, if a + woman's husband can't rule her of course a servant can't; so I wash my + hands of it, and if she can't get to the duchess' garden party I can't + help it.” + </p> + <p> + York did not say this before the men; he always spoke respectfully when + they were by. Now he felt me all over, and soon found the place above my + hock where I had been kicked. It was swelled and painful; he ordered it to + be sponged with hot water, and then some lotion was put on. + </p> + <p> + Lord W—— was much put out when he learned what had happened; + he blamed York for giving way to his mistress, to which he replied that in + future he would much prefer to receive his orders only from his lordship; + but I think nothing came of it, for things went on the same as before. I + thought York might have stood up better for his horses, but perhaps I am + no judge. + </p> + <p> + Ginger was never put into the carriage again, but when she was well of her + bruises one of the Lord W——'s younger sons said he should like + to have her; he was sure she would make a good hunter. As for me, I was + obliged still to go in the carriage, and had a fresh partner called Max; + he had always been used to the tight rein. I asked him how it was he bore + it. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” he said, “I bear it because I must; but it is shortening my life, + and it will shorten yours too if you have to stick to it.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you think,” I said, “that our masters know how bad it is for us?” + </p> + <p> + “I can't say,” he replied, “but the dealers and the horse-doctors know it + very well. I was at a dealer's once, who was training me and another horse + to go as a pair; he was getting our heads up, as he said, a little higher + and a little higher every day. A gentleman who was there asked him why he + did so. 'Because,' said he, 'people won't buy them unless we do. The + London people always want their horses to carry their heads high and to + step high. Of course it is very bad for the horses, but then it is good + for trade. The horses soon wear up, or get diseased, and they come for + another pair.' That,” said Max, “is what he said in my hearing, and you + can judge for yourself.” + </p> + <p> + What I suffered with that rein for four long months in my lady's carriage + it would be hard to describe; but I am quite sure that, had it lasted much + longer, either my health or my temper would have given way. Before that, I + never knew what it was to foam at the mouth, but now the action of the + sharp bit on my tongue and jaw, and the constrained position of my head + and throat, always caused me to froth at the mouth more or less. Some + people think it very fine to see this, and say, “What fine spirited + creatures!” But it is just as unnatural for horses as for men to foam at + the mouth; it is a sure sign of some discomfort, and should be attended + to. Besides this, there was a pressure on my windpipe, which often made my + breathing very uncomfortable; when I returned from my work my neck and + chest were strained and painful, my mouth and tongue tender, and I felt + worn and depressed. + </p> + <p> + In my old home I always knew that John and my master were my friends; but + here, although in many ways I was well treated, I had no friend. York + might have known, and very likely did know, how that rein harassed me; but + I suppose he took it as a matter of course that it could not be helped; at + any rate, nothing was done to relieve me. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0027" id="link2H_4_0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 24 The Lady Anne, or a Runaway Horse + </h2> + <p> + Early in the spring, Lord W—— and part of his family went up + to London, and took York with them. I and Ginger and some other horses + were left at home for use, and the head groom was left in charge. + </p> + <p> + The Lady Harriet, who remained at the hall, was a great invalid, and never + went out in the carriage, and the Lady Anne preferred riding on horseback + with her brother or cousins. She was a perfect horsewoman, and as gay and + gentle as she was beautiful. She chose me for her horse, and named me + “Black Auster”. I enjoyed these rides very much in the clear cold air, + sometimes with Ginger, sometimes with Lizzie. This Lizzie was a bright bay + mare, almost thoroughbred, and a great favorite with the gentlemen, on + account of her fine action and lively spirit; but Ginger, who knew more of + her than I did, told me she was rather nervous. + </p> + <p> + There was a gentleman of the name of Blantyre staying at the hall; he + always rode Lizzie, and praised her so much that one day Lady Anne ordered + the side-saddle to be put on her, and the other saddle on me. When we came + to the door the gentleman seemed very uneasy. + </p> + <p> + “How is this?” he said. “Are you tired of your good Black Auster?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no, not at all,” she replied, “but I am amiable enough to let you + ride him for once, and I will try your charming Lizzie. You must confess + that in size and appearance she is far more like a lady's horse than my + own favorite.” + </p> + <p> + “Do let me advise you not to mount her,” he said; “she is a charming + creature, but she is too nervous for a lady. I assure you, she is not + perfectly safe; let me beg you to have the saddles changed.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear cousin,” said Lady Anne, laughing, “pray do not trouble your good + careful head about me. I have been a horsewoman ever since I was a baby, + and I have followed the hounds a great many times, though I know you do + not approve of ladies hunting; but still that is the fact, and I intend to + try this Lizzie that you gentlemen are all so fond of; so please help me + to mount, like a good friend as you are.” + </p> + <p> + There was no more to be said; he placed her carefully on the saddle, + looked to the bit and curb, gave the reins gently into her hand, and then + mounted me. Just as we were moving off a footman came out with a slip of + paper and message from the Lady Harriet. “Would they ask this question for + her at Dr. Ashley's, and bring the answer?” + </p> + <p> + The village was about a mile off, and the doctor's house was the last in + it. We went along gayly enough till we came to his gate. There was a short + drive up to the house between tall evergreens. + </p> + <p> + Blantyre alighted at the gate, and was going to open it for Lady Anne, but + she said, “I will wait for you here, and you can hang Auster's rein on the + gate.” + </p> + <p> + He looked at her doubtfully. “I will not be five minutes,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, do not hurry yourself; Lizzie and I shall not run away from you.” + </p> + <p> + He hung my rein on one of the iron spikes, and was soon hidden among the + trees. Lizzie was standing quietly by the side of the road a few paces + off, with her back to me. My young mistress was sitting easily with a + loose rein, humming a little song. I listened to my rider's footsteps + until they reached the house, and heard him knock at the door. There was a + meadow on the opposite side of the road, the gate of which stood open; + just then some cart horses and several young colts came trotting out in a + very disorderly manner, while a boy behind was cracking a great whip. The + colts were wild and frolicsome, and one of them bolted across the road and + blundered up against Lizzie's hind legs, and whether it was the stupid + colt, or the loud cracking of the whip, or both together, I cannot say, + but she gave a violent kick, and dashed off into a headlong gallop. It was + so sudden that Lady Anne was nearly unseated, but she soon recovered + herself. I gave a loud, shrill neigh for help; again and again I neighed, + pawing the ground impatiently, and tossing my head to get the rein loose. + I had not long to wait. Blantyre came running to the gate; he looked + anxiously about, and just caught sight of the flying figure, now far away + on the road. In an instant he sprang to the saddle. I needed no whip, no + spur, for I was as eager as my rider; he saw it, and giving me a free + rein, and leaning a little forward, we dashed after them. + </p> + <p> + For about a mile and a half the road ran straight, and then bent to the + right, after which it divided into two roads. Long before we came to the + bend she was out of sight. Which way had she turned? A woman was standing + at her garden gate, shading her eyes with her hand, and looking eagerly up + the road. Scarcely drawing the rein, Blantyre shouted, “Which way?” “To + the right!” cried the woman, pointing with her hand, and away we went up + the right-hand road; then for a moment we caught sight of her; another + bend and she was hidden again. Several times we caught glimpses, and then + lost them. We scarcely seemed to gain ground upon them at all. An old + road-mender was standing near a heap of stones, his shovel dropped and his + hands raised. As we came near he made a sign to speak. Blantyre drew the + rein a little. “To the common, to the common, sir; she has turned off + there.” I knew this common very well; it was for the most part very uneven + ground, covered with heather and dark-green furze bushes, with here and + there a scrubby old thorn-tree; there were also open spaces of fine short + grass, with ant-hills and mole-turns everywhere; the worst place I ever + knew for a headlong gallop. + </p> + <p> + We had hardly turned on the common, when we caught sight again of the + green habit flying on before us. My lady's hat was gone, and her long + brown hair was streaming behind her. Her head and body were thrown back, + as if she were pulling with all her remaining strength, and as if that + strength were nearly exhausted. It was clear that the roughness of the + ground had very much lessened Lizzie's speed, and there seemed a chance + that we might overtake her. + </p> + <p> + While we were on the highroad, Blantyre had given me my head; but now, + with a light hand and a practiced eye, he guided me over the ground in + such a masterly manner that my pace was scarcely slackened, and we were + decidedly gaining on them. + </p> + <p> + About halfway across the heath there had been a wide dike recently cut, + and the earth from the cutting was cast up roughly on the other side. + Surely this would stop them! But no; with scarcely a pause Lizzie took the + leap, stumbled among the rough clods and fell. Blantyre groaned, “Now, + Auster, do your best!” He gave me a steady rein. I gathered myself well + together and with one determined leap cleared both dike and bank. + </p> + <p> + Motionless among the heather, with her face to the earth, lay my poor + young mistress. Blantyre kneeled down and called her name: there was no + sound. Gently he turned her face upward: it was ghastly white and the eyes + were closed. “Annie, dear Annie, do speak!” But there was no answer. He + unbuttoned her habit, loosened her collar, felt her hands and wrist, then + started up and looked wildly round him for help. + </p> + <p> + At no great distance there were two men cutting turf, who, seeing Lizzie + running wild without a rider, had left their work to catch her. + </p> + <p> + Blantyre's halloo soon brought them to the spot. The foremost man seemed + much troubled at the sight, and asked what he could do. + </p> + <p> + “Can you ride?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, sir, I bean't much of a horseman, but I'd risk my neck for the Lady + Anne; she was uncommon good to my wife in the winter.” + </p> + <p> + “Then mount this horse, my friend—your neck will be quite safe—and + ride to the doctor's and ask him to come instantly; then on to the hall; + tell them all that you know, and bid them send me the carriage, with Lady + Anne's maid and help. I shall stay here.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, sir, I'll do my best, and I pray God the dear young lady may + open her eyes soon.” Then, seeing the other man, he called out, “Here, + Joe, run for some water, and tell my missis to come as quick as she can to + the Lady Anne.” + </p> + <p> + He then somehow scrambled into the saddle, and with a “Gee up” and a clap + on my sides with both his legs, he started on his journey, making a little + circuit to avoid the dike. He had no whip, which seemed to trouble him; + but my pace soon cured that difficulty, and he found the best thing he + could do was to stick to the saddle and hold me in, which he did manfully. + I shook him as little as I could help, but once or twice on the rough + ground he called out, “Steady! Woah! Steady!” On the highroad we were all + right; and at the doctor's and the hall he did his errand like a good man + and true. They asked him in to take a drop of something. “No, no,” he + said; “I'll be back to 'em again by a short cut through the fields, and be + there afore the carriage.” + </p> + <p> + There was a great deal of hurry and excitement after the news became + known. I was just turned into my box; the saddle and bridle were taken + off, and a cloth thrown over me. + </p> + <p> + Ginger was saddled and sent off in great haste for Lord George, and I soon + heard the carriage roll out of the yard. + </p> + <p> + It seemed a long time before Ginger came back, and before we were left + alone; and then she told me all that she had seen. + </p> + <p> + “I can't tell much,” she said. “We went a gallop nearly all the way, and + got there just as the doctor rode up. There was a woman sitting on the + ground with the lady's head in her lap. The doctor poured something into + her mouth, but all that I heard was, 'She is not dead.' Then I was led off + by a man to a little distance. After awhile she was taken to the carriage, + and we came home together. I heard my master say to a gentleman who + stopped him to inquire, that he hoped no bones were broken, but that she + had not spoken yet.” + </p> + <p> + When Lord George took Ginger for hunting, York shook his head; he said it + ought to be a steady hand to train a horse for the first season, and not a + random rider like Lord George. + </p> + <p> + Ginger used to like it very much, but sometimes when she came back I could + see that she had been very much strained, and now and then she gave a + short cough. She had too much spirit to complain, but I could not help + feeling anxious about her. + </p> + <p> + Two days after the accident Blantyre paid me a visit; he patted me and + praised me very much; he told Lord George that he was sure the horse knew + of Annie's danger as well as he did. “I could not have held him in if I + would,” said he, “she ought never to ride any other horse.” I found by + their conversation that my young mistress was now out of danger, and would + soon be able to ride again. This was good news to me and I looked forward + to a happy life. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0028" id="link2H_4_0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 25 Reuben Smith + </h2> + <p> + Now I must say a little about Reuben Smith, who was left in charge of the + stables when York went to London. No one more thoroughly understood his + business than he did, and when he was all right there could not be a more + faithful or valuable man. He was gentle and very clever in his management + of horses, and could doctor them almost as well as a farrier, for he had + lived two years with a veterinary surgeon. He was a first-rate driver; he + could take a four-in-hand or a tandem as easily as a pair. He was a + handsome man, a good scholar, and had very pleasant manners. I believe + everybody liked him; certainly the horses did. The only wonder was that he + should be in an under situation and not in the place of a head coachman + like York; but he had one great fault and that was the love of drink. He + was not like some men, always at it; he used to keep steady for weeks or + months together, and then he would break out and have a “bout” of it, as + York called it, and be a disgrace to himself, a terror to his wife, and a + nuisance to all that had to do with him. He was, however, so useful that + two or three times York had hushed the matter up and kept it from the + earl's knowledge; but one night, when Reuben had to drive a party home + from a ball he was so drunk that he could not hold the reins, and a + gentleman of the party had to mount the box and drive the ladies home. Of + course, this could not be hidden, and Reuben was at once dismissed; his + poor wife and little children had to turn out of the pretty cottage by the + park gate and go where they could. Old Max told me all this, for it + happened a good while ago; but shortly before Ginger and I came Smith had + been taken back again. York had interceded for him with the earl, who is + very kind-hearted, and the man had promised faithfully that he would never + taste another drop as long as he lived there. He had kept his promise so + well that York thought he might be safely trusted to fill his place while + he was away, and he was so clever and honest that no one else seemed so + well fitted for it. + </p> + <p> + It was now early in April, and the family was expected home some time in + May. The light brougham was to be fresh done up, and as Colonel Blantyre + was obliged to return to his regiment it was arranged that Smith should + drive him to the town in it, and ride back; for this purpose he took the + saddle with him, and I was chosen for the journey. At the station the + colonel put some money into Smith's hand and bid him good-by, saying, + “Take care of your young mistress, Reuben, and don't let Black Auster be + hacked about by any random young prig that wants to ride him—keep + him for the lady.” + </p> + <p> + We left the carriage at the maker's, and Smith rode me to the White Lion, + and ordered the hostler to feed me well, and have me ready for him at four + o'clock. A nail in one of my front shoes had started as I came along, but + the hostler did not notice it till just about four o'clock. Smith did not + come into the yard till five, and then he said he should not leave till + six, as he had met with some old friends. The man then told him of the + nail, and asked if he should have the shoe looked to. + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Smith, “that will be all right till we get home.” + </p> + <p> + He spoke in a very loud, offhand way, and I thought it very unlike him not + to see about the shoe, as he was generally wonderfully particular about + loose nails in our shoes. He did not come at six nor seven, nor eight, and + it was nearly nine o'clock before he called for me, and then it was with a + loud, rough voice. He seemed in a very bad temper, and abused the hostler, + though I could not tell what for. + </p> + <p> + The landlord stood at the door and said, “Have a care, Mr. Smith!” but he + answered angrily with an oath; and almost before he was out of the town he + began to gallop, frequently giving me a sharp cut with his whip, though I + was going at full speed. The moon had not yet risen, and it was very dark. + The roads were stony, having been recently mended; going over them at this + pace, my shoe became looser, and as we neared the turnpike gate it came + off. + </p> + <p> + If Smith had been in his right senses he would have been sensible of + something wrong in my pace, but he was too drunk to notice. + </p> + <p> + Beyond the turnpike was a long piece of road, upon which fresh stones had + just been laid—large sharp stones, over which no horse could be + driven quickly without risk of danger. Over this road, with one shoe gone, + I was forced to gallop at my utmost speed, my rider meanwhile cutting into + me with his whip, and with wild curses urging me to go still faster. Of + course my shoeless foot suffered dreadfully; the hoof was broken and split + down to the very quick, and the inside was terribly cut by the sharpness + of the stones. + </p> + <p> + This could not go on; no horse could keep his footing under such + circumstances; the pain was too great. I stumbled, and fell with violence + on both my knees. Smith was flung off by my fall, and, owing to the speed + I was going at, he must have fallen with great force. I soon recovered my + feet and limped to the side of the road, where it was free from stones. + The moon had just risen above the hedge, and by its light I could see + Smith lying a few yards beyond me. He did not rise; he made one slight + effort to do so, and then there was a heavy groan. I could have groaned, + too, for I was suffering intense pain both from my foot and knees; but + horses are used to bear their pain in silence. I uttered no sound, but I + stood there and listened. One more heavy groan from Smith; but though he + now lay in the full moonlight I could see no motion. I could do nothing + for him nor myself, but, oh! how I listened for the sound of horse, or + wheels, or footsteps! The road was not much frequented, and at this time + of the night we might stay for hours before help came to us. I stood + watching and listening. It was a calm, sweet April night; there were no + sounds but a few low notes of a nightingale, and nothing moved but the + white clouds near the moon and a brown owl that flitted over the hedge. It + made me think of the summer nights long ago, when I used to lie beside my + mother in the green pleasant meadow at Farmer Grey's. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0029" id="link2H_4_0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 26 How it Ended + </h2> + <p> + It must have been nearly midnight when I heard at a great distance the + sound of a horse's feet. Sometimes the sound died away, then it grew + clearer again and nearer. The road to Earlshall led through woods that + belonged to the earl; the sound came in that direction, and I hoped it + might be some one coming in search of us. As the sound came nearer and + nearer I was almost sure I could distinguish Ginger's step; a little + nearer still, and I could tell she was in the dog-cart. I neighed loudly, + and was overjoyed to hear an answering neigh from Ginger, and men's + voices. They came slowly over the stones, and stopped at the dark figure + that lay upon the ground. + </p> + <p> + One of the men jumped out, and stooped down over it. “It is Reuben,” he + said, “and he does not stir!” + </p> + <p> + The other man followed, and bent over him. “He's dead,” he said; “feel how + cold his hands are.” + </p> + <p> + They raised him up, but there was no life, and his hair was soaked with + blood. They laid him down again, and came and looked at me. They soon saw + my cut knees. + </p> + <p> + “Why, the horse has been down and thrown him! Who would have thought the + black horse would have done that? Nobody thought he could fall. Reuben + must have been lying here for hours! Odd, too, that the horse has not + moved from the place.” + </p> + <p> + Robert then attempted to lead me forward. I made a step, but almost fell + again. + </p> + <p> + “Halloo! he's bad in his foot as well as his knees. Look here—his + hoof is cut all to pieces; he might well come down, poor fellow! I tell + you what, Ned, I'm afraid it hasn't been all right with Reuben. Just think + of his riding a horse over these stones without a shoe! Why, if he had + been in his right senses he would just as soon have tried to ride him over + the moon. I'm afraid it has been the old thing over again. Poor Susan! she + looked awfully pale when she came to my house to ask if he had not come + home. She made believe she was not a bit anxious, and talked of a lot of + things that might have kept him. But for all that she begged me to go and + meet him. But what must we do? There's the horse to get home as well as + the body, and that will be no easy matter.” + </p> + <p> + Then followed a conversation between them, till it was agreed that Robert, + as the groom, should lead me, and that Ned must take the body. It was a + hard job to get it into the dog-cart, for there was no one to hold Ginger; + but she knew as well as I did what was going on, and stood as still as a + stone. I noticed that, because, if she had a fault, it was that she was + impatient in standing. + </p> + <p> + Ned started off very slowly with his sad load, and Robert came and looked + at my foot again; then he took his handkerchief and bound it closely + round, and so he led me home. I shall never forget that night walk; it was + more than three miles. Robert led me on very slowly, and I limped and + hobbled on as well as I could with great pain. I am sure he was sorry for + me, for he often patted and encouraged me, talking to me in a pleasant + voice. + </p> + <p> + At last I reached my own box, and had some corn; and after Robert had + wrapped up my knees in wet cloths, he tied up my foot in a bran poultice, + to draw out the heat and cleanse it before the horse-doctor saw it in the + morning, and I managed to get myself down on the straw, and slept in spite + of the pain. + </p> + <p> + The next day after the farrier had examined my wounds, he said he hoped + the joint was not injured; and if so, I should not be spoiled for work, + but I should never lose the blemish. I believe they did the best to make a + good cure, but it was a long and painful one. Proud flesh, as they called + it, came up in my knees, and was burned out with caustic; and when at last + it was healed, they put a blistering fluid over the front of both knees to + bring all the hair off; they had some reason for this, and I suppose it + was all right. + </p> + <p> + As Smith's death had been so sudden, and no one was there to see it, there + was an inquest held. The landlord and hostler at the White Lion, with + several other people, gave evidence that he was intoxicated when he + started from the inn. The keeper of the toll-gate said he rode at a hard + gallop through the gate; and my shoe was picked up among the stones, so + that the case was quite plain to them, and I was cleared of all blame. + </p> + <p> + Everybody pitied Susan. She was nearly out of her mind; she kept saying + over and over again, “Oh! he was so good—so good! It was all that + cursed drink; why will they sell that cursed drink? Oh Reuben, Reuben!” So + she went on till after he was buried; and then, as she had no home or + relations, she, with her six little children, was obliged once more to + leave the pleasant home by the tall oak-trees, and go into that great + gloomy Union House. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0030" id="link2H_4_0030"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 27 Ruined and Going Downhill + </h2> + <p> + As soon as my knees were sufficiently healed I was turned into a small + meadow for a month or two; no other creature was there; and though I + enjoyed the liberty and the sweet grass, yet I had been so long used to + society that I felt very lonely. Ginger and I had become fast friends, and + now I missed her company extremely. I often neighed when I heard horses' + feet passing in the road, but I seldom got an answer; till one morning the + gate was opened, and who should come in but dear old Ginger. The man + slipped off her halter, and left her there. With a joyful whinny I trotted + up to her; we were both glad to meet, but I soon found that it was not for + our pleasure that she was brought to be with me. Her story would be too + long to tell, but the end of it was that she had been ruined by hard + riding, and was now turned off to see what rest would do. + </p> + <p> + Lord George was young and would take no warning; he was a hard rider, and + would hunt whenever he could get the chance, quite careless of his horse. + Soon after I left the stable there was a steeplechase, and he determined + to ride. Though the groom told him she was a little strained, and was not + fit for the race, he did not believe it, and on the day of the race urged + Ginger to keep up with the foremost riders. With her high spirit, she + strained herself to the utmost; she came in with the first three horses, + but her wind was touched, besides which he was too heavy for her, and her + back was strained. “And so,” she said, “here we are, ruined in the prime + of our youth and strength, you by a drunkard, and I by a fool; it is very + hard.” We both felt in ourselves that we were not what we had been. + However, that did not spoil the pleasure we had in each other's company; + we did not gallop about as we once did, but we used to feed, and lie down + together, and stand for hours under one of the shady lime-trees with our + heads close to each other; and so we passed our time till the family + returned from town. + </p> + <p> + One day we saw the earl come into the meadow, and York was with him. + Seeing who it was, we stood still under our lime-tree, and let them come + up to us. They examined us carefully. The earl seemed much annoyed. + </p> + <p> + “There is three hundred pounds flung away for no earthly use,” said he; + “but what I care most for is that these horses of my old friend, who + thought they would find a good home with me, are ruined. The mare shall + have a twelve-month's run, and we shall see what that will do for her; but + the black one, he must be sold; 'tis a great pity, but I could not have + knees like these in my stables.” + </p> + <p> + “No, my lord, of course not,” said York; “but he might get a place where + appearance is not of much consequence, and still be well treated. I know a + man in Bath, the master of some livery stables, who often wants a good + horse at a low figure; I know he looks well after his horses. The inquest + cleared the horse's character, and your lordship's recommendation, or + mine, would be sufficient warrant for him.” + </p> + <p> + “You had better write to him, York. I should be more particular about the + place than the money he would fetch.” + </p> + <p> + After this they left us. + </p> + <p> + “They'll soon take you away,” said Ginger, “and I shall lose the only + friend I have, and most likely we shall never see each other again. 'Tis a + hard world!” + </p> + <p> + About a week after this Robert came into the field with a halter, which he + slipped over my head, and led me away. There was no leave-taking of + Ginger; we neighed to each other as I was led off, and she trotted + anxiously along by the hedge, calling to me as long as she could hear the + sound of my feet. + </p> + <p> + Through the recommendation of York, I was bought by the master of the + livery stables. I had to go by train, which was new to me, and required a + good deal of courage the first time; but as I found the puffing, rushing, + whistling, and, more than all, the trembling of the horse-box in which I + stood did me no real harm, I soon took it quietly. + </p> + <p> + When I reached the end of my journey I found myself in a tolerably + comfortable stable, and well attended to. These stables were not so airy + and pleasant as those I had been used to. The stalls were laid on a slope + instead of being level, and as my head was kept tied to the manger, I was + obliged always to stand on the slope, which was very fatiguing. Men do not + seem to know yet that horses can do more work if they can stand + comfortably and can turn about; however, I was well fed and well cleaned, + and, on the whole, I think our master took as much care of us as he could. + He kept a good many horses and carriages of different kinds for hire. + Sometimes his own men drove them; at others, the horse and chaise were let + to gentlemen or ladies who drove themselves. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0031" id="link2H_4_0031"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 28 A Job Horse and His Drivers + </h2> + <p> + Hitherto I had always been driven by people who at least knew how to + drive; but in this place I was to get my experience of all the different + kinds of bad and ignorant driving to which we horses are subjected; for I + was a “job horse”, and was let out to all sorts of people who wished to + hire me; and as I was good-tempered and gentle, I think I was oftener let + out to the ignorant drivers than some of the other horses, because I could + be depended upon. It would take a long time to tell of all the different + styles in which I was driven, but I will mention a few of them. + </p> + <p> + First, there were the tight-rein drivers—men who seemed to think + that all depended on holding the reins as hard as they could, never + relaxing the pull on the horse's mouth, or giving him the least liberty of + movement. They are always talking about “keeping the horse well in hand”, + and “holding a horse up”, just as if a horse was not made to hold himself + up. + </p> + <p> + Some poor, broken-down horses, whose mouths have been made hard and + insensible by just such drivers as these, may, perhaps, find some support + in it; but for a horse who can depend upon his own legs, and who has a + tender mouth and is easily guided, it is not only tormenting, but it is + stupid. + </p> + <p> + Then there are the loose-rein drivers, who let the reins lie easily on our + backs, and their own hand rest lazily on their knees. Of course, such + gentlemen have no control over a horse, if anything happens suddenly. If a + horse shies, or starts, or stumbles, they are nowhere, and cannot help the + horse or themselves till the mischief is done. Of course, for myself I had + no objection to it, as I was not in the habit either of starting or + stumbling, and had only been used to depend on my driver for guidance and + encouragement. Still, one likes to feel the rein a little in going + downhill, and likes to know that one's driver is not gone to sleep. + </p> + <p> + Besides, a slovenly way of driving gets a horse into bad and often lazy + habits, and when he changes hands he has to be whipped out of them with + more or less pain and trouble. Squire Gordon always kept us to our best + paces and our best manners. He said that spoiling a horse and letting him + get into bad habits was just as cruel as spoiling a child, and both had to + suffer for it afterward. + </p> + <p> + Besides, these drivers are often careless altogether, and will attend to + anything else more than their horses. I went out in the phaeton one day + with one of them; he had a lady and two children behind. He flopped the + reins about as we started, and of course gave me several unmeaning cuts + with the whip, though I was fairly off. There had been a good deal of + road-mending going on, and even where the stones were not freshly laid + down there were a great many loose ones about. My driver was laughing and + joking with the lady and the children, and talking about the country to + the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while to keep an eye + on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; and so it + easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet. + </p> + <p> + Now, if Mr. Gordon or John, or in fact any good driver, had been there, he + would have seen that something was wrong before I had gone three paces. Or + even if it had been dark a practiced hand would have felt by the rein that + there was something wrong in the step, and they would have got down and + picked out the stone. But this man went on laughing and talking, while at + every step the stone became more firmly wedged between my shoe and the + frog of my foot. The stone was sharp on the inside and round on the + outside, which, as every one knows, is the most dangerous kind that a + horse can pick up, at the same time cutting his foot and making him most + liable to stumble and fall. + </p> + <p> + Whether the man was partly blind or only very careless I can't say, but he + drove me with that stone in my foot for a good half-mile before he saw + anything. By that time I was going so lame with the pain that at last he + saw it, and called out, “Well, here's a go! Why, they have sent us out + with a lame horse! What a shame!” + </p> + <p> + He then chucked the reins and flipped about with the whip, saying, “Now, + then, it's no use playing the old soldier with me; there's the journey to + go, and it's no use turning lame and lazy.” + </p> + <p> + Just at this time a farmer came riding up on a brown cob. He lifted his + hat and pulled up. + </p> + <p> + “I beg your pardon, sir,” he said, “but I think there is something the + matter with your horse; he goes very much as if he had a stone in his + shoe. If you will allow me I will look at his feet; these loose scattered + stones are confounded dangerous things for the horses.” + </p> + <p> + “He's a hired horse,” said my driver. “I don't know what's the matter with + him, but it is a great shame to send out a lame beast like this.” + </p> + <p> + The farmer dismounted, and slipping his rein over his arm at once took up + my near foot. + </p> + <p> + “Bless me, there's a stone! Lame! I should think so!” + </p> + <p> + At first he tried to dislodge it with his hand, but as it was now very + tightly wedged he drew a stone-pick out of his pocket, and very carefully + and with some trouble got it out. Then holding it up he said, “There, + that's the stone your horse had picked up. It is a wonder he did not fall + down and break his knees into the bargain!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, to be sure!” said my driver; “that is a queer thing! I never knew + that horses picked up stones before.” + </p> + <p> + “Didn't you?” said the farmer rather contemptuously; “but they do, though, + and the best of them will do it, and can't help it sometimes on such roads + as these. And if you don't want to lame your horse you must look sharp and + get them out quickly. This foot is very much bruised,” he said, setting it + gently down and patting me. “If I might advise, sir, you had better drive + him gently for awhile; the foot is a good deal hurt, and the lameness will + not go off directly.” + </p> + <p> + Then mounting his cob and raising his hat to the lady he trotted off. + </p> + <p> + When he was gone my driver began to flop the reins about and whip the + harness, by which I understood that I was to go on, which of course I did, + glad that the stone was gone, but still in a good deal of pain. + </p> + <p> + This was the sort of experience we job horses often came in for. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0032" id="link2H_4_0032"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 29 Cockneys + </h2> + <p> + Then there is the steam-engine style of driving; these drivers were mostly + people from towns, who never had a horse of their own and generally + traveled by rail. + </p> + <p> + They always seemed to think that a horse was something like a + steam-engine, only smaller. At any rate, they think that if only they pay + for it a horse is bound to go just as far and just as fast and with just + as heavy a load as they please. And be the roads heavy and muddy, or dry + and good; be they stony or smooth, uphill or downhill, it is all the same—on, + on, on, one must go, at the same pace, with no relief and no + consideration. + </p> + <p> + These people never think of getting out to walk up a steep hill. Oh, no, + they have paid to ride, and ride they will! The horse? Oh, he's used to + it! What were horses made for, if not to drag people uphill? Walk! A good + joke indeed! And so the whip is plied and the rein is chucked and often a + rough, scolding voice cries out, “Go along, you lazy beast!” And then + another slash of the whip, when all the time we are doing our very best to + get along, uncomplaining and obedient, though often sorely harassed and + down-hearted. + </p> + <p> + This steam-engine style of driving wears us up faster than any other kind. + I would far rather go twenty miles with a good considerate driver than I + would go ten with some of these; it would take less out of me. + </p> + <p> + Another thing, they scarcely ever put on the brake, however steep the + downhill may be, and thus bad accidents sometimes happen; or if they do + put it on, they often forget to take it off at the bottom of the hill, and + more than once I have had to pull halfway up the next hill, with one of + the wheels held by the brake, before my driver chose to think about it; + and that is a terrible strain on a horse. + </p> + <p> + Then these cockneys, instead of starting at an easy pace, as a gentleman + would do, generally set off at full speed from the very stable-yard; and + when they want to stop, they first whip us, and then pull up so suddenly + that we are nearly thrown on our haunches, and our mouths jagged with the + bit—they call that pulling up with a dash; and when they turn a + corner they do it as sharply as if there were no right side or wrong side + of the road. + </p> + <p> + I well remember one spring evening I and Rory had been out for the day. + (Rory was the horse that mostly went with me when a pair was ordered, and + a good honest fellow he was.) We had our own driver, and as he was always + considerate and gentle with us, we had a very pleasant day. We were coming + home at a good smart pace, about twilight. Our road turned sharp to the + left; but as we were close to the hedge on our own side, and there was + plenty of room to pass, our driver did not pull us in. As we neared the + corner I heard a horse and two wheels coming rapidly down the hill toward + us. The hedge was high, and I could see nothing, but the next moment we + were upon each other. Happily for me, I was on the side next the hedge. + Rory was on the left side of the pole, and had not even a shaft to protect + him. The man who was driving was making straight for the corner, and when + he came in sight of us he had no time to pull over to his own side. The + whole shock came upon Rory. The gig shaft ran right into the chest, making + him stagger back with a cry that I shall never forget. The other horse was + thrown upon his haunches and one shaft broken. It turned out that it was a + horse from our own stables, with the high-wheeled gig that the young men + were so fond of. + </p> + <p> + The driver was one of those random, ignorant fellows, who don't even know + which is their own side of the road, or, if they know, don't care. And + there was poor Rory with his flesh torn open and bleeding, and the blood + streaming down. They said if it had been a little more to one side it + would have killed him; and a good thing for him, poor fellow, if it had. + </p> + <p> + As it was, it was a long time before the wound healed, and then he was + sold for coal-carting; and what that is, up and down those steep hills, + only horses know. Some of the sights I saw there, where a horse had to + come downhill with a heavily loaded two-wheel cart behind him, on which no + brake could be placed, make me sad even now to think of. + </p> + <p> + After Rory was disabled I often went in the carriage with a mare named + Peggy, who stood in the next stall to mine. She was a strong, well-made + animal, of a bright dun color, beautifully dappled, and with a dark-brown + mane and tail. There was no high breeding about her, but she was very + pretty and remarkably sweet-tempered and willing. Still, there was an + anxious look about her eye, by which I knew that she had some trouble. The + first time we went out together I thought she had a very odd pace; she + seemed to go partly a trot, partly a canter, three or four paces, and then + a little jump forward. + </p> + <p> + It was very unpleasant for any horse who pulled with her, and made me + quite fidgety. When we got home I asked her what made her go in that odd, + awkward way. + </p> + <p> + “Ah,” she said in a troubled manner, “I know my paces are very bad, but + what can I do? It really is not my fault; it is just because my legs are + so short. I stand nearly as high as you, but your legs are a good three + inches longer above your knee than mine, and of course you can take a much + longer step and go much faster. You see I did not make myself. I wish I + could have done so; I would have had long legs then. All my troubles come + from my short legs,” said Peggy, in a desponding tone. + </p> + <p> + “But how is it,” I said, “when you are so strong and good-tempered and + willing?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, you see,” said she, “men will go so fast, and if one can't keep up + to other horses it is nothing but whip, whip, whip, all the time. And so I + have had to keep up as I could, and have got into this ugly shuffling + pace. It was not always so; when I lived with my first master I always + went a good regular trot, but then he was not in such a hurry. He was a + young clergyman in the country, and a good, kind master he was. He had two + churches a good way apart, and a great deal of work, but he never scolded + or whipped me for not going faster. He was very fond of me. I only wish I + was with him now; but he had to leave and go to a large town, and then I + was sold to a farmer. + </p> + <p> + “Some farmers, you know, are capital masters; but I think this one was a + low sort of man. He cared nothing about good horses or good driving; he + only cared for going fast. I went as fast as I could, but that would not + do, and he was always whipping; so I got into this way of making a spring + forward to keep up. On market nights he used to stay very late at the inn, + and then drive home at a gallop. + </p> + <p> + “One dark night he was galloping home as usual, when all of a sudden the + wheel came against some great heavy thing in the road, and turned the gig + over in a minute. He was thrown out and his arm broken, and some of his + ribs, I think. At any rate, it was the end of my living with him, and I + was not sorry. But you see it will be the same everywhere for me, if men + must go so fast. I wish my legs were longer!” + </p> + <p> + Poor Peggy! I was very sorry for her, and I could not comfort her, for I + knew how hard it was upon slow-paced horses to be put with fast ones; all + the whipping comes to their share, and they can't help it. + </p> + <p> + She was often used in the phaeton, and was very much liked by some of the + ladies, because she was so gentle; and some time after this she was sold + to two ladies who drove themselves, and wanted a safe, good horse. + </p> + <p> + I met her several times out in the country, going a good steady pace, and + looking as gay and contented as a horse could be. I was very glad to see + her, for she deserved a good place. + </p> + <p> + After she left us another horse came in her stead. He was young, and had a + bad name for shying and starting, by which he had lost a good place. I + asked him what made him shy. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I hardly know,” he said. “I was timid when I was young, and was a + good deal frightened several times, and if I saw anything strange I used + to turn and look at it—you see, with our blinkers one can't see or + understand what a thing is unless one looks round—and then my master + always gave me a whipping, which of course made me start on, and did not + make me less afraid. I think if he would have let me just look at things + quietly, and see that there was nothing to hurt me, it would have been all + right, and I should have got used to them. One day an old gentleman was + riding with him, and a large piece of white paper or rag blew across just + on one side of me. I shied and started forward. My master as usual whipped + me smartly, but the old man cried out, 'You're wrong! you're wrong! You + should never whip a horse for shying; he shies because he is frightened, + and you only frighten him more and make the habit worse.' So I suppose all + men don't do so. I am sure I don't want to shy for the sake of it; but how + should one know what is dangerous and what is not, if one is never allowed + to get used to anything? I am never afraid of what I know. Now I was + brought up in a park where there were deer; of course I knew them as well + as I did a sheep or a cow, but they are not common, and I know many + sensible horses who are frightened at them, and who kick up quite a shindy + before they will pass a paddock where there are deer.” + </p> + <p> + I knew what my companion said was true, and I wished that every young + horse had as good masters as Farmer Grey and Squire Gordon. + </p> + <p> + Of course we sometimes came in for good driving here. I remember one + morning I was put into the light gig, and taken to a house in Pulteney + Street. Two gentlemen came out; the taller of them came round to my head; + he looked at the bit and bridle, and just shifted the collar with his + hand, to see if it fitted comfortably. + </p> + <p> + “Do you consider this horse wants a curb?” he said to the hostler. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said the man, “I should say he would go just as well without; he + has an uncommon good mouth, and though he has a fine spirit he has no + vice; but we generally find people like the curb.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't like it,” said the gentleman; “be so good as to take it off, and + put the rein in at the cheek. An easy mouth is a great thing on a long + journey, is it not, old fellow?” he said, patting my neck. + </p> + <p> + Then he took the reins, and they both got up. I can remember now how + quietly he turned me round, and then with a light feel of the rein, and + drawing the whip gently across my back, we were off. + </p> + <p> + I arched my neck and set off at my best pace. I found I had some one + behind me who knew how a good horse ought to be driven. It seemed like old + times again, and made me feel quite gay. + </p> + <p> + This gentleman took a great liking to me, and after trying me several + times with the saddle he prevailed upon my master to sell me to a friend + of his, who wanted a safe, pleasant horse for riding. And so it came to + pass that in the summer I was sold to Mr. Barry. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0033" id="link2H_4_0033"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 30 A Thief + </h2> + <p> + My new master was an unmarried man. He lived at Bath, and was much engaged + in business. His doctor advised him to take horse exercise, and for this + purpose he bought me. He hired a stable a short distance from his + lodgings, and engaged a man named Filcher as groom. My master knew very + little about horses, but he treated me well, and I should have had a good + and easy place but for circumstances of which he was ignorant. He ordered + the best hay with plenty of oats, crushed beans, and bran, with vetches, + or rye grass, as the man might think needful. I heard the master give the + order, so I knew there was plenty of good food, and I thought I was well + off. + </p> + <p> + For a few days all went on well. I found that my groom understood his + business. He kept the stable clean and airy, and he groomed me thoroughly; + and was never otherwise than gentle. He had been an hostler in one of the + great hotels in Bath. He had given that up, and now cultivated fruit and + vegetables for the market, and his wife bred and fattened poultry and + rabbits for sale. After awhile it seemed to me that my oats came very + short; I had the beans, but bran was mixed with them instead of oats, of + which there were very few; certainly not more than a quarter of what there + should have been. In two or three weeks this began to tell upon my + strength and spirits. The grass food, though very good, was not the thing + to keep up my condition without corn. However, I could not complain, nor + make known my wants. So it went on for about two months; and I wondered + that my master did not see that something was the matter. However, one + afternoon he rode out into the country to see a friend of his, a gentleman + farmer, who lived on the road to Wells. + </p> + <p> + This gentleman had a very quick eye for horses; and after he had welcomed + his friend he said, casting his eye over me: + </p> + <p> + “It seems to me, Barry, that your horse does not look so well as he did + when you first had him; has he been well?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I believe so,” said my master; “but he is not nearly so lively as he + was; my groom tells me that horses are always dull and weak in the autumn, + and that I must expect it.” + </p> + <p> + “Autumn, fiddlesticks!” said the farmer. “Why, this is only August; and + with your light work and good food he ought not to go down like this, even + if it was autumn. How do you feed him?” + </p> + <p> + My master told him. The other shook his head slowly, and began to feel me + over. + </p> + <p> + “I can't say who eats your corn, my dear fellow, but I am much mistaken if + your horse gets it. Have you ridden very fast?” + </p> + <p> + “No, very gently.” + </p> + <p> + “Then just put your hand here,” said he, passing his hand over my neck and + shoulder; “he is as warm and damp as a horse just come up from grass. I + advise you to look into your stable a little more. I hate to be + suspicious, and, thank heaven, I have no cause to be, for I can trust my + men, present or absent; but there are mean scoundrels, wicked enough to + rob a dumb beast of his food. You must look into it.” And turning to his + man, who had come to take me, “Give this horse a right good feed of + bruised oats, and don't stint him.” + </p> + <p> + “Dumb beasts!” Yes, we are; but if I could have spoken I could have told + my master where his oats went to. My groom used to come every morning + about six o'clock, and with him a little boy, who always had a covered + basket with him. He used to go with his father into the harness-room, + where the corn was kept, and I could see them, when the door stood ajar, + fill a little bag with oats out of the bin, and then he used to be off. + </p> + <p> + Five or six mornings after this, just as the boy had left the stable, the + door was pushed open, and a policeman walked in, holding the child tight + by the arm; another policeman followed, and locked the door on the inside, + saying, “Show me the place where your father keeps his rabbits' food.” + </p> + <p> + The boy looked very frightened and began to cry; but there was no escape, + and he led the way to the corn-bin. Here the policeman found another empty + bag like that which was found full of oats in the boy's basket. + </p> + <p> + Filcher was cleaning my feet at the time, but they soon saw him, and + though he blustered a good deal they walked him off to the “lock-up”, and + his boy with him. I heard afterward that the boy was not held to be + guilty, but the man was sentenced to prison for two months. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0034" id="link2H_4_0034"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 31 A Humbug + </h2> + <p> + My master was not immediately suited, but in a few days my new groom came. + He was a tall, good-looking fellow enough; but if ever there was a humbug + in the shape of a groom Alfred Smirk was the man. He was very civil to me, + and never used me ill; in fact, he did a great deal of stroking and + patting when his master was there to see it. He always brushed my mane and + tail with water and my hoofs with oil before he brought me to the door, to + make me look smart; but as to cleaning my feet or looking to my shoes, or + grooming me thoroughly, he thought no more of that than if I had been a + cow. He left my bit rusty, my saddle damp, and my crupper stiff. + </p> + <p> + Alfred Smirk considered himself very handsome; he spent a great deal of + time about his hair, whiskers and necktie, before a little looking-glass + in the harness-room. When his master was speaking to him it was always, + “Yes, sir; yes, sir”—touching his hat at every word; and every one + thought he was a very nice young man and that Mr. Barry was very fortunate + to meet with him. I should say he was the laziest, most conceited fellow I + ever came near. Of course, it was a great thing not to be ill-used, but + then a horse wants more than that. I had a loose box, and might have been + very comfortable if he had not been too indolent to clean it out. He never + took all the straw away, and the smell from what lay underneath was very + bad; while the strong vapors that rose made my eyes smart and inflame, and + I did not feel the same appetite for my food. + </p> + <p> + One day his master came in and said, “Alfred, the stable smells rather + strong; should not you give that stall a good scrub and throw down plenty + of water?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, sir,” he said, touching his cap, “I'll do so if you please, sir; + but it is rather dangerous, sir, throwing down water in a horse's box; + they are very apt to take cold, sir. I should not like to do him an + injury, but I'll do it if you please, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said his master, “I should not like him to take cold; but I don't + like the smell of this stable. Do you think the drains are all right?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, sir, now you mention it, I think the drain does sometimes send back + a smell; there may be something wrong, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Then send for the bricklayer and have it seen to,” said his master. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir, I will.” + </p> + <p> + The bricklayer came and pulled up a great many bricks, but found nothing + amiss; so he put down some lime and charged the master five shillings, and + the smell in my box was as bad as ever. But that was not all: standing as + I did on a quantity of moist straw my feet grew unhealthy and tender, and + the master used to say: + </p> + <p> + “I don't know what is the matter with this horse; he goes very + fumble-footed. I am sometimes afraid he will stumble.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir,” said Alfred, “I have noticed the same myself, when I have + exercised him.” + </p> + <p> + Now the fact was that he hardly ever did exercise me, and when the master + was busy I often stood for days together without stretching my legs at + all, and yet being fed just as high as if I were at hard work. This often + disordered my health, and made me sometimes heavy and dull, but more often + restless and feverish. He never even gave me a meal of green food or a + bran mash, which would have cooled me, for he was altogether as ignorant + as he was conceited; and then, instead of exercise or change of food, I + had to take horse balls and draughts; which, beside the nuisance of having + them poured down my throat, used to make me feel ill and uncomfortable. + </p> + <p> + One day my feet were so tender that, trotting over some fresh stones with + my master on my back, I made two such serious stumbles that, as he came + down Lansdown into the city, he stopped at the farrier's, and asked him to + see what was the matter with me. The man took up my feet one by one and + examined them; then standing up and dusting his hands one against the + other, he said: + </p> + <p> + “Your horse has got the 'thrush', and badly, too; his feet are very + tender; it is fortunate that he has not been down. I wonder your groom has + not seen to it before. This is the sort of thing we find in foul stables, + where the litter is never properly cleaned out. If you will send him here + to-morrow I will attend to the hoof, and I will direct your man how to + apply the liniment which I will give him.” + </p> + <p> + The next day I had my feet thoroughly cleansed and stuffed with tow soaked + in some strong lotion; and an unpleasant business it was. + </p> + <p> + The farrier ordered all the litter to be taken out of my box day by day, + and the floor kept very clean. Then I was to have bran mashes, a little + green food, and not so much corn, till my feet were well again. With this + treatment I soon regained my spirits; but Mr. Barry was so much disgusted + at being twice deceived by his grooms that he determined to give up + keeping a horse, and to hire when he wanted one. I was therefore kept till + my feet were quite sound, and was then sold again. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_PART3" id="link2H_PART3"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Part III + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0036" id="link2H_4_0036"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 32 A Horse Fair + </h2> + <p> + No doubt a horse fair is a very amusing place to those who have nothing to + lose; at any rate, there is plenty to see. + </p> + <p> + Long strings of young horses out of the country, fresh from the marshes; + and droves of shaggy little Welsh ponies, no higher than Merrylegs; and + hundreds of cart horses of all sorts, some of them with their long tails + braided up and tied with scarlet cord; and a good many like myself, + handsome and high-bred, but fallen into the middle class, through some + accident or blemish, unsoundness of wind, or some other complaint. There + were some splendid animals quite in their prime, and fit for anything; + they were throwing out their legs and showing off their paces in high + style, as they were trotted out with a leading rein, the groom running by + the side. But round in the background there were a number of poor things, + sadly broken down with hard work, with their knees knuckling over and + their hind legs swinging out at every step, and there were some very + dejected-looking old horses, with the under lip hanging down and the ears + lying back heavily, as if there were no more pleasure in life, and no more + hope; there were some so thin you might see all their ribs, and some with + old sores on their backs and hips. These were sad sights for a horse to + look upon, who knows not but he may come to the same state. + </p> + <p> + There was a great deal of bargaining, of running up and beating down; and + if a horse may speak his mind so far as he understands, I should say there + were more lies told and more trickery at that horse fair than a clever man + could give an account of. I was put with two or three other strong, + useful-looking horses, and a good many people came to look at us. The + gentlemen always turned from me when they saw my broken knees; though the + man who had me swore it was only a slip in the stall. + </p> + <p> + The first thing was to pull my mouth open, then to look at my eyes, then + feel all the way down my legs, and give me a hard feel of the skin and + flesh, and then try my paces. It was wonderful what a difference there was + in the way these things were done. Some did it in a rough, offhand way, as + if one was only a piece of wood; while others would take their hands + gently over one's body, with a pat now and then, as much as to say, “By + your leave.” Of course I judged a good deal of the buyers by their manners + to myself. + </p> + <p> + There was one man, I thought, if he would buy me, I should be happy. He + was not a gentleman, nor yet one of the loud, flashy sort that call + themselves so. He was rather a small man, but well made, and quick in all + his motions. I knew in a moment by the way he handled me, that he was used + to horses; he spoke gently, and his gray eye had a kindly, cheery look in + it. It may seem strange to say—but it is true all the same—that + the clean, fresh smell there was about him made me take to him; no smell + of old beer and tobacco, which I hated, but a fresh smell as if he had + come out of a hayloft. He offered twenty-three pounds for me, but that was + refused, and he walked away. I looked after him, but he was gone, and a + very hard-looking, loud-voiced man came. I was dreadfully afraid he would + have me; but he walked off. One or two more came who did not mean + business. Then the hard-faced man came back again and offered twenty-three + pounds. A very close bargain was being driven, for my salesman began to + think he should not get all he asked, and must come down; but just then + the gray-eyed man came back again. I could not help reaching out my head + toward him. He stroked my face kindly. + </p> + <p> + “Well, old chap,” he said, “I think we should suit each other. I'll give + twenty-four for him.” + </p> + <p> + “Say twenty-five and you shall have him.” + </p> + <p> + “Twenty-four ten,” said my friend, in a very decided tone, “and not + another sixpence—yes or no?” + </p> + <p> + “Done,” said the salesman; “and you may depend upon it there's a monstrous + deal of quality in that horse, and if you want him for cab work he's a + bargain.” + </p> + <p> + The money was paid on the spot, and my new master took my halter, and led + me out of the fair to an inn, where he had a saddle and bridle ready. He + gave me a good feed of oats and stood by while I ate it, talking to + himself and talking to me. Half an hour after we were on our way to + London, through pleasant lanes and country roads, until we came into the + great London thoroughfare, on which we traveled steadily, till in the + twilight we reached the great city. The gas lamps were already lighted; + there were streets to the right, and streets to the left, and streets + crossing each other, for mile upon mile. I thought we should never come to + the end of them. At last, in passing through one, we came to a long cab + stand, when my rider called out in a cheery voice, “Good-night, governor!” + </p> + <p> + “Halloo!” cried a voice. “Have you got a good one?” + </p> + <p> + “I think so,” replied my owner. + </p> + <p> + “I wish you luck with him.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, governor,” and he rode on. We soon turned up one of the side + streets, and about halfway up that we turned into a very narrow street, + with rather poor-looking houses on one side, and what seemed to be + coach-houses and stables on the other. + </p> + <p> + My owner pulled up at one of the houses and whistled. The door flew open, + and a young woman, followed by a little girl and boy, ran out. There was a + very lively greeting as my rider dismounted. + </p> + <p> + “Now, then, Harry, my boy, open the gates, and mother will bring us the + lantern.” + </p> + <p> + The next minute they were all standing round me in a small stable-yard. + </p> + <p> + “Is he gentle, father?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Dolly, as gentle as your own kitten; come and pat him.” + </p> + <p> + At once the little hand was patting about all over my shoulder without + fear. How good it felt! + </p> + <p> + “Let me get him a bran mash while you rub him down,” said the mother. + </p> + <p> + “Do, Polly, it's just what he wants; and I know you've got a beautiful + mash ready for me.” + </p> + <p> + “Sausage dumpling and apple turnover!” shouted the boy, which set them all + laughing. I was led into a comfortable, clean-smelling stall, with plenty + of dry straw, and after a capital supper I lay down, thinking I was going + to be happy. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0037" id="link2H_4_0037"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 33 A London Cab Horse + </h2> + <p> + Jeremiah Barker was my new master's name, but as every one called him + Jerry, I shall do the same. Polly, his wife, was just as good a match as a + man could have. She was a plump, trim, tidy little woman, with smooth, + dark hair, dark eyes, and a merry little mouth. The boy was twelve years + old, a tall, frank, good-tempered lad; and little Dorothy (Dolly they + called her) was her mother over again, at eight years old. They were all + wonderfully fond of each other; I never knew such a happy, merry family + before or since. Jerry had a cab of his own, and two horses, which he + drove and attended to himself. His other horse was a tall, white, rather + large-boned animal called “Captain”. He was old now, but when he was young + he must have been splendid; he had still a proud way of holding his head + and arching his neck; in fact, he was a high-bred, fine-mannered, noble + old horse, every inch of him. He told me that in his early youth he went + to the Crimean War; he belonged to an officer in the cavalry, and used to + lead the regiment. I will tell more of that hereafter. + </p> + <p> + The next morning, when I was well-groomed, Polly and Dolly came into the + yard to see me and make friends. Harry had been helping his father since + the early morning, and had stated his opinion that I should turn out a + “regular brick”. Polly brought me a slice of apple, and Dolly a piece of + bread, and made as much of me as if I had been the “Black Beauty” of olden + time. It was a great treat to be petted again and talked to in a gentle + voice, and I let them see as well as I could that I wished to be friendly. + Polly thought I was very handsome, and a great deal too good for a cab, if + it was not for the broken knees. + </p> + <p> + “Of course there's no one to tell us whose fault that was,” said Jerry, + “and as long as I don't know I shall give him the benefit of the doubt; + for a firmer, neater stepper I never rode. We'll call him 'Jack', after + the old one—shall we, Polly?” + </p> + <p> + “Do,” she said, “for I like to keep a good name going.” + </p> + <p> + Captain went out in the cab all the morning. Harry came in after school to + feed me and give me water. In the afternoon I was put into the cab. Jerry + took as much pains to see if the collar and bridle fitted comfortably as + if he had been John Manly over again. When the crupper was let out a hole + or two it all fitted well. There was no check-rein, no curb, nothing but a + plain ring snaffle. What a blessing that was! + </p> + <p> + After driving through the side street we came to the large cab stand where + Jerry had said “Good-night”. On one side of this wide street were high + houses with wonderful shop fronts, and on the other was an old church and + churchyard, surrounded by iron palisades. Alongside these iron rails a + number of cabs were drawn up, waiting for passengers; bits of hay were + lying about on the ground; some of the men were standing together talking; + some were sitting on their boxes reading the newspaper; and one or two + were feeding their horses with bits of hay, and giving them a drink of + water. We pulled up in the rank at the back of the last cab. Two or three + men came round and began to look at me and pass their remarks. + </p> + <p> + “Very good for a funeral,” said one. + </p> + <p> + “Too smart-looking,” said another, shaking his head in a very wise way; + “you'll find out something wrong one of these fine mornings, or my name + isn't Jones.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Jerry pleasantly, “I suppose I need not find it out till it + finds me out, eh? And if so, I'll keep up my spirits a little longer.” + </p> + <p> + Then there came up a broad-faced man, dressed in a great gray coat with + great gray cape and great white buttons, a gray hat, and a blue comforter + loosely tied round his neck; his hair was gray, too; but he was a + jolly-looking fellow, and the other men made way for him. He looked me all + over, as if he had been going to buy me; and then straightening himself up + with a grunt, he said, “He's the right sort for you, Jerry; I don't care + what you gave for him, he'll be worth it.” Thus my character was + established on the stand. + </p> + <p> + This man's name was Grant, but he was called “Gray Grant”, or “Governor + Grant”. He had been the longest on that stand of any of the men, and he + took it upon himself to settle matters and stop disputes. He was generally + a good-humored, sensible man; but if his temper was a little out, as it + was sometimes when he had drunk too much, nobody liked to come too near + his fist, for he could deal a very heavy blow. + </p> + <p> + The first week of my life as a cab horse was very trying. I had never been + used to London, and the noise, the hurry, the crowds of horses, carts, and + carriages that I had to make my way through made me feel anxious and + harassed; but I soon found that I could perfectly trust my driver, and + then I made myself easy and got used to it. + </p> + <p> + Jerry was as good a driver as I had ever known, and what was better, he + took as much thought for his horses as he did for himself. He soon found + out that I was willing to work and do my best, and he never laid the whip + on me unless it was gently drawing the end of it over my back when I was + to go on; but generally I knew this quite well by the way in which he took + up the reins, and I believe his whip was more frequently stuck up by his + side than in his hand. + </p> + <p> + In a short time I and my master understood each other as well as horse and + man can do. In the stable, too, he did all that he could for our comfort. + The stalls were the old-fashioned style, too much on the slope; but he had + two movable bars fixed across the back of our stalls, so that at night, + and when we were resting, he just took off our halters and put up the + bars, and thus we could turn about and stand whichever way we pleased, + which is a great comfort. + </p> + <p> + Jerry kept us very clean, and gave us as much change of food as he could, + and always plenty of it; and not only that, but he always gave us plenty + of clean fresh water, which he allowed to stand by us both night and day, + except of course when we came in warm. Some people say that a horse ought + not to drink all he likes; but I know if we are allowed to drink when we + want it we drink only a little at a time, and it does us a great deal more + good than swallowing down half a bucketful at a time, because we have been + left without till we are thirsty and miserable. Some grooms will go home + to their beer and leave us for hours with our dry hay and oats and nothing + to moisten them; then of course we gulp down too much at once, which helps + to spoil our breathing and sometimes chills our stomachs. But the best + thing we had here was our Sundays for rest; we worked so hard in the week + that I do not think we could have kept up to it but for that day; besides, + we had then time to enjoy each other's company. It was on these days that + I learned my companion's history. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0038" id="link2H_4_0038"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 34 An Old War Horse + </h2> + <p> + Captain had been broken in and trained for an army horse; his first owner + was an officer of cavalry going out to the Crimean war. He said he quite + enjoyed the training with all the other horses, trotting together, turning + together, to the right hand or the left, halting at the word of command, + or dashing forward at full speed at the sound of the trumpet or signal of + the officer. He was, when young, a dark, dappled iron-gray, and considered + very handsome. His master, a young, high-spirited gentleman, was very fond + of him, and treated him from the first with the greatest care and + kindness. He told me he thought the life of an army horse was very + pleasant; but when it came to being sent abroad over the sea in a great + ship, he almost changed his mind. + </p> + <p> + “That part of it,” said he, “was dreadful! Of course we could not walk off + the land into the ship; so they were obliged to put strong straps under + our bodies, and then we were lifted off our legs in spite of our + struggles, and were swung through the air over the water, to the deck of + the great vessel. There we were placed in small close stalls, and never + for a long time saw the sky, or were able to stretch our legs. The ship + sometimes rolled about in high winds, and we were knocked about, and felt + bad enough. + </p> + <p> + “However, at last it came to an end, and we were hauled up, and swung over + again to the land; we were very glad, and snorted and neighed for joy, + when we once more felt firm ground under our feet. + </p> + <p> + “We soon found that the country we had come to was very different from our + own and that we had many hardships to endure besides the fighting; but + many of the men were so fond of their horses that they did everything they + could to make them comfortable in spite of snow, wet, and all things out + of order.” + </p> + <p> + “But what about the fighting?” said I, “was not that worse than anything + else?” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said he, “I hardly know; we always liked to hear the trumpet + sound, and to be called out, and were impatient to start off, though + sometimes we had to stand for hours, waiting for the word of command; and + when the word was given we used to spring forward as gayly and eagerly as + if there were no cannon balls, bayonets, or bullets. I believe so long as + we felt our rider firm in the saddle, and his hand steady on the bridle, + not one of us gave way to fear, not even when the terrible bomb-shells + whirled through the air and burst into a thousand pieces. + </p> + <p> + “I, with my noble master, went into many actions together without a wound; + and though I saw horses shot down with bullets, pierced through with + lances, and gashed with fearful saber-cuts; though we left them dead on + the field, or dying in the agony of their wounds, I don't think I feared + for myself. My master's cheery voice, as he encouraged his men, made me + feel as if he and I could not be killed. I had such perfect trust in him + that while he was guiding me I was ready to charge up to the very cannon's + mouth. I saw many brave men cut down, many fall mortally wounded from + their saddles. I had heard the cries and groans of the dying, I had + cantered over ground slippery with blood, and frequently had to turn aside + to avoid trampling on wounded man or horse, but, until one dreadful day, I + had never felt terror; that day I shall never forget.” + </p> + <p> + Here old Captain paused for awhile and drew a long breath; I waited, and + he went on. + </p> + <p> + “It was one autumn morning, and as usual, an hour before daybreak our + cavalry had turned out, ready caparisoned for the day's work, whether it + might be fighting or waiting. The men stood by their horses waiting, ready + for orders. As the light increased there seemed to be some excitement + among the officers; and before the day was well begun we heard the firing + of the enemy's guns. + </p> + <p> + “Then one of the officers rode up and gave the word for the men to mount, + and in a second every man was in his saddle, and every horse stood + expecting the touch of the rein, or the pressure of his rider's heels, all + animated, all eager; but still we had been trained so well that, except by + the champing of our bits, and the restive tossing of our heads from time + to time, it could not be said that we stirred. + </p> + <p> + “My dear master and I were at the head of the line, and as all sat + motionless and watchful, he took a little stray lock of my mane which had + turned over on the wrong side, laid it over on the right, and smoothed it + down with his hand; then patting my neck, he said, 'We shall have a day of + it to-day, Bayard, my beauty; but we'll do our duty as we have done.' He + stroked my neck that morning more, I think, than he had ever done before; + quietly on and on, as if he were thinking of something else. I loved to + feel his hand on my neck, and arched my crest proudly and happily; but I + stood very still, for I knew all his moods, and when he liked me to be + quiet, and when gay. + </p> + <p> + “I cannot tell all that happened on that day, but I will tell of the last + charge that we made together; it was across a valley right in front of the + enemy's cannon. By this time we were well used to the roar of heavy guns, + the rattle of musket fire, and the flying of shot near us; but never had I + been under such a fire as we rode through on that day. From the right, + from the left, and from the front, shot and shell poured in upon us. Many + a brave man went down, many a horse fell, flinging his rider to the earth; + many a horse without a rider ran wildly out of the ranks; then terrified + at being alone, with no hand to guide him, came pressing in among his old + companions, to gallop with them to the charge. + </p> + <p> + “Fearful as it was, no one stopped, no one turned back. Every moment the + ranks were thinned, but as our comrades fell, we closed in to keep them + together; and instead of being shaken or staggered in our pace our gallop + became faster and faster as we neared the cannon. + </p> + <p> + “My master, my dear master was cheering on his comrades with his right arm + raised on high, when one of the balls whizzing close to my head struck + him. I felt him stagger with the shock, though he uttered no cry; I tried + to check my speed, but the sword dropped from his right hand, the rein + fell loose from the left, and sinking backward from the saddle he fell to + the earth; the other riders swept past us, and by the force of their + charge I was driven from the spot. + </p> + <p> + “I wanted to keep my place by his side and not leave him under that rush + of horses' feet, but it was in vain; and now without a master or a friend + I was alone on that great slaughter ground; then fear took hold on me, and + I trembled as I had never trembled before; and I too, as I had seen other + horses do, tried to join in the ranks and gallop with them; but I was + beaten off by the swords of the soldiers. Just then a soldier whose horse + had been killed under him caught at my bridle and mounted me, and with + this new master I was again going forward; but our gallant company was + cruelly overpowered, and those who remained alive after the fierce fight + for the guns came galloping back over the same ground. Some of the horses + had been so badly wounded that they could scarcely move from the loss of + blood; other noble creatures were trying on three legs to drag themselves + along, and others were struggling to rise on their fore feet, when their + hind legs had been shattered by shot. After the battle the wounded men + were brought in and the dead were buried.” + </p> + <p> + “And what about the wounded horses?” I said; “were they left to die?” + </p> + <p> + “No, the army farriers went over the field with their pistols and shot all + that were ruined; some that had only slight wounds were brought back and + attended to, but the greater part of the noble, willing creatures that + went out that morning never came back! In our stables there was only about + one in four that returned. + </p> + <p> + “I never saw my dear master again. I believe he fell dead from the saddle. + I never loved any other master so well. I went into many other + engagements, but was only once wounded, and then not seriously; and when + the war was over I came back again to England, as sound and strong as when + I went out.” + </p> + <p> + I said, “I have heard people talk about war as if it was a very fine + thing.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” said he, “I should think they never saw it. No doubt it is very fine + when there is no enemy, when it is just exercise and parade and sham + fight. Yes, it is very fine then; but when thousands of good brave men and + horses are killed or crippled for life, it has a very different look.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you know what they fought about?” said I. + </p> + <p> + “No,” he said, “that is more than a horse can understand, but the enemy + must have been awfully wicked people, if it was right to go all that way + over the sea on purpose to kill them.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0039" id="link2H_4_0039"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 35 Jerry Barker + </h2> + <p> + I never knew a better man than my new master. He was kind and good, and as + strong for the right as John Manly; and so good-tempered and merry that + very few people could pick a quarrel with him. He was very fond of making + little songs, and singing them to himself. One he was very fond of was + this: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Come, father and mother, + And sister and brother, + Come, all of you, turn to + And help one another.” + </pre> + <p> + And so they did; Harry was as clever at stable-work as a much older boy, + and always wanted to do what he could. Then Polly and Dolly used to come + in the morning to help with the cab—to brush and beat the cushions, + and rub the glass, while Jerry was giving us a cleaning in the yard, and + Harry was rubbing the harness. There used to be a great deal of laughing + and fun between them, and it put Captain and me in much better spirits + than if we had heard scolding and hard words. They were always early in + the morning, for Jerry would say: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “If you in the morning + Throw minutes away, + You can't pick them up + In the course of a day. + You may hurry and scurry, + And flurry and worry, + You've lost them forever, + Forever and aye.” + </pre> + <p> + He could not bear any careless loitering and waste of time; and nothing + was so near making him angry as to find people, who were always late, + wanting a cab horse to be driven hard, to make up for their idleness. + </p> + <p> + One day two wild-looking young men came out of a tavern close by the + stand, and called Jerry. + </p> + <p> + “Here, cabby! look sharp, we are rather late; put on the steam, will you, + and take us to the Victoria in time for the one o'clock train? You shall + have a shilling extra.” + </p> + <p> + “I will take you at the regular pace, gentlemen; shillings don't pay for + putting on the steam like that.” + </p> + <p> + Larry's cab was standing next to ours; he flung open the door, and said, + “I'm your man, gentlemen! take my cab, my horse will get you there all + right;” and as he shut them in, with a wink toward Jerry, said, “It's + against his conscience to go beyond a jog-trot.” Then slashing his jaded + horse, he set off as hard as he could. Jerry patted me on the neck: “No, + Jack, a shilling would not pay for that sort of thing, would it, old boy?” + </p> + <p> + Although Jerry was determinedly set against hard driving, to please + careless people, he always went a good fair pace, and was not against + putting on the steam, as he said, if only he knew why. + </p> + <p> + I well remember one morning, as we were on the stand waiting for a fare, + that a young man, carrying a heavy portmanteau, trod on a piece of orange + peel which lay on the pavement, and fell down with great force. + </p> + <p> + Jerry was the first to run and lift him up. He seemed much stunned, and as + they led him into a shop he walked as if he were in great pain. Jerry of + course came back to the stand, but in about ten minutes one of the shopmen + called him, so we drew up to the pavement. + </p> + <p> + “Can you take me to the South-Eastern Railway?” said the young man; “this + unlucky fall has made me late, I fear; but it is of great importance that + I should not lose the twelve o'clock train. I should be most thankful if + you could get me there in time, and will gladly pay you an extra fare.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll do my very best,” said Jerry heartily, “if you think you are well + enough, sir,” for he looked dreadfully white and ill. + </p> + <p> + “I must go,” he said earnestly, “please to open the door, and let us lose + no time.” + </p> + <p> + The next minute Jerry was on the box; with a cheery chirrup to me, and a + twitch of the rein that I well understood. + </p> + <p> + “Now then, Jack, my boy,” said he, “spin along, we'll show them how we can + get over the ground, if we only know why.” + </p> + <p> + It is always difficult to drive fast in the city in the middle of the day, + when the streets are full of traffic, but we did what could be done; and + when a good driver and a good horse, who understand each other, are of one + mind, it is wonderful what they can do. I had a very good mouth—that + is I could be guided by the slightest touch of the rein; and that is a + great thing in London, among carriages, omnibuses, carts, vans, trucks, + cabs, and great wagons creeping along at a walking pace; some going one + way, some another, some going slowly, others wanting to pass them; + omnibuses stopping short every few minutes to take up a passenger, + obliging the horse that is coming behind to pull up too, or to pass, and + get before them; perhaps you try to pass, but just then something else + comes dashing in through the narrow opening, and you have to keep in + behind the omnibus again; presently you think you see a chance, and manage + to get to the front, going so near the wheels on each side that half an + inch nearer and they would scrape. Well, you get along for a bit, but soon + find yourself in a long train of carts and carriages all obliged to go at + a walk; perhaps you come to a regular block-up, and have to stand still + for minutes together, till something clears out into a side street, or the + policeman interferes; you have to be ready for any chance—to dash + forward if there be an opening, and be quick as a rat-dog to see if there + be room and if there be time, lest you get your own wheels locked or + smashed, or the shaft of some other vehicle run into your chest or + shoulder. All this is what you have to be ready for. If you want to get + through London fast in the middle of the day it wants a deal of practice. + </p> + <p> + Jerry and I were used to it, and no one could beat us at getting through + when we were set upon it. I was quick and bold and could always trust my + driver; Jerry was quick and patient at the same time, and could trust his + horse, which was a great thing too. He very seldom used the whip; I knew + by his voice, and his click, click, when he wanted to get on fast, and by + the rein where I was to go; so there was no need for whipping; but I must + go back to my story. + </p> + <p> + The streets were very full that day, but we got on pretty well as far as + the bottom of Cheapside, where there was a block for three or four + minutes. The young man put his head out and said anxiously, “I think I had + better get out and walk; I shall never get there if this goes on.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll do all that can be done, sir,” said Jerry; “I think we shall be in + time. This block-up cannot last much longer, and your luggage is very + heavy for you to carry, sir.” + </p> + <p> + Just then the cart in front of us began to move on, and then we had a good + turn. In and out, in and out we went, as fast as horseflesh could do it, + and for a wonder had a good clear time on London Bridge, for there was a + whole train of cabs and carriages all going our way at a quick trot, + perhaps wanting to catch that very train. At any rate, we whirled into the + station with many more, just as the great clock pointed to eight minutes + to twelve o'clock. + </p> + <p> + “Thank God! we are in time,” said the young man, “and thank you, too, my + friend, and your good horse. You have saved me more than money can ever + pay for. Take this extra half-crown.” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir, no, thank you all the same; so glad we hit the time, sir; but + don't stay now, sir, the bell is ringing. Here, porter! take this + gentleman's luggage—Dover line twelve o'clock train—that's + it,” and without waiting for another word Jerry wheeled me round to make + room for other cabs that were dashing up at the last minute, and drew up + on one side till the crush was past. + </p> + <p> + “'So glad!' he said, 'so glad!' Poor young fellow! I wonder what it was + that made him so anxious!” + </p> + <p> + Jerry often talked to himself quite loud enough for me to hear when we + were not moving. + </p> + <p> + On Jerry's return to the rank there was a good deal of laughing and + chaffing at him for driving hard to the train for an extra fare, as they + said, all against his principles, and they wanted to know how much he had + pocketed. + </p> + <p> + “A good deal more than I generally get,” said he, nodding slyly; “what he + gave me will keep me in little comforts for several days.” + </p> + <p> + “Gammon!” said one. + </p> + <p> + “He's a humbug,” said another; “preaching to us and then doing the same + himself.” + </p> + <p> + “Look here, mates,” said Jerry; “the gentleman offered me half a crown + extra, but I didn't take it; 'twas quite pay enough for me to see how glad + he was to catch that train; and if Jack and I choose to have a quick run + now and then to please ourselves, that's our business and not yours.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Larry, “you'll never be a rich man.” + </p> + <p> + “Most likely not,” said Jerry; “but I don't know that I shall be the less + happy for that. I have heard the commandments read a great many times and + I never noticed that any of them said, 'Thou shalt be rich'; and there are + a good many curious things said in the New Testament about rich men that I + think would make me feel rather queer if I was one of them.” + </p> + <p> + “If you ever do get rich,” said Governor Gray, looking over his shoulder + across the top of his cab, “you'll deserve it, Jerry, and you won't find a + curse come with your wealth. As for you, Larry, you'll die poor; you spend + too much in whipcord.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Larry, “what is a fellow to do if his horse won't go without + it?” + </p> + <p> + “You never take the trouble to see if he will go without it; your whip is + always going as if you had the St. Vitus' dance in your arm, and if it + does not wear you out it wears your horse out; you know you are always + changing your horses; and why? Because you never give them any peace or + encouragement.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I have not had good luck,” said Larry, “that's where it is.” + </p> + <p> + “And you never will,” said the governor. “Good Luck is rather particular + who she rides with, and mostly prefers those who have got common sense and + a good heart; at least that is my experience.” + </p> + <p> + Governor Gray turned round again to his newspaper, and the other men went + to their cabs. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0040" id="link2H_4_0040"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 36 The Sunday Cab + </h2> + <p> + One morning, as Jerry had just put me into the shafts and was fastening + the traces, a gentleman walked into the yard. “Your servant, sir,” said + Jerry. + </p> + <p> + “Good-morning, Mr. Barker,” said the gentleman. “I should be glad to make + some arrangements with you for taking Mrs. Briggs regularly to church on + Sunday mornings. We go to the New Church now, and that is rather further + than she can walk.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, sir,” said Jerry, “but I have only taken out a six-days' + license,* and therefore I could not take a fare on a Sunday; it would not + be legal.” + </p> + <p> + * A few years since the annual charge for a cab license was very much + reduced, and the difference between the six and seven days' cabs was + abolished. + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” said the other, “I did not know yours was a six-days' cab; but of + course it would be very easy to alter your license. I would see that you + did not lose by it; the fact is, Mrs. Briggs very much prefers you to + drive her.” + </p> + <p> + “I should be glad to oblige the lady, sir, but I had a seven-days' license + once, and the work was too hard for me, and too hard for my horses. Year + in and year out, not a day's rest, and never a Sunday with my wife and + children; and never able to go to a place of worship, which I had always + been used to do before I took to the driving box. So for the last five + years I have only taken a six-days' license, and I find it better all the + way round.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, of course,” replied Mr. Briggs, “it is very proper that every + person should have rest, and be able to go to church on Sundays, but I + should have thought you would not have minded such a short distance for + the horse, and only once a day; you would have all the afternoon and + evening for yourself, and we are very good customers, you know.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir, that is true, and I am grateful for all favors, I am sure; and + anything that I could do to oblige you, or the lady, I should be proud and + happy to do; but I can't give up my Sundays, sir, indeed I can't. I read + that God made man, and he made horses and all the other beasts, and as + soon as He had made them He made a day of rest, and bade that all should + rest one day in seven; and I think, sir, He must have known what was good + for them, and I am sure it is good for me; I am stronger and healthier + altogether, now that I have a day of rest; the horses are fresh too, and + do not wear up nearly so fast. The six-day drivers all tell me the same, + and I have laid by more money in the savings bank than ever I did before; + and as for the wife and children, sir, why, heart alive! they would not go + back to the seven days for all they could see.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, very well,” said the gentleman. “Don't trouble yourself, Mr. Barker, + any further. I will inquire somewhere else,” and he walked away. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” says Jerry to me, “we can't help it, Jack, old boy; we must have + our Sundays.” + </p> + <p> + “Polly!” he shouted, “Polly! come here.” + </p> + <p> + She was there in a minute. + </p> + <p> + “What is it all about, Jerry?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, my dear, Mr. Briggs wants me to take Mrs. Briggs to church every + Sunday morning. I say I have only a six-days' license. He says, 'Get a + seven-days' license, and I'll make it worth your while;' and you know, + Polly, they are very good customers to us. Mrs. Briggs often goes out + shopping for hours, or making calls, and then she pays down fair and + honorable like a lady; there's no beating down or making three hours into + two hours and a half, as some folks do; and it is easy work for the + horses; not like tearing along to catch trains for people that are always + a quarter of an hour too late; and if I don't oblige her in this matter it + is very likely we shall lose them altogether. What do you say, little + woman?” + </p> + <p> + “I say, Jerry,” says she, speaking very slowly, “I say, if Mrs. Briggs + would give you a sovereign every Sunday morning, I would not have you a + seven-days' cabman again. We have known what it was to have no Sundays, + and now we know what it is to call them our own. Thank God, you earn + enough to keep us, though it is sometimes close work to pay for all the + oats and hay, the license, and the rent besides; but Harry will soon be + earning something, and I would rather struggle on harder than we do than + go back to those horrid times when you hardly had a minute to look at your + own children, and we never could go to a place of worship together, or + have a happy, quiet day. God forbid that we should ever turn back to those + times; that's what I say, Jerry.” + </p> + <p> + “And that is just what I told Mr. Briggs, my dear,” said Jerry, “and what + I mean to stick to. So don't go and fret yourself, Polly” (for she had + begun to cry); “I would not go back to the old times if I earned twice as + much, so that is settled, little woman. Now, cheer up, and I'll be off to + the stand.” + </p> + <p> + Three weeks had passed away after this conversation, and no order had come + from Mrs. Briggs; so there was nothing but taking jobs from the stand. + Jerry took it to heart a good deal, for of course the work was harder for + horse and man. But Polly would always cheer him up, and say, “Never mind, + father, never, mind. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “'Do your best, + And leave the rest, + 'Twill all come right + Some day or night.'” + </pre> + <p> + It soon became known that Jerry had lost his best customer, and for what + reason. Most of the men said he was a fool, but two or three took his + part. + </p> + <p> + “If workingmen don't stick to their Sunday,” said Truman, “they'll soon + have none left; it is every man's right and every beast's right. By God's + law we have a day of rest, and by the law of England we have a day of + rest; and I say we ought to hold to the rights these laws give us and keep + them for our children.” + </p> + <p> + “All very well for you religious chaps to talk so,” said Larry; “but I'll + turn a shilling when I can. I don't believe in religion, for I don't see + that your religious people are any better than the rest.” + </p> + <p> + “If they are not better,” put in Jerry, “it is because they are not + religious. You might as well say that our country's laws are not good + because some people break them. If a man gives way to his temper, and + speaks evil of his neighbor, and does not pay his debts, he is not + religious, I don't care how much he goes to church. If some men are shams + and humbugs, that does not make religion untrue. Real religion is the best + and truest thing in the world, and the only thing that can make a man + really happy or make the world we live in any better.” + </p> + <p> + “If religion was good for anything,” said Jones, “it would prevent your + religious people from making us work on Sundays, as you know many of them + do, and that's why I say religion is nothing but a sham; why, if it was + not for the church and chapel-goers it would be hardly worth while our + coming out on a Sunday. But they have their privileges, as they call them, + and I go without. I shall expect them to answer for my soul, if I can't + get a chance of saving it.” + </p> + <p> + Several of the men applauded this, till Jerry said: + </p> + <p> + “That may sound well enough, but it won't do; every man must look after + his own soul; you can't lay it down at another man's door like a foundling + and expect him to take care of it; and don't you see, if you are always + sitting on your box waiting for a fare, they will say, 'If we don't take + him some one else will, and he does not look for any Sunday.' Of course, + they don't go to the bottom of it, or they would see if they never came + for a cab it would be no use your standing there; but people don't always + like to go to the bottom of things; it may not be convenient to do it; but + if you Sunday drivers would all strike for a day of rest the thing would + be done.” + </p> + <p> + “And what would all the good people do if they could not get to their + favorite preachers?” said Larry. + </p> + <p> + “'Tis not for me to lay down plans for other people,” said Jerry, “but if + they can't walk so far they can go to what is nearer; and if it should + rain they can put on their mackintoshes as they do on a week-day. If a + thing is right it can be done, and if it is wrong it can be done without; + and a good man will find a way. And that is as true for us cabmen as it is + for the church-goers.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0041" id="link2H_4_0041"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 37 The Golden Rule + </h2> + <p> + Two or three weeks after this, as we came into the yard rather late in the + evening, Polly came running across the road with the lantern (she always + brought it to him if it was not very wet). + </p> + <p> + “It has all come right, Jerry; Mrs. Briggs sent her servant this afternoon + to ask you to take her out to-morrow at eleven o'clock. I said, 'Yes, I + thought so, but we supposed she employed some one else now.'” + </p> + <p> + “'Well,' said he, 'the real fact is, master was put out because Mr. Barker + refused to come on Sundays, and he has been trying other cabs, but there's + something wrong with them all; some drive too fast, and some too slow, and + the mistress says there is not one of them so nice and clean as yours, and + nothing will suit her but Mr. Barker's cab again.'” + </p> + <p> + Polly was almost out of breath, and Jerry broke out into a merry laugh. + </p> + <p> + “''Twill all come right some day or night': you were right, my dear; you + generally are. Run in and get the supper, and I'll have Jack's harness off + and make him snug and happy in no time.” + </p> + <p> + After this Mrs. Briggs wanted Jerry's cab quite as often as before, never, + however, on a Sunday; but there came a day when we had Sunday work, and + this was how it happened. We had all come home on the Saturday night very + tired, and very glad to think that the next day would be all rest, but so + it was not to be. + </p> + <p> + On Sunday morning Jerry was cleaning me in the yard, when Polly stepped up + to him, looking very full of something. + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” said Jerry. + </p> + <p> + “Well, my dear,” she said, “poor Dinah Brown has just had a letter brought + to say that her mother is dangerously ill, and that she must go directly + if she wishes to see her alive. The place is more than ten miles away from + here, out in the country, and she says if she takes the train she should + still have four miles to walk; and so weak as she is, and the baby only + four weeks old, of course that would be impossible; and she wants to know + if you would take her in your cab, and she promises to pay you faithfully, + as she can get the money.” + </p> + <p> + “Tut, tut! we'll see about that. It was not the money I was thinking + about, but of losing our Sunday; the horses are tired, and I am tired, too—that's + where it pinches.” + </p> + <p> + “It pinches all round, for that matter,” said Polly, “for it's only half + Sunday without you, but you know we should do to other people as we should + like they should do to us; and I know very well what I should like if my + mother was dying; and Jerry, dear, I am sure it won't break the Sabbath; + for if pulling a poor beast or donkey out of a pit would not spoil it, I + am quite sure taking poor Dinah would not do it.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, Polly, you are as good as the minister, and so, as I've had my + Sunday-morning sermon early to-day, you may go and tell Dinah that I'll be + ready for her as the clock strikes ten; but stop—just step round to + butcher Braydon's with my compliments, and ask him if he would lend me his + light trap; I know he never uses it on the Sunday, and it would make a + wonderful difference to the horse.” + </p> + <p> + Away she went, and soon returned, saying that he could have the trap and + welcome. + </p> + <p> + “All right,” said he; “now put me up a bit of bread and cheese, and I'll + be back in the afternoon as soon as I can.” + </p> + <p> + “And I'll have the meat pie ready for an early tea instead of for dinner,” + said Polly; and away she went, while he made his preparations to the tune + of “Polly's the woman and no mistake”, of which tune he was very fond. + </p> + <p> + I was selected for the journey, and at ten o'clock we started, in a light, + high-wheeled gig, which ran so easily that after the four-wheeled cab it + seemed like nothing. + </p> + <p> + It was a fine May day, and as soon as we were out of the town, the sweet + air, the smell of the fresh grass, and the soft country roads were as + pleasant as they used to be in the old times, and I soon began to feel + quite fresh. + </p> + <p> + Dinah's family lived in a small farmhouse, up a green lane, close by a + meadow with some fine shady trees; there were two cows feeding in it. A + young man asked Jerry to bring his trap into the meadow, and he would tie + me up in the cowshed; he wished he had a better stable to offer. + </p> + <p> + “If your cows would not be offended,” said Jerry, “there is nothing my + horse would like so well as to have an hour or two in your beautiful + meadow; he's quiet, and it would be a rare treat for him.” + </p> + <p> + “Do, and welcome,” said the young man; “the best we have is at your + service for your kindness to my sister; we shall be having some dinner in + an hour, and I hope you'll come in, though with mother so ill we are all + out of sorts in the house.” + </p> + <p> + Jerry thanked him kindly, but said as he had some dinner with him there + was nothing he should like so well as walking about in the meadow. + </p> + <p> + When my harness was taken off I did not know what I should do first—whether + to eat the grass, or roll over on my back, or lie down and rest, or have a + gallop across the meadow out of sheer spirits at being free; and I did all + by turns. Jerry seemed to be quite as happy as I was; he sat down by a + bank under a shady tree, and listened to the birds, then he sang himself, + and read out of the little brown book he is so fond of, then wandered + round the meadow, and down by a little brook, where he picked the flowers + and the hawthorn, and tied them up with long sprays of ivy; then he gave + me a good feed of the oats which he had brought with him; but the time + seemed all too short—I had not been in a field since I left poor + Ginger at Earlshall. + </p> + <p> + We came home gently, and Jerry's first words were, as we came into the + yard, “Well, Polly, I have not lost my Sunday after all, for the birds + were singing hymns in every bush, and I joined in the service; and as for + Jack, he was like a young colt.” + </p> + <p> + When he handed Dolly the flowers she jumped about for joy. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0042" id="link2H_4_0042"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 38 Dolly and a Real Gentleman + </h2> + <p> + Winter came in early, with a great deal of cold and wet. There was snow, + or sleet, or rain almost every day for weeks, changing only for keen + driving winds or sharp frosts. The horses all felt it very much. When it + is a dry cold a couple of good thick rugs will keep the warmth in us; but + when it is soaking rain they soon get wet through and are no good. Some of + the drivers had a waterproof cover to throw over, which was a fine thing; + but some of the men were so poor that they could not protect either + themselves or their horses, and many of them suffered very much that + winter. When we horses had worked half the day we went to our dry stables, + and could rest, while they had to sit on their boxes, sometimes staying + out as late as one or two o'clock in the morning if they had a party to + wait for. + </p> + <p> + When the streets were slippery with frost or snow that was the worst of + all for us horses. One mile of such traveling, with a weight to draw and + no firm footing, would take more out of us than four on a good road; every + nerve and muscle of our bodies is on the strain to keep our balance; and, + added to this, the fear of falling is more exhausting than anything else. + If the roads are very bad indeed our shoes are roughed, but that makes us + feel nervous at first. + </p> + <p> + When the weather was very bad many of the men would go and sit in the + tavern close by, and get some one to watch for them; but they often lost a + fare in that way, and could not, as Jerry said, be there without spending + money. He never went to the Rising Sun; there was a coffee-shop near, + where he now and then went, or he bought of an old man, who came to our + rank with tins of hot coffee and pies. It was his opinion that spirits and + beer made a man colder afterward, and that dry clothes, good food, + cheerfulness, and a comfortable wife at home, were the best things to keep + a cabman warm. Polly always supplied him with something to eat when he + could not get home, and sometimes he would see little Dolly peeping from + the corner of the street, to make sure if “father” was on the stand. If + she saw him she would run off at full speed and soon come back with + something in a tin or basket, some hot soup or pudding Polly had ready. It + was wonderful how such a little thing could get safely across the street, + often thronged with horses and carriages; but she was a brave little maid, + and felt it quite an honor to bring “father's first course”, as he used to + call it. She was a general favorite on the stand, and there was not a man + who would not have seen her safely across the street, if Jerry had not + been able to do it. + </p> + <p> + One cold windy day Dolly had brought Jerry a basin of something hot, and + was standing by him while he ate it. He had scarcely begun when a + gentleman, walking toward us very fast, held up his umbrella. Jerry + touched his hat in return, gave the basin to Dolly, and was taking off my + cloth, when the gentleman, hastening up, cried out, “No, no, finish your + soup, my friend; I have not much time to spare, but I can wait till you + have done, and set your little girl safe on the pavement.” So saying, he + seated himself in the cab. Jerry thanked him kindly, and came back to + Dolly. + </p> + <p> + “There, Dolly, that's a gentleman; that's a real gentleman, Dolly; he has + got time and thought for the comfort of a poor cabman and a little girl.” + </p> + <p> + Jerry finished his soup, set the child across, and then took his orders to + drive to Clapham Rise. Several times after that the same gentleman took + our cab. I think he was very fond of dogs and horses, for whenever we took + him to his own door two or three dogs would come bounding out to meet him. + Sometimes he came round and patted me, saying in his quiet, pleasant way, + “This horse has got a good master, and he deserves it.” It was a very rare + thing for any one to notice the horse that had been working for him. I + have known ladies to do it now and then, and this gentleman, and one or + two others have given me a pat and a kind word; but ninety-nine persons + out of a hundred would as soon think of patting the steam engine that drew + the train. + </p> + <p> + The gentleman was not young, and there was a forward stoop in his + shoulders as if he was always going at something. His lips were thin and + close shut, though they had a very pleasant smile; his eye was keen, and + there was something in his jaw and the motion of his head that made one + think he was very determined in anything he set about. His voice was + pleasant and kind; any horse would trust that voice, though it was just as + decided as everything else about him. + </p> + <p> + One day he and another gentleman took our cab; they stopped at a shop in R—— + Street, and while his friend went in he stood at the door. A little ahead + of us on the other side of the street a cart with two very fine horses was + standing before some wine vaults; the carter was not with them, and I + cannot tell how long they had been standing, but they seemed to think they + had waited long enough, and began to move off. Before they had gone many + paces the carter came running out and caught them. He seemed furious at + their having moved, and with whip and rein punished them brutally, even + beating them about the head. Our gentleman saw it all, and stepping + quickly across the street, said in a decided voice: + </p> + <p> + “If you don't stop that directly, I'll have you arrested for leaving your + horses, and for brutal conduct.” + </p> + <p> + The man, who had clearly been drinking, poured forth some abusive + language, but he left off knocking the horses about, and taking the reins, + got into his cart; meantime our friend had quietly taken a note-book from + his pocket, and looking at the name and address painted on the cart, he + wrote something down. + </p> + <p> + “What do you want with that?” growled the carter, as he cracked his whip + and was moving on. A nod and a grim smile was the only answer he got. + </p> + <p> + On returning to the cab our friend was joined by his companion, who said + laughingly, “I should have thought, Wright, you had enough business of + your own to look after, without troubling yourself about other people's + horses and servants.” + </p> + <p> + Our friend stood still for a moment, and throwing his head a little back, + “Do you know why this world is as bad as it is?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said the other. + </p> + <p> + “Then I'll tell you. It is because people think only about their own + business, and won't trouble themselves to stand up for the oppressed, nor + bring the wrongdoer to light. I never see a wicked thing like this without + doing what I can, and many a master has thanked me for letting him know + how his horses have been used.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish there were more gentlemen like you, sir,” said Jerry, “for they + are wanted badly enough in this city.” + </p> + <p> + After this we continued our journey, and as they got out of the cab our + friend was saying, “My doctrine is this, that if we see cruelty or wrong + that we have the power to stop, and do nothing, we make ourselves sharers + in the guilt.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0043" id="link2H_4_0043"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 39 Seedy Sam + </h2> + <p> + I should say that for a cab-horse I was very well off indeed; my driver + was my owner, and it was his interest to treat me well and not overwork + me, even had he not been so good a man as he was; but there were a great + many horses which belonged to the large cab-owners, who let them out to + their drivers for so much money a day. As the horses did not belong to + these men the only thing they thought of was how to get their money out of + them, first, to pay the master, and then to provide for their own living; + and a dreadful time some of these horses had of it. Of course, I + understood but little, but it was often talked over on the stand, and the + governor, who was a kind-hearted man and fond of horses, would sometimes + speak up if one came in very much jaded or ill-used. + </p> + <p> + One day a shabby, miserable-looking driver, who went by the name of “Seedy + Sam”, brought in his horse looking dreadfully beat, and the governor said: + </p> + <p> + “You and your horse look more fit for the police station than for this + rank.” + </p> + <p> + The man flung his tattered rug over the horse, turned full round upon the + Governor and said in a voice that sounded almost desperate: + </p> + <p> + “If the police have any business with the matter it ought to be with the + masters who charge us so much, or with the fares that are fixed so low. If + a man has to pay eighteen shillings a day for the use of a cab and two + horses, as many of us have to do in the season, and must make that up + before we earn a penny for ourselves I say 'tis more than hard work; nine + shillings a day to get out of each horse before you begin to get your own + living. You know that's true, and if the horses don't work we must starve, + and I and my children have known what that is before now. I've six of 'em, + and only one earns anything; I am on the stand fourteen or sixteen hours a + day, and I haven't had a Sunday these ten or twelve weeks; you know + Skinner never gives a day if he can help it, and if I don't work hard, + tell me who does! I want a warm coat and a mackintosh, but with so many to + feed how can a man get it? I had to pledge my clock a week ago to pay + Skinner, and I shall never see it again.” + </p> + <p> + Some of the other drivers stood round nodding their heads and saying he + was right. The man went on: + </p> + <p> + “You that have your own horses and cabs, or drive for good masters, have a + chance of getting on and a chance of doing right; I haven't. We can't + charge more than sixpence a mile after the first, within the four-mile + radius. This very morning I had to go a clear six miles and only took + three shillings. I could not get a return fare, and had to come all the + way back; there's twelve miles for the horse and three shillings for me. + After that I had a three-mile fare, and there were bags and boxes enough + to have brought in a good many twopences if they had been put outside; but + you know how people do; all that could be piled up inside on the front + seat were put in and three heavy boxes went on the top. That was sixpence, + and the fare one and sixpence; then I got a return for a shilling. Now + that makes eighteen miles for the horse and six shillings for me; there's + three shillings still for that horse to earn and nine shillings for the + afternoon horse before I touch a penny. Of course, it is not always so bad + as that, but you know it often is, and I say 'tis a mockery to tell a man + that he must not overwork his horse, for when a beast is downright tired + there's nothing but the whip that will keep his legs a-going; you can't + help yourself—you must put your wife and children before the horse; + the masters must look to that, we can't. I don't ill-use my horse for the + sake of it; none of you can say I do. There's wrong lays somewhere—never + a day's rest, never a quiet hour with the wife and children. I often feel + like an old man, though I'm only forty-five. You know how quick some of + the gentry are to suspect us of cheating and overcharging; why, they stand + with their purses in their hands counting it over to a penny and looking + at us as if we were pickpockets. I wish some of 'em had got to sit on my + box sixteen hours a day and get a living out of it and eighteen shillings + beside, and that in all weathers; they would not be so uncommon particular + never to give us a sixpence over or to cram all the luggage inside. Of + course, some of 'em tip us pretty handsome now and then, or else we could + not live; but you can't depend upon that.” + </p> + <p> + The men who stood round much approved this speech, and one of them said, + “It is desperate hard, and if a man sometimes does what is wrong it is no + wonder, and if he gets a dram too much who's to blow him up?” + </p> + <p> + Jerry had taken no part in this conversation, but I never saw his face + look so sad before. The governor had stood with both his hands in his + pockets; now he took his handkerchief out of his hat and wiped his + forehead. + </p> + <p> + “You've beaten me, Sam,” he said, “for it's all true, and I won't cast it + up to you any more about the police; it was the look in that horse's eye + that came over me. It is hard lines for man and it is hard lines for + beast, and who's to mend it I don't know: but anyway you might tell the + poor beast that you were sorry to take it out of him in that way. + Sometimes a kind word is all we can give 'em, poor brutes, and 'tis + wonderful what they do understand.” + </p> + <p> + A few mornings after this talk a new man came on the stand with Sam's cab. + </p> + <p> + “Halloo!” said one, “what's up with Seedy Sam?” + </p> + <p> + “He's ill in bed,” said the man; “he was taken last night in the yard, and + could scarcely crawl home. His wife sent a boy this morning to say his + father was in a high fever and could not get out, so I'm here instead.” + </p> + <p> + The next morning the same man came again. + </p> + <p> + “How is Sam?” inquired the governor. + </p> + <p> + “He's gone,” said the man. + </p> + <p> + “What, gone? You don't mean to say he's dead?” + </p> + <p> + “Just snuffed out,” said the other; “he died at four o'clock this morning; + all yesterday he was raving—raving about Skinner, and having no + Sundays. 'I never had a Sunday's rest,' these were his last words.” + </p> + <p> + No one spoke for a while, and then the governor said, “I'll tell you what, + mates, this is a warning for us.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0044" id="link2H_4_0044"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 40 Poor Ginger + </h2> + <p> + One day, while our cab and many others were waiting outside one of the + parks where music was playing, a shabby old cab drove up beside ours. The + horse was an old worn-out chestnut, with an ill-kept coat, and bones that + showed plainly through it, the knees knuckled over, and the fore-legs were + very unsteady. I had been eating some hay, and the wind rolled a little + lock of it that way, and the poor creature put out her long thin neck and + picked it up, and then turned and looked about for more. There was a + hopeless look in the dull eye that I could not help noticing, and then, as + I was thinking where I had seen that horse before, she looked full at me + and said, “Black Beauty, is that you?” + </p> + <p> + It was Ginger! but how changed! The beautifully arched and glossy neck was + now straight, and lank, and fallen in; the clean straight legs and + delicate fetlocks were swelled; the joints were grown out of shape with + hard work; the face, that was once so full of spirit and life, was now + full of suffering, and I could tell by the heaving of her sides, and her + frequent cough, how bad her breath was. + </p> + <p> + Our drivers were standing together a little way off, so I sidled up to her + a step or two, that we might have a little quiet talk. It was a sad tale + that she had to tell. + </p> + <p> + After a twelvemonth's run off at Earlshall, she was considered to be fit + for work again, and was sold to a gentleman. For a little while she got on + very well, but after a longer gallop than usual the old strain returned, + and after being rested and doctored she was again sold. In this way she + changed hands several times, but always getting lower down. + </p> + <p> + “And so at last,” said she, “I was bought by a man who keeps a number of + cabs and horses, and lets them out. You look well off, and I am glad of + it, but I could not tell you what my life has been. When they found out my + weakness they said I was not worth what they gave for me, and that I must + go into one of the low cabs, and just be used up; that is what they are + doing, whipping and working with never one thought of what I suffer—they + paid for me, and must get it out of me, they say. The man who hires me now + pays a deal of money to the owner every day, and so he has to get it out + of me too; and so it's all the week round and round, with never a Sunday + rest.” + </p> + <p> + I said, “You used to stand up for yourself if you were ill-used.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” she said, “I did once, but it's no use; men are strongest, and if + they are cruel and have no feeling, there is nothing that we can do, but + just bear it—bear it on and on to the end. I wish the end was come, + I wish I was dead. I have seen dead horses, and I am sure they do not + suffer pain; I wish I may drop down dead at my work, and not be sent off + to the knackers.” + </p> + <p> + I was very much troubled, and I put my nose up to hers, but I could say + nothing to comfort her. I think she was pleased to see me, for she said, + “You are the only friend I ever had.” + </p> + <p> + Just then her driver came up, and with a tug at her mouth backed her out + of the line and drove off, leaving me very sad indeed. + </p> + <p> + A short time after this a cart with a dead horse in it passed our + cab-stand. The head hung out of the cart-tail, the lifeless tongue was + slowly dropping with blood; and the sunken eyes! but I can't speak of + them, the sight was too dreadful. It was a chestnut horse with a long, + thin neck. I saw a white streak down the forehead. I believe it was + Ginger; I hoped it was, for then her troubles would be over. Oh! if men + were more merciful they would shoot us before we came to such misery. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0045" id="link2H_4_0045"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 41 The Butcher + </h2> + <p> + I saw a great deal of trouble among the horses in London, and much of it + might have been prevented by a little common sense. We horses do not mind + hard work if we are treated reasonably, and I am sure there are many + driven by quite poor men who have a happier life than I had when I used to + go in the Countess of W——'s carriage, with my silver-mounted + harness and high feeding. + </p> + <p> + It often went to my heart to see how the little ponies were used, + straining along with heavy loads or staggering under heavy blows from some + low, cruel boy. Once I saw a little gray pony with a thick mane and a + pretty head, and so much like Merrylegs that if I had not been in harness + I should have neighed to him. He was doing his best to pull a heavy cart, + while a strong rough boy was cutting him under the belly with his whip and + chucking cruelly at his little mouth. Could it be Merrylegs? It was just + like him; but then Mr. Blomefield was never to sell him, and I think he + would not do it; but this might have been quite as good a little fellow, + and had as happy a place when he was young. + </p> + <p> + I often noticed the great speed at which butchers' horses were made to go, + though I did not know why it was so till one day when we had to wait some + time in St. John's Wood. There was a butcher's shop next door, and as we + were standing a butcher's cart came dashing up at a great pace. The horse + was hot and much exhausted; he hung his head down, while his heaving sides + and trembling legs showed how hard he had been driven. The lad jumped out + of the cart and was getting the basket when the master came out of the + shop much displeased. After looking at the horse he turned angrily to the + lad. + </p> + <p> + “How many times shall I tell you not to drive in this way? You ruined the + last horse and broke his wind, and you are going to ruin this in the same + way. If you were not my own son I would dismiss you on the spot; it is a + disgrace to have a horse brought to the shop in a condition like that; you + are liable to be taken up by the police for such driving, and if you are + you need not look to me for bail, for I have spoken to you till I'm tired; + you must look out for yourself.” + </p> + <p> + During this speech the boy had stood by, sullen and dogged, but when his + father ceased he broke out angrily. It wasn't his fault, and he wouldn't + take the blame; he was only going by orders all the time. + </p> + <p> + “You always say, 'Now be quick; now look sharp!' and when I go to the + houses one wants a leg of mutton for an early dinner and I must be back + with it in a quarter of an hour; another cook has forgotten to order the + beef; I must go and fetch it and be back in no time, or the mistress will + scold; and the housekeeper says they have company coming unexpectedly and + must have some chops sent up directly; and the lady at No. 4, in the + Crescent, never orders her dinner till the meat comes in for lunch, and + it's nothing but hurry, hurry, all the time. If the gentry would think of + what they want, and order their meat the day before, there need not be + this blow up!” + </p> + <p> + “I wish to goodness they would,” said the butcher; “'twould save me a + wonderful deal of harass, and I could suit my customers much better if I + knew beforehand—But there! what's the use of talking—who ever + thinks of a butcher's convenience or a butcher's horse! Now, then, take + him in and look to him well; mind, he does not go out again to-day, and if + anything else is wanted you must carry it yourself in the basket.” With + that he went in, and the horse was led away. + </p> + <p> + But all boys are not cruel. I have seen some as fond of their pony or + donkey as if it had been a favorite dog, and the little creatures have + worked away as cheerfully and willingly for their young drivers as I work + for Jerry. It may be hard work sometimes, but a friend's hand and voice + make it easy. + </p> + <p> + There was a young coster-boy who came up our street with greens and + potatoes; he had an old pony, not very handsome, but the cheerfullest and + pluckiest little thing I ever saw, and to see how fond those two were of + each other was a treat. The pony followed his master like a dog, and when + he got into his cart would trot off without a whip or a word, and rattle + down the street as merrily as if he had come out of the queen's stables. + Jerry liked the boy, and called him “Prince Charlie”, for he said he would + make a king of drivers some day. + </p> + <p> + There was an old man, too, who used to come up our street with a little + coal cart; he wore a coal-heaver's hat, and looked rough and black. He and + his old horse used to plod together along the street, like two good + partners who understood each other; the horse would stop of his own accord + at the doors where they took coal of him; he used to keep one ear bent + toward his master. The old man's cry could be heard up the street long + before he came near. I never knew what he said, but the children called + him “Old Ba-a-ar Hoo”, for it sounded like that. Polly took her coal of + him, and was very friendly, and Jerry said it was a comfort to think how + happy an old horse might be in a poor place. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0046" id="link2H_4_0046"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 42 The Election + </h2> + <p> + As we came into the yard one afternoon Polly came out. “Jerry! I've had + Mr. B—— here asking about your vote, and he wants to hire your + cab for the election; he will call for an answer.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Polly, you may say that my cab will be otherwise engaged. I should + not like to have it pasted over with their great bills, and as to making + Jack and Captain race about to the public-houses to bring up half-drunken + voters, why, I think 'twould be an insult to the horses. No, I shan't do + it.” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose you'll vote for the gentleman? He said he was of your + politics.” + </p> + <p> + “So he is in some things, but I shall not vote for him, Polly; you know + what his trade is?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, a man who gets rich by that trade may be all very well in some + ways, but he is blind as to what workingmen want; I could not in my + conscience send him up to make the laws. I dare say they'll be angry, but + every man must do what he thinks to be the best for his country.” + </p> + <p> + On the morning before the election, Jerry was putting me into the shafts, + when Dolly came into the yard sobbing and crying, with her little blue + frock and white pinafore spattered all over with mud. + </p> + <p> + “Why, Dolly, what is the matter?” + </p> + <p> + “Those naughty boys,” she sobbed, “have thrown the dirt all over me, and + called me a little raga—raga—” + </p> + <p> + “They called her a little 'blue' ragamuffin, father,” said Harry, who ran + in looking very angry; “but I have given it to them; they won't insult my + sister again. I have given them a thrashing they will remember; a set of + cowardly, rascally 'orange' blackguards.” + </p> + <p> + Jerry kissed the child and said, “Run in to mother, my pet, and tell her I + think you had better stay at home to-day and help her.” + </p> + <p> + Then turning gravely to Harry: + </p> + <p> + “My boy, I hope you will always defend your sister, and give anybody who + insults her a good thrashing—that is as it should be; but mind, I + won't have any election blackguarding on my premises. There are as many + 'blue' blackguards as there are 'orange', and as many white as there are + purple, or any other color, and I won't have any of my family mixed up + with it. Even women and children are ready to quarrel for the sake of a + color, and not one in ten of them knows what it is about.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, father, I thought blue was for Liberty.” + </p> + <p> + “My boy, Liberty does not come from colors, they only show party, and all + the liberty you can get out of them is, liberty to get drunk at other + people's expense, liberty to ride to the poll in a dirty old cab, liberty + to abuse any one that does not wear your color, and to shout yourself + hoarse at what you only half-understand—that's your liberty!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, father, you are laughing.” + </p> + <p> + “No, Harry, I am serious, and I am ashamed to see how men go on who ought + to know better. An election is a very serious thing; at least it ought to + be, and every man ought to vote according to his conscience, and let his + neighbor do the same.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0047" id="link2H_4_0047"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 43 A Friend in Need + </h2> + <p> + The election day came at last; there was no lack of work for Jerry and me. + First came a stout puffy gentleman with a carpet bag; he wanted to go to + the Bishopsgate station; then we were called by a party who wished to be + taken to the Regent's Park; and next we were wanted in a side street where + a timid, anxious old lady was waiting to be taken to the bank; there we + had to stop to take her back again, and just as we had set her down a + red-faced gentleman, with a handful of papers, came running up out of + breath, and before Jerry could get down he had opened the door, popped + himself in, and called out, “Bow Street Police Station, quick!” so off we + went with him, and when after another turn or two we came back, there was + no other cab on the stand. Jerry put on my nose-bag, for as he said, “We + must eat when we can on such days as these; so munch away, Jack, and make + the best of your time, old boy.” + </p> + <p> + I found I had a good feed of crushed oats wetted up with a little bran; + this would be a treat any day, but very refreshing then. Jerry was so + thoughtful and kind—what horse would not do his best for such a + master? Then he took out one of Polly's meat pies, and standing near me, + he began to eat it. The streets were very full, and the cabs, with the + candidates' colors on them, were dashing about through the crowd as if + life and limb were of no consequence; we saw two people knocked down that + day, and one was a woman. The horses were having a bad time of it, poor + things! but the voters inside thought nothing of that; many of them were + half-drunk, hurrahing out of the cab windows if their own party came by. + It was the first election I had seen, and I don't want to be in another, + though I have heard things are better now. + </p> + <p> + Jerry and I had not eaten many mouthfuls before a poor young woman, + carrying a heavy child, came along the street. She was looking this way + and that way, and seemed quite bewildered. Presently she made her way up + to Jerry and asked if he could tell her the way to St. Thomas' Hospital, + and how far it was to get there. She had come from the country that + morning, she said, in a market cart; she did not know about the election, + and was quite a stranger in London. She had got an order for the hospital + for her little boy. The child was crying with a feeble, pining cry. + </p> + <p> + “Poor little fellow!” she said, “he suffers a deal of pain; he is four + years old and can't walk any more than a baby; but the doctor said if I + could get him into the hospital he might get well; pray, sir, how far is + it; and which way is it?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, missis,” said Jerry, “you can't get there walking through crowds + like this! why, it is three miles away, and that child is heavy.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, bless him, he is; but I am strong, thank God, and if I knew the way + I think I should get on somehow; please tell me the way.” + </p> + <p> + “You can't do it,” said Jerry, “you might be knocked down and the child be + run over. Now look here, just get into this cab, and I'll drive you safe + to the hospital. Don't you see the rain is coming on?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir, no; I can't do that, thank you, I have only just money enough to + get back with. Please tell me the way.” + </p> + <p> + “Look you here, missis,” said Jerry, “I've got a wife and dear children at + home, and I know a father's feelings; now get you into that cab, and I'll + take you there for nothing. I'd be ashamed of myself to let a woman and a + sick child run a risk like that.” + </p> + <p> + “Heaven bless you!” said the woman, and burst into tears. + </p> + <p> + “There, there, cheer up, my dear, I'll soon take you there; come, let me + put you inside.” + </p> + <p> + As Jerry went to open the door two men, with colors in their hats and + buttonholes, ran up calling out, “Cab!” + </p> + <p> + “Engaged,” cried Jerry; but one of the men, pushing past the woman, sprang + into the cab, followed by the other. Jerry looked as stern as a policeman. + “This cab is already engaged, gentlemen, by that lady.” + </p> + <p> + “Lady!” said one of them; “oh! she can wait; our business is very + important, besides we were in first, it is our right, and we shall stay + in.” + </p> + <p> + A droll smile came over Jerry's face as he shut the door upon them. “All + right, gentlemen, pray stay in as long as it suits you; I can wait while + you rest yourselves.” And turning his back upon them he walked up to the + young woman, who was standing near me. “They'll soon be gone,” he said, + laughing; “don't trouble yourself, my dear.” + </p> + <p> + And they soon were gone, for when they understood Jerry's dodge they got + out, calling him all sorts of bad names and blustering about his number + and getting a summons. After this little stoppage we were soon on our way + to the hospital, going as much as possible through by-streets. Jerry rung + the great bell and helped the young woman out. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you a thousand times,” she said; “I could never have got here + alone.” + </p> + <p> + “You're kindly welcome, and I hope the dear child will soon be better.” + </p> + <p> + He watched her go in at the door, and gently he said to himself, “Inasmuch + as ye have done it to one of the least of these.” Then he patted my neck, + which was always his way when anything pleased him. + </p> + <p> + The rain was now coming down fast, and just as we were leaving the + hospital the door opened again, and the porter called out, “Cab!” We + stopped, and a lady came down the steps. Jerry seemed to know her at once; + she put back her veil and said, “Barker! Jeremiah Barker, is it you? I am + very glad to find you here; you are just the friend I want, for it is very + difficult to get a cab in this part of London to-day.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall be proud to serve you, ma'am; I am right glad I happened to be + here. Where may I take you to, ma'am?” + </p> + <p> + “To the Paddington Station, and then if we are in good time, as I think we + shall be, you shall tell me all about Mary and the children.” + </p> + <p> + We got to the station in good time, and being under shelter the lady stood + a good while talking to Jerry. I found she had been Polly's mistress, and + after many inquiries about her she said: + </p> + <p> + “How do you find the cab work suit you in winter? I know Mary was rather + anxious about you last year.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, ma'am, she was; I had a bad cough that followed me up quite into the + warm weather, and when I am kept out late she does worry herself a good + deal. You see, ma'am, it is all hours and all weathers, and that does try + a man's constitution; but I am getting on pretty well, and I should feel + quite lost if I had not horses to look after. I was brought up to it, and + I am afraid I should not do so well at anything else.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Barker,” she said, “it would be a great pity that you should + seriously risk your health in this work, not only for your own but for + Mary's and the children's sake; there are many places where good drivers + or good grooms are wanted, and if ever you think you ought to give up this + cab work let me know.” + </p> + <p> + Then sending some kind messages to Mary she put something into his hand, + saying, “There is five shillings each for the two children; Mary will know + how to spend it.” + </p> + <p> + Jerry thanked her and seemed much pleased, and turning out of the station + we at last reached home, and I, at least, was tired. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0048" id="link2H_4_0048"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 44 Old Captain and His Successor + </h2> + <p> + Captain and I were great friends. He was a noble old fellow, and he was + very good company. I never thought that he would have to leave his home + and go down the hill; but his turn came, and this was how it happened. I + was not there, but I heard all about it. + </p> + <p> + He and Jerry had taken a party to the great railway station over London + Bridge, and were coming back, somewhere between the bridge and the + monument, when Jerry saw a brewer's empty dray coming along, drawn by two + powerful horses. The drayman was lashing his horses with his heavy whip; + the dray was light, and they started off at a furious rate; the man had no + control over them, and the street was full of traffic. + </p> + <p> + One young girl was knocked down and run over, and the next moment they + dashed up against our cab; both the wheels were torn off and the cab was + thrown over. Captain was dragged down, the shafts splintered, and one of + them ran into his side. Jerry, too, was thrown, but was only bruised; + nobody could tell how he escaped; he always said 'twas a miracle. When + poor Captain was got up he was found to be very much cut and knocked + about. Jerry led him home gently, and a sad sight it was to see the blood + soaking into his white coat and dropping from his side and shoulder. The + drayman was proved to be very drunk, and was fined, and the brewer had to + pay damages to our master; but there was no one to pay damages to poor + Captain. + </p> + <p> + The farrier and Jerry did the best they could to ease his pain and make + him comfortable. The fly had to be mended, and for several days I did not + go out, and Jerry earned nothing. The first time we went to the stand + after the accident the governor came up to hear how Captain was. + </p> + <p> + “He'll never get over it,” said Jerry, “at least not for my work, so the + farrier said this morning. He says he may do for carting, and that sort of + work. It has put me out very much. Carting, indeed! I've seen what horses + come to at that work round London. I only wish all the drunkards could be + put in a lunatic asylum instead of being allowed to run foul of sober + people. If they would break their own bones, and smash their own carts, + and lame their own horses, that would be their own affair, and we might + let them alone, but it seems to me that the innocent always suffer; and + then they talk about compensation! You can't make compensation; there's + all the trouble, and vexation, and loss of time, besides losing a good + horse that's like an old friend—it's nonsense talking of + compensation! If there's one devil that I should like to see in the + bottomless pit more than another, it's the drink devil.” + </p> + <p> + “I say, Jerry,” said the governor, “you are treading pretty hard on my + toes, you know; I'm not so good as you are, more shame to me; I wish I + was.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Jerry, “why don't you cut with it, governor? You are too good + a man to be the slave of such a thing.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm a great fool, Jerry, but I tried once for two days, and I thought I + should have died; how did you do?” + </p> + <p> + “I had hard work at it for several weeks; you see I never did get drunk, + but I found that I was not my own master, and that when the craving came + on it was hard work to say 'no'. I saw that one of us must knock under, + the drink devil or Jerry Barker, and I said that it should not be Jerry + Barker, God helping me; but it was a struggle, and I wanted all the help I + could get, for till I tried to break the habit I did not know how strong + it was; but then Polly took such pains that I should have good food, and + when the craving came on I used to get a cup of coffee, or some + peppermint, or read a bit in my book, and that was a help to me; sometimes + I had to say over and over to myself, 'Give up the drink or lose your + soul! Give up the drink or break Polly's heart!' But thanks be to God, and + my dear wife, my chains were broken, and now for ten years I have not + tasted a drop, and never wish for it.” + </p> + <p> + “I've a great mind to try at it,” said Grant, “for 'tis a poor thing not + to be one's own master.” + </p> + <p> + “Do, governor, do, you'll never repent it, and what a help it would be to + some of the poor fellows in our rank if they saw you do without it. I know + there's two or three would like to keep out of that tavern if they could.” + </p> + <p> + At first Captain seemed to do well, but he was a very old horse, and it + was only his wonderful constitution, and Jerry's care, that had kept him + up at the cab work so long; now he broke down very much. The farrier said + he might mend up enough to sell for a few pounds, but Jerry said, no! a + few pounds got by selling a good old servant into hard work and misery + would canker all the rest of his money, and he thought the kindest thing + he could do for the fine old fellow would be to put a sure bullet through + his head, and then he would never suffer more; for he did not know where + to find a kind master for the rest of his days. + </p> + <p> + The day after this was decided Harry took me to the forge for some new + shoes; when I returned Captain was gone. I and the family all felt it very + much. + </p> + <p> + Jerry had now to look out for another horse, and he soon heard of one + through an acquaintance who was under-groom in a nobleman's stables. He + was a valuable young horse, but he had run away, smashed into another + carriage, flung his lordship out, and so cut and blemished himself that he + was no longer fit for a gentleman's stables, and the coachman had orders + to look round, and sell him as well as he could. + </p> + <p> + “I can do with high spirits,” said Jerry, “if a horse is not vicious or + hard-mouthed.” + </p> + <p> + “There is not a bit of vice in him,” said the man; “his mouth is very + tender, and I think myself that was the cause of the accident; you see he + had just been clipped, and the weather was bad, and he had not had + exercise enough, and when he did go out he was as full of spring as a + balloon. Our governor (the coachman, I mean) had him harnessed in as tight + and strong as he could, with the martingale, and the check-rein, a very + sharp curb, and the reins put in at the bottom bar. It is my belief that + it made the horse mad, being tender in the mouth and so full of spirit.” + </p> + <p> + “Likely enough; I'll come and see him,” said Jerry. + </p> + <p> + The next day Hotspur, that was his name, came home; he was a fine brown + horse, without a white hair in him, as tall as Captain, with a very + handsome head, and only five years old. I gave him a friendly greeting by + way of good fellowship, but did not ask him any questions. The first night + he was very restless. Instead of lying down, he kept jerking his halter + rope up and down through the ring, and knocking the block about against + the manger till I could not sleep. However, the next day, after five or + six hours in the cab, he came in quiet and sensible. Jerry patted and + talked to him a good deal, and very soon they understood each other, and + Jerry said that with an easy bit and plenty of work he would be as gentle + as a lamb; and that it was an ill wind that blew nobody good, for if his + lordship had lost a hundred-guinea favorite, the cabman had gained a good + horse with all his strength in him. + </p> + <p> + Hotspur thought it a great come-down to be a cab-horse, and was disgusted + at standing in the rank, but he confessed to me at the end of the week + that an easy mouth and a free head made up for a great deal, and after + all, the work was not so degrading as having one's head and tail fastened + to each other at the saddle. In fact, he settled in well, and Jerry liked + him very much. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0049" id="link2H_4_0049"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 45 Jerry's New Year + </h2> + <p> + For some people Christmas and the New Year are very merry times; but for + cabmen and cabmen's horses it is no holiday, though it may be a harvest. + There are so many parties, balls, and places of amusement open that the + work is hard and often late. Sometimes driver and horse have to wait for + hours in the rain or frost, shivering with the cold, while the merry + people within are dancing away to the music. I wonder if the beautiful + ladies ever think of the weary cabman waiting on his box, and his patient + beast standing, till his legs get stiff with cold. + </p> + <p> + I had now most of the evening work, as I was well accustomed to standing, + and Jerry was also more afraid of Hotspur taking cold. We had a great deal + of late work in the Christmas week, and Jerry's cough was bad; but however + late we were, Polly sat up for him, and came out with a lantern to meet + him, looking anxious and troubled. + </p> + <p> + On the evening of the New Year we had to take two gentlemen to a house in + one of the West End Squares. We set them down at nine o'clock, and were + told to come again at eleven, “but,” said one, “as it is a card party, you + may have to wait a few minutes, but don't be late.” + </p> + <p> + As the clock struck eleven we were at the door, for Jerry was always + punctual. The clock chimed the quarters, one, two, three, and then struck + twelve, but the door did not open. + </p> + <p> + The wind had been very changeable, with squalls of rain during the day, + but now it came on sharp, driving sleet, which seemed to come all the way + round; it was very cold, and there was no shelter. Jerry got off his box + and came and pulled one of my cloths a little more over my neck; then he + took a turn or two up and down, stamping his feet; then he began to beat + his arms, but that set him off coughing; so he opened the cab door and sat + at the bottom with his feet on the pavement, and was a little sheltered. + Still the clock chimed the quarters, and no one came. At half-past twelve + he rang the bell and asked the servant if he would be wanted that night. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes, you'll be wanted safe enough,” said the man; “you must not go, + it will soon be over,” and again Jerry sat down, but his voice was so + hoarse I could hardly hear him. + </p> + <p> + At a quarter past one the door opened, and the two gentlemen came out; + they got into the cab without a word, and told Jerry where to drive, that + was nearly two miles. My legs were numb with cold, and I thought I should + have stumbled. When the men got out they never said they were sorry to + have kept us waiting so long, but were angry at the charge; however, as + Jerry never charged more than was his due, so he never took less, and they + had to pay for the two hours and a quarter waiting; but it was hard-earned + money to Jerry. + </p> + <p> + At last we got home; he could hardly speak, and his cough was dreadful. + Polly asked no questions, but opened the door and held the lantern for + him. + </p> + <p> + “Can't I do something?” she said. + </p> + <p> + “Yes; get Jack something warm, and then boil me some gruel.” + </p> + <p> + This was said in a hoarse whisper; he could hardly get his breath, but he + gave me a rub-down as usual, and even went up into the hayloft for an + extra bundle of straw for my bed. Polly brought me a warm mash that made + me comfortable, and then they locked the door. + </p> + <p> + It was late the next morning before any one came, and then it was only + Harry. He cleaned us and fed us, and swept out the stalls, then he put the + straw back again as if it was Sunday. He was very still, and neither + whistled nor sang. At noon he came again and gave us our food and water; + this time Dolly came with him; she was crying, and I could gather from + what they said that Jerry was dangerously ill, and the doctor said it was + a bad case. So two days passed, and there was great trouble indoors. We + only saw Harry, and sometimes Dolly. I think she came for company, for + Polly was always with Jerry, and he had to be kept very quiet. + </p> + <p> + On the third day, while Harry was in the stable, a tap came at the door, + and Governor Grant came in. + </p> + <p> + “I wouldn't go to the house, my boy,” he said, “but I want to know how + your father is.” + </p> + <p> + “He is very bad,” said Harry, “he can't be much worse; they call it + 'bronchitis'; the doctor thinks it will turn one way or another to-night.” + </p> + <p> + “That's bad, very bad,” said Grant, shaking his head; “I know two men who + died of that last week; it takes 'em off in no time; but while there's + life there's hope, so you must keep up your spirits.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Harry quickly, “and the doctor said that father had a better + chance than most men, because he didn't drink. He said yesterday the fever + was so high that if father had been a drinking man it would have burned + him up like a piece of paper; but I believe he thinks he will get over it; + don't you think he will, Mr. Grant?” + </p> + <p> + The governor looked puzzled. + </p> + <p> + “If there's any rule that good men should get over these things, I'm sure + he will, my boy; he's the best man I know. I'll look in early to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + Early next morning he was there. + </p> + <p> + “Well?” said he. + </p> + <p> + “Father is better,” said Harry. “Mother hopes he will get over it.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank God!” said the governor, “and now you must keep him warm, and keep + his mind easy, and that brings me to the horses; you see Jack will be all + the better for the rest of a week or two in a warm stable, and you can + easily take him a turn up and down the street to stretch his legs; but + this young one, if he does not get work, he will soon be all up on end, as + you may say, and will be rather too much for you; and when he does go out + there'll be an accident.” + </p> + <p> + “It is like that now,” said Harry. “I have kept him short of corn, but + he's so full of spirit I don't know what to do with him.” + </p> + <p> + “Just so,” said Grant. “Now look here, will you tell your mother that if + she is agreeable I will come for him every day till something is arranged, + and take him for a good spell of work, and whatever he earns, I'll bring + your mother half of it, and that will help with the horses' feed. Your + father is in a good club, I know, but that won't keep the horses, and + they'll be eating their heads off all this time; I'll come at noon and + hear what she says,” and without waiting for Harry's thanks he was gone. + </p> + <p> + At noon I think he went and saw Polly, for he and Harry came to the stable + together, harnessed Hotspur, and took him out. + </p> + <p> + For a week or more he came for Hotspur, and when Harry thanked him or said + anything about his kindness, he laughed it off, saying it was all good + luck for him, for his horses were wanting a little rest which they would + not otherwise have had. + </p> + <p> + Jerry grew better steadily, but the doctor said that he must never go back + to the cab work again if he wished to be an old man. The children had many + consultations together about what father and mother would do, and how they + could help to earn money. + </p> + <p> + One afternoon Hotspur was brought in very wet and dirty. + </p> + <p> + “The streets are nothing but slush,” said the governor; “it will give you + a good warming, my boy, to get him clean and dry.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, governor,” said Harry, “I shall not leave him till he is; you + know I have been trained by my father.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish all the boys had been trained like you,” said the governor. + </p> + <p> + While Harry was sponging off the mud from Hotspur's body and legs Dolly + came in, looking very full of something. + </p> + <p> + “Who lives at Fairstowe, Harry? Mother has got a letter from Fairstowe; + she seemed so glad, and ran upstairs to father with it.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't you know? Why, it is the name of Mrs. Fowler's place—mother's + old mistress, you know—the lady that father met last summer, who + sent you and me five shillings each.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! Mrs. Fowler. Of course, I know all about her. I wonder what she is + writing to mother about.” + </p> + <p> + “Mother wrote to her last week,” said Harry; “you know she told father if + ever he gave up the cab work she would like to know. I wonder what she + says; run in and see, Dolly.” + </p> + <p> + Harry scrubbed away at Hotspur with a huish! huish! like any old hostler. + In a few minutes Dolly came dancing into the stable. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! Harry, there never was anything so beautiful; Mrs. Fowler says we are + all to go and live near her. There is a cottage now empty that will just + suit us, with a garden and a henhouse, and apple-trees, and everything! + and her coachman is going away in the spring, and then she will want + father in his place; and there are good families round, where you can get + a place in the garden or the stable, or as a page-boy; and there's a good + school for me; and mother is laughing and crying by turns, and father does + look so happy!” + </p> + <p> + “That's uncommon jolly,” said Harry, “and just the right thing, I should + say; it will suit father and mother both; but I don't intend to be a + page-boy with tight clothes and rows of buttons. I'll be a groom or a + gardener.” + </p> + <p> + It was quickly settled that as soon as Jerry was well enough they should + remove to the country, and that the cab and horses should be sold as soon + as possible. + </p> + <p> + This was heavy news for me, for I was not young now, and could not look + for any improvement in my condition. Since I left Birtwick I had never + been so happy as with my dear master Jerry; but three years of cab work, + even under the best conditions, will tell on one's strength, and I felt + that I was not the horse that I had been. + </p> + <p> + Grant said at once that he would take Hotspur, and there were men on the + stand who would have bought me; but Jerry said I should not go to cab work + again with just anybody, and the governor promised to find a place for me + where I should be comfortable. + </p> + <p> + The day came for going away. Jerry had not been allowed to go out yet, and + I never saw him after that New Year's eve. Polly and the children came to + bid me good-by. “Poor old Jack! dear old Jack! I wish we could take you + with us,” she said, and then laying her hand on my mane she put her face + close to my neck and kissed me. Dolly was crying and kissed me too. Harry + stroked me a great deal, but said nothing, only he seemed very sad, and so + I was led away to my new place. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_PART4" id="link2H_PART4"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Part IV + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0051" id="link2H_4_0051"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 46 Jakes and the Lady + </h2> + <p> + I was sold to a corn dealer and baker, whom Jerry knew, and with him he + thought I should have good food and fair work. In the first he was quite + right, and if my master had always been on the premises I do not think I + should have been overloaded, but there was a foreman who was always + hurrying and driving every one, and frequently when I had quite a full + load he would order something else to be taken on. My carter, whose name + was Jakes, often said it was more than I ought to take, but the other + always overruled him. “'Twas no use going twice when once would do, and he + chose to get business forward.” + </p> + <p> + Jakes, like the other carters, always had the check-rein up, which + prevented me from drawing easily, and by the time I had been there three + or four months I found the work telling very much on my strength. + </p> + <p> + One day I was loaded more than usual, and part of the road was a steep + uphill. I used all my strength, but I could not get on, and was obliged + continually to stop. This did not please my driver, and he laid his whip + on badly. “Get on, you lazy fellow,” he said, “or I'll make you.” + </p> + <p> + Again I started the heavy load, and struggled on a few yards; again the + whip came down, and again I struggled forward. The pain of that great cart + whip was sharp, but my mind was hurt quite as much as my poor sides. To be + punished and abused when I was doing my very best was so hard it took the + heart out of me. A third time he was flogging me cruelly, when a lady + stepped quickly up to him, and said in a sweet, earnest voice: + </p> + <p> + “Oh! pray do not whip your good horse any more; I am sure he is doing all + he can, and the road is very steep; I am sure he is doing his best.” + </p> + <p> + “If doing his best won't get this load up he must do something more than + his best; that's all I know, ma'am,” said Jakes. + </p> + <p> + “But is it not a heavy load?” she said. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes, too heavy,” he said; “but that's not my fault; the foreman came + just as we were starting, and would have three hundredweight more put on + to save him trouble, and I must get on with it as well as I can.” + </p> + <p> + He was raising the whip again, when the lady said: + </p> + <p> + “Pray, stop; I think I can help you if you will let me.” + </p> + <p> + The man laughed. + </p> + <p> + “You see,” she said, “you do not give him a fair chance; he cannot use all + his power with his head held back as it is with that check-rein; if you + would take it off I am sure he would do better—do try it,” she said + persuasively, “I should be very glad if you would.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, well,” said Jakes, with a short laugh, “anything to please a lady, + of course. How far would you wish it down, ma'am?” + </p> + <p> + “Quite down, give him his head altogether.” + </p> + <p> + The rein was taken off, and in a moment I put my head down to my very + knees. What a comfort it was! Then I tossed it up and down several times + to get the aching stiffness out of my neck. + </p> + <p> + “Poor fellow! that is what you wanted,” said she, patting and stroking me + with her gentle hand; “and now if you will speak kindly to him and lead + him on I believe he will be able to do better.” + </p> + <p> + Jakes took the rein. “Come on, Blackie.” I put down my head, and threw my + whole weight against the collar; I spared no strength; the load moved on, + and I pulled it steadily up the hill, and then stopped to take breath. + </p> + <p> + The lady had walked along the footpath, and now came across into the road. + She stroked and patted my neck, as I had not been patted for many a long + day. + </p> + <p> + “You see he was quite willing when you gave him the chance; I am sure he + is a fine-tempered creature, and I dare say has known better days. You + won't put that rein on again, will you?” for he was just going to hitch it + up on the old plan. + </p> + <p> + “Well, ma'am, I can't deny that having his head has helped him up the + hill, and I'll remember it another time, and thank you, ma'am; but if he + went without a check-rein I should be the laughing-stock of all the + carters; it is the fashion, you see.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it not better,” she said, “to lead a good fashion than to follow a bad + one? A great many gentlemen do not use check-reins now; our carriage + horses have not worn them for fifteen years, and work with much less + fatigue than those who have them; besides,” she added in a very serious + voice, “we have no right to distress any of God's creatures without a very + good reason; we call them dumb animals, and so they are, for they cannot + tell us how they feel, but they do not suffer less because they have no + words. But I must not detain you now; I thank you for trying my plan with + your good horse, and I am sure you will find it far better than the whip. + Good-day,” and with another soft pat on my neck she stepped lightly across + the path, and I saw her no more. + </p> + <p> + “That was a real lady, I'll be bound for it,” said Jakes to himself; “she + spoke just as polite as if I was a gentleman, and I'll try her plan, + uphill, at any rate;” and I must do him the justice to say that he let my + rein out several holes, and going uphill after that, he always gave me my + head; but the heavy loads went on. Good feed and fair rest will keep up + one's strength under full work, but no horse can stand against + overloading; and I was getting so thoroughly pulled down from this cause + that a younger horse was bought in my place. I may as well mention here + what I suffered at this time from another cause. I had heard horses speak + of it, but had never myself had experience of the evil; this was a + badly-lighted stable; there was only one very small window at the end, and + the consequence was that the stalls were almost dark. + </p> + <p> + Besides the depressing effect this had on my spirits, it very much + weakened my sight, and when I was suddenly brought out of the darkness + into the glare of daylight it was very painful to my eyes. Several times I + stumbled over the threshold, and could scarcely see where I was going. + </p> + <p> + I believe, had I stayed there very long, I should have become purblind, + and that would have been a great misfortune, for I have heard men say that + a stone-blind horse was safer to drive than one which had imperfect sight, + as it generally makes them very timid. However, I escaped without any + permanent injury to my sight, and was sold to a large cab owner. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0052" id="link2H_4_0052"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 47 Hard Times + </h2> + <p> + My new master I shall never forget; he had black eyes and a hooked nose, + his mouth was as full of teeth as a bull-dog's, and his voice was as harsh + as the grinding of cart wheels over graveled stones. His name was Nicholas + Skinner, and I believe he was the man that poor Seedy Sam drove for. + </p> + <p> + I have heard men say that seeing is believing; but I should say that + feeling is believing; for much as I had seen before, I never knew till now + the utter misery of a cab-horse's life. + </p> + <p> + Skinner had a low set of cabs and a low set of drivers; he was hard on the + men, and the men were hard on the horses. In this place we had no Sunday + rest, and it was in the heat of summer. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes on a Sunday morning a party of fast men would hire the cab for + the day; four of them inside and another with the driver, and I had to + take them ten or fifteen miles out into the country, and back again; never + would any of them get down to walk up a hill, let it be ever so steep, or + the day ever so hot—unless, indeed, when the driver was afraid I + should not manage it, and sometimes I was so fevered and worn that I could + hardly touch my food. How I used to long for the nice bran mash with niter + in it that Jerry used to give us on Saturday nights in hot weather, that + used to cool us down and make us so comfortable. Then we had two nights + and a whole day for unbroken rest, and on Monday morning we were as fresh + as young horses again; but here there was no rest, and my driver was just + as hard as his master. He had a cruel whip with something so sharp at the + end that it sometimes drew blood, and he would even whip me under the + belly, and flip the lash out at my head. Indignities like these took the + heart out of me terribly, but still I did my best and never hung back; + for, as poor Ginger said, it was no use; men are the strongest. + </p> + <p> + My life was now so utterly wretched that I wished I might, like Ginger, + drop down dead at my work and be out of my misery, and one day my wish + very nearly came to pass. + </p> + <p> + I went on the stand at eight in the morning, and had done a good share of + work, when we had to take a fare to the railway. A long train was just + expected in, so my driver pulled up at the back of some of the outside + cabs to take the chance of a return fare. It was a very heavy train, and + as all the cabs were soon engaged ours was called for. There was a party + of four; a noisy, blustering man with a lady, a little boy and a young + girl, and a great deal of luggage. The lady and the boy got into the cab, + and while the man ordered about the luggage the young girl came and looked + at me. + </p> + <p> + “Papa,” she said, “I am sure this poor horse cannot take us and all our + luggage so far, he is so very weak and worn up. Do look at him.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! he's all right, miss,” said my driver, “he's strong enough.” + </p> + <p> + The porter, who was pulling about some heavy boxes, suggested to the + gentleman, as there was so much luggage, whether he would not take a + second cab. + </p> + <p> + “Can your horse do it, or can't he?” said the blustering man. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! he can do it all right, sir; send up the boxes, porter; he could take + more than that;” and he helped to haul up a box so heavy that I could feel + the springs go down. + </p> + <p> + “Papa, papa, do take a second cab,” said the young girl in a beseeching + tone. “I am sure we are wrong, I am sure it is very cruel.” + </p> + <p> + “Nonsense, Grace, get in at once, and don't make all this fuss; a pretty + thing it would be if a man of business had to examine every cab-horse + before he hired it—the man knows his own business of course; there, + get in and hold your tongue!” + </p> + <p> + My gentle friend had to obey, and box after box was dragged up and lodged + on the top of the cab or settled by the side of the driver. At last all + was ready, and with his usual jerk at the rein and slash of the whip he + drove out of the station. + </p> + <p> + The load was very heavy and I had had neither food nor rest since morning; + but I did my best, as I always had done, in spite of cruelty and + injustice. + </p> + <p> + I got along fairly till we came to Ludgate Hill; but there the heavy load + and my own exhaustion were too much. I was struggling to keep on, goaded + by constant chucks of the rein and use of the whip, when in a single + moment—I cannot tell how—my feet slipped from under me, and I + fell heavily to the ground on my side; the suddenness and the force with + which I fell seemed to beat all the breath out of my body. I lay perfectly + still; indeed, I had no power to move, and I thought now I was going to + die. I heard a sort of confusion round me, loud, angry voices, and the + getting down of the luggage, but it was all like a dream. I thought I + heard that sweet, pitiful voice saying, “Oh! that poor horse! it is all + our fault.” Some one came and loosened the throat strap of my bridle, and + undid the traces which kept the collar so tight upon me. Some one said, + “He's dead, he'll never get up again.” Then I could hear a policeman + giving orders, but I did not even open my eyes; I could only draw a + gasping breath now and then. Some cold water was thrown over my head, and + some cordial was poured into my mouth, and something was covered over me. + I cannot tell how long I lay there, but I found my life coming back, and a + kind-voiced man was patting me and encouraging me to rise. After some more + cordial had been given me, and after one or two attempts, I staggered to + my feet, and was gently led to some stables which were close by. Here I + was put into a well-littered stall, and some warm gruel was brought to me, + which I drank thankfully. + </p> + <p> + In the evening I was sufficiently recovered to be led back to Skinner's + stables, where I think they did the best for me they could. In the morning + Skinner came with a farrier to look at me. He examined me very closely and + said: + </p> + <p> + “This is a case of overwork more than disease, and if you could give him a + run off for six months he would be able to work again; but now there is + not an ounce of strength left in him.” + </p> + <p> + “Then he must just go to the dogs,” said Skinner. “I have no meadows to + nurse sick horses in—he might get well or he might not; that sort of + thing don't suit my business; my plan is to work 'em as long as they'll + go, and then sell 'em for what they'll fetch, at the knacker's or + elsewhere.” + </p> + <p> + “If he was broken-winded,” said the farrier, “you had better have him + killed out of hand, but he is not; there is a sale of horses coming off in + about ten days; if you rest him and feed him up he may pick up, and you + may get more than his skin is worth, at any rate.” + </p> + <p> + Upon this advice Skinner, rather unwillingly, I think, gave orders that I + should be well fed and cared for, and the stable man, happily for me, + carried out the orders with a much better will than his master had in + giving them. Ten days of perfect rest, plenty of good oats, hay, bran + mashes, with boiled linseed mixed in them, did more to get up my condition + than anything else could have done; those linseed mashes were delicious, + and I began to think, after all, it might be better to live than go to the + dogs. When the twelfth day after the accident came, I was taken to the + sale, a few miles out of London. I felt that any change from my present + place must be an improvement, so I held up my head, and hoped for the + best. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0053" id="link2H_4_0053"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 48 Farmer Thoroughgood and His Grandson Willie + </h2> + <p> + At this sale, of course I found myself in company with the old broken-down + horses—some lame, some broken-winded, some old, and some that I am + sure it would have been merciful to shoot. + </p> + <p> + The buyers and sellers, too, many of them, looked not much better off than + the poor beasts they were bargaining about. There were poor old men, + trying to get a horse or a pony for a few pounds, that might drag about + some little wood or coal cart. There were poor men trying to sell a + worn-out beast for two or three pounds, rather than have the greater loss + of killing him. Some of them looked as if poverty and hard times had + hardened them all over; but there were others that I would have willingly + used the last of my strength in serving; poor and shabby, but kind and + human, with voices that I could trust. There was one tottering old man who + took a great fancy to me, and I to him, but I was not strong enough—it + was an anxious time! Coming from the better part of the fair, I noticed a + man who looked like a gentleman farmer, with a young boy by his side; he + had a broad back and round shoulders, a kind, ruddy face, and he wore a + broad-brimmed hat. When he came up to me and my companions he stood still + and gave a pitiful look round upon us. I saw his eye rest on me; I had + still a good mane and tail, which did something for my appearance. I + pricked my ears and looked at him. + </p> + <p> + “There's a horse, Willie, that has known better days.” + </p> + <p> + “Poor old fellow!” said the boy, “do you think, grandpapa, he was ever a + carriage horse?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes! my boy,” said the farmer, coming closer, “he might have been + anything when he was young; look at his nostrils and his ears, the shape + of his neck and shoulder; there's a deal of breeding about that horse.” He + put out his hand and gave me a kind pat on the neck. I put out my nose in + answer to his kindness; the boy stroked my face. + </p> + <p> + “Poor old fellow! see, grandpapa, how well he understands kindness. Could + not you buy him and make him young again as you did with Ladybird?” + </p> + <p> + “My dear boy, I can't make all old horses young; besides, Ladybird was not + so very old, as she was run down and badly used.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, grandpapa, I don't believe that this one is old; look at his mane + and tail. I wish you would look into his mouth, and then you could tell; + though he is so very thin, his eyes are not sunk like some old horses'.” + </p> + <p> + The old gentleman laughed. “Bless the boy! he is as horsey as his old + grandfather.” + </p> + <p> + “But do look at his mouth, grandpapa, and ask the price; I am sure he + would grow young in our meadows.” + </p> + <p> + The man who had brought me for sale now put in his word. + </p> + <p> + “The young gentleman's a real knowing one, sir. Now the fact is, this 'ere + hoss is just pulled down with overwork in the cabs; he's not an old one, + and I heerd as how the vetenary should say, that a six months' run off + would set him right up, being as how his wind was not broken. I've had the + tending of him these ten days past, and a gratefuller, pleasanter animal I + never met with, and 'twould be worth a gentleman's while to give a + five-pound note for him, and let him have a chance. I'll be bound he'd be + worth twenty pounds next spring.” + </p> + <p> + The old gentleman laughed, and the little boy looked up eagerly. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, grandpapa, did you not say the colt sold for five pounds more than + you expected? You would not be poorer if you did buy this one.” + </p> + <p> + The farmer slowly felt my legs, which were much swelled and strained; then + he looked at my mouth. “Thirteen or fourteen, I should say; just trot him + out, will you?” + </p> + <p> + I arched my poor thin neck, raised my tail a little, and threw out my legs + as well as I could, for they were very stiff. + </p> + <p> + “What is the lowest you will take for him?” said the farmer as I came + back. + </p> + <p> + “Five pounds, sir; that was the lowest price my master set.” + </p> + <p> + “'Tis a speculation,” said the old gentleman, shaking his head, but at the + same time slowly drawing out his purse, “quite a speculation! Have you any + more business here?” he said, counting the sovereigns into his hand. + </p> + <p> + “No, sir, I can take him for you to the inn, if you please.” + </p> + <p> + “Do so, I am now going there.” + </p> + <p> + They walked forward, and I was led behind. The boy could hardly control + his delight, and the old gentleman seemed to enjoy his pleasure. I had a + good feed at the inn, and was then gently ridden home by a servant of my + new master's, and turned into a large meadow with a shed in one corner of + it. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Thoroughgood, for that was the name of my benefactor, gave orders that + I should have hay and oats every night and morning, and the run of the + meadow during the day, and, “you, Willie,” said he, “must take the + oversight of him; I give him in charge to you.” + </p> + <p> + The boy was proud of his charge, and undertook it in all seriousness. + There was not a day when he did not pay me a visit; sometimes picking me + out from among the other horses, and giving me a bit of carrot, or + something good, or sometimes standing by me while I ate my oats. He always + came with kind words and caresses, and of course I grew very fond of him. + He called me Old Crony, as I used to come to him in the field and follow + him about. Sometimes he brought his grandfather, who always looked closely + at my legs. + </p> + <p> + “This is our point, Willie,” he would say; “but he is improving so + steadily that I think we shall see a change for the better in the spring.” + </p> + <p> + The perfect rest, the good food, the soft turf, and gentle exercise, soon + began to tell on my condition and my spirits. I had a good constitution + from my mother, and I was never strained when I was young, so that I had a + better chance than many horses who have been worked before they came to + their full strength. During the winter my legs improved so much that I + began to feel quite young again. The spring came round, and one day in + March Mr. Thoroughgood determined that he would try me in the phaeton. I + was well pleased, and he and Willie drove me a few miles. My legs were not + stiff now, and I did the work with perfect ease. + </p> + <p> + “He's growing young, Willie; we must give him a little gentle work now, + and by mid-summer he will be as good as Ladybird. He has a beautiful mouth + and good paces; they can't be better.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, grandpapa, how glad I am you bought him!” + </p> + <p> + “So am I, my boy; but he has to thank you more than me; we must now be + looking out for a quiet, genteel place for him, where he will be valued.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0054" id="link2H_4_0054"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 49 My Last Home + </h2> + <p> + One day during this summer the groom cleaned and dressed me with such + extraordinary care that I thought some new change must be at hand; he + trimmed my fetlocks and legs, passed the tarbrush over my hoofs, and even + parted my forelock. I think the harness had an extra polish. Willie seemed + half-anxious, half-merry, as he got into the chaise with his grandfather. + </p> + <p> + “If the ladies take to him,” said the old gentleman, “they'll be suited + and he'll be suited. We can but try.” + </p> + <p> + At the distance of a mile or two from the village we came to a pretty, low + house, with a lawn and shrubbery at the front and a drive up to the door. + Willie rang the bell, and asked if Miss Blomefield or Miss Ellen was at + home. Yes, they were. So, while Willie stayed with me, Mr. Thoroughgood + went into the house. In about ten minutes he returned, followed by three + ladies; one tall, pale lady, wrapped in a white shawl, leaned on a younger + lady, with dark eyes and a merry face; the other, a very stately-looking + person, was Miss Blomefield. They all came and looked at me and asked + questions. The younger lady—that was Miss Ellen—took to me + very much; she said she was sure she should like me, I had such a good + face. The tall, pale lady said that she should always be nervous in riding + behind a horse that had once been down, as I might come down again, and if + I did she should never get over the fright. + </p> + <p> + “You see, ladies,” said Mr. Thoroughgood, “many first-rate horses have had + their knees broken through the carelessness of their drivers without any + fault of their own, and from what I see of this horse I should say that is + his case; but of course I do not wish to influence you. If you incline you + can have him on trial, and then your coachman will see what he thinks of + him.” + </p> + <p> + “You have always been such a good adviser to us about our horses,” said + the stately lady, “that your recommendation would go a long way with me, + and if my sister Lavinia sees no objection we will accept your offer of a + trial, with thanks.” + </p> + <p> + It was then arranged that I should be sent for the next day. + </p> + <p> + In the morning a smart-looking young man came for me. At first he looked + pleased; but when he saw my knees he said in a disappointed voice: + </p> + <p> + “I didn't think, sir, you would have recommended my ladies a blemished + horse like that.” + </p> + <p> + “'Handsome is that handsome does',” said my master; “you are only taking + him on trial, and I am sure you will do fairly by him, young man. If he is + not as safe as any horse you ever drove send him back.” + </p> + <p> + I was led to my new home, placed in a comfortable stable, fed, and left to + myself. The next day, when the groom was cleaning my face, he said: + </p> + <p> + “That is just like the star that 'Black Beauty' had; he is much the same + height, too. I wonder where he is now.” + </p> + <p> + A little further on he came to the place in my neck where I was bled and + where a little knot was left in the skin. He almost started, and began to + look me over carefully, talking to himself. + </p> + <p> + “White star in the forehead, one white foot on the off side, this little + knot just in that place;” then looking at the middle of my back—“and, + as I am alive, there is that little patch of white hair that John used to + call 'Beauty's three-penny bit'. It must be 'Black Beauty'! Why, Beauty! + Beauty! do you know me?—little Joe Green, that almost killed you?” + And he began patting and patting me as if he was quite overjoyed. + </p> + <p> + I could not say that I remembered him, for now he was a fine grown young + fellow, with black whiskers and a man's voice, but I was sure he knew me, + and that he was Joe Green, and I was very glad. I put my nose up to him, + and tried to say that we were friends. I never saw a man so pleased. + </p> + <p> + “Give you a fair trial! I should think so indeed! I wonder who the rascal + was that broke your knees, my old Beauty! you must have been badly served + out somewhere; well, well, it won't be my fault if you haven't good times + of it now. I wish John Manly was here to see you.” + </p> + <p> + In the afternoon I was put into a low park chair and brought to the door. + Miss Ellen was going to try me, and Green went with her. I soon found that + she was a good driver, and she seemed pleased with my paces. I heard Joe + telling her about me, and that he was sure I was Squire Gordon's old + “Black Beauty”. + </p> + <p> + When we returned the other sisters came out to hear how I had behaved + myself. She told them what she had just heard, and said: + </p> + <p> + “I shall certainly write to Mrs. Gordon, and tell her that her favorite + horse has come to us. How pleased she will be!” + </p> + <p> + After this I was driven every day for a week or so, and as I appeared to + be quite safe, Miss Lavinia at last ventured out in the small close + carriage. After this it was quite decided to keep me and call me by my old + name of “Black Beauty”. + </p> + <p> + I have now lived in this happy place a whole year. Joe is the best and + kindest of grooms. My work is easy and pleasant, and I feel my strength + and spirits all coming back again. Mr. Thoroughgood said to Joe the other + day: + </p> + <p> + “In your place he will last till he is twenty years old—perhaps + more.” + </p> + <p> + Willie always speaks to me when he can, and treats me as his special + friend. My ladies have promised that I shall never be sold, and so I have + nothing to fear; and here my story ends. My troubles are all over, and I + am at home; and often before I am quite awake, I fancy I am still in the + orchard at Birtwick, standing with my old friends under the apple-trees. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Black Beauty, by Anna Sewell + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BLACK BEAUTY *** + +***** This file should be named 271-h.htm or 271-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/7/271/ + +Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Black Beauty + +Author: Anna Sewell + +Release Date: January 16, 2006 [EBook #271] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BLACK BEAUTY *** + + + + +Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger + + + + + +BLACK BEAUTY + +The Autobiography of a Horse + +by Anna Sewell [English Quaker -- 1820-1878.] + + + +[Note: 'Black Beauty' was originally published in 1877. This etext was +transcribed from an American edition of 1911. Some small corrections +were made, after being confirmed against other sources.] + + + + + To my dear and honored Mother, + whose life, no less than her pen, + has been devoted to the welfare of others, + this little book is affectionately dedicated. + + + + +Contents + + + Part I + + Chapter + 01 My Early Home + 02 The Hunt + 03 My Breaking In + 04 Birtwick Park + 05 A Fair Start + 06 Liberty + 07 Ginger + 08 Ginger's Story Continued + 09 Merrylegs + 10 A Talk in the Orchard + 11 Plain Speaking + 12 A Stormy Day + 13 The Devil's Trade Mark + 14 James Howard + 15 The Old Hostler + 16 The Fire + 17 John Manly's Talk + 18 Going for the Doctor + 19 Only Ignorance + 20 Joe Green + 21 The Parting + + + Part II + + 22 Earlshall + 23 A Strike for Liberty + 24 The Lady Anne, or a Runaway Horse + 25 Reuben Smith + 26 How it Ended + 27 Ruined and Going Downhill + 28 A Job Horse and His Drivers + 29 Cockneys + 30 A Thief + 31 A Humbug + + + Part III + + 32 A Horse Fair + 33 A London Cab Horse + 34 An Old War Horse + 35 Jerry Barker + 36 The Sunday Cab + 37 The Golden Rule + 38 Dolly and a Real Gentleman + 39 Seedy Sam + 40 Poor Ginger + 41 The Butcher + 42 The Election + 43 A Friend in Need + 44 Old Captain and His Successor + 45 Jerry's New Year + + + Part IV + + 46 Jakes and the Lady + 47 Hard Times + 48 Farmer Thoroughgood and His Grandson Willie + 49 My Last Home + + + + + +Black Beauty + + + + +Part I + + + + +01 My Early Home + + +The first place that I can well remember was a large pleasant meadow +with a pond of clear water in it. Some shady trees leaned over it, and +rushes and water-lilies grew at the deep end. Over the hedge on one side +we looked into a plowed field, and on the other we looked over a gate +at our master's house, which stood by the roadside; at the top of the +meadow was a grove of fir trees, and at the bottom a running brook +overhung by a steep bank. + +While I was young I lived upon my mother's milk, as I could not eat +grass. In the daytime I ran by her side, and at night I lay down close +by her. When it was hot we used to stand by the pond in the shade of the +trees, and when it was cold we had a nice warm shed near the grove. + +As soon as I was old enough to eat grass my mother used to go out to +work in the daytime, and come back in the evening. + +There were six young colts in the meadow besides me; they were older +than I was; some were nearly as large as grown-up horses. I used to run +with them, and had great fun; we used to gallop all together round and +round the field as hard as we could go. Sometimes we had rather rough +play, for they would frequently bite and kick as well as gallop. + +One day, when there was a good deal of kicking, my mother whinnied to me +to come to her, and then she said: + +"I wish you to pay attention to what I am going to say to you. The colts +who live here are very good colts, but they are cart-horse colts, and +of course they have not learned manners. You have been well-bred +and well-born; your father has a great name in these parts, and +your grandfather won the cup two years at the Newmarket races; your +grandmother had the sweetest temper of any horse I ever knew, and I +think you have never seen me kick or bite. I hope you will grow up +gentle and good, and never learn bad ways; do your work with a good +will, lift your feet up well when you trot, and never bite or kick even +in play." + +I have never forgotten my mother's advice; I knew she was a wise old +horse, and our master thought a great deal of her. Her name was Duchess, +but he often called her Pet. + +Our master was a good, kind man. He gave us good food, good lodging, and +kind words; he spoke as kindly to us as he did to his little children. +We were all fond of him, and my mother loved him very much. When she saw +him at the gate she would neigh with joy, and trot up to him. He would +pat and stroke her and say, "Well, old Pet, and how is your little +Darkie?" I was a dull black, so he called me Darkie; then he would give +me a piece of bread, which was very good, and sometimes he brought a +carrot for my mother. All the horses would come to him, but I think we +were his favorites. My mother always took him to the town on a market +day in a light gig. + +There was a plowboy, Dick, who sometimes came into our field to pluck +blackberries from the hedge. When he had eaten all he wanted he would +have what he called fun with the colts, throwing stones and sticks at +them to make them gallop. We did not much mind him, for we could gallop +off; but sometimes a stone would hit and hurt us. + +One day he was at this game, and did not know that the master was in the +next field; but he was there, watching what was going on; over the hedge +he jumped in a snap, and catching Dick by the arm, he gave him such a +box on the ear as made him roar with the pain and surprise. As soon as +we saw the master we trotted up nearer to see what went on. + +"Bad boy!" he said, "bad boy! to chase the colts. This is not the first +time, nor the second, but it shall be the last. There--take your money +and go home; I shall not want you on my farm again." So we never saw +Dick any more. Old Daniel, the man who looked after the horses, was just +as gentle as our master, so we were well off. + + + + +02 The Hunt + + +Before I was two years old a circumstance happened which I have never +forgotten. It was early in the spring; there had been a little frost in +the night, and a light mist still hung over the woods and meadows. I +and the other colts were feeding at the lower part of the field when +we heard, quite in the distance, what sounded like the cry of dogs. The +oldest of the colts raised his head, pricked his ears, and said, "There +are the hounds!" and immediately cantered off, followed by the rest of +us to the upper part of the field, where we could look over the hedge +and see several fields beyond. My mother and an old riding horse of our +master's were also standing near, and seemed to know all about it. + +"They have found a hare," said my mother, "and if they come this way we +shall see the hunt." + +And soon the dogs were all tearing down the field of young wheat next +to ours. I never heard such a noise as they made. They did not bark, nor +howl, nor whine, but kept on a "yo! yo, o, o! yo! yo, o, o!" at the top +of their voices. After them came a number of men on horseback, some of +them in green coats, all galloping as fast as they could. The old horse +snorted and looked eagerly after them, and we young colts wanted to be +galloping with them, but they were soon away into the fields lower +down; here it seemed as if they had come to a stand; the dogs left off +barking, and ran about every way with their noses to the ground. + +"They have lost the scent," said the old horse; "perhaps the hare will +get off." + +"What hare?" I said. + +"Oh! I don't know what hare; likely enough it may be one of our own +hares out of the woods; any hare they can find will do for the dogs and +men to run after;" and before long the dogs began their "yo! yo, o, o!" +again, and back they came altogether at full speed, making straight for +our meadow at the part where the high bank and hedge overhang the brook. + +"Now we shall see the hare," said my mother; and just then a hare wild +with fright rushed by and made for the woods. On came the dogs; they +burst over the bank, leaped the stream, and came dashing across the +field followed by the huntsmen. Six or eight men leaped their horses +clean over, close upon the dogs. The hare tried to get through the +fence; it was too thick, and she turned sharp round to make for the +road, but it was too late; the dogs were upon her with their wild cries; +we heard one shriek, and that was the end of her. One of the huntsmen +rode up and whipped off the dogs, who would soon have torn her to +pieces. He held her up by the leg torn and bleeding, and all the +gentlemen seemed well pleased. + +As for me, I was so astonished that I did not at first see what was +going on by the brook; but when I did look there was a sad sight; two +fine horses were down, one was struggling in the stream, and the other +was groaning on the grass. One of the riders was getting out of the +water covered with mud, the other lay quite still. + +"His neck is broke," said my mother. + +"And serve him right, too," said one of the colts. + +I thought the same, but my mother did not join with us. + +"Well, no," she said, "you must not say that; but though I am an old +horse, and have seen and heard a great deal, I never yet could make out +why men are so fond of this sport; they often hurt themselves, often +spoil good horses, and tear up the fields, and all for a hare or a fox, +or a stag, that they could get more easily some other way; but we are +only horses, and don't know." + +While my mother was saying this we stood and looked on. Many of the +riders had gone to the young man; but my master, who had been watching +what was going on, was the first to raise him. His head fell back and +his arms hung down, and every one looked very serious. There was no +noise now; even the dogs were quiet, and seemed to know that something +was wrong. They carried him to our master's house. I heard afterward +that it was young George Gordon, the squire's only son, a fine, tall +young man, and the pride of his family. + +There was now riding off in all directions to the doctor's, to the +farrier's, and no doubt to Squire Gordon's, to let him know about his +son. When Mr. Bond, the farrier, came to look at the black horse that +lay groaning on the grass, he felt him all over, and shook his head; one +of his legs was broken. Then some one ran to our master's house and came +back with a gun; presently there was a loud bang and a dreadful shriek, +and then all was still; the black horse moved no more. + +My mother seemed much troubled; she said she had known that horse for +years, and that his name was "Rob Roy"; he was a good horse, and +there was no vice in him. She never would go to that part of the field +afterward. + +Not many days after we heard the church-bell tolling for a long time, +and looking over the gate we saw a long, strange black coach that was +covered with black cloth and was drawn by black horses; after that came +another and another and another, and all were black, while the bell kept +tolling, tolling. They were carrying young Gordon to the churchyard to +bury him. He would never ride again. What they did with Rob Roy I never +knew; but 'twas all for one little hare. + + + + +03 My Breaking In + + +I was now beginning to grow handsome; my coat had grown fine and soft, +and was bright black. I had one white foot and a pretty white star on my +forehead. I was thought very handsome; my master would not sell me till +I was four years old; he said lads ought not to work like men, and colts +ought not to work like horses till they were quite grown up. + +When I was four years old Squire Gordon came to look at me. He examined +my eyes, my mouth, and my legs; he felt them all down; and then I had +to walk and trot and gallop before him. He seemed to like me, and said, +"When he has been well broken in he will do very well." My master said +he would break me in himself, as he should not like me to be frightened +or hurt, and he lost no time about it, for the next day he began. + +Every one may not know what breaking in is, therefore I will describe +it. It means to teach a horse to wear a saddle and bridle, and to carry +on his back a man, woman or child; to go just the way they wish, and to +go quietly. Besides this he has to learn to wear a collar, a crupper, +and a breeching, and to stand still while they are put on; then to have +a cart or a chaise fixed behind, so that he cannot walk or trot without +dragging it after him; and he must go fast or slow, just as his driver +wishes. He must never start at what he sees, nor speak to other horses, +nor bite, nor kick, nor have any will of his own; but always do his +master's will, even though he may be very tired or hungry; but the worst +of all is, when his harness is once on, he may neither jump for joy nor +lie down for weariness. So you see this breaking in is a great thing. + +I had of course long been used to a halter and a headstall, and to be +led about in the fields and lanes quietly, but now I was to have a bit +and bridle; my master gave me some oats as usual, and after a good deal +of coaxing he got the bit into my mouth, and the bridle fixed, but it +was a nasty thing! Those who have never had a bit in their mouths cannot +think how bad it feels; a great piece of cold hard steel as thick as +a man's finger to be pushed into one's mouth, between one's teeth, and +over one's tongue, with the ends coming out at the corner of your mouth, +and held fast there by straps over your head, under your throat, round +your nose, and under your chin; so that no way in the world can you get +rid of the nasty hard thing; it is very bad! yes, very bad! at least I +thought so; but I knew my mother always wore one when she went out, and +all horses did when they were grown up; and so, what with the nice oats, +and what with my master's pats, kind words, and gentle ways, I got to +wear my bit and bridle. + +Next came the saddle, but that was not half so bad; my master put it +on my back very gently, while old Daniel held my head; he then made the +girths fast under my body, patting and talking to me all the time; then +I had a few oats, then a little leading about; and this he did every +day till I began to look for the oats and the saddle. At length, one +morning, my master got on my back and rode me round the meadow on the +soft grass. It certainly did feel queer; but I must say I felt rather +proud to carry my master, and as he continued to ride me a little every +day I soon became accustomed to it. + +The next unpleasant business was putting on the iron shoes; that too was +very hard at first. My master went with me to the smith's forge, to see +that I was not hurt or got any fright. The blacksmith took my feet in +his hand, one after the other, and cut away some of the hoof. It did not +pain me, so I stood still on three legs till he had done them all. Then +he took a piece of iron the shape of my foot, and clapped it on, and +drove some nails through the shoe quite into my hoof, so that the shoe +was firmly on. My feet felt very stiff and heavy, but in time I got used +to it. + +And now having got so far, my master went on to break me to harness; +there were more new things to wear. First, a stiff heavy collar just +on my neck, and a bridle with great side-pieces against my eyes called +blinkers, and blinkers indeed they were, for I could not see on either +side, but only straight in front of me; next, there was a small saddle +with a nasty stiff strap that went right under my tail; that was the +crupper. I hated the crupper; to have my long tail doubled up and poked +through that strap was almost as bad as the bit. I never felt more like +kicking, but of course I could not kick such a good master, and so +in time I got used to everything, and could do my work as well as my +mother. + +I must not forget to mention one part of my training, which I have +always considered a very great advantage. My master sent me for a +fortnight to a neighboring farmer's, who had a meadow which was skirted +on one side by the railway. Here were some sheep and cows, and I was +turned in among them. + +I shall never forget the first train that ran by. I was feeding quietly +near the pales which separated the meadow from the railway, when I heard +a strange sound at a distance, and before I knew whence it came--with +a rush and a clatter, and a puffing out of smoke--a long black train of +something flew by, and was gone almost before I could draw my breath. I +turned and galloped to the further side of the meadow as fast as I could +go, and there I stood snorting with astonishment and fear. In the course +of the day many other trains went by, some more slowly; these drew up +at the station close by, and sometimes made an awful shriek and groan +before they stopped. I thought it very dreadful, but the cows went +on eating very quietly, and hardly raised their heads as the black +frightful thing came puffing and grinding past. + +For the first few days I could not feed in peace; but as I found that +this terrible creature never came into the field, or did me any harm, I +began to disregard it, and very soon I cared as little about the passing +of a train as the cows and sheep did. + +Since then I have seen many horses much alarmed and restive at the sight +or sound of a steam engine; but thanks to my good master's care, I am as +fearless at railway stations as in my own stable. + +Now if any one wants to break in a young horse well, that is the way. + +My master often drove me in double harness with my mother, because she +was steady and could teach me how to go better than a strange horse. She +told me the better I behaved the better I should be treated, and that +it was wisest always to do my best to please my master; "but," said she, +"there are a great many kinds of men; there are good thoughtful men like +our master, that any horse may be proud to serve; and there are bad, +cruel men, who never ought to have a horse or dog to call their own. +Besides, there are a great many foolish men, vain, ignorant, and +careless, who never trouble themselves to think; these spoil more horses +than all, just for want of sense; they don't mean it, but they do it for +all that. I hope you will fall into good hands; but a horse never knows +who may buy him, or who may drive him; it is all a chance for us; but +still I say, do your best wherever it is, and keep up your good name." + + + + +04 Birtwick Park + + +At this time I used to stand in the stable and my coat was brushed every +day till it shone like a rook's wing. It was early in May, when there +came a man from Squire Gordon's, who took me away to the hall. My master +said, "Good-by, Darkie; be a good horse, and always do your best." I +could not say "good-by", so I put my nose into his hand; he patted me +kindly, and I left my first home. As I lived some years with Squire +Gordon, I may as well tell something about the place. + +Squire Gordon's park skirted the village of Birtwick. It was entered by +a large iron gate, at which stood the first lodge, and then you trotted +along on a smooth road between clumps of large old trees; then another +lodge and another gate, which brought you to the house and the gardens. +Beyond this lay the home paddock, the old orchard, and the stables. +There was accommodation for many horses and carriages; but I need only +describe the stable into which I was taken; this was very roomy, with +four good stalls; a large swinging window opened into the yard, which +made it pleasant and airy. + +The first stall was a large square one, shut in behind with a wooden +gate; the others were common stalls, good stalls, but not nearly so +large; it had a low rack for hay and a low manger for corn; it was +called a loose box, because the horse that was put into it was not tied +up, but left loose, to do as he liked. It is a great thing to have a +loose box. + +Into this fine box the groom put me; it was clean, sweet, and airy. I +never was in a better box than that, and the sides were not so high but +that I could see all that went on through the iron rails that were at +the top. + +He gave me some very nice oats, he patted me, spoke kindly, and then +went away. + +When I had eaten my corn I looked round. In the stall next to mine stood +a little fat gray pony, with a thick mane and tail, a very pretty head, +and a pert little nose. + +I put my head up to the iron rails at the top of my box, and said, "How +do you do? What is your name?" + +He turned round as far as his halter would allow, held up his head, +and said, "My name is Merrylegs. I am very handsome; I carry the young +ladies on my back, and sometimes I take our mistress out in the low +chair. They think a great deal of me, and so does James. Are you going +to live next door to me in the box?" + +I said, "Yes." + +"Well, then," he said, "I hope you are good-tempered; I do not like any +one next door who bites." + +Just then a horse's head looked over from the stall beyond; the ears +were laid back, and the eye looked rather ill-tempered. This was a tall +chestnut mare, with a long handsome neck. She looked across to me and +said: + +"So it is you who have turned me out of my box; it is a very strange +thing for a colt like you to come and turn a lady out of her own home." + +"I beg your pardon," I said, "I have turned no one out; the man who +brought me put me here, and I had nothing to do with it; and as to my +being a colt, I am turned four years old and am a grown-up horse. I +never had words yet with horse or mare, and it is my wish to live at +peace." + +"Well," she said, "we shall see. Of course, I do not want to have words +with a young thing like you." I said no more. + +In the afternoon, when she went out, Merrylegs told me all about it. + +"The thing is this," said Merrylegs. "Ginger has a bad habit of biting +and snapping; that is why they call her Ginger, and when she was in the +loose box she used to snap very much. One day she bit James in the arm +and made it bleed, and so Miss Flora and Miss Jessie, who are very fond +of me, were afraid to come into the stable. They used to bring me nice +things to eat, an apple or a carrot, or a piece of bread, but after +Ginger stood in that box they dared not come, and I missed them very +much. I hope they will now come again, if you do not bite or snap." + +I told him I never bit anything but grass, hay, and corn, and could not +think what pleasure Ginger found it. + +"Well, I don't think she does find pleasure," says Merrylegs; "it is +just a bad habit; she says no one was ever kind to her, and why should +she not bite? Of course, it is a very bad habit; but I am sure, if all +she says be true, she must have been very ill-used before she came here. +John does all he can to please her, and James does all he can, and our +master never uses a whip if a horse acts right; so I think she might be +good-tempered here. You see," he said, with a wise look, "I am twelve +years old; I know a great deal, and I can tell you there is not a better +place for a horse all round the country than this. John is the best +groom that ever was; he has been here fourteen years; and you never saw +such a kind boy as James is; so that it is all Ginger's own fault that +she did not stay in that box." + + + + +05 A Fair Start + + +The name of the coachman was John Manly; he had a wife and one little +child, and they lived in the coachman's cottage, very near the stables. + +The next morning he took me into the yard and gave me a good grooming, +and just as I was going into my box, with my coat soft and bright, the +squire came in to look at me, and seemed pleased. "John," he said, +"I meant to have tried the new horse this morning, but I have other +business. You may as well take him around after breakfast; go by the +common and the Highwood, and back by the watermill and the river; that +will show his paces." + +"I will, sir," said John. After breakfast he came and fitted me with a +bridle. He was very particular in letting out and taking in the straps, +to fit my head comfortably; then he brought a saddle, but it was not +broad enough for my back; he saw it in a minute and went for another, +which fitted nicely. He rode me first slowly, then a trot, then a +canter, and when we were on the common he gave me a light touch with his +whip, and we had a splendid gallop. + +"Ho, ho! my boy," he said, as he pulled me up, "you would like to follow +the hounds, I think." + +As we came back through the park we met the Squire and Mrs. Gordon +walking; they stopped, and John jumped off. + +"Well, John, how does he go?" + +"First-rate, sir," answered John; "he is as fleet as a deer, and has a +fine spirit too; but the lightest touch of the rein will guide him. Down +at the end of the common we met one of those traveling carts hung all +over with baskets, rugs, and such like; you know, sir, many horses will +not pass those carts quietly; he just took a good look at it, and then +went on as quiet and pleasant as could be. They were shooting rabbits +near the Highwood, and a gun went off close by; he pulled up a little +and looked, but did not stir a step to right or left. I just held the +rein steady and did not hurry him, and it's my opinion he has not been +frightened or ill-used while he was young." + +"That's well," said the squire, "I will try him myself to-morrow." + +The next day I was brought up for my master. I remembered my mother's +counsel and my good old master's, and I tried to do exactly what he +wanted me to do. I found he was a very good rider, and thoughtful for +his horse too. When he came home the lady was at the hall door as he +rode up. + +"Well, my dear," she said, "how do you like him?" + +"He is exactly what John said," he replied; "a pleasanter creature I +never wish to mount. What shall we call him?" + +"Would you like Ebony?" said she; "he is as black as ebony." + +"No, not Ebony." + +"Will you call him Blackbird, like your uncle's old horse?" + +"No, he is far handsomer than old Blackbird ever was." + +"Yes," she said, "he is really quite a beauty, and he has such a sweet, +good-tempered face, and such a fine, intelligent eye--what do you say to +calling him Black Beauty?" + +"Black Beauty--why, yes, I think that is a very good name. If you like +it shall be his name;" and so it was. + +When John went into the stable he told James that master and mistress +had chosen a good, sensible English name for me, that meant something; +not like Marengo, or Pegasus, or Abdallah. They both laughed, and James +said, "If it was not for bringing back the past, I should have named him +Rob Roy, for I never saw two horses more alike." + +"That's no wonder," said John; "didn't you know that Farmer Grey's old +Duchess was the mother of them both?" + +I had never heard that before; and so poor Rob Roy who was killed +at that hunt was my brother! I did not wonder that my mother was so +troubled. It seems that horses have no relations; at least they never +know each other after they are sold. + +John seemed very proud of me; he used to make my mane and tail almost as +smooth as a lady's hair, and he would talk to me a great deal; of course +I did not understand all he said, but I learned more and more to know +what he meant, and what he wanted me to do. I grew very fond of him, he +was so gentle and kind; he seemed to know just how a horse feels, and +when he cleaned me he knew the tender places and the ticklish places; +when he brushed my head he went as carefully over my eyes as if they +were his own, and never stirred up any ill-temper. + +James Howard, the stable boy, was just as gentle and pleasant in his +way, so I thought myself well off. There was another man who helped in +the yard, but he had very little to do with Ginger and me. + +A few days after this I had to go out with Ginger in the carriage. I +wondered how we should get on together; but except laying her ears +back when I was led up to her, she behaved very well. She did her work +honestly, and did her full share, and I never wish to have a better +partner in double harness. When we came to a hill, instead of slackening +her pace, she would throw her weight right into the collar, and pull +away straight up. We had both the same sort of courage at our work, and +John had oftener to hold us in than to urge us forward; he never had to +use the whip with either of us; then our paces were much the same, and +I found it very easy to keep step with her when trotting, which made it +pleasant, and master always liked it when we kept step well, and so did +John. After we had been out two or three times together we grew quite +friendly and sociable, which made me feel very much at home. + +As for Merrylegs, he and I soon became great friends; he was such a +cheerful, plucky, good-tempered little fellow that he was a favorite +with every one, and especially with Miss Jessie and Flora, who used to +ride him about in the orchard, and have fine games with him and their +little dog Frisky. + +Our master had two other horses that stood in another stable. One was +Justice, a roan cob, used for riding or for the luggage cart; the other +was an old brown hunter, named Sir Oliver; he was past work now, but was +a great favorite with the master, who gave him the run of the park; he +sometimes did a little light carting on the estate, or carried one of +the young ladies when they rode out with their father, for he was very +gentle and could be trusted with a child as well as Merrylegs. The cob +was a strong, well-made, good-tempered horse, and we sometimes had a +little chat in the paddock, but of course I could not be so intimate +with him as with Ginger, who stood in the same stable. + + + + +06 Liberty + + +I was quite happy in my new place, and if there was one thing that I +missed it must not be thought I was discontented; all who had to do with +me were good and I had a light airy stable and the best of food. What +more could I want? Why, liberty! For three years and a half of my life +I had had all the liberty I could wish for; but now, week after week, +month after month, and no doubt year after year, I must stand up in a +stable night and day except when I am wanted, and then I must be just +as steady and quiet as any old horse who has worked twenty years. Straps +here and straps there, a bit in my mouth, and blinkers over my eyes. +Now, I am not complaining, for I know it must be so. I only mean to say +that for a young horse full of strength and spirits, who has been used +to some large field or plain where he can fling up his head and toss up +his tail and gallop away at full speed, then round and back again with +a snort to his companions--I say it is hard never to have a bit more +liberty to do as you like. Sometimes, when I have had less exercise than +usual, I have felt so full of life and spring that when John has taken +me out to exercise I really could not keep quiet; do what I would, it +seemed as if I must jump, or dance, or prance, and many a good shake I +know I must have given him, especially at the first; but he was always +good and patient. + +"Steady, steady, my boy," he would say; "wait a bit, and we will have a +good swing, and soon get the tickle out of your feet." Then as soon as +we were out of the village, he would give me a few miles at a spanking +trot, and then bring me back as fresh as before, only clear of the +fidgets, as he called them. Spirited horses, when not enough exercised, +are often called skittish, when it is only play; and some grooms will +punish them, but our John did not; he knew it was only high spirits. +Still, he had his own ways of making me understand by the tone of +his voice or the touch of the rein. If he was very serious and quite +determined, I always knew it by his voice, and that had more power with +me than anything else, for I was very fond of him. + +I ought to say that sometimes we had our liberty for a few hours; this +used to be on fine Sundays in the summer-time. The carriage never went +out on Sundays, because the church was not far off. + +It was a great treat to us to be turned out into the home paddock or +the old orchard; the grass was so cool and soft to our feet, the air so +sweet, and the freedom to do as we liked was so pleasant--to gallop, to +lie down, and roll over on our backs, or to nibble the sweet grass. +Then it was a very good time for talking, as we stood together under the +shade of the large chestnut tree. + + + + +07 Ginger + + +One day when Ginger and I were standing alone in the shade, we had a +great deal of talk; she wanted to know all about my bringing up and +breaking in, and I told her. + +"Well," said she, "if I had had your bringing up I might have had as +good a temper as you, but now I don't believe I ever shall." + +"Why not?" I said. + +"Because it has been all so different with me," she replied. "I never +had any one, horse or man, that was kind to me, or that I cared to +please, for in the first place I was taken from my mother as soon as I +was weaned, and put with a lot of other young colts; none of them cared +for me, and I cared for none of them. There was no kind master like +yours to look after me, and talk to me, and bring me nice things to eat. +The man that had the care of us never gave me a kind word in my life. +I do not mean that he ill-used me, but he did not care for us one +bit further than to see that we had plenty to eat, and shelter in the +winter. A footpath ran through our field, and very often the great boys +passing through would fling stones to make us gallop. I was never hit, +but one fine young colt was badly cut in the face, and I should think +it would be a scar for life. We did not care for them, but of course +it made us more wild, and we settled it in our minds that boys were our +enemies. We had very good fun in the free meadows, galloping up and down +and chasing each other round and round the field; then standing still +under the shade of the trees. But when it came to breaking in, that was +a bad time for me; several men came to catch me, and when at last they +closed me in at one corner of the field, one caught me by the forelock, +another caught me by the nose and held it so tight I could hardly draw +my breath; then another took my under jaw in his hard hand and wrenched +my mouth open, and so by force they got on the halter and the bar into +my mouth; then one dragged me along by the halter, another flogging +behind, and this was the first experience I had of men's kindness; it +was all force. They did not give me a chance to know what they wanted. +I was high bred and had a great deal of spirit, and was very wild, no +doubt, and gave them, I dare say, plenty of trouble, but then it was +dreadful to be shut up in a stall day after day instead of having my +liberty, and I fretted and pined and wanted to get loose. You know +yourself it's bad enough when you have a kind master and plenty of +coaxing, but there was nothing of that sort for me. + +"There was one--the old master, Mr. Ryder--who, I think, could soon have +brought me round, and could have done anything with me; but he had given +up all the hard part of the trade to his son and to another experienced +man, and he only came at times to oversee. His son was a strong, tall, +bold man; they called him Samson, and he used to boast that he had never +found a horse that could throw him. There was no gentleness in him, as +there was in his father, but only hardness, a hard voice, a hard eye, a +hard hand; and I felt from the first that what he wanted was to wear all +the spirit out of me, and just make me into a quiet, humble, obedient +piece of horseflesh. 'Horseflesh'! Yes, that is all that he thought +about," and Ginger stamped her foot as if the very thought of him made +her angry. Then she went on: + +"If I did not do exactly what he wanted he would get put out, and make +me run round with that long rein in the training field till he had +tired me out. I think he drank a good deal, and I am quite sure that the +oftener he drank the worse it was for me. One day he had worked me hard +in every way he could, and when I lay down I was tired, and miserable, +and angry; it all seemed so hard. The next morning he came for me early, +and ran me round again for a long time. I had scarcely had an hour's +rest, when he came again for me with a saddle and bridle and a new kind +of bit. I could never quite tell how it came about; he had only just +mounted me on the training ground, when something I did put him out +of temper, and he chucked me hard with the rein. The new bit was very +painful, and I reared up suddenly, which angered him still more, and he +began to flog me. I felt my whole spirit set against him, and I began +to kick, and plunge, and rear as I had never done before, and we had a +regular fight; for a long time he stuck to the saddle and punished me +cruelly with his whip and spurs, but my blood was thoroughly up, and I +cared for nothing he could do if only I could get him off. At last after +a terrible struggle I threw him off backward. I heard him fall heavily +on the turf, and without looking behind me, I galloped off to the other +end of the field; there I turned round and saw my persecutor slowly +rising from the ground and going into the stable. I stood under an oak +tree and watched, but no one came to catch me. The time went on, and the +sun was very hot; the flies swarmed round me and settled on my bleeding +flanks where the spurs had dug in. I felt hungry, for I had not eaten +since the early morning, but there was not enough grass in that meadow +for a goose to live on. I wanted to lie down and rest, but with the +saddle strapped tightly on there was no comfort, and there was not a +drop of water to drink. The afternoon wore on, and the sun got low. I +saw the other colts led in, and I knew they were having a good feed. + +"At last, just as the sun went down, I saw the old master come out with +a sieve in his hand. He was a very fine old gentleman with quite white +hair, but his voice was what I should know him by among a thousand. It +was not high, nor yet low, but full, and clear, and kind, and when +he gave orders it was so steady and decided that every one knew, both +horses and men, that he expected to be obeyed. He came quietly along, +now and then shaking the oats about that he had in the sieve, and +speaking cheerfully and gently to me: 'Come along, lassie, come along, +lassie; come along, come along.' I stood still and let him come up; he +held the oats to me, and I began to eat without fear; his voice took all +my fear away. He stood by, patting and stroking me while I was eating, +and seeing the clots of blood on my side he seemed very vexed. 'Poor +lassie! it was a bad business, a bad business;' then he quietly took the +rein and led me to the stable; just at the door stood Samson. I laid my +ears back and snapped at him. 'Stand back,' said the master, 'and keep +out of her way; you've done a bad day's work for this filly.' He growled +out something about a vicious brute. 'Hark ye,' said the father, 'a +bad-tempered man will never make a good-tempered horse. You've not +learned your trade yet, Samson.' Then he led me into my box, took off +the saddle and bridle with his own hands, and tied me up; then he called +for a pail of warm water and a sponge, took off his coat, and while the +stable-man held the pail, he sponged my sides a good while, so tenderly +that I was sure he knew how sore and bruised they were. 'Whoa! my pretty +one,' he said, 'stand still, stand still.' His very voice did me good, +and the bathing was very comfortable. The skin was so broken at the +corners of my mouth that I could not eat the hay, the stalks hurt me. He +looked closely at it, shook his head, and told the man to fetch a good +bran mash and put some meal into it. How good that mash was! and so soft +and healing to my mouth. He stood by all the time I was eating, stroking +me and talking to the man. 'If a high-mettled creature like this,' +said he, 'can't be broken by fair means, she will never be good for +anything.' + +"After that he often came to see me, and when my mouth was healed the +other breaker, Job, they called him, went on training me; he was steady +and thoughtful, and I soon learned what he wanted." + + + + +08 Ginger's Story Continued + + +The next time that Ginger and I were together in the paddock she told me +about her first place. + +"After my breaking in," she said, "I was bought by a dealer to match +another chestnut horse. For some weeks he drove us together, and then we +were sold to a fashionable gentleman, and were sent up to London. I had +been driven with a check-rein by the dealer, and I hated it worse +than anything else; but in this place we were reined far tighter, the +coachman and his master thinking we looked more stylish so. We were +often driven about in the park and other fashionable places. You who +never had a check-rein on don't know what it is, but I can tell you it +is dreadful. + +"I like to toss my head about and hold it as high as any horse; but +fancy now yourself, if you tossed your head up high and were obliged to +hold it there, and that for hours together, not able to move it at all, +except with a jerk still higher, your neck aching till you did not know +how to bear it. Besides that, to have two bits instead of one--and mine +was a sharp one, it hurt my tongue and my jaw, and the blood from my +tongue colored the froth that kept flying from my lips as I chafed and +fretted at the bits and rein. It was worst when we had to stand by the +hour waiting for our mistress at some grand party or entertainment, and +if I fretted or stamped with impatience the whip was laid on. It was +enough to drive one mad." + +"Did not your master take any thought for you?" I said. + +"No," said she, "he only cared to have a stylish turnout, as they +call it; I think he knew very little about horses; he left that to his +coachman, who told him I had an irritable temper! that I had not been +well broken to the check-rein, but I should soon get used to it; but he +was not the man to do it, for when I was in the stable, miserable and +angry, instead of being smoothed and quieted by kindness, I got only a +surly word or a blow. If he had been civil I would have tried to +bear it. I was willing to work, and ready to work hard too; but to be +tormented for nothing but their fancies angered me. What right had they +to make me suffer like that? Besides the soreness in my mouth, and +the pain in my neck, it always made my windpipe feel bad, and if I had +stopped there long I know it would have spoiled my breathing; but I grew +more and more restless and irritable, I could not help it; and I began +to snap and kick when any one came to harness me; for this the groom +beat me, and one day, as they had just buckled us into the carriage, +and were straining my head up with that rein, I began to plunge and +kick with all my might. I soon broke a lot of harness, and kicked myself +clear; so that was an end of that place. + +"After this I was sent to Tattersall's to be sold; of course I could not +be warranted free from vice, so nothing was said about that. My handsome +appearance and good paces soon brought a gentleman to bid for me, and I +was bought by another dealer; he tried me in all kinds of ways and with +different bits, and he soon found out what I could not bear. At last +he drove me quite without a check-rein, and then sold me as a perfectly +quiet horse to a gentleman in the country; he was a good master, and I +was getting on very well, but his old groom left him and a new one came. +This man was as hard-tempered and hard-handed as Samson; he always spoke +in a rough, impatient voice, and if I did not move in the stall the +moment he wanted me, he would hit me above the hocks with his stable +broom or the fork, whichever he might have in his hand. Everything he +did was rough, and I began to hate him; he wanted to make me afraid +of him, but I was too high-mettled for that, and one day when he had +aggravated me more than usual I bit him, which of course put him in a +great rage, and he began to hit me about the head with a riding whip. +After that he never dared to come into my stall again; either my heels +or my teeth were ready for him, and he knew it. I was quite quiet with +my master, but of course he listened to what the man said, and so I was +sold again. + +"The same dealer heard of me, and said he thought he knew one place +where I should do well. ''Twas a pity,' he said, 'that such a fine horse +should go to the bad, for want of a real good chance,' and the end of it +was that I came here not long before you did; but I had then made up my +mind that men were my natural enemies and that I must defend myself. Of +course it is very different here, but who knows how long it will last? I +wish I could think about things as you do; but I can't, after all I have +gone through." + +"Well," I said, "I think it would be a real shame if you were to bite or +kick John or James." + +"I don't mean to," she said, "while they are good to me. I did bite +James once pretty sharp, but John said, 'Try her with kindness,' and +instead of punishing me as I expected, James came to me with his arm +bound up, and brought me a bran mash and stroked me; and I have never +snapped at him since, and I won't either." + +I was sorry for Ginger, but of course I knew very little then, and I +thought most likely she made the worst of it; however, I found that as +the weeks went on she grew much more gentle and cheerful, and had lost +the watchful, defiant look that she used to turn on any strange person +who came near her; and one day James said, "I do believe that mare is +getting fond of me, she quite whinnied after me this morning when I had +been rubbing her forehead." + +"Ay, ay, Jim, 'tis 'the Birtwick balls'," said John, "she'll be as good +as Black Beauty by and by; kindness is all the physic she wants, poor +thing!" Master noticed the change, too, and one day when he got out of +the carriage and came to speak to us, as he often did, he stroked her +beautiful neck. "Well, my pretty one, well, how do things go with you +now? You are a good bit happier than when you came to us, I think." + +She put her nose up to him in a friendly, trustful way, while he rubbed +it gently. + +"We shall make a cure of her, John," he said. + +"Yes, sir, she's wonderfully improved; she's not the same creature that +she was; it's 'the Birtwick balls', sir," said John, laughing. + +This was a little joke of John's; he used to say that a regular course +of "the Birtwick horseballs" would cure almost any vicious horse; these +balls, he said, were made up of patience and gentleness, firmness and +petting, one pound of each to be mixed up with half a pint of common +sense, and given to the horse every day. + + + + +09 Merrylegs + + +Mr. Blomefield, the vicar, had a large family of boys and girls; +sometimes they used to come and play with Miss Jessie and Flora. One +of the girls was as old as Miss Jessie; two of the boys were older, and +there were several little ones. When they came there was plenty of work +for Merrylegs, for nothing pleased them so much as getting on him by +turns and riding him all about the orchard and the home paddock, and +this they would do by the hour together. + +One afternoon he had been out with them a long time, and when James +brought him in and put on his halter he said: + +"There, you rogue, mind how you behave yourself, or we shall get into +trouble." + +"What have you been doing, Merrylegs?" I asked. + +"Oh!" said he, tossing his little head, "I have only been giving those +young people a lesson; they did not know when they had had enough, nor +when I had had enough, so I just pitched them off backward; that was the +only thing they could understand." + +"What!" said I, "you threw the children off? I thought you did know +better than that! Did you throw Miss Jessie or Miss Flora?" + +He looked very much offended, and said: + +"Of course not; I would not do such a thing for the best oats that ever +came into the stable; why, I am as careful of our young ladies as the +master could be, and as for the little ones it is I who teach them to +ride. When they seem frightened or a little unsteady on my back I go as +smooth and as quiet as old pussy when she is after a bird; and when they +are all right I go on again faster, you see, just to use them to it; so +don't you trouble yourself preaching to me; I am the best friend and the +best riding-master those children have. It is not them, it is the boys; +boys," said he, shaking his mane, "are quite different; they must be +broken in as we were broken in when we were colts, and just be taught +what's what. The other children had ridden me about for nearly two +hours, and then the boys thought it was their turn, and so it was, and +I was quite agreeable. They rode me by turns, and I galloped them about, +up and down the fields and all about the orchard, for a good hour. They +had each cut a great hazel stick for a riding-whip, and laid it on a +little too hard; but I took it in good part, till at last I thought we +had had enough, so I stopped two or three times by way of a hint. +Boys, you see, think a horse or pony is like a steam-engine or a +thrashing-machine, and can go on as long and as fast as they please; +they never think that a pony can get tired, or have any feelings; so as +the one who was whipping me could not understand I just rose up on +my hind legs and let him slip off behind--that was all. He mounted me +again, and I did the same. Then the other boy got up, and as soon as +he began to use his stick I laid him on the grass, and so on, till they +were able to understand--that was all. They are not bad boys; they don't +wish to be cruel. I like them very well; but you see I had to give them +a lesson. When they brought me to James and told him I think he was very +angry to see such big sticks. He said they were only fit for drovers or +gypsies, and not for young gentlemen." + +"If I had been you," said Ginger, "I would have given those boys a good +kick, and that would have given them a lesson." + +"No doubt you would," said Merrylegs; "but then I am not quite such a +fool (begging your pardon) as to anger our master or make James ashamed +of me. Besides, those children are under my charge when they are riding; +I tell you they are intrusted to me. Why, only the other day I heard our +master say to Mrs. Blomefield, 'My dear madam, you need not be anxious +about the children; my old Merrylegs will take as much care of them as +you or I could; I assure you I would not sell that pony for any money, +he is so perfectly good-tempered and trustworthy;' and do you think I am +such an ungrateful brute as to forget all the kind treatment I have +had here for five years, and all the trust they place in me, and turn +vicious because a couple of ignorant boys used me badly? No, no! you +never had a good place where they were kind to you, and so you don't +know, and I'm sorry for you; but I can tell you good places make good +horses. I wouldn't vex our people for anything; I love them, I do," said +Merrylegs, and he gave a low "ho, ho, ho!" through his nose, as he used +to do in the morning when he heard James' footstep at the door. + +"Besides," he went on, "if I took to kicking where should I be? Why, +sold off in a jiffy, and no character, and I might find myself slaved +about under a butcher's boy, or worked to death at some seaside place +where no one cared for me, except to find out how fast I could go, or be +flogged along in some cart with three or four great men in it going out +for a Sunday spree, as I have often seen in the place I lived in before +I came here; no," said he, shaking his head, "I hope I shall never come +to that." + + + + +10 A Talk in the Orchard + + +Ginger and I were not of the regular tall carriage horse breed, we had +more of the racing blood in us. We stood about fifteen and a half hands +high; we were therefore just as good for riding as we were for driving, +and our master used to say that he disliked either horse or man that +could do but one thing; and as he did not want to show off in London +parks, he preferred a more active and useful kind of horse. As for us, +our greatest pleasure was when we were saddled for a riding party; the +master on Ginger, the mistress on me, and the young ladies on Sir Oliver +and Merrylegs. It was so cheerful to be trotting and cantering all +together that it always put us in high spirits. I had the best of it, +for I always carried the mistress; her weight was little, her voice was +sweet, and her hand was so light on the rein that I was guided almost +without feeling it. + +Oh! if people knew what a comfort to horses a light hand is, and how it +keeps a good mouth and a good temper, they surely would not chuck, and +drag, and pull at the rein as they often do. Our mouths are so tender +that where they have not been spoiled or hardened with bad or ignorant +treatment, they feel the slightest movement of the driver's hand, and +we know in an instant what is required of us. My mouth has never been +spoiled, and I believe that was why the mistress preferred me to Ginger, +although her paces were certainly quite as good. She used often to envy +me, and said it was all the fault of breaking in, and the gag bit in +London, that her mouth was not so perfect as mine; and then old Sir +Oliver would say, "There, there! don't vex yourself; you have the +greatest honor; a mare that can carry a tall man of our master's weight, +with all your spring and sprightly action, does not need to hold her +head down because she does not carry the lady; we horses must take +things as they come, and always be contented and willing so long as we +are kindly used." + +I had often wondered how it was that Sir Oliver had such a very short +tail; it really was only six or seven inches long, with a tassel of hair +hanging from it; and on one of our holidays in the orchard I ventured to +ask him by what accident it was that he had lost his tail. "Accident!" +he snorted with a fierce look, "it was no accident! it was a cruel, +shameful, cold-blooded act! When I was young I was taken to a place +where these cruel things were done; I was tied up, and made fast so that +I could not stir, and then they came and cut off my long and beautiful +tail, through the flesh and through the bone, and took it away. + +"How dreadful!" I exclaimed. + +"Dreadful, ah! it was dreadful; but it was not only the pain, though +that was terrible and lasted a long time; it was not only the indignity +of having my best ornament taken from me, though that was bad; but it +was this, how could I ever brush the flies off my sides and my hind legs +any more? You who have tails just whisk the flies off without thinking +about it, and you can't tell what a torment it is to have them settle +upon you and sting and sting, and have nothing in the world to lash them +off with. I tell you it is a lifelong wrong, and a lifelong loss; but +thank heaven, they don't do it now." + +"What did they do it for then?" said Ginger. + +"For fashion!" said the old horse with a stamp of his foot; "for +fashion! if you know what that means; there was not a well-bred young +horse in my time that had not his tail docked in that shameful way, just +as if the good God that made us did not know what we wanted and what +looked best." + +"I suppose it is fashion that makes them strap our heads up with those +horrid bits that I was tortured with in London," said Ginger. + +"Of course it is," said he; "to my mind, fashion is one of the wickedest +things in the world. Now look, for instance, at the way they serve dogs, +cutting off their tails to make them look plucky, and shearing up their +pretty little ears to a point to make them both look sharp, forsooth. I +had a dear friend once, a brown terrier; 'Skye' they called her. She was +so fond of me that she never would sleep out of my stall; she made +her bed under the manger, and there she had a litter of five as pretty +little puppies as need be; none were drowned, for they were a valuable +kind, and how pleased she was with them! and when they got their eyes +open and crawled about, it was a real pretty sight; but one day the man +came and took them all away; I thought he might be afraid I should tread +upon them. But it was not so; in the evening poor Skye brought them back +again, one by one in her mouth; not the happy little things that they +were, but bleeding and crying pitifully; they had all had a piece of +their tails cut off, and the soft flap of their pretty little ears was +cut quite off. How their mother licked them, and how troubled she was, +poor thing! I never forgot it. They healed in time, and they forgot the +pain, but the nice soft flap, that of course was intended to protect the +delicate part of their ears from dust and injury, was gone forever. Why +don't they cut their own children's ears into points to make them look +sharp? Why don't they cut the end off their noses to make them look +plucky? One would be just as sensible as the other. What right have they +to torment and disfigure God's creatures?" + +Sir Oliver, though he was so gentle, was a fiery old fellow, and what +he said was all so new to me, and so dreadful, that I found a bitter +feeling toward men rise up in my mind that I never had before. Of course +Ginger was very much excited; she flung up her head with flashing +eyes and distended nostrils, declaring that men were both brutes and +blockheads. + +"Who talks about blockheads?" said Merrylegs, who just came up from +the old apple-tree, where he had been rubbing himself against the low +branch. "Who talks about blockheads? I believe that is a bad word." + +"Bad words were made for bad things," said Ginger, and she told him what +Sir Oliver had said. + +"It is all true," said Merrylegs sadly, "and I've seen that about the +dogs over and over again where I lived first; but we won't talk about +it here. You know that master, and John and James are always good to +us, and talking against men in such a place as this doesn't seem fair +or grateful, and you know there are good masters and good grooms beside +ours, though of course ours are the best." + +This wise speech of good little Merrylegs, which we knew was quite true, +cooled us all down, especially Sir Oliver, who was dearly fond of his +master; and to turn the subject I said, "Can any one tell me the use of +blinkers?" + +"No!" said Sir Oliver shortly, "because they are no use." + +"They are supposed," said Justice, the roan cob, in his calm way, "to +prevent horses from shying and starting, and getting so frightened as to +cause accidents." + +"Then what is the reason they do not put them on riding horses; +especially on ladies' horses?" said I. + +"There is no reason at all," said he quietly, "except the fashion; they +say that a horse would be so frightened to see the wheels of his own +cart or carriage coming behind him that he would be sure to run away, +although of course when he is ridden he sees them all about him if the +streets are crowded. I admit they do sometimes come too close to be +pleasant, but we don't run away; we are used to it, and understand it, +and if we never had blinkers put on we should never want them; we should +see what was there, and know what was what, and be much less frightened +than by only seeing bits of things that we can't understand. Of course +there may be some nervous horses who have been hurt or frightened when +they were young, who may be the better for them; but as I never was +nervous, I can't judge." + +"I consider," said Sir Oliver, "that blinkers are dangerous things in +the night; we horses can see much better in the dark than men can, and +many an accident would never have happened if horses might have had the +full use of their eyes. Some years ago, I remember, there was a hearse +with two horses returning one dark night, and just by Farmer Sparrow's +house, where the pond is close to the road, the wheels went too near the +edge, and the hearse was overturned into the water; both the horses were +drowned, and the driver hardly escaped. Of course after this accident +a stout white rail was put up that might be easily seen, but if those +horses had not been partly blinded, they would of themselves have kept +further from the edge, and no accident would have happened. When our +master's carriage was overturned, before you came here, it was said that +if the lamp on the left side had not gone out, John would have seen the +great hole that the road-makers had left; and so he might, but if old +Colin had not had blinkers on he would have seen it, lamp or no lamp, +for he was far too knowing an old horse to run into danger. As it was, +he was very much hurt, the carriage was broken, and how John escaped +nobody knew." + +"I should say," said Ginger, curling her nostril, "that these men, who +are so wise, had better give orders that in the future all foals should +be born with their eyes set just in the middle of their foreheads, +instead of on the side; they always think they can improve upon nature +and mend what God has made." + +Things were getting rather sore again, when Merrylegs held up his +knowing little face and said, "I'll tell you a secret: I believe John +does not approve of blinkers; I heard him talking with master about it +one day. The master said that 'if horses had been used to them, it might +be dangerous in some cases to leave them off'; and John said he thought +it would be a good thing if all colts were broken in without blinkers, +as was the case in some foreign countries. So let us cheer up, and have +a run to the other end of the orchard; I believe the wind has blown down +some apples, and we might just as well eat them as the slugs." + +Merrylegs could not be resisted, so we broke off our long conversation, +and got up our spirits by munching some very sweet apples which lay +scattered on the grass. + + + + +11 Plain Speaking + + +The longer I lived at Birtwick the more proud and happy I felt at having +such a place. Our master and mistress were respected and beloved by all +who knew them; they were good and kind to everybody and everything; not +only men and women, but horses and donkeys, dogs and cats, cattle and +birds; there was no oppressed or ill-used creature that had not a friend +in them, and their servants took the same tone. If any of the village +children were known to treat any creature cruelly they soon heard about +it from the Hall. + +The squire and Farmer Grey had worked together, as they said, for more +than twenty years to get check-reins on the cart-horses done away with, +and in our parts you seldom saw them; and sometimes, if mistress met +a heavily laden horse with his head strained up she would stop the +carriage and get out, and reason with the driver in her sweet serious +voice, and try to show him how foolish and cruel it was. + +I don't think any man could withstand our mistress. I wish all ladies +were like her. Our master, too, used to come down very heavy sometimes. +I remember he was riding me toward home one morning when we saw a +powerful man driving toward us in a light pony chaise, with a beautiful +little bay pony, with slender legs and a high-bred sensitive head and +face. Just as he came to the park gates the little thing turned toward +them; the man, without word or warning, wrenched the creature's head +round with such a force and suddenness that he nearly threw it on its +haunches. Recovering itself it was going on, when he began to lash it +furiously. The pony plunged forward, but the strong, heavy hand held the +pretty creature back with force almost enough to break its jaw, while +the whip still cut into him. It was a dreadful sight to me, for I knew +what fearful pain it gave that delicate little mouth; but master gave me +the word, and we were up with him in a second. + +"Sawyer," he cried in a stern voice, "is that pony made of flesh and +blood?" + +"Flesh and blood and temper," he said; "he's too fond of his own will, +and that won't suit me." He spoke as if he was in a strong passion. He +was a builder who had often been to the park on business. + +"And do you think," said master sternly, "that treatment like this will +make him fond of your will?" + +"He had no business to make that turn; his road was straight on!" said +the man roughly. + +"You have often driven that pony up to my place," said master; "it only +shows the creature's memory and intelligence; how did he know that you +were not going there again? But that has little to do with it. I must +say, Mr. Sawyer, that a more unmanly, brutal treatment of a little +pony it was never my painful lot to witness, and by giving way to such +passion you injure your own character as much, nay more, than you injure +your horse; and remember, we shall all have to be judged according to +our works, whether they be toward man or toward beast." + +Master rode me home slowly, and I could tell by his voice how the thing +had grieved him. He was just as free to speak to gentlemen of his own +rank as to those below him; for another day, when we were out, we met +a Captain Langley, a friend of our master's; he was driving a splendid +pair of grays in a kind of break. After a little conversation the +captain said: + +"What do you think of my new team, Mr. Douglas? You know, you are the +judge of horses in these parts, and I should like your opinion." + +The master backed me a little, so as to get a good view of them. "They +are an uncommonly handsome pair," he said, "and if they are as good as +they look I am sure you need not wish for anything better; but I see +you still hold that pet scheme of yours for worrying your horses and +lessening their power." + +"What do you mean," said the other, "the check-reins? Oh, ah! I know +that's a hobby of yours; well, the fact is, I like to see my horses hold +their heads up." + +"So do I," said master, "as well as any man, but I don't like to +see them held up; that takes all the shine out of it. Now, you are a +military man, Langley, and no doubt like to see your regiment look well +on parade, 'heads up', and all that; but you would not take much credit +for your drill if all your men had their heads tied to a backboard! It +might not be much harm on parade, except to worry and fatigue them; but +how would it be in a bayonet charge against the enemy, when they want +the free use of every muscle, and all their strength thrown forward? I +would not give much for their chance of victory. And it is just the same +with horses: you fret and worry their tempers, and decrease their power; +you will not let them throw their weight against their work, and so +they have to do too much with their joints and muscles, and of course +it wears them up faster. You may depend upon it, horses were intended +to have their heads free, as free as men's are; and if we could act a +little more according to common sense, and a good deal less according +to fashion, we should find many things work easier; besides, you know as +well as I that if a horse makes a false step, he has much less chance +of recovering himself if his head and neck are fastened back. And now," +said the master, laughing, "I have given my hobby a good trot out, can't +you make up your mind to mount him, too, captain? Your example would go +a long way." + +"I believe you are right in theory," said the other, "and that's rather +a hard hit about the soldiers; but--well--I'll think about it," and so +they parted. + + + + +12 A Stormy Day + + +One day late in the autumn my master had a long journey to go on +business. I was put into the dog-cart, and John went with his master. I +always liked to go in the dog-cart, it was so light and the high wheels +ran along so pleasantly. There had been a great deal of rain, and now +the wind was very high and blew the dry leaves across the road in a +shower. We went along merrily till we came to the toll-bar and the low +wooden bridge. The river banks were rather high, and the bridge, instead +of rising, went across just level, so that in the middle, if the river +was full, the water would be nearly up to the woodwork and planks; but +as there were good substantial rails on each side, people did not mind +it. + +The man at the gate said the river was rising fast, and he feared it +would be a bad night. Many of the meadows were under water, and in one +low part of the road the water was halfway up to my knees; the bottom +was good, and master drove gently, so it was no matter. + +When we got to the town of course I had a good bait, but as the master's +business engaged him a long time we did not start for home till rather +late in the afternoon. The wind was then much higher, and I heard the +master say to John that he had never been out in such a storm; and so I +thought, as we went along the skirts of a wood, where the great branches +were swaying about like twigs, and the rushing sound was terrible. + +"I wish we were well out of this wood," said my master. + +"Yes, sir," said John, "it would be rather awkward if one of these +branches came down upon us." + +The words were scarcely out of his mouth when there was a groan, and a +crack, and a splitting sound, and tearing, crashing down among the other +trees came an oak, torn up by the roots, and it fell right across the +road just before us. I will never say I was not frightened, for I was. I +stopped still, and I believe I trembled; of course I did not turn round +or run away; I was not brought up to that. John jumped out and was in a +moment at my head. + +"That was a very near touch," said my master. "What's to be done now?" + +"Well, sir, we can't drive over that tree, nor yet get round it; there +will be nothing for it, but to go back to the four crossways, and that +will be a good six miles before we get round to the wooden bridge again; +it will make us late, but the horse is fresh." + +So back we went and round by the crossroads, but by the time we got to +the bridge it was very nearly dark; we could just see that the water was +over the middle of it; but as that happened sometimes when the floods +were out, master did not stop. We were going along at a good pace, but +the moment my feet touched the first part of the bridge I felt sure +there was something wrong. I dare not go forward, and I made a dead +stop. "Go on, Beauty," said my master, and he gave me a touch with the +whip, but I dare not stir; he gave me a sharp cut; I jumped, but I dare +not go forward. + +"There's something wrong, sir," said John, and he sprang out of the +dog-cart and came to my head and looked all about. He tried to lead me +forward. "Come on, Beauty, what's the matter?" Of course I could not +tell him, but I knew very well that the bridge was not safe. + +Just then the man at the toll-gate on the other side ran out of the +house, tossing a torch about like one mad. + +"Hoy, hoy, hoy! halloo! stop!" he cried. + +"What's the matter?" shouted my master. + +"The bridge is broken in the middle, and part of it is carried away; if +you come on you'll be into the river." + +"Thank God!" said my master. "You Beauty!" said John, and took the +bridle and gently turned me round to the right-hand road by the river +side. The sun had set some time; the wind seemed to have lulled off +after that furious blast which tore up the tree. It grew darker and +darker, stiller and stiller. I trotted quietly along, the wheels hardly +making a sound on the soft road. For a good while neither master nor +John spoke, and then master began in a serious voice. I could not +understand much of what they said, but I found they thought, if I had +gone on as the master wanted me, most likely the bridge would have given +way under us, and horse, chaise, master, and man would have fallen into +the river; and as the current was flowing very strongly, and there was +no light and no help at hand, it was more than likely we should all have +been drowned. Master said, God had given men reason, by which they could +find out things for themselves; but he had given animals knowledge which +did not depend on reason, and which was much more prompt and perfect in +its way, and by which they had often saved the lives of men. John had +many stories to tell of dogs and horses, and the wonderful things they +had done; he thought people did not value their animals half enough nor +make friends of them as they ought to do. I am sure he makes friends of +them if ever a man did. + +At last we came to the park gates and found the gardener looking out for +us. He said that mistress had been in a dreadful way ever since dark, +fearing some accident had happened, and that she had sent James off on +Justice, the roan cob, toward the wooden bridge to make inquiry after +us. + +We saw a light at the hall-door and at the upper windows, and as we came +up mistress ran out, saying, "Are you really safe, my dear? Oh! I +have been so anxious, fancying all sorts of things. Have you had no +accident?" + +"No, my dear; but if your Black Beauty had not been wiser than we were +we should all have been carried down the river at the wooden bridge." +I heard no more, as they went into the house, and John took me to the +stable. Oh, what a good supper he gave me that night, a good bran mash +and some crushed beans with my oats, and such a thick bed of straw! and +I was glad of it, for I was tired. + + + + +13 The Devil's Trade Mark + + +One day when John and I had been out on some business of our master's, +and were returning gently on a long, straight road, at some distance we +saw a boy trying to leap a pony over a gate; the pony would not take the +leap, and the boy cut him with the whip, but he only turned off on one +side. He whipped him again, but the pony turned off on the other side. +Then the boy got off and gave him a hard thrashing, and knocked him +about the head; then he got up again and tried to make him leap the +gate, kicking him all the time shamefully, but still the pony refused. +When we were nearly at the spot the pony put down his head and threw up +his heels, and sent the boy neatly over into a broad quickset hedge, and +with the rein dangling from his head he set off home at a full gallop. +John laughed out quite loud. "Served him right," he said. + +"Oh, oh, oh!" cried the boy as he struggled about among the thorns; "I +say, come and help me out." + +"Thank ye," said John, "I think you are quite in the right place, and +maybe a little scratching will teach you not to leap a pony over a gate +that is too high for him," and so with that John rode off. "It may be," +said he to himself, "that young fellow is a liar as well as a cruel one; +we'll just go home by Farmer Bushby's, Beauty, and then if anybody wants +to know you and I can tell 'em, ye see." So we turned off to the right, +and soon came up to the stack-yard, and within sight of the house. The +farmer was hurrying out into the road, and his wife was standing at the +gate, looking very frightened. + +"Have you seen my boy?" said Mr. Bushby as we came up; "he went out an +hour ago on my black pony, and the creature is just come back without a +rider." + +"I should think, sir," said John, "he had better be without a rider, +unless he can be ridden properly." + +"What do you mean?" said the farmer. + +"Well, sir, I saw your son whipping, and kicking, and knocking that good +little pony about shamefully because he would not leap a gate that was +too high for him. The pony behaved well, sir, and showed no vice; but at +last he just threw up his heels and tipped the young gentleman into the +thorn hedge. He wanted me to help him out, but I hope you will excuse +me, sir, I did not feel inclined to do so. There's no bones broken, sir; +he'll only get a few scratches. I love horses, and it riles me to see +them badly used; it is a bad plan to aggravate an animal till he uses +his heels; the first time is not always the last." + +During this time the mother began to cry, "Oh, my poor Bill, I must go +and meet him; he must be hurt." + +"You had better go into the house, wife," said the farmer; "Bill wants a +lesson about this, and I must see that he gets it; this is not the first +time, nor the second, that he has ill-used that pony, and I shall stop +it. I am much obliged to you, Manly. Good-evening." + +So we went on, John chuckling all the way home; then he told James about +it, who laughed and said, "Serve him right. I knew that boy at school; +he took great airs on himself because he was a farmer's son; he used to +swagger about and bully the little boys. Of course, we elder ones would +not have any of that nonsense, and let him know that in the school and +the playground farmers' sons and laborers' sons were all alike. I well +remember one day, just before afternoon school, I found him at the large +window catching flies and pulling off their wings. He did not see me and +I gave him a box on the ears that laid him sprawling on the floor. Well, +angry as I was, I was almost frightened, he roared and bellowed in such +a style. The boys rushed in from the playground, and the master ran in +from the road to see who was being murdered. Of course I said fair and +square at once what I had done, and why; then I showed the master the +flies, some crushed and some crawling about helpless, and I showed him +the wings on the window sill. I never saw him so angry before; but as +Bill was still howling and whining, like the coward that he was, he did +not give him any more punishment of that kind, but set him up on a stool +for the rest of the afternoon, and said that he should not go out to +play for that week. Then he talked to all the boys very seriously about +cruelty, and said how hard-hearted and cowardly it was to hurt the +weak and the helpless; but what stuck in my mind was this, he said that +cruelty was the devil's own trade-mark, and if we saw any one who took +pleasure in cruelty we might know who he belonged to, for the devil was +a murderer from the beginning, and a tormentor to the end. On the other +hand, where we saw people who loved their neighbors, and were kind to +man and beast, we might know that was God's mark." + +"Your master never taught you a truer thing," said John; "there is no +religion without love, and people may talk as much as they like about +their religion, but if it does not teach them to be good and kind to man +and beast it is all a sham--all a sham, James, and it won't stand when +things come to be turned inside out." + + + + +14 James Howard + + +Early one morning in December John had just led me into my box after my +daily exercise, and was strapping my cloth on and James was coming in +from the corn chamber with some oats, when the master came into the +stable. He looked rather serious, and held an open letter in his hand. +John fastened the door of my box, touched his cap, and waited for +orders. + +"Good-morning, John," said the master. "I want to know if you have any +complaint to make of James." + +"Complaint, sir? No, sir." + +"Is he industrious at his work and respectful to you?" + +"Yes, sir, always." + +"You never find he slights his work when your back is turned?" + +"Never, sir." + +"That's well; but I must put another question. Have you no reason to +suspect, when he goes out with the horses to exercise them or to take a +message, that he stops about talking to his acquaintances, or goes into +houses where he has no business, leaving the horses outside?" + +"No, sir, certainly not; and if anybody has been saying that about +James, I don't believe it, and I don't mean to believe it unless I have +it fairly proved before witnesses; it's not for me to say who has been +trying to take away James' character, but I will say this, sir, that a +steadier, pleasanter, honester, smarter young fellow I never had in this +stable. I can trust his word and I can trust his work; he is gentle and +clever with the horses, and I would rather have them in charge with him +than with half the young fellows I know of in laced hats and liveries; +and whoever wants a character of James Howard," said John, with a +decided jerk of his head, "let them come to John Manly." + +The master stood all this time grave and attentive, but as John finished +his speech a broad smile spread over his face, and looking kindly +across at James, who all this time had stood still at the door, he said, +"James, my lad, set down the oats and come here; I am very glad to find +that John's opinion of your character agrees so exactly with my own. +John is a cautious man," he said, with a droll smile, "and it is not +always easy to get his opinion about people, so I thought if I beat the +bush on this side the birds would fly out, and I should learn what I +wanted to know quickly; so now we will come to business. I have a letter +from my brother-in-law, Sir Clifford Williams, of Clifford Hall. +He wants me to find him a trustworthy young groom, about twenty or +twenty-one, who knows his business. His old coachman, who has lived with +him thirty years, is getting feeble, and he wants a man to work with him +and get into his ways, who would be able, when the old man was pensioned +off, to step into his place. He would have eighteen shillings a week at +first, a stable suit, a driving suit, a bedroom over the coachhouse, and +a boy under him. Sir Clifford is a good master, and if you could get the +place it would be a good start for you. I don't want to part with you, +and if you left us I know John would lose his right hand." + +"That I should, sir," said John, "but I would not stand in his light for +the world." + +"How old are you, James?" said master. + +"Nineteen next May, sir." + +"That's young; what do you think, John?" + +"Well, sir, it is young; but he is as steady as a man, and is strong, +and well grown, and though he has not had much experience in driving, he +has a light firm hand and a quick eye, and he is very careful, and I am +quite sure no horse of his will be ruined for want of having his feet +and shoes looked after." + +"Your word will go the furthest, John," said the master, "for Sir +Clifford adds in a postscript, 'If I could find a man trained by your +John I should like him better than any other;' so, James, lad, think it +over, talk to your mother at dinner-time, and then let me know what you +wish." + +In a few days after this conversation it was fully settled that James +should go to Clifford Hall, in a month or six weeks, as it suited his +master, and in the meantime he was to get all the practice in driving +that could be given to him. I never knew the carriage to go out so often +before; when the mistress did not go out the master drove himself in the +two-wheeled chaise; but now, whether it was master or the young ladies, +or only an errand, Ginger and I were put in the carriage and James drove +us. At the first John rode with him on the box, telling him this and +that, and after that James drove alone. + +Then it was wonderful what a number of places the master would go to in +the city on Saturday, and what queer streets we were driven through. He +was sure to go to the railway station just as the train was coming in, +and cabs and carriages, carts and omnibuses were all trying to get over +the bridge together; that bridge wanted good horses and good drivers +when the railway bell was ringing, for it was narrow, and there was a +very sharp turn up to the station, where it would not have been at all +difficult for people to run into each other, if they did not look sharp +and keep their wits about them. + + + + +15 The Old Hostler + + +After this it was decided by my master and mistress to pay a visit to +some friends who lived about forty-six miles from our home, and James +was to drive them. The first day we traveled thirty-two miles. +There were some long, heavy hills, but James drove so carefully and +thoughtfully that we were not at all harassed. He never forgot to put on +the brake as we went downhill, nor to take it off at the right place. He +kept our feet on the smoothest part of the road, and if the uphill was +very long, he set the carriage wheels a little across the road, so as +not to run back, and gave us a breathing. All these little things help a +horse very much, particularly if he gets kind words into the bargain. + +We stopped once or twice on the road, and just as the sun was going down +we reached the town where we were to spend the night. We stopped at the +principal hotel, which was in the market-place; it was a very large one; +we drove under an archway into a long yard, at the further end of which +were the stables and coachhouses. Two hostlers came to take us out. The +head hostler was a pleasant, active little man, with a crooked leg, +and a yellow striped waistcoat. I never saw a man unbuckle harness so +quickly as he did, and with a pat and a good word he led me to a long +stable, with six or eight stalls in it, and two or three horses. The +other man brought Ginger; James stood by while we were rubbed down and +cleaned. + +I never was cleaned so lightly and quickly as by that little old man. +When he had done James stepped up and felt me over, as if he thought I +could not be thoroughly done, but he found my coat as clean and smooth +as silk. + +"Well," he said, "I thought I was pretty quick, and our John quicker +still, but you do beat all I ever saw for being quick and thorough at +the same time." + +"Practice makes perfect," said the crooked little hostler, "and 'twould +be a pity if it didn't; forty years' practice, and not perfect! ha, ha! +that would be a pity; and as to being quick, why, bless you! that is +only a matter of habit; if you get into the habit of being quick it is +just as easy as being slow; easier, I should say; in fact it don't agree +with my health to be hulking about over a job twice as long as it need +take. Bless you! I couldn't whistle if I crawled over my work as some +folks do! You see, I have been about horses ever since I was twelve +years old, in hunting stables, and racing stables; and being small, ye +see, I was jockey for several years; but at the Goodwood, ye see, the +turf was very slippery and my poor Larkspur got a fall, and I broke my +knee, and so of course I was of no more use there. But I could not live +without horses, of course I couldn't, so I took to the hotels. And I +can tell ye it is a downright pleasure to handle an animal like this, +well-bred, well-mannered, well-cared-for; bless ye! I can tell how a +horse is treated. Give me the handling of a horse for twenty minutes, +and I'll tell you what sort of a groom he has had. Look at this one, +pleasant, quiet, turns about just as you want him, holds up his feet to +be cleaned out, or anything else you please to wish; then you'll find +another fidgety, fretty, won't move the right way, or starts across the +stall, tosses up his head as soon as you come near him, lays his ears, +and seems afraid of you; or else squares about at you with his heels. +Poor things! I know what sort of treatment they have had. If they are +timid it makes them start or shy; if they are high-mettled it makes them +vicious or dangerous; their tempers are mostly made when they are young. +Bless you! they are like children, train 'em up in the way they should +go, as the good book says, and when they are old they will not depart +from it, if they have a chance." + +"I like to hear you talk," said James, "that's the way we lay it down at +home, at our master's." + +"Who is your master, young man? if it be a proper question. I should +judge he is a good one, from what I see." + +"He is Squire Gordon, of Birtwick Park, the other side the Beacon +Hills," said James. + +"Ah! so, so, I have heard tell of him; fine judge of horses, ain't he? +the best rider in the county." + +"I believe he is," said James, "but he rides very little now, since the +poor young master was killed." + +"Ah! poor gentleman; I read all about it in the paper at the time. A +fine horse killed, too, wasn't there?" + +"Yes," said James; "he was a splendid creature, brother to this one, and +just like him." + +"Pity! pity!" said the old man; "'twas a bad place to leap, if I +remember; a thin fence at top, a steep bank down to the stream, wasn't +it? No chance for a horse to see where he is going. Now, I am for bold +riding as much as any man, but still there are some leaps that only +a very knowing old huntsman has any right to take. A man's life and a +horse's life are worth more than a fox's tail; at least, I should say +they ought to be." + +During this time the other man had finished Ginger and had brought our +corn, and James and the old man left the stable together. + + + + +16 The Fire + + +Later on in the evening a traveler's horse was brought in by the second +hostler, and while he was cleaning him a young man with a pipe in his +mouth lounged into the stable to gossip. + +"I say, Towler," said the hostler, "just run up the ladder into the loft +and put some hay down into this horse's rack, will you? only lay down +your pipe." + +"All right," said the other, and went up through the trapdoor; and I +heard him step across the floor overhead and put down the hay. James +came in to look at us the last thing, and then the door was locked. + +I cannot say how long I had slept, nor what time in the night it was, +but I woke up very uncomfortable, though I hardly knew why. I got up; +the air seemed all thick and choking. I heard Ginger coughing and one +of the other horses seemed very restless; it was quite dark, and I could +see nothing, but the stable seemed full of smoke, and I hardly knew how +to breathe. + +The trapdoor had been left open, and I thought that was the place it +came through. I listened, and heard a soft rushing sort of noise and a +low crackling and snapping. I did not know what it was, but there was +something in the sound so strange that it made me tremble all over. The +other horses were all awake; some were pulling at their halters, others +stamping. + +At last I heard steps outside, and the hostler who had put up the +traveler's horse burst into the stable with a lantern, and began to +untie the horses, and try to lead them out; but he seemed in such a +hurry and so frightened himself that he frightened me still more. The +first horse would not go with him; he tried the second and third, and +they too would not stir. He came to me next and tried to drag me out of +the stall by force; of course that was no use. He tried us all by turns +and then left the stable. + +No doubt we were very foolish, but danger seemed to be all round, and +there was nobody we knew to trust in, and all was strange and uncertain. +The fresh air that had come in through the open door made it easier to +breathe, but the rushing sound overhead grew louder, and as I looked +upward through the bars of my empty rack I saw a red light flickering +on the wall. Then I heard a cry of "Fire!" outside, and the old hostler +quietly and quickly came in; he got one horse out, and went to another, +but the flames were playing round the trapdoor, and the roaring overhead +was dreadful. + +The next thing I heard was James' voice, quiet and cheery, as it always +was. + +"Come, my beauties, it is time for us to be off, so wake up and come +along." I stood nearest the door, so he came to me first, patting me as +he came in. + +"Come, Beauty, on with your bridle, my boy, we'll soon be out of this +smother." It was on in no time; then he took the scarf off his neck, and +tied it lightly over my eyes, and patting and coaxing he led me out +of the stable. Safe in the yard, he slipped the scarf off my eyes, and +shouted, "Here somebody! take this horse while I go back for the other." + +A tall, broad man stepped forward and took me, and James darted back +into the stable. I set up a shrill whinny as I saw him go. Ginger told +me afterward that whinny was the best thing I could have done for her, +for had she not heard me outside she would never have had courage to +come out. + +There was much confusion in the yard; the horses being got out of other +stables, and the carriages and gigs being pulled out of houses and +sheds, lest the flames should spread further. On the other side the yard +windows were thrown up, and people were shouting all sorts of things; +but I kept my eye fixed on the stable door, where the smoke poured out +thicker than ever, and I could see flashes of red light; presently I +heard above all the stir and din a loud, clear voice, which I knew was +master's: + +"James Howard! James Howard! Are you there?" There was no answer, but I +heard a crash of something falling in the stable, and the next moment +I gave a loud, joyful neigh, for I saw James coming through the smoke +leading Ginger with him; she was coughing violently, and he was not able +to speak. + +"My brave lad!" said master, laying his hand on his shoulder, "are you +hurt?" + +James shook his head, for he could not yet speak. + +"Ay," said the big man who held me; "he is a brave lad, and no mistake." + +"And now," said master, "when you have got your breath, James, we'll get +out of this place as quickly as we can," and we were moving toward the +entry, when from the market-place there came a sound of galloping feet +and loud rumbling wheels. + +"'Tis the fire-engine! the fire-engine!" shouted two or three voices, +"stand back, make way!" and clattering and thundering over the stones +two horses dashed into the yard with a heavy engine behind them. The +firemen leaped to the ground; there was no need to ask where the fire +was--it was rolling up in a great blaze from the roof. + +We got out as fast as we could into the broad quiet market-place; the +stars were shining, and except the noise behind us, all was still. +Master led the way to a large hotel on the other side, and as soon as +the hostler came, he said, "James, I must now hasten to your mistress; +I trust the horses entirely to you, order whatever you think is needed," +and with that he was gone. The master did not run, but I never saw +mortal man walk so fast as he did that night. + +There was a dreadful sound before we got into our stalls--the shrieks of +those poor horses that were left burning to death in the stable--it was +very terrible! and made both Ginger and me feel very bad. We, however, +were taken in and well done by. + +The next morning the master came to see how we were and to speak to +James. I did not hear much, for the hostler was rubbing me down, but +I could see that James looked very happy, and I thought the master was +proud of him. Our mistress had been so much alarmed in the night that +the journey was put off till the afternoon, so James had the morning +on hand, and went first to the inn to see about our harness and the +carriage, and then to hear more about the fire. When he came back we +heard him tell the hostler about it. At first no one could guess how the +fire had been caused, but at last a man said he saw Dick Towler go into +the stable with a pipe in his mouth, and when he came out he had not +one, and went to the tap for another. Then the under hostler said he had +asked Dick to go up the ladder to put down some hay, but told him to lay +down his pipe first. Dick denied taking the pipe with him, but no one +believed him. I remember our John Manly's rule, never to allow a pipe in +the stable, and thought it ought to be the rule everywhere. + +James said the roof and floor had all fallen in, and that only the black +walls were standing; the two poor horses that could not be got out were +buried under the burnt rafters and tiles. + + + + +17 John Manly's Talk + + +The rest of our journey was very easy, and a little after sunset we +reached the house of my master's friend. We were taken into a clean, +snug stable; there was a kind coachman, who made us very comfortable, +and who seemed to think a good deal of James when he heard about the +fire. + +"There is one thing quite clear, young man," he said, "your horses know +who they can trust; it is one of the hardest things in the world to get +horses out of a stable when there is either fire or flood. I don't know +why they won't come out, but they won't--not one in twenty." + +We stopped two or three days at this place and then returned home. All +went well on the journey; we were glad to be in our own stable again, +and John was equally glad to see us. + +Before he and James left us for the night James said, "I wonder who is +coming in my place." + +"Little Joe Green at the lodge," said John. + +"Little Joe Green! why, he's a child!" + +"He is fourteen and a half," said John. + +"But he is such a little chap!" + +"Yes, he is small, but he is quick and willing, and kind-hearted, too, +and then he wishes very much to come, and his father would like it; +and I know the master would like to give him the chance. He said if I +thought he would not do he would look out for a bigger boy; but I said I +was quite agreeable to try him for six weeks." + +"Six weeks!" said James; "why, it will be six months before he can be of +much use! It will make you a deal of work, John." + +"Well," said John with a laugh, "work and I are very good friends; I +never was afraid of work yet." + +"You are a very good man," said James. "I wish I may ever be like you." + +"I don't often speak of myself," said John, "but as you are going away +from us out into the world to shift for yourself I'll just tell you how +I look on these things. I was just as old as Joseph when my father and +mother died of the fever within ten days of each other, and left me and +my cripple sister Nelly alone in the world, without a relation that we +could look to for help. I was a farmer's boy, not earning enough to keep +myself, much less both of us, and she must have gone to the workhouse +but for our mistress (Nelly calls her her angel, and she has good right +to do so). She went and hired a room for her with old Widow Mallet, and +she gave her knitting and needlework when she was able to do it; and +when she was ill she sent her dinners and many nice, comfortable things, +and was like a mother to her. Then the master he took me into the stable +under old Norman, the coachman that was then. I had my food at the house +and my bed in the loft, and a suit of clothes, and three shillings a +week, so that I could help Nelly. Then there was Norman; he might have +turned round and said at his age he could not be troubled with a raw boy +from the plow-tail, but he was like a father to me, and took no end of +pains with me. When the old man died some years after I stepped into his +place, and now of course I have top wages, and can lay by for a rainy +day or a sunny day, as it may happen, and Nelly is as happy as a bird. +So you see, James, I am not the man that should turn up his nose at a +little boy and vex a good, kind master. No, no! I shall miss you very +much, James, but we shall pull through, and there's nothing like doing a +kindness when 'tis put in your way, and I am glad I can do it." + +"Then," said James, "you don't hold with that saying, 'Everybody look +after himself, and take care of number one'?" + +"No, indeed," said John, "where should I and Nelly have been if master +and mistress and old Norman had only taken care of number one? Why, +she in the workhouse and I hoeing turnips! Where would Black Beauty and +Ginger have been if you had only thought of number one? why, roasted to +death! No, Jim, no! that is a selfish, heathenish saying, whoever uses +it; and any man who thinks he has nothing to do but take care of number +one, why, it's a pity but what he had been drowned like a puppy or a +kitten, before he got his eyes open; that's what I think," said John, +with a very decided jerk of his head. + +James laughed at this; but there was a thickness in his voice when he +said, "You have been my best friend except my mother; I hope you won't +forget me." + +"No, lad, no!" said John, "and if ever I can do you a good turn I hope +you won't forget me." + +The next day Joe came to the stables to learn all he could before James +left. He learned to sweep the stable, to bring in the straw and hay; he +began to clean the harness, and helped to wash the carriage. As he was +quite too short to do anything in the way of grooming Ginger and me, +James taught him upon Merrylegs, for he was to have full charge of +him, under John. He was a nice little bright fellow, and always came +whistling to his work. + +Merrylegs was a good deal put out at being "mauled about," as he said, +"by a boy who knew nothing;" but toward the end of the second week he +told me confidentially that he thought the boy would turn out well. + +At last the day came when James had to leave us; cheerful as he always +was, he looked quite down-hearted that morning. + +"You see," he said to John, "I am leaving a great deal behind; my mother +and Betsy, and you, and a good master and mistress, and then the horses, +and my old Merrylegs. At the new place there will not be a soul that I +shall know. If it were not that I shall get a higher place, and be able +to help my mother better, I don't think I should have made up my mind to +it; it is a real pinch, John." + +"Ay, James, lad, so it is; but I should not think much of you if you +could leave your home for the first time and not feel it. Cheer up, +you'll make friends there; and if you get on well, as I am sure you +will, it will be a fine thing for your mother, and she will be proud +enough that you have got into such a good place as that." + +So John cheered him up, but every one was sorry to lose James; as for +Merrylegs, he pined after him for several days, and went quite off his +appetite. So John took him out several mornings with a leading rein, +when he exercised me, and, trotting and galloping by my side, got up the +little fellow's spirits again, and he was soon all right. + +Joe's father would often come in and give a little help, as he +understood the work; and Joe took a great deal of pains to learn, and +John was quite encouraged about him. + + + + +18 Going for the Doctor + + +One night, a few days after James had left, I had eaten my hay and was +lying down in my straw fast asleep, when I was suddenly roused by the +stable bell ringing very loud. I heard the door of John's house open, +and his feet running up to the hall. He was back again in no time; he +unlocked the stable door, and came in, calling out, "Wake up, Beauty! +You must go well now, if ever you did;" and almost before I could think +he had got the saddle on my back and the bridle on my head. He just +ran round for his coat, and then took me at a quick trot up to the hall +door. The squire stood there, with a lamp in his hand. + +"Now, John," he said, "ride for your life--that is, for your mistress' +life; there is not a moment to lose. Give this note to Dr. White; give +your horse a rest at the inn, and be back as soon as you can." + +John said, "Yes, sir," and was on my back in a minute. The gardener who +lived at the lodge had heard the bell ring, and was ready with the gate +open, and away we went through the park, and through the village, and +down the hill till we came to the toll-gate. John called very loud and +thumped upon the door; the man was soon out and flung open the gate. + +"Now," said John, "do you keep the gate open for the doctor; here's the +money," and off he went again. + +There was before us a long piece of level road by the river side; John +said to me, "Now, Beauty, do your best," and so I did; I wanted no whip +nor spur, and for two miles I galloped as fast as I could lay my feet to +the ground; I don't believe that my old grandfather, who won the race +at Newmarket, could have gone faster. When we came to the bridge John +pulled me up a little and patted my neck. "Well done, Beauty! good old +fellow," he said. He would have let me go slower, but my spirit was up, +and I was off again as fast as before. The air was frosty, the moon was +bright; it was very pleasant. We came through a village, then through +a dark wood, then uphill, then downhill, till after eight miles' run we +came to the town, through the streets and into the market-place. It was +all quite still except the clatter of my feet on the stones--everybody +was asleep. The church clock struck three as we drew up at Dr. White's +door. John rang the bell twice, and then knocked at the door like +thunder. A window was thrown up, and Dr. White, in his nightcap, put his +head out and said, "What do you want?" + +"Mrs. Gordon is very ill, sir; master wants you to go at once; he thinks +she will die if you cannot get there. Here is a note." + +"Wait," he said, "I will come." + +He shut the window, and was soon at the door. + +"The worst of it is," he said, "that my horse has been out all day and +is quite done up; my son has just been sent for, and he has taken the +other. What is to be done? Can I have your horse?" + +"He has come at a gallop nearly all the way, sir, and I was to give him +a rest here; but I think my master would not be against it, if you think +fit, sir." + +"All right," he said; "I will soon be ready." + +John stood by me and stroked my neck; I was very hot. The doctor came +out with his riding-whip. + +"You need not take that, sir," said John; "Black Beauty will go till he +drops. Take care of him, sir, if you can; I should not like any harm to +come to him." + +"No, no, John," said the doctor, "I hope not," and in a minute we had +left John far behind. + +I will not tell about our way back. The doctor was a heavier man than +John, and not so good a rider; however, I did my very best. The man at +the toll-gate had it open. When we came to the hill the doctor drew me +up. "Now, my good fellow," he said, "take some breath." I was glad he +did, for I was nearly spent, but that breathing helped me on, and soon +we were in the park. Joe was at the lodge gate; my master was at the +hall door, for he had heard us coming. He spoke not a word; the doctor +went into the house with him, and Joe led me to the stable. I was glad +to get home; my legs shook under me, and I could only stand and pant. I +had not a dry hair on my body, the water ran down my legs, and I steamed +all over, Joe used to say, like a pot on the fire. Poor Joe! he was +young and small, and as yet he knew very little, and his father, who +would have helped him, had been sent to the next village; but I am sure +he did the very best he knew. He rubbed my legs and my chest, but he did +not put my warm cloth on me; he thought I was so hot I should not like +it. Then he gave me a pailful of water to drink; it was cold and very +good, and I drank it all; then he gave me some hay and some corn, and +thinking he had done right, he went away. Soon I began to shake and +tremble, and turned deadly cold; my legs ached, my loins ached, and my +chest ached, and I felt sore all over. Oh! how I wished for my warm, +thick cloth, as I stood and trembled. I wished for John, but he had +eight miles to walk, so I lay down in my straw and tried to go to sleep. +After a long while I heard John at the door; I gave a low moan, for I +was in great pain. He was at my side in a moment, stooping down by me. I +could not tell him how I felt, but he seemed to know it all; he covered +me up with two or three warm cloths, and then ran to the house for some +hot water; he made me some warm gruel, which I drank, and then I think I +went to sleep. + +John seemed to be very much put out. I heard him say to himself over and +over again, "Stupid boy! stupid boy! no cloth put on, and I dare say the +water was cold, too; boys are no good;" but Joe was a good boy, after +all. + +I was now very ill; a strong inflammation had attacked my lungs, and I +could not draw my breath without pain. John nursed me night and day; he +would get up two or three times in the night to come to me. My master, +too, often came to see me. "My poor Beauty," he said one day, "my good +horse, you saved your mistress' life, Beauty; yes, you saved her life." +I was very glad to hear that, for it seems the doctor had said if we had +been a little longer it would have been too late. John told my master he +never saw a horse go so fast in his life. It seemed as if the horse knew +what was the matter. Of course I did, though John thought not; at least +I knew as much as this--that John and I must go at the top of our speed, +and that it was for the sake of the mistress. + + + + +19 Only Ignorance + + +I do not know how long I was ill. Mr. Bond, the horse-doctor, came every +day. One day he bled me; John held a pail for the blood. I felt very +faint after it and thought I should die, and I believe they all thought +so too. + +Ginger and Merrylegs had been moved into the other stable, so that I +might be quiet, for the fever made me very quick of hearing; any little +noise seemed quite loud, and I could tell every one's footstep going to +and from the house. I knew all that was going on. One night John had to +give me a draught; Thomas Green came in to help him. After I had taken +it and John had made me as comfortable as he could, he said he should +stay half an hour to see how the medicine settled. Thomas said he +would stay with him, so they went and sat down on a bench that had been +brought into Merrylegs' stall, and put down the lantern at their feet, +that I might not be disturbed with the light. + +For awhile both men sat silent, and then Tom Green said in a low voice: + +"I wish, John, you'd say a bit of a kind word to Joe. The boy is quite +broken-hearted; he can't eat his meals, and he can't smile. He says he +knows it was all his fault, though he is sure he did the best he knew, +and he says if Beauty dies no one will ever speak to him again. It goes +to my heart to hear him. I think you might give him just a word; he is +not a bad boy." + +After a short pause John said slowly, "You must not be too hard upon me, +Tom. I know he meant no harm, I never said he did; I know he is not a +bad boy. But you see, I am sore myself; that horse is the pride of my +heart, to say nothing of his being such a favorite with the master and +mistress; and to think that his life may be flung away in this manner is +more than I can bear. But if you think I am hard on the boy I will try +to give him a good word to-morrow--that is, I mean if Beauty is better." + +"Well, John, thank you. I knew you did not wish to be too hard, and I am +glad you see it was only ignorance." + +John's voice almost startled me as he answered: + +"Only ignorance! only ignorance! how can you talk about only ignorance? +Don't you know that it is the worst thing in the world, next to +wickedness?--and which does the most mischief heaven only knows. If +people can say, 'Oh! I did not know, I did not mean any harm,' they +think it is all right. I suppose Martha Mulwash did not mean to kill +that baby when she dosed it with Dalby and soothing syrups; but she did +kill it, and was tried for manslaughter." + +"And serve her right, too," said Tom. "A woman should not undertake to +nurse a tender little child without knowing what is good and what is bad +for it." + +"Bill Starkey," continued John, "did not mean to frighten his brother +into fits when he dressed up like a ghost and ran after him in the +moonlight; but he did; and that bright, handsome little fellow, that +might have been the pride of any mother's heart is just no better than +an idiot, and never will be, if he lives to be eighty years old. You +were a good deal cut up yourself, Tom, two weeks ago, when those young +ladies left your hothouse door open, with a frosty east wind blowing +right in; you said it killed a good many of your plants." + +"A good many!" said Tom; "there was not one of the tender cuttings that +was not nipped off. I shall have to strike all over again, and the worst +of it is that I don't know where to go to get fresh ones. I was nearly +mad when I came in and saw what was done." + +"And yet," said John, "I am sure the young ladies did not mean it; it +was only ignorance." + +I heard no more of this conversation, for the medicine did well and sent +me to sleep, and in the morning I felt much better; but I often thought +of John's words when I came to know more of the world. + + + + +20 Joe Green + + +Joe Green went on very well; he learned quickly, and was so attentive +and careful that John began to trust him in many things; but as I have +said, he was small of his age, and it was seldom that he was allowed to +exercise either Ginger or me; but it so happened one morning that John +was out with Justice in the luggage cart, and the master wanted a +note to be taken immediately to a gentleman's house, about three miles +distant, and sent his orders for Joe to saddle me and take it, adding +the caution that he was to ride steadily. + +The note was delivered, and we were quietly returning when we came +to the brick-field. Here we saw a cart heavily laden with bricks; the +wheels had stuck fast in the stiff mud of some deep ruts, and the carter +was shouting and flogging the two horses unmercifully. Joe pulled up. It +was a sad sight. There were the two horses straining and struggling with +all their might to drag the cart out, but they could not move it; the +sweat streamed from their legs and flanks, their sides heaved, and every +muscle was strained, while the man, fiercely pulling at the head of the +fore horse, swore and lashed most brutally. + +"Hold hard," said Joe; "don't go on flogging the horses like that; the +wheels are so stuck that they cannot move the cart." + +The man took no heed, but went on lashing. + +"Stop! pray stop!" said Joe. "I'll help you to lighten the cart; they +can't move it now." + +"Mind your own business, you impudent young rascal, and I'll mind mine!" +The man was in a towering passion and the worse for drink, and laid on +the whip again. Joe turned my head, and the next moment we were going at +a round gallop toward the house of the master brick-maker. I cannot say +if John would have approved of our pace, but Joe and I were both of one +mind, and so angry that we could not have gone slower. + +The house stood close by the roadside. Joe knocked at the door, and +shouted, "Halloo! Is Mr. Clay at home?" The door was opened, and Mr. +Clay himself came out. + +"Halloo, young man! You seem in a hurry; any orders from the squire this +morning?" + +"No, Mr. Clay, but there's a fellow in your brick-yard flogging two +horses to death. I told him to stop, and he wouldn't; I said I'd help +him to lighten the cart, and he wouldn't; so I have come to tell you. +Pray, sir, go." Joe's voice shook with excitement. + +"Thank ye, my lad," said the man, running in for his hat; then pausing +for a moment, "Will you give evidence of what you saw if I should bring +the fellow up before a magistrate?" + +"That I will," said Joe, "and glad too." The man was gone, and we were +on our way home at a smart trot. + +"Why, what's the matter with you, Joe? You look angry all over," said +John, as the boy flung himself from the saddle. + +"I am angry all over, I can tell you," said the boy, and then in +hurried, excited words he told all that had happened. Joe was usually +such a quiet, gentle little fellow that it was wonderful to see him so +roused. + +"Right, Joe! you did right, my boy, whether the fellow gets a summons or +not. Many folks would have ridden by and said it was not their +business to interfere. Now I say that with cruelty and oppression it is +everybody's business to interfere when they see it; you did right, my +boy." + +Joe was quite calm by this time, and proud that John approved of him, +and cleaned out my feet and rubbed me down with a firmer hand than +usual. + +They were just going home to dinner when the footman came down to the +stable to say that Joe was wanted directly in master's private room; +there was a man brought up for ill-using horses, and Joe's evidence was +wanted. The boy flushed up to his forehead, and his eyes sparkled. "They +shall have it," said he. + +"Put yourself a bit straight," said John. Joe gave a pull at his necktie +and a twitch at his jacket, and was off in a moment. Our master being +one of the county magistrates, cases were often brought to him to +settle, or say what should be done. In the stable we heard no more for +some time, as it was the men's dinner hour, but when Joe came next into +the stable I saw he was in high spirits; he gave me a good-natured slap, +and said, "We won't see such things done, will we, old fellow?" We heard +afterward that he had given his evidence so clearly, and the horses were +in such an exhausted state, bearing marks of such brutal usage, that the +carter was committed to take his trial, and might possibly be sentenced +to two or three months in prison. + +It was wonderful what a change had come over Joe. John laughed, and said +he had grown an inch taller in that week, and I believe he had. He +was just as kind and gentle as before, but there was more purpose and +determination in all that he did--as if he had jumped at once from a boy +into a man. + + + + +21 The Parting + + +Now I had lived in this happy place three years, but sad changes were +about to come over us. We heard from time to time that our mistress was +ill. The doctor was often at the house, and the master looked grave and +anxious. Then we heard that she must leave her home at once, and go to +a warm country for two or three years. The news fell upon the household +like the tolling of a deathbell. Everybody was sorry; but the master +began directly to make arrangements for breaking up his establishment +and leaving England. We used to hear it talked about in our stable; +indeed, nothing else was talked about. + +John went about his work silent and sad, and Joe scarcely whistled. +There was a great deal of coming and going; Ginger and I had full work. + +The first of the party who went were Miss Jessie and Flora, with their +governess. They came to bid us good-by. They hugged poor Merrylegs +like an old friend, and so indeed he was. Then we heard what had been +arranged for us. Master had sold Ginger and me to his old friend, +the Earl of W----, for he thought we should have a good place there. +Merrylegs he had given to the vicar, who was wanting a pony for Mrs. +Blomefield, but it was on the condition that he should never be sold, +and that when he was past work he should be shot and buried. + +Joe was engaged to take care of him and to help in the house, so I +thought that Merrylegs was well off. John had the offer of several good +places, but he said he should wait a little and look round. + +The evening before they left the master came into the stable to give +some directions, and to give his horses the last pat. He seemed very +low-spirited; I knew that by his voice. I believe we horses can tell +more by the voice than many men can. + +"Have you decided what to do, John?" he said. "I find you have not +accepted either of those offers." + +"No, sir; I have made up my mind that if I could get a situation with +some first-rate colt-breaker and horse-trainer, it would be the right +thing for me. Many young animals are frightened and spoiled by wrong +treatment, which need not be if the right man took them in hand. I +always get on well with horses, and if I could help some of them to a +fair start I should feel as if I was doing some good. What do you think +of it, sir?" + +"I don't know a man anywhere," said master, "that I should think so +suitable for it as yourself. You understand horses, and somehow they +understand you, and in time you might set up for yourself; I think you +could not do better. If in any way I can help you, write to me. I shall +speak to my agent in London, and leave your character with him." + +Master gave John the name and address, and then he thanked him for his +long and faithful service; but that was too much for John. "Pray, don't, +sir, I can't bear it; you and my dear mistress have done so much for +me that I could never repay it. But we shall never forget you, sir, and +please God, we may some day see mistress back again like herself; we +must keep up hope, sir." Master gave John his hand, but he did not +speak, and they both left the stable. + +The last sad day had come; the footman and the heavy luggage had gone +off the day before, and there were only master and mistress and her +maid. Ginger and I brought the carriage up to the hall door for the last +time. The servants brought out cushions and rugs and many other things; +and when all were arranged master came down the steps carrying the +mistress in his arms (I was on the side next to the house, and could see +all that went on); he placed her carefully in the carriage, while the +house servants stood round crying. + +"Good-by, again," he said; "we shall not forget any of you," and he got +in. "Drive on, John." + +Joe jumped up, and we trotted slowly through the park and through the +village, where the people were standing at their doors to have a last +look and to say, "God bless them." + +When we reached the railway station I think mistress walked from the +carriage to the waiting-room. I heard her say in her own sweet voice, +"Good-by, John. God bless you." I felt the rein twitch, but John made no +answer; perhaps he could not speak. As soon as Joe had taken the things +out of the carriage John called him to stand by the horses, while he +went on the platform. Poor Joe! he stood close up to our heads to hide +his tears. Very soon the train came puffing up into the station; then +two or three minutes, and the doors were slammed to, the guard whistled, +and the train glided away, leaving behind it only clouds of white smoke +and some very heavy hearts. + +When it was quite out of sight John came back. + +"We shall never see her again," he said--"never." He took the reins, +mounted the box, and with Joe drove slowly home; but it was not our home +now. + + + + +Part II + + + + +22 Earlshall + + +The next morning after breakfast Joe put Merrylegs into the mistress' +low chaise to take him to the vicarage; he came first and said good-by +to us, and Merrylegs neighed to us from the yard. Then John put the +saddle on Ginger and the leading rein on me, and rode us across the +country about fifteen miles to Earlshall Park, where the Earl of W---- +lived. There was a very fine house and a great deal of stabling. We went +into the yard through a stone gateway, and John asked for Mr. York. It +was some time before he came. He was a fine-looking, middle-aged man, +and his voice said at once that he expected to be obeyed. He was very +friendly and polite to John, and after giving us a slight look he +called a groom to take us to our boxes, and invited John to take some +refreshment. + +We were taken to a light, airy stable, and placed in boxes adjoining +each other, where we were rubbed down and fed. In about half an hour +John and Mr. York, who was to be our new coachman, came in to see us. + +"Now, Mr. Manly," he said, after carefully looking at us both, "I can +see no fault in these horses; but we all know that horses have their +peculiarities as well as men, and that sometimes they need different +treatment. I should like to know if there is anything particular in +either of these that you would like to mention." + +"Well," said John, "I don't believe there is a better pair of horses in +the country, and right grieved I am to part with them, but they are not +alike. The black one is the most perfect temper I ever knew; I suppose +he has never known a hard word or a blow since he was foaled, and all +his pleasure seems to be to do what you wish; but the chestnut, I fancy, +must have had bad treatment; we heard as much from the dealer. She came +to us snappish and suspicious, but when she found what sort of place +ours was, it all went off by degrees; for three years I have never seen +the smallest sign of temper, and if she is well treated there is not +a better, more willing animal than she is. But she is naturally a more +irritable constitution than the black horse; flies tease her more; +anything wrong in the harness frets her more; and if she were ill-used +or unfairly treated she would not be unlikely to give tit for tat. You +know that many high-mettled horses will do so." + +"Of course," said York, "I quite understand; but you know it is not easy +in stables like these to have all the grooms just what they should be. I +do my best, and there I must leave it. I'll remember what you have said +about the mare." + +They were going out of the stable, when John stopped and said, "I had +better mention that we have never used the check-rein with either of +them; the black horse never had one on, and the dealer said it was the +gag-bit that spoiled the other's temper." + +"Well," said York, "if they come here they must wear the check-rein. I +prefer a loose rein myself, and his lordship is always very reasonable +about horses; but my lady--that's another thing; she will have style, +and if her carriage horses are not reined up tight she wouldn't look at +them. I always stand out against the gag-bit, and shall do so, but it +must be tight up when my lady rides!" + +"I am sorry for it, very sorry," said John; "but I must go now, or I +shall lose the train." + +He came round to each of us to pat and speak to us for the last time; +his voice sounded very sad. + +I held my face close to him; that was all I could do to say good-by; and +then he was gone, and I have never seen him since. + +The next day Lord W---- came to look at us; he seemed pleased with our +appearance. + +"I have great confidence in these horses," he said, "from the character +my friend Mr. Gordon has given me of them. Of course they are not a +match in color, but my idea is that they will do very well for the +carriage while we are in the country. Before we go to London I must try +to match Baron; the black horse, I believe, is perfect for riding." + +York then told him what John had said about us. + +"Well," said he, "you must keep an eye to the mare, and put the +check-rein easy; I dare say they will do very well with a little +humoring at first. I'll mention it to your lady." + +In the afternoon we were harnessed and put in the carriage, and as the +stable clock struck three we were led round to the front of the house. +It was all very grand, and three or four times as large as the old house +at Birtwick, but not half so pleasant, if a horse may have an opinion. +Two footmen were standing ready, dressed in drab livery, with scarlet +breeches and white stockings. Presently we heard the rustling sound of +silk as my lady came down the flight of stone steps. She stepped round +to look at us; she was a tall, proud-looking woman, and did not +seem pleased about something, but she said nothing, and got into the +carriage. This was the first time of wearing a check-rein, and I must +say, though it certainly was a nuisance not to be able to get my head +down now and then, it did not pull my head higher than I was accustomed +to carry it. I felt anxious about Ginger, but she seemed to be quiet and +content. + +The next day at three o'clock we were again at the door, and the footmen +as before; we heard the silk dress rustle and the lady came down the +steps, and in an imperious voice she said, "York, you must put those +horses' heads higher; they are not fit to be seen." + +York got down, and said very respectfully, "I beg your pardon, my lady, +but these horses have not been reined up for three years, and my lord +said it would be safer to bring them to it by degrees; but if your +ladyship pleases I can take them up a little more." + +"Do so," she said. + +York came round to our heads and shortened the rein himself--one hole, +I think; every little makes a difference, be it for better or worse, and +that day we had a steep hill to go up. Then I began to understand what +I had heard of. Of course, I wanted to put my head forward and take the +carriage up with a will, as we had been used to do; but no, I had to +pull with my head up now, and that took all the spirit out of me, and +the strain came on my back and legs. When we came in Ginger said, "Now +you see what it is like; but this is not bad, and if it does not get +much worse than this I shall say nothing about it, for we are very well +treated here; but if they strain me up tight, why, let 'em look out! I +can't bear it, and I won't." + +Day by day, hole by hole, our bearing reins were shortened, and instead +of looking forward with pleasure to having my harness put on, as I used +to do, I began to dread it. Ginger, too, seemed restless, though she +said very little. At last I thought the worst was over; for several days +there was no more shortening, and I determined to make the best of +it and do my duty, though it was now a constant harass instead of a +pleasure; but the worst was not come. + + + + +23 A Strike for Liberty + + +One day my lady came down later than usual, and the silk rustled more +than ever. + +"Drive to the Duchess of B----'s," she said, and then after a pause, +"Are you never going to get those horses' heads up, York? Raise them at +once and let us have no more of this humoring and nonsense." + +York came to me first, while the groom stood at Ginger's head. He drew +my head back and fixed the rein so tight that it was almost intolerable; +then he went to Ginger, who was impatiently jerking her head up and down +against the bit, as was her way now. She had a good idea of what was +coming, and the moment York took the rein off the terret in order to +shorten it she took her opportunity and reared up so suddenly that York +had his nose roughly hit and his hat knocked off; the groom was nearly +thrown off his legs. At once they both flew to her head; but she was +a match for them, and went on plunging, rearing, and kicking in a most +desperate manner. At last she kicked right over the carriage pole and +fell down, after giving me a severe blow on my near quarter. There is no +knowing what further mischief she might have done had not York promptly +sat himself down flat on her head to prevent her struggling, at the +same time calling out, "Unbuckle the black horse! Run for the winch and +unscrew the carriage pole! Cut the trace here, somebody, if you can't +unhitch it!" One of the footmen ran for the winch, and another brought +a knife from the house. The groom soon set me free from Ginger and the +carriage, and led me to my box. He just turned me in as I was and ran +back to York. I was much excited by what had happened, and if I had ever +been used to kick or rear I am sure I should have done it then; but +I never had, and there I stood, angry, sore in my leg, my head still +strained up to the terret on the saddle, and no power to get it down. I +was very miserable and felt much inclined to kick the first person who +came near me. + +Before long, however, Ginger was led in by two grooms, a good deal +knocked about and bruised. York came with her and gave his orders, and +then came to look at me. In a moment he let down my head. + +"Confound these check-reins!" he said to himself; "I thought we should +have some mischief soon. Master will be sorely vexed. But there, if a +woman's husband can't rule her of course a servant can't; so I wash my +hands of it, and if she can't get to the duchess' garden party I can't +help it." + +York did not say this before the men; he always spoke respectfully when +they were by. Now he felt me all over, and soon found the place above my +hock where I had been kicked. It was swelled and painful; he ordered it +to be sponged with hot water, and then some lotion was put on. + +Lord W---- was much put out when he learned what had happened; he blamed +York for giving way to his mistress, to which he replied that in future +he would much prefer to receive his orders only from his lordship; but +I think nothing came of it, for things went on the same as before. I +thought York might have stood up better for his horses, but perhaps I am +no judge. + +Ginger was never put into the carriage again, but when she was well of +her bruises one of the Lord W----'s younger sons said he should like +to have her; he was sure she would make a good hunter. As for me, I was +obliged still to go in the carriage, and had a fresh partner called Max; +he had always been used to the tight rein. I asked him how it was he +bore it. + +"Well," he said, "I bear it because I must; but it is shortening my +life, and it will shorten yours too if you have to stick to it." + +"Do you think," I said, "that our masters know how bad it is for us?" + +"I can't say," he replied, "but the dealers and the horse-doctors know +it very well. I was at a dealer's once, who was training me and another +horse to go as a pair; he was getting our heads up, as he said, a little +higher and a little higher every day. A gentleman who was there asked +him why he did so. 'Because,' said he, 'people won't buy them unless we +do. The London people always want their horses to carry their heads high +and to step high. Of course it is very bad for the horses, but then it +is good for trade. The horses soon wear up, or get diseased, and they +come for another pair.' That," said Max, "is what he said in my hearing, +and you can judge for yourself." + +What I suffered with that rein for four long months in my lady's +carriage it would be hard to describe; but I am quite sure that, had it +lasted much longer, either my health or my temper would have given way. +Before that, I never knew what it was to foam at the mouth, but now +the action of the sharp bit on my tongue and jaw, and the constrained +position of my head and throat, always caused me to froth at the mouth +more or less. Some people think it very fine to see this, and say, "What +fine spirited creatures!" But it is just as unnatural for horses as +for men to foam at the mouth; it is a sure sign of some discomfort, +and should be attended to. Besides this, there was a pressure on my +windpipe, which often made my breathing very uncomfortable; when I +returned from my work my neck and chest were strained and painful, my +mouth and tongue tender, and I felt worn and depressed. + +In my old home I always knew that John and my master were my friends; +but here, although in many ways I was well treated, I had no friend. +York might have known, and very likely did know, how that rein harassed +me; but I suppose he took it as a matter of course that it could not be +helped; at any rate, nothing was done to relieve me. + + + + +24 The Lady Anne, or a Runaway Horse + + +Early in the spring, Lord W---- and part of his family went up to +London, and took York with them. I and Ginger and some other horses were +left at home for use, and the head groom was left in charge. + +The Lady Harriet, who remained at the hall, was a great invalid, and +never went out in the carriage, and the Lady Anne preferred riding on +horseback with her brother or cousins. She was a perfect horsewoman, and +as gay and gentle as she was beautiful. She chose me for her horse, and +named me "Black Auster". I enjoyed these rides very much in the clear +cold air, sometimes with Ginger, sometimes with Lizzie. This Lizzie was +a bright bay mare, almost thoroughbred, and a great favorite with the +gentlemen, on account of her fine action and lively spirit; but Ginger, +who knew more of her than I did, told me she was rather nervous. + +There was a gentleman of the name of Blantyre staying at the hall; +he always rode Lizzie, and praised her so much that one day Lady Anne +ordered the side-saddle to be put on her, and the other saddle on me. +When we came to the door the gentleman seemed very uneasy. + +"How is this?" he said. "Are you tired of your good Black Auster?" + +"Oh, no, not at all," she replied, "but I am amiable enough to let you +ride him for once, and I will try your charming Lizzie. You must confess +that in size and appearance she is far more like a lady's horse than my +own favorite." + +"Do let me advise you not to mount her," he said; "she is a charming +creature, but she is too nervous for a lady. I assure you, she is not +perfectly safe; let me beg you to have the saddles changed." + +"My dear cousin," said Lady Anne, laughing, "pray do not trouble your +good careful head about me. I have been a horsewoman ever since I was a +baby, and I have followed the hounds a great many times, though I know +you do not approve of ladies hunting; but still that is the fact, and +I intend to try this Lizzie that you gentlemen are all so fond of; so +please help me to mount, like a good friend as you are." + +There was no more to be said; he placed her carefully on the saddle, +looked to the bit and curb, gave the reins gently into her hand, and +then mounted me. Just as we were moving off a footman came out with a +slip of paper and message from the Lady Harriet. "Would they ask this +question for her at Dr. Ashley's, and bring the answer?" + +The village was about a mile off, and the doctor's house was the last +in it. We went along gayly enough till we came to his gate. There was a +short drive up to the house between tall evergreens. + +Blantyre alighted at the gate, and was going to open it for Lady Anne, +but she said, "I will wait for you here, and you can hang Auster's rein +on the gate." + +He looked at her doubtfully. "I will not be five minutes," he said. + +"Oh, do not hurry yourself; Lizzie and I shall not run away from you." + +He hung my rein on one of the iron spikes, and was soon hidden among the +trees. Lizzie was standing quietly by the side of the road a few paces +off, with her back to me. My young mistress was sitting easily with a +loose rein, humming a little song. I listened to my rider's footsteps +until they reached the house, and heard him knock at the door. There was +a meadow on the opposite side of the road, the gate of which stood open; +just then some cart horses and several young colts came trotting out in +a very disorderly manner, while a boy behind was cracking a great whip. +The colts were wild and frolicsome, and one of them bolted across the +road and blundered up against Lizzie's hind legs, and whether it was +the stupid colt, or the loud cracking of the whip, or both together, I +cannot say, but she gave a violent kick, and dashed off into a headlong +gallop. It was so sudden that Lady Anne was nearly unseated, but she +soon recovered herself. I gave a loud, shrill neigh for help; again and +again I neighed, pawing the ground impatiently, and tossing my head to +get the rein loose. I had not long to wait. Blantyre came running to +the gate; he looked anxiously about, and just caught sight of the flying +figure, now far away on the road. In an instant he sprang to the saddle. +I needed no whip, no spur, for I was as eager as my rider; he saw it, +and giving me a free rein, and leaning a little forward, we dashed after +them. + +For about a mile and a half the road ran straight, and then bent to the +right, after which it divided into two roads. Long before we came to +the bend she was out of sight. Which way had she turned? A woman was +standing at her garden gate, shading her eyes with her hand, and looking +eagerly up the road. Scarcely drawing the rein, Blantyre shouted, "Which +way?" "To the right!" cried the woman, pointing with her hand, and away +we went up the right-hand road; then for a moment we caught sight of +her; another bend and she was hidden again. Several times we caught +glimpses, and then lost them. We scarcely seemed to gain ground upon +them at all. An old road-mender was standing near a heap of stones, his +shovel dropped and his hands raised. As we came near he made a sign to +speak. Blantyre drew the rein a little. "To the common, to the common, +sir; she has turned off there." I knew this common very well; it was for +the most part very uneven ground, covered with heather and dark-green +furze bushes, with here and there a scrubby old thorn-tree; there were +also open spaces of fine short grass, with ant-hills and mole-turns +everywhere; the worst place I ever knew for a headlong gallop. + +We had hardly turned on the common, when we caught sight again of the +green habit flying on before us. My lady's hat was gone, and her long +brown hair was streaming behind her. Her head and body were thrown back, +as if she were pulling with all her remaining strength, and as if that +strength were nearly exhausted. It was clear that the roughness of the +ground had very much lessened Lizzie's speed, and there seemed a chance +that we might overtake her. + +While we were on the highroad, Blantyre had given me my head; but now, +with a light hand and a practiced eye, he guided me over the ground in +such a masterly manner that my pace was scarcely slackened, and we were +decidedly gaining on them. + +About halfway across the heath there had been a wide dike recently cut, +and the earth from the cutting was cast up roughly on the other side. +Surely this would stop them! But no; with scarcely a pause Lizzie took +the leap, stumbled among the rough clods and fell. Blantyre groaned, +"Now, Auster, do your best!" He gave me a steady rein. I gathered myself +well together and with one determined leap cleared both dike and bank. + +Motionless among the heather, with her face to the earth, lay my poor +young mistress. Blantyre kneeled down and called her name: there was no +sound. Gently he turned her face upward: it was ghastly white and +the eyes were closed. "Annie, dear Annie, do speak!" But there was no +answer. He unbuttoned her habit, loosened her collar, felt her hands and +wrist, then started up and looked wildly round him for help. + +At no great distance there were two men cutting turf, who, seeing Lizzie +running wild without a rider, had left their work to catch her. + +Blantyre's halloo soon brought them to the spot. The foremost man seemed +much troubled at the sight, and asked what he could do. + +"Can you ride?" + +"Well, sir, I bean't much of a horseman, but I'd risk my neck for the +Lady Anne; she was uncommon good to my wife in the winter." + +"Then mount this horse, my friend--your neck will be quite safe--and +ride to the doctor's and ask him to come instantly; then on to the hall; +tell them all that you know, and bid them send me the carriage, with +Lady Anne's maid and help. I shall stay here." + +"All right, sir, I'll do my best, and I pray God the dear young lady may +open her eyes soon." Then, seeing the other man, he called out, "Here, +Joe, run for some water, and tell my missis to come as quick as she can +to the Lady Anne." + +He then somehow scrambled into the saddle, and with a "Gee up" and a +clap on my sides with both his legs, he started on his journey, making +a little circuit to avoid the dike. He had no whip, which seemed to +trouble him; but my pace soon cured that difficulty, and he found the +best thing he could do was to stick to the saddle and hold me in, which +he did manfully. I shook him as little as I could help, but once or +twice on the rough ground he called out, "Steady! Woah! Steady!" On the +highroad we were all right; and at the doctor's and the hall he did his +errand like a good man and true. They asked him in to take a drop of +something. "No, no," he said; "I'll be back to 'em again by a short cut +through the fields, and be there afore the carriage." + +There was a great deal of hurry and excitement after the news became +known. I was just turned into my box; the saddle and bridle were taken +off, and a cloth thrown over me. + +Ginger was saddled and sent off in great haste for Lord George, and I +soon heard the carriage roll out of the yard. + +It seemed a long time before Ginger came back, and before we were left +alone; and then she told me all that she had seen. + +"I can't tell much," she said. "We went a gallop nearly all the way, and +got there just as the doctor rode up. There was a woman sitting on the +ground with the lady's head in her lap. The doctor poured something into +her mouth, but all that I heard was, 'She is not dead.' Then I was led +off by a man to a little distance. After awhile she was taken to +the carriage, and we came home together. I heard my master say to +a gentleman who stopped him to inquire, that he hoped no bones were +broken, but that she had not spoken yet." + +When Lord George took Ginger for hunting, York shook his head; he said +it ought to be a steady hand to train a horse for the first season, and +not a random rider like Lord George. + +Ginger used to like it very much, but sometimes when she came back I +could see that she had been very much strained, and now and then she +gave a short cough. She had too much spirit to complain, but I could not +help feeling anxious about her. + +Two days after the accident Blantyre paid me a visit; he patted me and +praised me very much; he told Lord George that he was sure the horse +knew of Annie's danger as well as he did. "I could not have held him in +if I would," said he, "she ought never to ride any other horse." I found +by their conversation that my young mistress was now out of danger, and +would soon be able to ride again. This was good news to me and I looked +forward to a happy life. + + + + +25 Reuben Smith + + +Now I must say a little about Reuben Smith, who was left in charge of +the stables when York went to London. No one more thoroughly understood +his business than he did, and when he was all right there could not be +a more faithful or valuable man. He was gentle and very clever in his +management of horses, and could doctor them almost as well as a +farrier, for he had lived two years with a veterinary surgeon. He was a +first-rate driver; he could take a four-in-hand or a tandem as easily +as a pair. He was a handsome man, a good scholar, and had very pleasant +manners. I believe everybody liked him; certainly the horses did. The +only wonder was that he should be in an under situation and not in the +place of a head coachman like York; but he had one great fault and that +was the love of drink. He was not like some men, always at it; he used +to keep steady for weeks or months together, and then he would break +out and have a "bout" of it, as York called it, and be a disgrace to +himself, a terror to his wife, and a nuisance to all that had to do with +him. He was, however, so useful that two or three times York had hushed +the matter up and kept it from the earl's knowledge; but one night, when +Reuben had to drive a party home from a ball he was so drunk that he +could not hold the reins, and a gentleman of the party had to mount the +box and drive the ladies home. Of course, this could not be hidden, and +Reuben was at once dismissed; his poor wife and little children had to +turn out of the pretty cottage by the park gate and go where they could. +Old Max told me all this, for it happened a good while ago; but shortly +before Ginger and I came Smith had been taken back again. York had +interceded for him with the earl, who is very kind-hearted, and the man +had promised faithfully that he would never taste another drop as long +as he lived there. He had kept his promise so well that York thought he +might be safely trusted to fill his place while he was away, and he was +so clever and honest that no one else seemed so well fitted for it. + +It was now early in April, and the family was expected home some time in +May. The light brougham was to be fresh done up, and as Colonel Blantyre +was obliged to return to his regiment it was arranged that Smith should +drive him to the town in it, and ride back; for this purpose he took the +saddle with him, and I was chosen for the journey. At the station the +colonel put some money into Smith's hand and bid him good-by, saying, +"Take care of your young mistress, Reuben, and don't let Black Auster be +hacked about by any random young prig that wants to ride him--keep him +for the lady." + +We left the carriage at the maker's, and Smith rode me to the White +Lion, and ordered the hostler to feed me well, and have me ready for him +at four o'clock. A nail in one of my front shoes had started as I came +along, but the hostler did not notice it till just about four o'clock. +Smith did not come into the yard till five, and then he said he should +not leave till six, as he had met with some old friends. The man then +told him of the nail, and asked if he should have the shoe looked to. + +"No," said Smith, "that will be all right till we get home." + +He spoke in a very loud, offhand way, and I thought it very unlike him +not to see about the shoe, as he was generally wonderfully particular +about loose nails in our shoes. He did not come at six nor seven, nor +eight, and it was nearly nine o'clock before he called for me, and then +it was with a loud, rough voice. He seemed in a very bad temper, and +abused the hostler, though I could not tell what for. + +The landlord stood at the door and said, "Have a care, Mr. Smith!" but +he answered angrily with an oath; and almost before he was out of the +town he began to gallop, frequently giving me a sharp cut with his whip, +though I was going at full speed. The moon had not yet risen, and it was +very dark. The roads were stony, having been recently mended; going over +them at this pace, my shoe became looser, and as we neared the turnpike +gate it came off. + +If Smith had been in his right senses he would have been sensible of +something wrong in my pace, but he was too drunk to notice. + +Beyond the turnpike was a long piece of road, upon which fresh stones +had just been laid--large sharp stones, over which no horse could be +driven quickly without risk of danger. Over this road, with one shoe +gone, I was forced to gallop at my utmost speed, my rider meanwhile +cutting into me with his whip, and with wild curses urging me to go +still faster. Of course my shoeless foot suffered dreadfully; the hoof +was broken and split down to the very quick, and the inside was terribly +cut by the sharpness of the stones. + +This could not go on; no horse could keep his footing under such +circumstances; the pain was too great. I stumbled, and fell with +violence on both my knees. Smith was flung off by my fall, and, owing to +the speed I was going at, he must have fallen with great force. I soon +recovered my feet and limped to the side of the road, where it was free +from stones. The moon had just risen above the hedge, and by its light +I could see Smith lying a few yards beyond me. He did not rise; he made +one slight effort to do so, and then there was a heavy groan. I could +have groaned, too, for I was suffering intense pain both from my foot +and knees; but horses are used to bear their pain in silence. I uttered +no sound, but I stood there and listened. One more heavy groan from +Smith; but though he now lay in the full moonlight I could see no +motion. I could do nothing for him nor myself, but, oh! how I listened +for the sound of horse, or wheels, or footsteps! The road was not much +frequented, and at this time of the night we might stay for hours before +help came to us. I stood watching and listening. It was a calm, sweet +April night; there were no sounds but a few low notes of a nightingale, +and nothing moved but the white clouds near the moon and a brown owl +that flitted over the hedge. It made me think of the summer nights long +ago, when I used to lie beside my mother in the green pleasant meadow at +Farmer Grey's. + + + + +26 How it Ended + + +It must have been nearly midnight when I heard at a great distance the +sound of a horse's feet. Sometimes the sound died away, then it grew +clearer again and nearer. The road to Earlshall led through woods that +belonged to the earl; the sound came in that direction, and I hoped it +might be some one coming in search of us. As the sound came nearer and +nearer I was almost sure I could distinguish Ginger's step; a little +nearer still, and I could tell she was in the dog-cart. I neighed +loudly, and was overjoyed to hear an answering neigh from Ginger, and +men's voices. They came slowly over the stones, and stopped at the dark +figure that lay upon the ground. + +One of the men jumped out, and stooped down over it. "It is Reuben," he +said, "and he does not stir!" + +The other man followed, and bent over him. "He's dead," he said; "feel +how cold his hands are." + +They raised him up, but there was no life, and his hair was soaked with +blood. They laid him down again, and came and looked at me. They soon +saw my cut knees. + +"Why, the horse has been down and thrown him! Who would have thought the +black horse would have done that? Nobody thought he could fall. Reuben +must have been lying here for hours! Odd, too, that the horse has not +moved from the place." + +Robert then attempted to lead me forward. I made a step, but almost fell +again. + +"Halloo! he's bad in his foot as well as his knees. Look here--his hoof +is cut all to pieces; he might well come down, poor fellow! I tell you +what, Ned, I'm afraid it hasn't been all right with Reuben. Just think +of his riding a horse over these stones without a shoe! Why, if he had +been in his right senses he would just as soon have tried to ride him +over the moon. I'm afraid it has been the old thing over again. Poor +Susan! she looked awfully pale when she came to my house to ask if +he had not come home. She made believe she was not a bit anxious, and +talked of a lot of things that might have kept him. But for all that she +begged me to go and meet him. But what must we do? There's the horse to +get home as well as the body, and that will be no easy matter." + +Then followed a conversation between them, till it was agreed that +Robert, as the groom, should lead me, and that Ned must take the body. +It was a hard job to get it into the dog-cart, for there was no one to +hold Ginger; but she knew as well as I did what was going on, and stood +as still as a stone. I noticed that, because, if she had a fault, it was +that she was impatient in standing. + +Ned started off very slowly with his sad load, and Robert came and +looked at my foot again; then he took his handkerchief and bound it +closely round, and so he led me home. I shall never forget that night +walk; it was more than three miles. Robert led me on very slowly, and I +limped and hobbled on as well as I could with great pain. I am sure he +was sorry for me, for he often patted and encouraged me, talking to me +in a pleasant voice. + +At last I reached my own box, and had some corn; and after Robert +had wrapped up my knees in wet cloths, he tied up my foot in a bran +poultice, to draw out the heat and cleanse it before the horse-doctor +saw it in the morning, and I managed to get myself down on the straw, +and slept in spite of the pain. + +The next day after the farrier had examined my wounds, he said he hoped +the joint was not injured; and if so, I should not be spoiled for work, +but I should never lose the blemish. I believe they did the best to make +a good cure, but it was a long and painful one. Proud flesh, as they +called it, came up in my knees, and was burned out with caustic; and +when at last it was healed, they put a blistering fluid over the front +of both knees to bring all the hair off; they had some reason for this, +and I suppose it was all right. + +As Smith's death had been so sudden, and no one was there to see it, +there was an inquest held. The landlord and hostler at the White Lion, +with several other people, gave evidence that he was intoxicated when he +started from the inn. The keeper of the toll-gate said he rode at a hard +gallop through the gate; and my shoe was picked up among the stones, so +that the case was quite plain to them, and I was cleared of all blame. + +Everybody pitied Susan. She was nearly out of her mind; she kept saying +over and over again, "Oh! he was so good--so good! It was all that +cursed drink; why will they sell that cursed drink? Oh Reuben, Reuben!" +So she went on till after he was buried; and then, as she had no home or +relations, she, with her six little children, was obliged once more to +leave the pleasant home by the tall oak-trees, and go into that great +gloomy Union House. + + + + +27 Ruined and Going Downhill + + +As soon as my knees were sufficiently healed I was turned into a small +meadow for a month or two; no other creature was there; and though I +enjoyed the liberty and the sweet grass, yet I had been so long used to +society that I felt very lonely. Ginger and I had become fast friends, +and now I missed her company extremely. I often neighed when I heard +horses' feet passing in the road, but I seldom got an answer; till one +morning the gate was opened, and who should come in but dear old Ginger. +The man slipped off her halter, and left her there. With a joyful whinny +I trotted up to her; we were both glad to meet, but I soon found that it +was not for our pleasure that she was brought to be with me. Her story +would be too long to tell, but the end of it was that she had been +ruined by hard riding, and was now turned off to see what rest would do. + +Lord George was young and would take no warning; he was a hard rider, +and would hunt whenever he could get the chance, quite careless of his +horse. Soon after I left the stable there was a steeplechase, and he +determined to ride. Though the groom told him she was a little strained, +and was not fit for the race, he did not believe it, and on the day of +the race urged Ginger to keep up with the foremost riders. With her high +spirit, she strained herself to the utmost; she came in with the first +three horses, but her wind was touched, besides which he was too heavy +for her, and her back was strained. "And so," she said, "here we are, +ruined in the prime of our youth and strength, you by a drunkard, and I +by a fool; it is very hard." We both felt in ourselves that we were not +what we had been. However, that did not spoil the pleasure we had in +each other's company; we did not gallop about as we once did, but we +used to feed, and lie down together, and stand for hours under one +of the shady lime-trees with our heads close to each other; and so we +passed our time till the family returned from town. + +One day we saw the earl come into the meadow, and York was with him. +Seeing who it was, we stood still under our lime-tree, and let them come +up to us. They examined us carefully. The earl seemed much annoyed. + +"There is three hundred pounds flung away for no earthly use," said he; +"but what I care most for is that these horses of my old friend, who +thought they would find a good home with me, are ruined. The mare shall +have a twelve-month's run, and we shall see what that will do for her; +but the black one, he must be sold; 'tis a great pity, but I could not +have knees like these in my stables." + +"No, my lord, of course not," said York; "but he might get a place where +appearance is not of much consequence, and still be well treated. I know +a man in Bath, the master of some livery stables, who often wants a +good horse at a low figure; I know he looks well after his horses. +The inquest cleared the horse's character, and your lordship's +recommendation, or mine, would be sufficient warrant for him." + +"You had better write to him, York. I should be more particular about +the place than the money he would fetch." + +After this they left us. + +"They'll soon take you away," said Ginger, "and I shall lose the only +friend I have, and most likely we shall never see each other again. 'Tis +a hard world!" + +About a week after this Robert came into the field with a halter, which +he slipped over my head, and led me away. There was no leave-taking +of Ginger; we neighed to each other as I was led off, and she trotted +anxiously along by the hedge, calling to me as long as she could hear +the sound of my feet. + +Through the recommendation of York, I was bought by the master of the +livery stables. I had to go by train, which was new to me, and required +a good deal of courage the first time; but as I found the puffing, +rushing, whistling, and, more than all, the trembling of the horse-box +in which I stood did me no real harm, I soon took it quietly. + +When I reached the end of my journey I found myself in a tolerably +comfortable stable, and well attended to. These stables were not so +airy and pleasant as those I had been used to. The stalls were laid on +a slope instead of being level, and as my head was kept tied to the +manger, I was obliged always to stand on the slope, which was very +fatiguing. Men do not seem to know yet that horses can do more work if +they can stand comfortably and can turn about; however, I was well fed +and well cleaned, and, on the whole, I think our master took as much +care of us as he could. He kept a good many horses and carriages of +different kinds for hire. Sometimes his own men drove them; at +others, the horse and chaise were let to gentlemen or ladies who drove +themselves. + + + + +28 A Job Horse and His Drivers + + +Hitherto I had always been driven by people who at least knew how to +drive; but in this place I was to get my experience of all the different +kinds of bad and ignorant driving to which we horses are subjected; for +I was a "job horse", and was let out to all sorts of people who wished +to hire me; and as I was good-tempered and gentle, I think I was oftener +let out to the ignorant drivers than some of the other horses, because +I could be depended upon. It would take a long time to tell of all the +different styles in which I was driven, but I will mention a few of +them. + +First, there were the tight-rein drivers--men who seemed to think that +all depended on holding the reins as hard as they could, never relaxing +the pull on the horse's mouth, or giving him the least liberty of +movement. They are always talking about "keeping the horse well in +hand", and "holding a horse up", just as if a horse was not made to hold +himself up. + +Some poor, broken-down horses, whose mouths have been made hard and +insensible by just such drivers as these, may, perhaps, find some +support in it; but for a horse who can depend upon his own legs, and who +has a tender mouth and is easily guided, it is not only tormenting, but +it is stupid. + +Then there are the loose-rein drivers, who let the reins lie easily on +our backs, and their own hand rest lazily on their knees. Of course, +such gentlemen have no control over a horse, if anything happens +suddenly. If a horse shies, or starts, or stumbles, they are nowhere, +and cannot help the horse or themselves till the mischief is done. Of +course, for myself I had no objection to it, as I was not in the habit +either of starting or stumbling, and had only been used to depend on my +driver for guidance and encouragement. Still, one likes to feel the rein +a little in going downhill, and likes to know that one's driver is not +gone to sleep. + +Besides, a slovenly way of driving gets a horse into bad and often lazy +habits, and when he changes hands he has to be whipped out of them with +more or less pain and trouble. Squire Gordon always kept us to our best +paces and our best manners. He said that spoiling a horse and letting +him get into bad habits was just as cruel as spoiling a child, and both +had to suffer for it afterward. + +Besides, these drivers are often careless altogether, and will attend to +anything else more than their horses. I went out in the phaeton one day +with one of them; he had a lady and two children behind. He flopped the +reins about as we started, and of course gave me several unmeaning cuts +with the whip, though I was fairly off. There had been a good deal of +road-mending going on, and even where the stones were not freshly laid +down there were a great many loose ones about. My driver was laughing +and joking with the lady and the children, and talking about the country +to the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while to keep +an eye on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; and +so it easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet. + +Now, if Mr. Gordon or John, or in fact any good driver, had been there, +he would have seen that something was wrong before I had gone three +paces. Or even if it had been dark a practiced hand would have felt by +the rein that there was something wrong in the step, and they would have +got down and picked out the stone. But this man went on laughing and +talking, while at every step the stone became more firmly wedged between +my shoe and the frog of my foot. The stone was sharp on the inside and +round on the outside, which, as every one knows, is the most dangerous +kind that a horse can pick up, at the same time cutting his foot and +making him most liable to stumble and fall. + +Whether the man was partly blind or only very careless I can't say, but +he drove me with that stone in my foot for a good half-mile before he +saw anything. By that time I was going so lame with the pain that at +last he saw it, and called out, "Well, here's a go! Why, they have sent +us out with a lame horse! What a shame!" + +He then chucked the reins and flipped about with the whip, saying, "Now, +then, it's no use playing the old soldier with me; there's the journey +to go, and it's no use turning lame and lazy." + +Just at this time a farmer came riding up on a brown cob. He lifted his +hat and pulled up. + +"I beg your pardon, sir," he said, "but I think there is something the +matter with your horse; he goes very much as if he had a stone in +his shoe. If you will allow me I will look at his feet; these loose +scattered stones are confounded dangerous things for the horses." + +"He's a hired horse," said my driver. "I don't know what's the matter +with him, but it is a great shame to send out a lame beast like this." + +The farmer dismounted, and slipping his rein over his arm at once took +up my near foot. + +"Bless me, there's a stone! Lame! I should think so!" + +At first he tried to dislodge it with his hand, but as it was now +very tightly wedged he drew a stone-pick out of his pocket, and very +carefully and with some trouble got it out. Then holding it up he said, +"There, that's the stone your horse had picked up. It is a wonder he did +not fall down and break his knees into the bargain!" + +"Well, to be sure!" said my driver; "that is a queer thing! I never knew +that horses picked up stones before." + +"Didn't you?" said the farmer rather contemptuously; "but they do, +though, and the best of them will do it, and can't help it sometimes on +such roads as these. And if you don't want to lame your horse you must +look sharp and get them out quickly. This foot is very much bruised," +he said, setting it gently down and patting me. "If I might advise, +sir, you had better drive him gently for awhile; the foot is a good deal +hurt, and the lameness will not go off directly." + +Then mounting his cob and raising his hat to the lady he trotted off. + +When he was gone my driver began to flop the reins about and whip the +harness, by which I understood that I was to go on, which of course I +did, glad that the stone was gone, but still in a good deal of pain. + +This was the sort of experience we job horses often came in for. + + + + +29 Cockneys + + +Then there is the steam-engine style of driving; these drivers were +mostly people from towns, who never had a horse of their own and +generally traveled by rail. + +They always seemed to think that a horse was something like a +steam-engine, only smaller. At any rate, they think that if only they +pay for it a horse is bound to go just as far and just as fast and with +just as heavy a load as they please. And be the roads heavy and muddy, +or dry and good; be they stony or smooth, uphill or downhill, it is all +the same--on, on, on, one must go, at the same pace, with no relief and +no consideration. + +These people never think of getting out to walk up a steep hill. Oh, no, +they have paid to ride, and ride they will! The horse? Oh, he's used +to it! What were horses made for, if not to drag people uphill? Walk! A +good joke indeed! And so the whip is plied and the rein is chucked and +often a rough, scolding voice cries out, "Go along, you lazy beast!" And +then another slash of the whip, when all the time we are doing our +very best to get along, uncomplaining and obedient, though often sorely +harassed and down-hearted. + +This steam-engine style of driving wears us up faster than any other +kind. I would far rather go twenty miles with a good considerate driver +than I would go ten with some of these; it would take less out of me. + +Another thing, they scarcely ever put on the brake, however steep the +downhill may be, and thus bad accidents sometimes happen; or if they do +put it on, they often forget to take it off at the bottom of the hill, +and more than once I have had to pull halfway up the next hill, with one +of the wheels held by the brake, before my driver chose to think about +it; and that is a terrible strain on a horse. + +Then these cockneys, instead of starting at an easy pace, as a gentleman +would do, generally set off at full speed from the very stable-yard; and +when they want to stop, they first whip us, and then pull up so suddenly +that we are nearly thrown on our haunches, and our mouths jagged with +the bit--they call that pulling up with a dash; and when they turn a +corner they do it as sharply as if there were no right side or wrong +side of the road. + +I well remember one spring evening I and Rory had been out for the day. +(Rory was the horse that mostly went with me when a pair was ordered, +and a good honest fellow he was.) We had our own driver, and as he was +always considerate and gentle with us, we had a very pleasant day. We +were coming home at a good smart pace, about twilight. Our road turned +sharp to the left; but as we were close to the hedge on our own side, +and there was plenty of room to pass, our driver did not pull us in. As +we neared the corner I heard a horse and two wheels coming rapidly down +the hill toward us. The hedge was high, and I could see nothing, but the +next moment we were upon each other. Happily for me, I was on the side +next the hedge. Rory was on the left side of the pole, and had not even +a shaft to protect him. The man who was driving was making straight for +the corner, and when he came in sight of us he had no time to pull over +to his own side. The whole shock came upon Rory. The gig shaft ran right +into the chest, making him stagger back with a cry that I shall never +forget. The other horse was thrown upon his haunches and one shaft +broken. It turned out that it was a horse from our own stables, with the +high-wheeled gig that the young men were so fond of. + +The driver was one of those random, ignorant fellows, who don't even +know which is their own side of the road, or, if they know, don't care. +And there was poor Rory with his flesh torn open and bleeding, and the +blood streaming down. They said if it had been a little more to one side +it would have killed him; and a good thing for him, poor fellow, if it +had. + +As it was, it was a long time before the wound healed, and then he was +sold for coal-carting; and what that is, up and down those steep hills, +only horses know. Some of the sights I saw there, where a horse had to +come downhill with a heavily loaded two-wheel cart behind him, on which +no brake could be placed, make me sad even now to think of. + +After Rory was disabled I often went in the carriage with a mare named +Peggy, who stood in the next stall to mine. She was a strong, well-made +animal, of a bright dun color, beautifully dappled, and with a +dark-brown mane and tail. There was no high breeding about her, but she +was very pretty and remarkably sweet-tempered and willing. Still, there +was an anxious look about her eye, by which I knew that she had some +trouble. The first time we went out together I thought she had a very +odd pace; she seemed to go partly a trot, partly a canter, three or four +paces, and then a little jump forward. + +It was very unpleasant for any horse who pulled with her, and made me +quite fidgety. When we got home I asked her what made her go in that +odd, awkward way. + +"Ah," she said in a troubled manner, "I know my paces are very bad, but +what can I do? It really is not my fault; it is just because my legs are +so short. I stand nearly as high as you, but your legs are a good three +inches longer above your knee than mine, and of course you can take a +much longer step and go much faster. You see I did not make myself. +I wish I could have done so; I would have had long legs then. All my +troubles come from my short legs," said Peggy, in a desponding tone. + +"But how is it," I said, "when you are so strong and good-tempered and +willing?" + +"Why, you see," said she, "men will go so fast, and if one can't keep up +to other horses it is nothing but whip, whip, whip, all the time. And so +I have had to keep up as I could, and have got into this ugly shuffling +pace. It was not always so; when I lived with my first master I always +went a good regular trot, but then he was not in such a hurry. He was a +young clergyman in the country, and a good, kind master he was. He had +two churches a good way apart, and a great deal of work, but he never +scolded or whipped me for not going faster. He was very fond of me. +I only wish I was with him now; but he had to leave and go to a large +town, and then I was sold to a farmer. + +"Some farmers, you know, are capital masters; but I think this one was a +low sort of man. He cared nothing about good horses or good driving; he +only cared for going fast. I went as fast as I could, but that would +not do, and he was always whipping; so I got into this way of making a +spring forward to keep up. On market nights he used to stay very late at +the inn, and then drive home at a gallop. + +"One dark night he was galloping home as usual, when all of a sudden the +wheel came against some great heavy thing in the road, and turned the +gig over in a minute. He was thrown out and his arm broken, and some of +his ribs, I think. At any rate, it was the end of my living with him, +and I was not sorry. But you see it will be the same everywhere for me, +if men must go so fast. I wish my legs were longer!" + +Poor Peggy! I was very sorry for her, and I could not comfort her, for +I knew how hard it was upon slow-paced horses to be put with fast ones; +all the whipping comes to their share, and they can't help it. + +She was often used in the phaeton, and was very much liked by some of +the ladies, because she was so gentle; and some time after this she was +sold to two ladies who drove themselves, and wanted a safe, good horse. + +I met her several times out in the country, going a good steady pace, +and looking as gay and contented as a horse could be. I was very glad to +see her, for she deserved a good place. + +After she left us another horse came in her stead. He was young, and had +a bad name for shying and starting, by which he had lost a good place. I +asked him what made him shy. + +"Well, I hardly know," he said. "I was timid when I was young, and was a +good deal frightened several times, and if I saw anything strange I +used to turn and look at it--you see, with our blinkers one can't see +or understand what a thing is unless one looks round--and then my master +always gave me a whipping, which of course made me start on, and did not +make me less afraid. I think if he would have let me just look at things +quietly, and see that there was nothing to hurt me, it would have been +all right, and I should have got used to them. One day an old gentleman +was riding with him, and a large piece of white paper or rag blew across +just on one side of me. I shied and started forward. My master as usual +whipped me smartly, but the old man cried out, 'You're wrong! you're +wrong! You should never whip a horse for shying; he shies because he is +frightened, and you only frighten him more and make the habit worse.' +So I suppose all men don't do so. I am sure I don't want to shy for the +sake of it; but how should one know what is dangerous and what is not, +if one is never allowed to get used to anything? I am never afraid of +what I know. Now I was brought up in a park where there were deer; of +course I knew them as well as I did a sheep or a cow, but they are not +common, and I know many sensible horses who are frightened at them, and +who kick up quite a shindy before they will pass a paddock where there +are deer." + +I knew what my companion said was true, and I wished that every young +horse had as good masters as Farmer Grey and Squire Gordon. + +Of course we sometimes came in for good driving here. I remember one +morning I was put into the light gig, and taken to a house in Pulteney +Street. Two gentlemen came out; the taller of them came round to my +head; he looked at the bit and bridle, and just shifted the collar with +his hand, to see if it fitted comfortably. + +"Do you consider this horse wants a curb?" he said to the hostler. + +"Well," said the man, "I should say he would go just as well without; +he has an uncommon good mouth, and though he has a fine spirit he has no +vice; but we generally find people like the curb." + +"I don't like it," said the gentleman; "be so good as to take it off, +and put the rein in at the cheek. An easy mouth is a great thing on a +long journey, is it not, old fellow?" he said, patting my neck. + +Then he took the reins, and they both got up. I can remember now how +quietly he turned me round, and then with a light feel of the rein, and +drawing the whip gently across my back, we were off. + +I arched my neck and set off at my best pace. I found I had some one +behind me who knew how a good horse ought to be driven. It seemed like +old times again, and made me feel quite gay. + +This gentleman took a great liking to me, and after trying me several +times with the saddle he prevailed upon my master to sell me to a friend +of his, who wanted a safe, pleasant horse for riding. And so it came to +pass that in the summer I was sold to Mr. Barry. + + + + +30 A Thief + + +My new master was an unmarried man. He lived at Bath, and was much +engaged in business. His doctor advised him to take horse exercise, and +for this purpose he bought me. He hired a stable a short distance from +his lodgings, and engaged a man named Filcher as groom. My master knew +very little about horses, but he treated me well, and I should have had +a good and easy place but for circumstances of which he was ignorant. He +ordered the best hay with plenty of oats, crushed beans, and bran, +with vetches, or rye grass, as the man might think needful. I heard the +master give the order, so I knew there was plenty of good food, and I +thought I was well off. + +For a few days all went on well. I found that my groom understood +his business. He kept the stable clean and airy, and he groomed me +thoroughly; and was never otherwise than gentle. He had been an hostler +in one of the great hotels in Bath. He had given that up, and now +cultivated fruit and vegetables for the market, and his wife bred and +fattened poultry and rabbits for sale. After awhile it seemed to me that +my oats came very short; I had the beans, but bran was mixed with them +instead of oats, of which there were very few; certainly not more than a +quarter of what there should have been. In two or three weeks this began +to tell upon my strength and spirits. The grass food, though very good, +was not the thing to keep up my condition without corn. However, I +could not complain, nor make known my wants. So it went on for about two +months; and I wondered that my master did not see that something was +the matter. However, one afternoon he rode out into the country to see a +friend of his, a gentleman farmer, who lived on the road to Wells. + +This gentleman had a very quick eye for horses; and after he had +welcomed his friend he said, casting his eye over me: + +"It seems to me, Barry, that your horse does not look so well as he did +when you first had him; has he been well?" + +"Yes, I believe so," said my master; "but he is not nearly so lively as +he was; my groom tells me that horses are always dull and weak in the +autumn, and that I must expect it." + +"Autumn, fiddlesticks!" said the farmer. "Why, this is only August; and +with your light work and good food he ought not to go down like this, +even if it was autumn. How do you feed him?" + +My master told him. The other shook his head slowly, and began to feel +me over. + +"I can't say who eats your corn, my dear fellow, but I am much mistaken +if your horse gets it. Have you ridden very fast?" + +"No, very gently." + +"Then just put your hand here," said he, passing his hand over my neck +and shoulder; "he is as warm and damp as a horse just come up from +grass. I advise you to look into your stable a little more. I hate to be +suspicious, and, thank heaven, I have no cause to be, for I can trust my +men, present or absent; but there are mean scoundrels, wicked enough to +rob a dumb beast of his food. You must look into it." And turning to +his man, who had come to take me, "Give this horse a right good feed of +bruised oats, and don't stint him." + +"Dumb beasts!" Yes, we are; but if I could have spoken I could have told +my master where his oats went to. My groom used to come every morning +about six o'clock, and with him a little boy, who always had a covered +basket with him. He used to go with his father into the harness-room, +where the corn was kept, and I could see them, when the door stood ajar, +fill a little bag with oats out of the bin, and then he used to be off. + +Five or six mornings after this, just as the boy had left the stable, +the door was pushed open, and a policeman walked in, holding the child +tight by the arm; another policeman followed, and locked the door on the +inside, saying, "Show me the place where your father keeps his rabbits' +food." + +The boy looked very frightened and began to cry; but there was no +escape, and he led the way to the corn-bin. Here the policeman found +another empty bag like that which was found full of oats in the boy's +basket. + +Filcher was cleaning my feet at the time, but they soon saw him, and +though he blustered a good deal they walked him off to the "lock-up", +and his boy with him. I heard afterward that the boy was not held to be +guilty, but the man was sentenced to prison for two months. + + + + +31 A Humbug + + +My master was not immediately suited, but in a few days my new groom +came. He was a tall, good-looking fellow enough; but if ever there was +a humbug in the shape of a groom Alfred Smirk was the man. He was very +civil to me, and never used me ill; in fact, he did a great deal of +stroking and patting when his master was there to see it. He always +brushed my mane and tail with water and my hoofs with oil before he +brought me to the door, to make me look smart; but as to cleaning my +feet or looking to my shoes, or grooming me thoroughly, he thought no +more of that than if I had been a cow. He left my bit rusty, my saddle +damp, and my crupper stiff. + +Alfred Smirk considered himself very handsome; he spent a great deal of +time about his hair, whiskers and necktie, before a little looking-glass +in the harness-room. When his master was speaking to him it was always, +"Yes, sir; yes, sir"--touching his hat at every word; and every one +thought he was a very nice young man and that Mr. Barry was very +fortunate to meet with him. I should say he was the laziest, most +conceited fellow I ever came near. Of course, it was a great thing not +to be ill-used, but then a horse wants more than that. I had a loose +box, and might have been very comfortable if he had not been too +indolent to clean it out. He never took all the straw away, and the +smell from what lay underneath was very bad; while the strong vapors +that rose made my eyes smart and inflame, and I did not feel the same +appetite for my food. + +One day his master came in and said, "Alfred, the stable smells rather +strong; should not you give that stall a good scrub and throw down +plenty of water?" + +"Well, sir," he said, touching his cap, "I'll do so if you please, sir; +but it is rather dangerous, sir, throwing down water in a horse's box; +they are very apt to take cold, sir. I should not like to do him an +injury, but I'll do it if you please, sir." + +"Well," said his master, "I should not like him to take cold; but I +don't like the smell of this stable. Do you think the drains are all +right?" + +"Well, sir, now you mention it, I think the drain does sometimes send +back a smell; there may be something wrong, sir." + +"Then send for the bricklayer and have it seen to," said his master. + +"Yes, sir, I will." + +The bricklayer came and pulled up a great many bricks, but found nothing +amiss; so he put down some lime and charged the master five shillings, +and the smell in my box was as bad as ever. But that was not all: +standing as I did on a quantity of moist straw my feet grew unhealthy +and tender, and the master used to say: + +"I don't know what is the matter with this horse; he goes very +fumble-footed. I am sometimes afraid he will stumble." + +"Yes, sir," said Alfred, "I have noticed the same myself, when I have +exercised him." + +Now the fact was that he hardly ever did exercise me, and when the +master was busy I often stood for days together without stretching my +legs at all, and yet being fed just as high as if I were at hard work. +This often disordered my health, and made me sometimes heavy and dull, +but more often restless and feverish. He never even gave me a meal +of green food or a bran mash, which would have cooled me, for he +was altogether as ignorant as he was conceited; and then, instead of +exercise or change of food, I had to take horse balls and draughts; +which, beside the nuisance of having them poured down my throat, used to +make me feel ill and uncomfortable. + +One day my feet were so tender that, trotting over some fresh stones +with my master on my back, I made two such serious stumbles that, as he +came down Lansdown into the city, he stopped at the farrier's, and asked +him to see what was the matter with me. The man took up my feet one +by one and examined them; then standing up and dusting his hands one +against the other, he said: + +"Your horse has got the 'thrush', and badly, too; his feet are very +tender; it is fortunate that he has not been down. I wonder your groom +has not seen to it before. This is the sort of thing we find in foul +stables, where the litter is never properly cleaned out. If you will +send him here to-morrow I will attend to the hoof, and I will direct +your man how to apply the liniment which I will give him." + +The next day I had my feet thoroughly cleansed and stuffed with tow +soaked in some strong lotion; and an unpleasant business it was. + +The farrier ordered all the litter to be taken out of my box day by day, +and the floor kept very clean. Then I was to have bran mashes, a little +green food, and not so much corn, till my feet were well again. With +this treatment I soon regained my spirits; but Mr. Barry was so much +disgusted at being twice deceived by his grooms that he determined to +give up keeping a horse, and to hire when he wanted one. I was therefore +kept till my feet were quite sound, and was then sold again. + + + + +Part III + + + + +32 A Horse Fair + + +No doubt a horse fair is a very amusing place to those who have nothing +to lose; at any rate, there is plenty to see. + +Long strings of young horses out of the country, fresh from the marshes; +and droves of shaggy little Welsh ponies, no higher than Merrylegs; and +hundreds of cart horses of all sorts, some of them with their long tails +braided up and tied with scarlet cord; and a good many like myself, +handsome and high-bred, but fallen into the middle class, through some +accident or blemish, unsoundness of wind, or some other complaint. There +were some splendid animals quite in their prime, and fit for anything; +they were throwing out their legs and showing off their paces in high +style, as they were trotted out with a leading rein, the groom running +by the side. But round in the background there were a number of poor +things, sadly broken down with hard work, with their knees knuckling +over and their hind legs swinging out at every step, and there were some +very dejected-looking old horses, with the under lip hanging down and +the ears lying back heavily, as if there were no more pleasure in life, +and no more hope; there were some so thin you might see all their ribs, +and some with old sores on their backs and hips. These were sad sights +for a horse to look upon, who knows not but he may come to the same +state. + +There was a great deal of bargaining, of running up and beating down; +and if a horse may speak his mind so far as he understands, I should say +there were more lies told and more trickery at that horse fair than a +clever man could give an account of. I was put with two or three other +strong, useful-looking horses, and a good many people came to look at +us. The gentlemen always turned from me when they saw my broken knees; +though the man who had me swore it was only a slip in the stall. + +The first thing was to pull my mouth open, then to look at my eyes, then +feel all the way down my legs, and give me a hard feel of the skin and +flesh, and then try my paces. It was wonderful what a difference there +was in the way these things were done. Some did it in a rough, offhand +way, as if one was only a piece of wood; while others would take their +hands gently over one's body, with a pat now and then, as much as to +say, "By your leave." Of course I judged a good deal of the buyers by +their manners to myself. + +There was one man, I thought, if he would buy me, I should be happy. +He was not a gentleman, nor yet one of the loud, flashy sort that call +themselves so. He was rather a small man, but well made, and quick in +all his motions. I knew in a moment by the way he handled me, that he +was used to horses; he spoke gently, and his gray eye had a kindly, +cheery look in it. It may seem strange to say--but it is true all the +same--that the clean, fresh smell there was about him made me take to +him; no smell of old beer and tobacco, which I hated, but a fresh smell +as if he had come out of a hayloft. He offered twenty-three pounds for +me, but that was refused, and he walked away. I looked after him, but +he was gone, and a very hard-looking, loud-voiced man came. I was +dreadfully afraid he would have me; but he walked off. One or two more +came who did not mean business. Then the hard-faced man came back again +and offered twenty-three pounds. A very close bargain was being driven, +for my salesman began to think he should not get all he asked, and must +come down; but just then the gray-eyed man came back again. I could not +help reaching out my head toward him. He stroked my face kindly. + +"Well, old chap," he said, "I think we should suit each other. I'll give +twenty-four for him." + +"Say twenty-five and you shall have him." + +"Twenty-four ten," said my friend, in a very decided tone, "and not +another sixpence--yes or no?" + +"Done," said the salesman; "and you may depend upon it there's a +monstrous deal of quality in that horse, and if you want him for cab +work he's a bargain." + +The money was paid on the spot, and my new master took my halter, and +led me out of the fair to an inn, where he had a saddle and bridle +ready. He gave me a good feed of oats and stood by while I ate it, +talking to himself and talking to me. Half an hour after we were on our +way to London, through pleasant lanes and country roads, until we came +into the great London thoroughfare, on which we traveled steadily, till +in the twilight we reached the great city. The gas lamps were already +lighted; there were streets to the right, and streets to the left, and +streets crossing each other, for mile upon mile. I thought we should +never come to the end of them. At last, in passing through one, we +came to a long cab stand, when my rider called out in a cheery voice, +"Good-night, governor!" + +"Halloo!" cried a voice. "Have you got a good one?" + +"I think so," replied my owner. + +"I wish you luck with him." + +"Thank you, governor," and he rode on. We soon turned up one of the side +streets, and about halfway up that we turned into a very narrow street, +with rather poor-looking houses on one side, and what seemed to be +coach-houses and stables on the other. + +My owner pulled up at one of the houses and whistled. The door flew +open, and a young woman, followed by a little girl and boy, ran out. +There was a very lively greeting as my rider dismounted. + +"Now, then, Harry, my boy, open the gates, and mother will bring us the +lantern." + +The next minute they were all standing round me in a small stable-yard. + +"Is he gentle, father?" + +"Yes, Dolly, as gentle as your own kitten; come and pat him." + +At once the little hand was patting about all over my shoulder without +fear. How good it felt! + +"Let me get him a bran mash while you rub him down," said the mother. + +"Do, Polly, it's just what he wants; and I know you've got a beautiful +mash ready for me." + +"Sausage dumpling and apple turnover!" shouted the boy, which set them +all laughing. I was led into a comfortable, clean-smelling stall, with +plenty of dry straw, and after a capital supper I lay down, thinking I +was going to be happy. + + + + +33 A London Cab Horse + + +Jeremiah Barker was my new master's name, but as every one called him +Jerry, I shall do the same. Polly, his wife, was just as good a match as +a man could have. She was a plump, trim, tidy little woman, with smooth, +dark hair, dark eyes, and a merry little mouth. The boy was twelve years +old, a tall, frank, good-tempered lad; and little Dorothy (Dolly they +called her) was her mother over again, at eight years old. They were all +wonderfully fond of each other; I never knew such a happy, merry family +before or since. Jerry had a cab of his own, and two horses, which he +drove and attended to himself. His other horse was a tall, white, rather +large-boned animal called "Captain". He was old now, but when he was +young he must have been splendid; he had still a proud way of +holding his head and arching his neck; in fact, he was a high-bred, +fine-mannered, noble old horse, every inch of him. He told me that in +his early youth he went to the Crimean War; he belonged to an officer +in the cavalry, and used to lead the regiment. I will tell more of that +hereafter. + +The next morning, when I was well-groomed, Polly and Dolly came into the +yard to see me and make friends. Harry had been helping his father since +the early morning, and had stated his opinion that I should turn out a +"regular brick". Polly brought me a slice of apple, and Dolly a piece +of bread, and made as much of me as if I had been the "Black Beauty" of +olden time. It was a great treat to be petted again and talked to in a +gentle voice, and I let them see as well as I could that I wished to be +friendly. Polly thought I was very handsome, and a great deal too good +for a cab, if it was not for the broken knees. + +"Of course there's no one to tell us whose fault that was," said Jerry, +"and as long as I don't know I shall give him the benefit of the doubt; +for a firmer, neater stepper I never rode. We'll call him 'Jack', after +the old one--shall we, Polly?" + +"Do," she said, "for I like to keep a good name going." + +Captain went out in the cab all the morning. Harry came in after school +to feed me and give me water. In the afternoon I was put into the +cab. Jerry took as much pains to see if the collar and bridle fitted +comfortably as if he had been John Manly over again. When the crupper +was let out a hole or two it all fitted well. There was no check-rein, +no curb, nothing but a plain ring snaffle. What a blessing that was! + +After driving through the side street we came to the large cab stand +where Jerry had said "Good-night". On one side of this wide street were +high houses with wonderful shop fronts, and on the other was an old +church and churchyard, surrounded by iron palisades. Alongside these +iron rails a number of cabs were drawn up, waiting for passengers; bits +of hay were lying about on the ground; some of the men were standing +together talking; some were sitting on their boxes reading the +newspaper; and one or two were feeding their horses with bits of hay, +and giving them a drink of water. We pulled up in the rank at the back +of the last cab. Two or three men came round and began to look at me and +pass their remarks. + +"Very good for a funeral," said one. + +"Too smart-looking," said another, shaking his head in a very wise way; +"you'll find out something wrong one of these fine mornings, or my name +isn't Jones." + +"Well," said Jerry pleasantly, "I suppose I need not find it out till it +finds me out, eh? And if so, I'll keep up my spirits a little longer." + +Then there came up a broad-faced man, dressed in a great gray coat +with great gray cape and great white buttons, a gray hat, and a blue +comforter loosely tied round his neck; his hair was gray, too; but +he was a jolly-looking fellow, and the other men made way for him. +He looked me all over, as if he had been going to buy me; and then +straightening himself up with a grunt, he said, "He's the right sort for +you, Jerry; I don't care what you gave for him, he'll be worth it." Thus +my character was established on the stand. + +This man's name was Grant, but he was called "Gray Grant", or "Governor +Grant". He had been the longest on that stand of any of the men, and +he took it upon himself to settle matters and stop disputes. He was +generally a good-humored, sensible man; but if his temper was a little +out, as it was sometimes when he had drunk too much, nobody liked to +come too near his fist, for he could deal a very heavy blow. + +The first week of my life as a cab horse was very trying. I had never +been used to London, and the noise, the hurry, the crowds of horses, +carts, and carriages that I had to make my way through made me feel +anxious and harassed; but I soon found that I could perfectly trust my +driver, and then I made myself easy and got used to it. + +Jerry was as good a driver as I had ever known, and what was better, he +took as much thought for his horses as he did for himself. He soon found +out that I was willing to work and do my best, and he never laid the +whip on me unless it was gently drawing the end of it over my back when +I was to go on; but generally I knew this quite well by the way in which +he took up the reins, and I believe his whip was more frequently stuck +up by his side than in his hand. + +In a short time I and my master understood each other as well as horse +and man can do. In the stable, too, he did all that he could for our +comfort. The stalls were the old-fashioned style, too much on the slope; +but he had two movable bars fixed across the back of our stalls, so that +at night, and when we were resting, he just took off our halters and +put up the bars, and thus we could turn about and stand whichever way we +pleased, which is a great comfort. + +Jerry kept us very clean, and gave us as much change of food as he +could, and always plenty of it; and not only that, but he always gave us +plenty of clean fresh water, which he allowed to stand by us both night +and day, except of course when we came in warm. Some people say that a +horse ought not to drink all he likes; but I know if we are allowed to +drink when we want it we drink only a little at a time, and it does us +a great deal more good than swallowing down half a bucketful at a time, +because we have been left without till we are thirsty and miserable. +Some grooms will go home to their beer and leave us for hours with our +dry hay and oats and nothing to moisten them; then of course we gulp +down too much at once, which helps to spoil our breathing and sometimes +chills our stomachs. But the best thing we had here was our Sundays for +rest; we worked so hard in the week that I do not think we could have +kept up to it but for that day; besides, we had then time to enjoy each +other's company. It was on these days that I learned my companion's +history. + + + + +34 An Old War Horse + + +Captain had been broken in and trained for an army horse; his first +owner was an officer of cavalry going out to the Crimean war. He said he +quite enjoyed the training with all the other horses, trotting together, +turning together, to the right hand or the left, halting at the word of +command, or dashing forward at full speed at the sound of the trumpet +or signal of the officer. He was, when young, a dark, dappled iron-gray, +and considered very handsome. His master, a young, high-spirited +gentleman, was very fond of him, and treated him from the first with the +greatest care and kindness. He told me he thought the life of an army +horse was very pleasant; but when it came to being sent abroad over the +sea in a great ship, he almost changed his mind. + +"That part of it," said he, "was dreadful! Of course we could not walk +off the land into the ship; so they were obliged to put strong straps +under our bodies, and then we were lifted off our legs in spite of our +struggles, and were swung through the air over the water, to the deck of +the great vessel. There we were placed in small close stalls, and never +for a long time saw the sky, or were able to stretch our legs. The ship +sometimes rolled about in high winds, and we were knocked about, and +felt bad enough. + +"However, at last it came to an end, and we were hauled up, and swung +over again to the land; we were very glad, and snorted and neighed for +joy, when we once more felt firm ground under our feet. + +"We soon found that the country we had come to was very different from +our own and that we had many hardships to endure besides the fighting; +but many of the men were so fond of their horses that they did +everything they could to make them comfortable in spite of snow, wet, +and all things out of order." + +"But what about the fighting?" said I, "was not that worse than anything +else?" + +"Well," said he, "I hardly know; we always liked to hear the trumpet +sound, and to be called out, and were impatient to start off, though +sometimes we had to stand for hours, waiting for the word of command; +and when the word was given we used to spring forward as gayly and +eagerly as if there were no cannon balls, bayonets, or bullets. I +believe so long as we felt our rider firm in the saddle, and his hand +steady on the bridle, not one of us gave way to fear, not even when the +terrible bomb-shells whirled through the air and burst into a thousand +pieces. + +"I, with my noble master, went into many actions together without a +wound; and though I saw horses shot down with bullets, pierced through +with lances, and gashed with fearful saber-cuts; though we left them +dead on the field, or dying in the agony of their wounds, I don't think +I feared for myself. My master's cheery voice, as he encouraged his +men, made me feel as if he and I could not be killed. I had such perfect +trust in him that while he was guiding me I was ready to charge up +to the very cannon's mouth. I saw many brave men cut down, many fall +mortally wounded from their saddles. I had heard the cries and groans +of the dying, I had cantered over ground slippery with blood, and +frequently had to turn aside to avoid trampling on wounded man or horse, +but, until one dreadful day, I had never felt terror; that day I shall +never forget." + +Here old Captain paused for awhile and drew a long breath; I waited, and +he went on. + +"It was one autumn morning, and as usual, an hour before daybreak our +cavalry had turned out, ready caparisoned for the day's work, whether +it might be fighting or waiting. The men stood by their horses waiting, +ready for orders. As the light increased there seemed to be some +excitement among the officers; and before the day was well begun we +heard the firing of the enemy's guns. + +"Then one of the officers rode up and gave the word for the men to +mount, and in a second every man was in his saddle, and every horse +stood expecting the touch of the rein, or the pressure of his rider's +heels, all animated, all eager; but still we had been trained so well +that, except by the champing of our bits, and the restive tossing of our +heads from time to time, it could not be said that we stirred. + +"My dear master and I were at the head of the line, and as all sat +motionless and watchful, he took a little stray lock of my mane which +had turned over on the wrong side, laid it over on the right, and +smoothed it down with his hand; then patting my neck, he said, 'We shall +have a day of it to-day, Bayard, my beauty; but we'll do our duty as we +have done.' He stroked my neck that morning more, I think, than he had +ever done before; quietly on and on, as if he were thinking of something +else. I loved to feel his hand on my neck, and arched my crest proudly +and happily; but I stood very still, for I knew all his moods, and when +he liked me to be quiet, and when gay. + +"I cannot tell all that happened on that day, but I will tell of the +last charge that we made together; it was across a valley right in front +of the enemy's cannon. By this time we were well used to the roar of +heavy guns, the rattle of musket fire, and the flying of shot near us; +but never had I been under such a fire as we rode through on that day. +From the right, from the left, and from the front, shot and shell poured +in upon us. Many a brave man went down, many a horse fell, flinging his +rider to the earth; many a horse without a rider ran wildly out of the +ranks; then terrified at being alone, with no hand to guide him, came +pressing in among his old companions, to gallop with them to the charge. + +"Fearful as it was, no one stopped, no one turned back. Every moment the +ranks were thinned, but as our comrades fell, we closed in to keep +them together; and instead of being shaken or staggered in our pace our +gallop became faster and faster as we neared the cannon. + +"My master, my dear master was cheering on his comrades with his right +arm raised on high, when one of the balls whizzing close to my head +struck him. I felt him stagger with the shock, though he uttered no cry; +I tried to check my speed, but the sword dropped from his right hand, +the rein fell loose from the left, and sinking backward from the saddle +he fell to the earth; the other riders swept past us, and by the force +of their charge I was driven from the spot. + +"I wanted to keep my place by his side and not leave him under that +rush of horses' feet, but it was in vain; and now without a master or a +friend I was alone on that great slaughter ground; then fear took hold +on me, and I trembled as I had never trembled before; and I too, as I +had seen other horses do, tried to join in the ranks and gallop with +them; but I was beaten off by the swords of the soldiers. Just then a +soldier whose horse had been killed under him caught at my bridle and +mounted me, and with this new master I was again going forward; but our +gallant company was cruelly overpowered, and those who remained alive +after the fierce fight for the guns came galloping back over the same +ground. Some of the horses had been so badly wounded that they could +scarcely move from the loss of blood; other noble creatures were trying +on three legs to drag themselves along, and others were struggling to +rise on their fore feet, when their hind legs had been shattered by +shot. After the battle the wounded men were brought in and the dead were +buried." + +"And what about the wounded horses?" I said; "were they left to die?" + +"No, the army farriers went over the field with their pistols and shot +all that were ruined; some that had only slight wounds were brought back +and attended to, but the greater part of the noble, willing creatures +that went out that morning never came back! In our stables there was +only about one in four that returned. + +"I never saw my dear master again. I believe he fell dead from the +saddle. I never loved any other master so well. I went into many other +engagements, but was only once wounded, and then not seriously; and when +the war was over I came back again to England, as sound and strong as +when I went out." + +I said, "I have heard people talk about war as if it was a very fine +thing." + +"Ah!" said he, "I should think they never saw it. No doubt it is very +fine when there is no enemy, when it is just exercise and parade and +sham fight. Yes, it is very fine then; but when thousands of good brave +men and horses are killed or crippled for life, it has a very different +look." + +"Do you know what they fought about?" said I. + +"No," he said, "that is more than a horse can understand, but the enemy +must have been awfully wicked people, if it was right to go all that way +over the sea on purpose to kill them." + + + + +35 Jerry Barker + + +I never knew a better man than my new master. He was kind and good, and +as strong for the right as John Manly; and so good-tempered and merry +that very few people could pick a quarrel with him. He was very fond of +making little songs, and singing them to himself. One he was very fond +of was this: + + "Come, father and mother, + And sister and brother, + Come, all of you, turn to + And help one another." + +And so they did; Harry was as clever at stable-work as a much older boy, +and always wanted to do what he could. Then Polly and Dolly used to come +in the morning to help with the cab--to brush and beat the cushions, +and rub the glass, while Jerry was giving us a cleaning in the yard, and +Harry was rubbing the harness. There used to be a great deal of laughing +and fun between them, and it put Captain and me in much better spirits +than if we had heard scolding and hard words. They were always early in +the morning, for Jerry would say: + + "If you in the morning + Throw minutes away, + You can't pick them up + In the course of a day. + You may hurry and scurry, + And flurry and worry, + You've lost them forever, + Forever and aye." + +He could not bear any careless loitering and waste of time; and nothing +was so near making him angry as to find people, who were always late, +wanting a cab horse to be driven hard, to make up for their idleness. + +One day two wild-looking young men came out of a tavern close by the +stand, and called Jerry. + +"Here, cabby! look sharp, we are rather late; put on the steam, will +you, and take us to the Victoria in time for the one o'clock train? You +shall have a shilling extra." + +"I will take you at the regular pace, gentlemen; shillings don't pay for +putting on the steam like that." + +Larry's cab was standing next to ours; he flung open the door, and said, +"I'm your man, gentlemen! take my cab, my horse will get you there all +right;" and as he shut them in, with a wink toward Jerry, said, "It's +against his conscience to go beyond a jog-trot." Then slashing his jaded +horse, he set off as hard as he could. Jerry patted me on the neck: "No, +Jack, a shilling would not pay for that sort of thing, would it, old +boy?" + +Although Jerry was determinedly set against hard driving, to please +careless people, he always went a good fair pace, and was not against +putting on the steam, as he said, if only he knew why. + +I well remember one morning, as we were on the stand waiting for a +fare, that a young man, carrying a heavy portmanteau, trod on a piece of +orange peel which lay on the pavement, and fell down with great force. + +Jerry was the first to run and lift him up. He seemed much stunned, and +as they led him into a shop he walked as if he were in great pain. Jerry +of course came back to the stand, but in about ten minutes one of the +shopmen called him, so we drew up to the pavement. + +"Can you take me to the South-Eastern Railway?" said the young man; +"this unlucky fall has made me late, I fear; but it is of great +importance that I should not lose the twelve o'clock train. I should be +most thankful if you could get me there in time, and will gladly pay you +an extra fare." + +"I'll do my very best," said Jerry heartily, "if you think you are well +enough, sir," for he looked dreadfully white and ill. + +"I must go," he said earnestly, "please to open the door, and let us +lose no time." + +The next minute Jerry was on the box; with a cheery chirrup to me, and a +twitch of the rein that I well understood. + +"Now then, Jack, my boy," said he, "spin along, we'll show them how we +can get over the ground, if we only know why." + +It is always difficult to drive fast in the city in the middle of the +day, when the streets are full of traffic, but we did what could be +done; and when a good driver and a good horse, who understand each +other, are of one mind, it is wonderful what they can do. I had a very +good mouth--that is I could be guided by the slightest touch of the +rein; and that is a great thing in London, among carriages, omnibuses, +carts, vans, trucks, cabs, and great wagons creeping along at a walking +pace; some going one way, some another, some going slowly, others +wanting to pass them; omnibuses stopping short every few minutes to take +up a passenger, obliging the horse that is coming behind to pull up too, +or to pass, and get before them; perhaps you try to pass, but just then +something else comes dashing in through the narrow opening, and you +have to keep in behind the omnibus again; presently you think you see a +chance, and manage to get to the front, going so near the wheels on each +side that half an inch nearer and they would scrape. Well, you get along +for a bit, but soon find yourself in a long train of carts and carriages +all obliged to go at a walk; perhaps you come to a regular block-up, and +have to stand still for minutes together, till something clears out into +a side street, or the policeman interferes; you have to be ready for +any chance--to dash forward if there be an opening, and be quick as a +rat-dog to see if there be room and if there be time, lest you get your +own wheels locked or smashed, or the shaft of some other vehicle run +into your chest or shoulder. All this is what you have to be ready for. +If you want to get through London fast in the middle of the day it wants +a deal of practice. + +Jerry and I were used to it, and no one could beat us at getting through +when we were set upon it. I was quick and bold and could always trust +my driver; Jerry was quick and patient at the same time, and could trust +his horse, which was a great thing too. He very seldom used the whip; I +knew by his voice, and his click, click, when he wanted to get on fast, +and by the rein where I was to go; so there was no need for whipping; +but I must go back to my story. + +The streets were very full that day, but we got on pretty well as far +as the bottom of Cheapside, where there was a block for three or four +minutes. The young man put his head out and said anxiously, "I think I +had better get out and walk; I shall never get there if this goes on." + +"I'll do all that can be done, sir," said Jerry; "I think we shall be +in time. This block-up cannot last much longer, and your luggage is very +heavy for you to carry, sir." + +Just then the cart in front of us began to move on, and then we had a +good turn. In and out, in and out we went, as fast as horseflesh could +do it, and for a wonder had a good clear time on London Bridge, for +there was a whole train of cabs and carriages all going our way at a +quick trot, perhaps wanting to catch that very train. At any rate, we +whirled into the station with many more, just as the great clock pointed +to eight minutes to twelve o'clock. + +"Thank God! we are in time," said the young man, "and thank you, too, my +friend, and your good horse. You have saved me more than money can ever +pay for. Take this extra half-crown." + +"No, sir, no, thank you all the same; so glad we hit the time, sir; +but don't stay now, sir, the bell is ringing. Here, porter! take this +gentleman's luggage--Dover line twelve o'clock train--that's it," and +without waiting for another word Jerry wheeled me round to make room for +other cabs that were dashing up at the last minute, and drew up on one +side till the crush was past. + +"'So glad!' he said, 'so glad!' Poor young fellow! I wonder what it was +that made him so anxious!" + +Jerry often talked to himself quite loud enough for me to hear when we +were not moving. + +On Jerry's return to the rank there was a good deal of laughing and +chaffing at him for driving hard to the train for an extra fare, as they +said, all against his principles, and they wanted to know how much he +had pocketed. + +"A good deal more than I generally get," said he, nodding slyly; "what +he gave me will keep me in little comforts for several days." + +"Gammon!" said one. + +"He's a humbug," said another; "preaching to us and then doing the same +himself." + +"Look here, mates," said Jerry; "the gentleman offered me half a crown +extra, but I didn't take it; 'twas quite pay enough for me to see how +glad he was to catch that train; and if Jack and I choose to have a +quick run now and then to please ourselves, that's our business and not +yours." + +"Well," said Larry, "you'll never be a rich man." + +"Most likely not," said Jerry; "but I don't know that I shall be the +less happy for that. I have heard the commandments read a great many +times and I never noticed that any of them said, 'Thou shalt be rich'; +and there are a good many curious things said in the New Testament about +rich men that I think would make me feel rather queer if I was one of +them." + +"If you ever do get rich," said Governor Gray, looking over his shoulder +across the top of his cab, "you'll deserve it, Jerry, and you won't find +a curse come with your wealth. As for you, Larry, you'll die poor; you +spend too much in whipcord." + +"Well," said Larry, "what is a fellow to do if his horse won't go +without it?" + +"You never take the trouble to see if he will go without it; your whip +is always going as if you had the St. Vitus' dance in your arm, and +if it does not wear you out it wears your horse out; you know you are +always changing your horses; and why? Because you never give them any +peace or encouragement." + +"Well, I have not had good luck," said Larry, "that's where it is." + +"And you never will," said the governor. "Good Luck is rather particular +who she rides with, and mostly prefers those who have got common sense +and a good heart; at least that is my experience." + +Governor Gray turned round again to his newspaper, and the other men +went to their cabs. + + + + +36 The Sunday Cab + + +One morning, as Jerry had just put me into the shafts and was fastening +the traces, a gentleman walked into the yard. "Your servant, sir," said +Jerry. + +"Good-morning, Mr. Barker," said the gentleman. "I should be glad to +make some arrangements with you for taking Mrs. Briggs regularly to +church on Sunday mornings. We go to the New Church now, and that is +rather further than she can walk." + +"Thank you, sir," said Jerry, "but I have only taken out a six-days' +license,* and therefore I could not take a fare on a Sunday; it would +not be legal." + + +* A few years since the annual charge for a cab license was very much +reduced, and the difference between the six and seven days' cabs was +abolished. + + +"Oh!" said the other, "I did not know yours was a six-days' cab; but of +course it would be very easy to alter your license. I would see that you +did not lose by it; the fact is, Mrs. Briggs very much prefers you to +drive her." + +"I should be glad to oblige the lady, sir, but I had a seven-days' +license once, and the work was too hard for me, and too hard for my +horses. Year in and year out, not a day's rest, and never a Sunday with +my wife and children; and never able to go to a place of worship, which +I had always been used to do before I took to the driving box. So for +the last five years I have only taken a six-days' license, and I find it +better all the way round." + +"Well, of course," replied Mr. Briggs, "it is very proper that every +person should have rest, and be able to go to church on Sundays, but I +should have thought you would not have minded such a short distance for +the horse, and only once a day; you would have all the afternoon and +evening for yourself, and we are very good customers, you know." + +"Yes, sir, that is true, and I am grateful for all favors, I am sure; +and anything that I could do to oblige you, or the lady, I should be +proud and happy to do; but I can't give up my Sundays, sir, indeed I +can't. I read that God made man, and he made horses and all the other +beasts, and as soon as He had made them He made a day of rest, and bade +that all should rest one day in seven; and I think, sir, He must have +known what was good for them, and I am sure it is good for me; I am +stronger and healthier altogether, now that I have a day of rest; the +horses are fresh too, and do not wear up nearly so fast. The six-day +drivers all tell me the same, and I have laid by more money in the +savings bank than ever I did before; and as for the wife and children, +sir, why, heart alive! they would not go back to the seven days for all +they could see." + +"Oh, very well," said the gentleman. "Don't trouble yourself, Mr. +Barker, any further. I will inquire somewhere else," and he walked away. + +"Well," says Jerry to me, "we can't help it, Jack, old boy; we must have +our Sundays." + +"Polly!" he shouted, "Polly! come here." + +She was there in a minute. + +"What is it all about, Jerry?" + +"Why, my dear, Mr. Briggs wants me to take Mrs. Briggs to church every +Sunday morning. I say I have only a six-days' license. He says, 'Get a +seven-days' license, and I'll make it worth your while;' and you know, +Polly, they are very good customers to us. Mrs. Briggs often goes out +shopping for hours, or making calls, and then she pays down fair and +honorable like a lady; there's no beating down or making three hours +into two hours and a half, as some folks do; and it is easy work for +the horses; not like tearing along to catch trains for people that are +always a quarter of an hour too late; and if I don't oblige her in this +matter it is very likely we shall lose them altogether. What do you say, +little woman?" + +"I say, Jerry," says she, speaking very slowly, "I say, if Mrs. Briggs +would give you a sovereign every Sunday morning, I would not have you a +seven-days' cabman again. We have known what it was to have no Sundays, +and now we know what it is to call them our own. Thank God, you earn +enough to keep us, though it is sometimes close work to pay for all the +oats and hay, the license, and the rent besides; but Harry will soon be +earning something, and I would rather struggle on harder than we do than +go back to those horrid times when you hardly had a minute to look at +your own children, and we never could go to a place of worship together, +or have a happy, quiet day. God forbid that we should ever turn back to +those times; that's what I say, Jerry." + +"And that is just what I told Mr. Briggs, my dear," said Jerry, "and +what I mean to stick to. So don't go and fret yourself, Polly" (for she +had begun to cry); "I would not go back to the old times if I earned +twice as much, so that is settled, little woman. Now, cheer up, and I'll +be off to the stand." + +Three weeks had passed away after this conversation, and no order had +come from Mrs. Briggs; so there was nothing but taking jobs from the +stand. Jerry took it to heart a good deal, for of course the work was +harder for horse and man. But Polly would always cheer him up, and say, +"Never mind, father, never, mind. + + "'Do your best, + And leave the rest, + 'Twill all come right + Some day or night.'" + +It soon became known that Jerry had lost his best customer, and for what +reason. Most of the men said he was a fool, but two or three took his +part. + +"If workingmen don't stick to their Sunday," said Truman, "they'll soon +have none left; it is every man's right and every beast's right. By +God's law we have a day of rest, and by the law of England we have a day +of rest; and I say we ought to hold to the rights these laws give us and +keep them for our children." + +"All very well for you religious chaps to talk so," said Larry; "but +I'll turn a shilling when I can. I don't believe in religion, for I +don't see that your religious people are any better than the rest." + +"If they are not better," put in Jerry, "it is because they are not +religious. You might as well say that our country's laws are not good +because some people break them. If a man gives way to his temper, and +speaks evil of his neighbor, and does not pay his debts, he is not +religious, I don't care how much he goes to church. If some men are +shams and humbugs, that does not make religion untrue. Real religion is +the best and truest thing in the world, and the only thing that can make +a man really happy or make the world we live in any better." + +"If religion was good for anything," said Jones, "it would prevent your +religious people from making us work on Sundays, as you know many of +them do, and that's why I say religion is nothing but a sham; why, if it +was not for the church and chapel-goers it would be hardly worth while +our coming out on a Sunday. But they have their privileges, as they call +them, and I go without. I shall expect them to answer for my soul, if I +can't get a chance of saving it." + +Several of the men applauded this, till Jerry said: + +"That may sound well enough, but it won't do; every man must look +after his own soul; you can't lay it down at another man's door like a +foundling and expect him to take care of it; and don't you see, if you +are always sitting on your box waiting for a fare, they will say, 'If we +don't take him some one else will, and he does not look for any Sunday.' +Of course, they don't go to the bottom of it, or they would see if they +never came for a cab it would be no use your standing there; but +people don't always like to go to the bottom of things; it may not be +convenient to do it; but if you Sunday drivers would all strike for a +day of rest the thing would be done." + +"And what would all the good people do if they could not get to their +favorite preachers?" said Larry. + +"'Tis not for me to lay down plans for other people," said Jerry, "but +if they can't walk so far they can go to what is nearer; and if it +should rain they can put on their mackintoshes as they do on a week-day. +If a thing is right it can be done, and if it is wrong it can be done +without; and a good man will find a way. And that is as true for us +cabmen as it is for the church-goers." + + + + +37 The Golden Rule + + +Two or three weeks after this, as we came into the yard rather late in +the evening, Polly came running across the road with the lantern (she +always brought it to him if it was not very wet). + +"It has all come right, Jerry; Mrs. Briggs sent her servant this +afternoon to ask you to take her out to-morrow at eleven o'clock. I +said, 'Yes, I thought so, but we supposed she employed some one else +now.'" + +"'Well,' said he, 'the real fact is, master was put out because Mr. +Barker refused to come on Sundays, and he has been trying other cabs, +but there's something wrong with them all; some drive too fast, and some +too slow, and the mistress says there is not one of them so nice and +clean as yours, and nothing will suit her but Mr. Barker's cab again.'" + +Polly was almost out of breath, and Jerry broke out into a merry laugh. + +"''Twill all come right some day or night': you were right, my dear; you +generally are. Run in and get the supper, and I'll have Jack's harness +off and make him snug and happy in no time." + +After this Mrs. Briggs wanted Jerry's cab quite as often as before, +never, however, on a Sunday; but there came a day when we had Sunday +work, and this was how it happened. We had all come home on the Saturday +night very tired, and very glad to think that the next day would be all +rest, but so it was not to be. + +On Sunday morning Jerry was cleaning me in the yard, when Polly stepped +up to him, looking very full of something. + +"What is it?" said Jerry. + +"Well, my dear," she said, "poor Dinah Brown has just had a letter +brought to say that her mother is dangerously ill, and that she must +go directly if she wishes to see her alive. The place is more than ten +miles away from here, out in the country, and she says if she takes the +train she should still have four miles to walk; and so weak as she is, +and the baby only four weeks old, of course that would be impossible; +and she wants to know if you would take her in your cab, and she +promises to pay you faithfully, as she can get the money." + +"Tut, tut! we'll see about that. It was not the money I was thinking +about, but of losing our Sunday; the horses are tired, and I am tired, +too--that's where it pinches." + +"It pinches all round, for that matter," said Polly, "for it's only +half Sunday without you, but you know we should do to other people as +we should like they should do to us; and I know very well what I should +like if my mother was dying; and Jerry, dear, I am sure it won't break +the Sabbath; for if pulling a poor beast or donkey out of a pit would +not spoil it, I am quite sure taking poor Dinah would not do it." + +"Why, Polly, you are as good as the minister, and so, as I've had my +Sunday-morning sermon early to-day, you may go and tell Dinah that I'll +be ready for her as the clock strikes ten; but stop--just step round to +butcher Braydon's with my compliments, and ask him if he would lend me +his light trap; I know he never uses it on the Sunday, and it would make +a wonderful difference to the horse." + +Away she went, and soon returned, saying that he could have the trap and +welcome. + +"All right," said he; "now put me up a bit of bread and cheese, and I'll +be back in the afternoon as soon as I can." + +"And I'll have the meat pie ready for an early tea instead of for +dinner," said Polly; and away she went, while he made his preparations +to the tune of "Polly's the woman and no mistake", of which tune he was +very fond. + +I was selected for the journey, and at ten o'clock we started, in a +light, high-wheeled gig, which ran so easily that after the four-wheeled +cab it seemed like nothing. + +It was a fine May day, and as soon as we were out of the town, the sweet +air, the smell of the fresh grass, and the soft country roads were as +pleasant as they used to be in the old times, and I soon began to feel +quite fresh. + +Dinah's family lived in a small farmhouse, up a green lane, close by a +meadow with some fine shady trees; there were two cows feeding in it. +A young man asked Jerry to bring his trap into the meadow, and he would +tie me up in the cowshed; he wished he had a better stable to offer. + +"If your cows would not be offended," said Jerry, "there is nothing my +horse would like so well as to have an hour or two in your beautiful +meadow; he's quiet, and it would be a rare treat for him." + +"Do, and welcome," said the young man; "the best we have is at your +service for your kindness to my sister; we shall be having some dinner +in an hour, and I hope you'll come in, though with mother so ill we are +all out of sorts in the house." + +Jerry thanked him kindly, but said as he had some dinner with him there +was nothing he should like so well as walking about in the meadow. + +When my harness was taken off I did not know what I should do +first--whether to eat the grass, or roll over on my back, or lie down +and rest, or have a gallop across the meadow out of sheer spirits at +being free; and I did all by turns. Jerry seemed to be quite as happy +as I was; he sat down by a bank under a shady tree, and listened to the +birds, then he sang himself, and read out of the little brown book he is +so fond of, then wandered round the meadow, and down by a little brook, +where he picked the flowers and the hawthorn, and tied them up with +long sprays of ivy; then he gave me a good feed of the oats which he had +brought with him; but the time seemed all too short--I had not been in a +field since I left poor Ginger at Earlshall. + +We came home gently, and Jerry's first words were, as we came into the +yard, "Well, Polly, I have not lost my Sunday after all, for the birds +were singing hymns in every bush, and I joined in the service; and as +for Jack, he was like a young colt." + +When he handed Dolly the flowers she jumped about for joy. + + + + +38 Dolly and a Real Gentleman + + +Winter came in early, with a great deal of cold and wet. There was snow, +or sleet, or rain almost every day for weeks, changing only for keen +driving winds or sharp frosts. The horses all felt it very much. When +it is a dry cold a couple of good thick rugs will keep the warmth in us; +but when it is soaking rain they soon get wet through and are no good. +Some of the drivers had a waterproof cover to throw over, which was a +fine thing; but some of the men were so poor that they could not protect +either themselves or their horses, and many of them suffered very much +that winter. When we horses had worked half the day we went to our dry +stables, and could rest, while they had to sit on their boxes, sometimes +staying out as late as one or two o'clock in the morning if they had a +party to wait for. + +When the streets were slippery with frost or snow that was the worst of +all for us horses. One mile of such traveling, with a weight to draw +and no firm footing, would take more out of us than four on a good +road; every nerve and muscle of our bodies is on the strain to keep our +balance; and, added to this, the fear of falling is more exhausting than +anything else. If the roads are very bad indeed our shoes are roughed, +but that makes us feel nervous at first. + +When the weather was very bad many of the men would go and sit in the +tavern close by, and get some one to watch for them; but they often +lost a fare in that way, and could not, as Jerry said, be there without +spending money. He never went to the Rising Sun; there was a coffee-shop +near, where he now and then went, or he bought of an old man, who came +to our rank with tins of hot coffee and pies. It was his opinion that +spirits and beer made a man colder afterward, and that dry clothes, good +food, cheerfulness, and a comfortable wife at home, were the best things +to keep a cabman warm. Polly always supplied him with something to eat +when he could not get home, and sometimes he would see little Dolly +peeping from the corner of the street, to make sure if "father" was on +the stand. If she saw him she would run off at full speed and soon come +back with something in a tin or basket, some hot soup or pudding Polly +had ready. It was wonderful how such a little thing could get safely +across the street, often thronged with horses and carriages; but she was +a brave little maid, and felt it quite an honor to bring "father's first +course", as he used to call it. She was a general favorite on the stand, +and there was not a man who would not have seen her safely across the +street, if Jerry had not been able to do it. + +One cold windy day Dolly had brought Jerry a basin of something hot, +and was standing by him while he ate it. He had scarcely begun when +a gentleman, walking toward us very fast, held up his umbrella. Jerry +touched his hat in return, gave the basin to Dolly, and was taking off +my cloth, when the gentleman, hastening up, cried out, "No, no, finish +your soup, my friend; I have not much time to spare, but I can wait +till you have done, and set your little girl safe on the pavement." So +saying, he seated himself in the cab. Jerry thanked him kindly, and came +back to Dolly. + +"There, Dolly, that's a gentleman; that's a real gentleman, Dolly; he +has got time and thought for the comfort of a poor cabman and a little +girl." + +Jerry finished his soup, set the child across, and then took his orders +to drive to Clapham Rise. Several times after that the same gentleman +took our cab. I think he was very fond of dogs and horses, for whenever +we took him to his own door two or three dogs would come bounding out +to meet him. Sometimes he came round and patted me, saying in his quiet, +pleasant way, "This horse has got a good master, and he deserves it." +It was a very rare thing for any one to notice the horse that had been +working for him. I have known ladies to do it now and then, and this +gentleman, and one or two others have given me a pat and a kind word; +but ninety-nine persons out of a hundred would as soon think of patting +the steam engine that drew the train. + +The gentleman was not young, and there was a forward stoop in his +shoulders as if he was always going at something. His lips were thin and +close shut, though they had a very pleasant smile; his eye was keen, and +there was something in his jaw and the motion of his head that made one +think he was very determined in anything he set about. His voice was +pleasant and kind; any horse would trust that voice, though it was just +as decided as everything else about him. + +One day he and another gentleman took our cab; they stopped at a shop +in R---- Street, and while his friend went in he stood at the door. A +little ahead of us on the other side of the street a cart with two very +fine horses was standing before some wine vaults; the carter was not +with them, and I cannot tell how long they had been standing, but they +seemed to think they had waited long enough, and began to move off. +Before they had gone many paces the carter came running out and caught +them. He seemed furious at their having moved, and with whip and rein +punished them brutally, even beating them about the head. Our gentleman +saw it all, and stepping quickly across the street, said in a decided +voice: + +"If you don't stop that directly, I'll have you arrested for leaving +your horses, and for brutal conduct." + +The man, who had clearly been drinking, poured forth some abusive +language, but he left off knocking the horses about, and taking the +reins, got into his cart; meantime our friend had quietly taken a +note-book from his pocket, and looking at the name and address painted +on the cart, he wrote something down. + +"What do you want with that?" growled the carter, as he cracked his whip +and was moving on. A nod and a grim smile was the only answer he got. + +On returning to the cab our friend was joined by his companion, who said +laughingly, "I should have thought, Wright, you had enough business of +your own to look after, without troubling yourself about other people's +horses and servants." + +Our friend stood still for a moment, and throwing his head a little +back, "Do you know why this world is as bad as it is?" + +"No," said the other. + +"Then I'll tell you. It is because people think only about their own +business, and won't trouble themselves to stand up for the oppressed, +nor bring the wrongdoer to light. I never see a wicked thing like this +without doing what I can, and many a master has thanked me for letting +him know how his horses have been used." + +"I wish there were more gentlemen like you, sir," said Jerry, "for they +are wanted badly enough in this city." + +After this we continued our journey, and as they got out of the cab our +friend was saying, "My doctrine is this, that if we see cruelty or +wrong that we have the power to stop, and do nothing, we make ourselves +sharers in the guilt." + + + + +39 Seedy Sam + + +I should say that for a cab-horse I was very well off indeed; my driver +was my owner, and it was his interest to treat me well and not overwork +me, even had he not been so good a man as he was; but there were a great +many horses which belonged to the large cab-owners, who let them out to +their drivers for so much money a day. As the horses did not belong to +these men the only thing they thought of was how to get their money out +of them, first, to pay the master, and then to provide for their own +living; and a dreadful time some of these horses had of it. Of course, +I understood but little, but it was often talked over on the stand, +and the governor, who was a kind-hearted man and fond of horses, would +sometimes speak up if one came in very much jaded or ill-used. + +One day a shabby, miserable-looking driver, who went by the name of +"Seedy Sam", brought in his horse looking dreadfully beat, and the +governor said: + +"You and your horse look more fit for the police station than for this +rank." + +The man flung his tattered rug over the horse, turned full round upon +the Governor and said in a voice that sounded almost desperate: + +"If the police have any business with the matter it ought to be with the +masters who charge us so much, or with the fares that are fixed so low. +If a man has to pay eighteen shillings a day for the use of a cab and +two horses, as many of us have to do in the season, and must make that +up before we earn a penny for ourselves I say 'tis more than hard work; +nine shillings a day to get out of each horse before you begin to get +your own living. You know that's true, and if the horses don't work we +must starve, and I and my children have known what that is before now. +I've six of 'em, and only one earns anything; I am on the stand fourteen +or sixteen hours a day, and I haven't had a Sunday these ten or twelve +weeks; you know Skinner never gives a day if he can help it, and if I +don't work hard, tell me who does! I want a warm coat and a mackintosh, +but with so many to feed how can a man get it? I had to pledge my clock +a week ago to pay Skinner, and I shall never see it again." + +Some of the other drivers stood round nodding their heads and saying he +was right. The man went on: + +"You that have your own horses and cabs, or drive for good masters, have +a chance of getting on and a chance of doing right; I haven't. We can't +charge more than sixpence a mile after the first, within the four-mile +radius. This very morning I had to go a clear six miles and only took +three shillings. I could not get a return fare, and had to come all the +way back; there's twelve miles for the horse and three shillings for me. +After that I had a three-mile fare, and there were bags and boxes enough +to have brought in a good many twopences if they had been put outside; +but you know how people do; all that could be piled up inside on the +front seat were put in and three heavy boxes went on the top. That +was sixpence, and the fare one and sixpence; then I got a return for a +shilling. Now that makes eighteen miles for the horse and six shillings +for me; there's three shillings still for that horse to earn and nine +shillings for the afternoon horse before I touch a penny. Of course, it +is not always so bad as that, but you know it often is, and I say 'tis +a mockery to tell a man that he must not overwork his horse, for when a +beast is downright tired there's nothing but the whip that will keep +his legs a-going; you can't help yourself--you must put your wife and +children before the horse; the masters must look to that, we can't. I +don't ill-use my horse for the sake of it; none of you can say I do. +There's wrong lays somewhere--never a day's rest, never a quiet hour +with the wife and children. I often feel like an old man, though I'm +only forty-five. You know how quick some of the gentry are to suspect us +of cheating and overcharging; why, they stand with their purses in +their hands counting it over to a penny and looking at us as if we were +pickpockets. I wish some of 'em had got to sit on my box sixteen hours +a day and get a living out of it and eighteen shillings beside, and that +in all weathers; they would not be so uncommon particular never to give +us a sixpence over or to cram all the luggage inside. Of course, some of +'em tip us pretty handsome now and then, or else we could not live; but +you can't depend upon that." + +The men who stood round much approved this speech, and one of them said, +"It is desperate hard, and if a man sometimes does what is wrong it is +no wonder, and if he gets a dram too much who's to blow him up?" + +Jerry had taken no part in this conversation, but I never saw his face +look so sad before. The governor had stood with both his hands in his +pockets; now he took his handkerchief out of his hat and wiped his +forehead. + +"You've beaten me, Sam," he said, "for it's all true, and I won't cast +it up to you any more about the police; it was the look in that horse's +eye that came over me. It is hard lines for man and it is hard lines for +beast, and who's to mend it I don't know: but anyway you might tell +the poor beast that you were sorry to take it out of him in that way. +Sometimes a kind word is all we can give 'em, poor brutes, and 'tis +wonderful what they do understand." + +A few mornings after this talk a new man came on the stand with Sam's +cab. + +"Halloo!" said one, "what's up with Seedy Sam?" + +"He's ill in bed," said the man; "he was taken last night in the yard, +and could scarcely crawl home. His wife sent a boy this morning to +say his father was in a high fever and could not get out, so I'm here +instead." + +The next morning the same man came again. + +"How is Sam?" inquired the governor. + +"He's gone," said the man. + +"What, gone? You don't mean to say he's dead?" + +"Just snuffed out," said the other; "he died at four o'clock this +morning; all yesterday he was raving--raving about Skinner, and having +no Sundays. 'I never had a Sunday's rest,' these were his last words." + +No one spoke for a while, and then the governor said, "I'll tell you +what, mates, this is a warning for us." + + + + +40 Poor Ginger + + +One day, while our cab and many others were waiting outside one of the +parks where music was playing, a shabby old cab drove up beside ours. +The horse was an old worn-out chestnut, with an ill-kept coat, and +bones that showed plainly through it, the knees knuckled over, and the +fore-legs were very unsteady. I had been eating some hay, and the wind +rolled a little lock of it that way, and the poor creature put out her +long thin neck and picked it up, and then turned and looked about for +more. There was a hopeless look in the dull eye that I could not help +noticing, and then, as I was thinking where I had seen that horse +before, she looked full at me and said, "Black Beauty, is that you?" + +It was Ginger! but how changed! The beautifully arched and glossy neck +was now straight, and lank, and fallen in; the clean straight legs and +delicate fetlocks were swelled; the joints were grown out of shape with +hard work; the face, that was once so full of spirit and life, was now +full of suffering, and I could tell by the heaving of her sides, and her +frequent cough, how bad her breath was. + +Our drivers were standing together a little way off, so I sidled up to +her a step or two, that we might have a little quiet talk. It was a sad +tale that she had to tell. + +After a twelvemonth's run off at Earlshall, she was considered to be fit +for work again, and was sold to a gentleman. For a little while she +got on very well, but after a longer gallop than usual the old strain +returned, and after being rested and doctored she was again sold. In +this way she changed hands several times, but always getting lower down. + +"And so at last," said she, "I was bought by a man who keeps a number of +cabs and horses, and lets them out. You look well off, and I am glad of +it, but I could not tell you what my life has been. When they found out +my weakness they said I was not worth what they gave for me, and that I +must go into one of the low cabs, and just be used up; that is what +they are doing, whipping and working with never one thought of what I +suffer--they paid for me, and must get it out of me, they say. The man +who hires me now pays a deal of money to the owner every day, and so he +has to get it out of me too; and so it's all the week round and round, +with never a Sunday rest." + +I said, "You used to stand up for yourself if you were ill-used." + +"Ah!" she said, "I did once, but it's no use; men are strongest, and if +they are cruel and have no feeling, there is nothing that we can do, but +just bear it--bear it on and on to the end. I wish the end was come, +I wish I was dead. I have seen dead horses, and I am sure they do not +suffer pain; I wish I may drop down dead at my work, and not be sent off +to the knackers." + +I was very much troubled, and I put my nose up to hers, but I could say +nothing to comfort her. I think she was pleased to see me, for she said, +"You are the only friend I ever had." + +Just then her driver came up, and with a tug at her mouth backed her out +of the line and drove off, leaving me very sad indeed. + +A short time after this a cart with a dead horse in it passed our +cab-stand. The head hung out of the cart-tail, the lifeless tongue was +slowly dropping with blood; and the sunken eyes! but I can't speak of +them, the sight was too dreadful. It was a chestnut horse with a long, +thin neck. I saw a white streak down the forehead. I believe it was +Ginger; I hoped it was, for then her troubles would be over. Oh! if men +were more merciful they would shoot us before we came to such misery. + + + + +41 The Butcher + + +I saw a great deal of trouble among the horses in London, and much of +it might have been prevented by a little common sense. We horses do not +mind hard work if we are treated reasonably, and I am sure there are +many driven by quite poor men who have a happier life than I had when I +used to go in the Countess of W----'s carriage, with my silver-mounted +harness and high feeding. + +It often went to my heart to see how the little ponies were used, +straining along with heavy loads or staggering under heavy blows from +some low, cruel boy. Once I saw a little gray pony with a thick mane +and a pretty head, and so much like Merrylegs that if I had not been in +harness I should have neighed to him. He was doing his best to pull a +heavy cart, while a strong rough boy was cutting him under the belly +with his whip and chucking cruelly at his little mouth. Could it be +Merrylegs? It was just like him; but then Mr. Blomefield was never to +sell him, and I think he would not do it; but this might have been quite +as good a little fellow, and had as happy a place when he was young. + +I often noticed the great speed at which butchers' horses were made to +go, though I did not know why it was so till one day when we had to wait +some time in St. John's Wood. There was a butcher's shop next door, and +as we were standing a butcher's cart came dashing up at a great pace. +The horse was hot and much exhausted; he hung his head down, while his +heaving sides and trembling legs showed how hard he had been driven. The +lad jumped out of the cart and was getting the basket when the master +came out of the shop much displeased. After looking at the horse he +turned angrily to the lad. + +"How many times shall I tell you not to drive in this way? You ruined +the last horse and broke his wind, and you are going to ruin this in the +same way. If you were not my own son I would dismiss you on the spot; +it is a disgrace to have a horse brought to the shop in a condition like +that; you are liable to be taken up by the police for such driving, and +if you are you need not look to me for bail, for I have spoken to you +till I'm tired; you must look out for yourself." + +During this speech the boy had stood by, sullen and dogged, but when his +father ceased he broke out angrily. It wasn't his fault, and he wouldn't +take the blame; he was only going by orders all the time. + +"You always say, 'Now be quick; now look sharp!' and when I go to the +houses one wants a leg of mutton for an early dinner and I must be back +with it in a quarter of an hour; another cook has forgotten to order +the beef; I must go and fetch it and be back in no time, or the +mistress will scold; and the housekeeper says they have company coming +unexpectedly and must have some chops sent up directly; and the lady at +No. 4, in the Crescent, never orders her dinner till the meat comes +in for lunch, and it's nothing but hurry, hurry, all the time. If the +gentry would think of what they want, and order their meat the day +before, there need not be this blow up!" + +"I wish to goodness they would," said the butcher; "'twould save me a +wonderful deal of harass, and I could suit my customers much better if +I knew beforehand--But there! what's the use of talking--who ever thinks +of a butcher's convenience or a butcher's horse! Now, then, take him +in and look to him well; mind, he does not go out again to-day, and if +anything else is wanted you must carry it yourself in the basket." With +that he went in, and the horse was led away. + +But all boys are not cruel. I have seen some as fond of their pony or +donkey as if it had been a favorite dog, and the little creatures have +worked away as cheerfully and willingly for their young drivers as I +work for Jerry. It may be hard work sometimes, but a friend's hand and +voice make it easy. + +There was a young coster-boy who came up our street with greens and +potatoes; he had an old pony, not very handsome, but the cheerfullest +and pluckiest little thing I ever saw, and to see how fond those two +were of each other was a treat. The pony followed his master like a dog, +and when he got into his cart would trot off without a whip or a word, +and rattle down the street as merrily as if he had come out of the +queen's stables. Jerry liked the boy, and called him "Prince Charlie", +for he said he would make a king of drivers some day. + +There was an old man, too, who used to come up our street with a little +coal cart; he wore a coal-heaver's hat, and looked rough and black. He +and his old horse used to plod together along the street, like two good +partners who understood each other; the horse would stop of his own +accord at the doors where they took coal of him; he used to keep one ear +bent toward his master. The old man's cry could be heard up the street +long before he came near. I never knew what he said, but the children +called him "Old Ba-a-ar Hoo", for it sounded like that. Polly took her +coal of him, and was very friendly, and Jerry said it was a comfort to +think how happy an old horse might be in a poor place. + + + + +42 The Election + + +As we came into the yard one afternoon Polly came out. "Jerry! I've had +Mr. B---- here asking about your vote, and he wants to hire your cab for +the election; he will call for an answer." + +"Well, Polly, you may say that my cab will be otherwise engaged. I +should not like to have it pasted over with their great bills, and as +to making Jack and Captain race about to the public-houses to bring up +half-drunken voters, why, I think 'twould be an insult to the horses. +No, I shan't do it." + +"I suppose you'll vote for the gentleman? He said he was of your +politics." + +"So he is in some things, but I shall not vote for him, Polly; you know +what his trade is?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, a man who gets rich by that trade may be all very well in some +ways, but he is blind as to what workingmen want; I could not in my +conscience send him up to make the laws. I dare say they'll be angry, +but every man must do what he thinks to be the best for his country." + +On the morning before the election, Jerry was putting me into the +shafts, when Dolly came into the yard sobbing and crying, with her +little blue frock and white pinafore spattered all over with mud. + +"Why, Dolly, what is the matter?" + +"Those naughty boys," she sobbed, "have thrown the dirt all over me, and +called me a little raga--raga--" + +"They called her a little 'blue' ragamuffin, father," said Harry, who +ran in looking very angry; "but I have given it to them; they won't +insult my sister again. I have given them a thrashing they will +remember; a set of cowardly, rascally 'orange' blackguards." + +Jerry kissed the child and said, "Run in to mother, my pet, and tell her +I think you had better stay at home to-day and help her." + +Then turning gravely to Harry: + +"My boy, I hope you will always defend your sister, and give anybody who +insults her a good thrashing--that is as it should be; but mind, I won't +have any election blackguarding on my premises. There are as many +'blue' blackguards as there are 'orange', and as many white as there are +purple, or any other color, and I won't have any of my family mixed up +with it. Even women and children are ready to quarrel for the sake of a +color, and not one in ten of them knows what it is about." + +"Why, father, I thought blue was for Liberty." + +"My boy, Liberty does not come from colors, they only show party, and +all the liberty you can get out of them is, liberty to get drunk at +other people's expense, liberty to ride to the poll in a dirty old cab, +liberty to abuse any one that does not wear your color, and to shout +yourself hoarse at what you only half-understand--that's your liberty!" + +"Oh, father, you are laughing." + +"No, Harry, I am serious, and I am ashamed to see how men go on who +ought to know better. An election is a very serious thing; at least it +ought to be, and every man ought to vote according to his conscience, +and let his neighbor do the same." + + + + +43 A Friend in Need + + +The election day came at last; there was no lack of work for Jerry and +me. First came a stout puffy gentleman with a carpet bag; he wanted to +go to the Bishopsgate station; then we were called by a party who wished +to be taken to the Regent's Park; and next we were wanted in a side +street where a timid, anxious old lady was waiting to be taken to the +bank; there we had to stop to take her back again, and just as we had +set her down a red-faced gentleman, with a handful of papers, came +running up out of breath, and before Jerry could get down he had opened +the door, popped himself in, and called out, "Bow Street Police Station, +quick!" so off we went with him, and when after another turn or two +we came back, there was no other cab on the stand. Jerry put on my +nose-bag, for as he said, "We must eat when we can on such days as +these; so munch away, Jack, and make the best of your time, old boy." + +I found I had a good feed of crushed oats wetted up with a little bran; +this would be a treat any day, but very refreshing then. Jerry was so +thoughtful and kind--what horse would not do his best for such a master? +Then he took out one of Polly's meat pies, and standing near me, he +began to eat it. The streets were very full, and the cabs, with the +candidates' colors on them, were dashing about through the crowd as if +life and limb were of no consequence; we saw two people knocked down +that day, and one was a woman. The horses were having a bad time of it, +poor things! but the voters inside thought nothing of that; many of them +were half-drunk, hurrahing out of the cab windows if their own party +came by. It was the first election I had seen, and I don't want to be in +another, though I have heard things are better now. + +Jerry and I had not eaten many mouthfuls before a poor young woman, +carrying a heavy child, came along the street. She was looking this way +and that way, and seemed quite bewildered. Presently she made her way up +to Jerry and asked if he could tell her the way to St. Thomas' Hospital, +and how far it was to get there. She had come from the country that +morning, she said, in a market cart; she did not know about the +election, and was quite a stranger in London. She had got an order for +the hospital for her little boy. The child was crying with a feeble, +pining cry. + +"Poor little fellow!" she said, "he suffers a deal of pain; he is four +years old and can't walk any more than a baby; but the doctor said if I +could get him into the hospital he might get well; pray, sir, how far is +it; and which way is it?" + +"Why, missis," said Jerry, "you can't get there walking through crowds +like this! why, it is three miles away, and that child is heavy." + +"Yes, bless him, he is; but I am strong, thank God, and if I knew the +way I think I should get on somehow; please tell me the way." + +"You can't do it," said Jerry, "you might be knocked down and the child +be run over. Now look here, just get into this cab, and I'll drive you +safe to the hospital. Don't you see the rain is coming on?" + +"No, sir, no; I can't do that, thank you, I have only just money enough +to get back with. Please tell me the way." + +"Look you here, missis," said Jerry, "I've got a wife and dear children +at home, and I know a father's feelings; now get you into that cab, and +I'll take you there for nothing. I'd be ashamed of myself to let a woman +and a sick child run a risk like that." + +"Heaven bless you!" said the woman, and burst into tears. + +"There, there, cheer up, my dear, I'll soon take you there; come, let me +put you inside." + +As Jerry went to open the door two men, with colors in their hats and +buttonholes, ran up calling out, "Cab!" + +"Engaged," cried Jerry; but one of the men, pushing past the woman, +sprang into the cab, followed by the other. Jerry looked as stern as a +policeman. "This cab is already engaged, gentlemen, by that lady." + +"Lady!" said one of them; "oh! she can wait; our business is very +important, besides we were in first, it is our right, and we shall stay +in." + +A droll smile came over Jerry's face as he shut the door upon them. "All +right, gentlemen, pray stay in as long as it suits you; I can wait while +you rest yourselves." And turning his back upon them he walked up to the +young woman, who was standing near me. "They'll soon be gone," he said, +laughing; "don't trouble yourself, my dear." + +And they soon were gone, for when they understood Jerry's dodge they got +out, calling him all sorts of bad names and blustering about his number +and getting a summons. After this little stoppage we were soon on our +way to the hospital, going as much as possible through by-streets. Jerry +rung the great bell and helped the young woman out. + +"Thank you a thousand times," she said; "I could never have got here +alone." + +"You're kindly welcome, and I hope the dear child will soon be better." + +He watched her go in at the door, and gently he said to himself, +"Inasmuch as ye have done it to one of the least of these." Then he +patted my neck, which was always his way when anything pleased him. + +The rain was now coming down fast, and just as we were leaving the +hospital the door opened again, and the porter called out, "Cab!" We +stopped, and a lady came down the steps. Jerry seemed to know her at +once; she put back her veil and said, "Barker! Jeremiah Barker, is it +you? I am very glad to find you here; you are just the friend I want, +for it is very difficult to get a cab in this part of London to-day." + +"I shall be proud to serve you, ma'am; I am right glad I happened to be +here. Where may I take you to, ma'am?" + +"To the Paddington Station, and then if we are in good time, as I think +we shall be, you shall tell me all about Mary and the children." + +We got to the station in good time, and being under shelter the lady +stood a good while talking to Jerry. I found she had been Polly's +mistress, and after many inquiries about her she said: + +"How do you find the cab work suit you in winter? I know Mary was rather +anxious about you last year." + +"Yes, ma'am, she was; I had a bad cough that followed me up quite into +the warm weather, and when I am kept out late she does worry herself a +good deal. You see, ma'am, it is all hours and all weathers, and that +does try a man's constitution; but I am getting on pretty well, and I +should feel quite lost if I had not horses to look after. I was brought +up to it, and I am afraid I should not do so well at anything else." + +"Well, Barker," she said, "it would be a great pity that you should +seriously risk your health in this work, not only for your own but for +Mary's and the children's sake; there are many places where good drivers +or good grooms are wanted, and if ever you think you ought to give up +this cab work let me know." + +Then sending some kind messages to Mary she put something into his hand, +saying, "There is five shillings each for the two children; Mary will +know how to spend it." + +Jerry thanked her and seemed much pleased, and turning out of the +station we at last reached home, and I, at least, was tired. + + + + +44 Old Captain and His Successor + + +Captain and I were great friends. He was a noble old fellow, and he was +very good company. I never thought that he would have to leave his home +and go down the hill; but his turn came, and this was how it happened. I +was not there, but I heard all about it. + +He and Jerry had taken a party to the great railway station over London +Bridge, and were coming back, somewhere between the bridge and the +monument, when Jerry saw a brewer's empty dray coming along, drawn by +two powerful horses. The drayman was lashing his horses with his heavy +whip; the dray was light, and they started off at a furious rate; the +man had no control over them, and the street was full of traffic. + +One young girl was knocked down and run over, and the next moment they +dashed up against our cab; both the wheels were torn off and the cab was +thrown over. Captain was dragged down, the shafts splintered, and one +of them ran into his side. Jerry, too, was thrown, but was only bruised; +nobody could tell how he escaped; he always said 'twas a miracle. When +poor Captain was got up he was found to be very much cut and knocked +about. Jerry led him home gently, and a sad sight it was to see the +blood soaking into his white coat and dropping from his side and +shoulder. The drayman was proved to be very drunk, and was fined, and +the brewer had to pay damages to our master; but there was no one to pay +damages to poor Captain. + +The farrier and Jerry did the best they could to ease his pain and make +him comfortable. The fly had to be mended, and for several days I did +not go out, and Jerry earned nothing. The first time we went to the +stand after the accident the governor came up to hear how Captain was. + +"He'll never get over it," said Jerry, "at least not for my work, so the +farrier said this morning. He says he may do for carting, and that sort +of work. It has put me out very much. Carting, indeed! I've seen what +horses come to at that work round London. I only wish all the drunkards +could be put in a lunatic asylum instead of being allowed to run foul of +sober people. If they would break their own bones, and smash their own +carts, and lame their own horses, that would be their own affair, and +we might let them alone, but it seems to me that the innocent +always suffer; and then they talk about compensation! You can't make +compensation; there's all the trouble, and vexation, and loss of time, +besides losing a good horse that's like an old friend--it's nonsense +talking of compensation! If there's one devil that I should like to see +in the bottomless pit more than another, it's the drink devil." + +"I say, Jerry," said the governor, "you are treading pretty hard on my +toes, you know; I'm not so good as you are, more shame to me; I wish I +was." + +"Well," said Jerry, "why don't you cut with it, governor? You are too +good a man to be the slave of such a thing." + +"I'm a great fool, Jerry, but I tried once for two days, and I thought I +should have died; how did you do?" + +"I had hard work at it for several weeks; you see I never did get drunk, +but I found that I was not my own master, and that when the craving came +on it was hard work to say 'no'. I saw that one of us must knock under, +the drink devil or Jerry Barker, and I said that it should not be Jerry +Barker, God helping me; but it was a struggle, and I wanted all the +help I could get, for till I tried to break the habit I did not know how +strong it was; but then Polly took such pains that I should have good +food, and when the craving came on I used to get a cup of coffee, or +some peppermint, or read a bit in my book, and that was a help to me; +sometimes I had to say over and over to myself, 'Give up the drink or +lose your soul! Give up the drink or break Polly's heart!' But thanks be +to God, and my dear wife, my chains were broken, and now for ten years I +have not tasted a drop, and never wish for it." + +"I've a great mind to try at it," said Grant, "for 'tis a poor thing not +to be one's own master." + +"Do, governor, do, you'll never repent it, and what a help it would be +to some of the poor fellows in our rank if they saw you do without it. I +know there's two or three would like to keep out of that tavern if they +could." + +At first Captain seemed to do well, but he was a very old horse, and it +was only his wonderful constitution, and Jerry's care, that had kept +him up at the cab work so long; now he broke down very much. The farrier +said he might mend up enough to sell for a few pounds, but Jerry said, +no! a few pounds got by selling a good old servant into hard work +and misery would canker all the rest of his money, and he thought the +kindest thing he could do for the fine old fellow would be to put a sure +bullet through his head, and then he would never suffer more; for he did +not know where to find a kind master for the rest of his days. + +The day after this was decided Harry took me to the forge for some new +shoes; when I returned Captain was gone. I and the family all felt it +very much. + +Jerry had now to look out for another horse, and he soon heard of one +through an acquaintance who was under-groom in a nobleman's stables. He +was a valuable young horse, but he had run away, smashed into another +carriage, flung his lordship out, and so cut and blemished himself that +he was no longer fit for a gentleman's stables, and the coachman had +orders to look round, and sell him as well as he could. + +"I can do with high spirits," said Jerry, "if a horse is not vicious or +hard-mouthed." + +"There is not a bit of vice in him," said the man; "his mouth is very +tender, and I think myself that was the cause of the accident; you see +he had just been clipped, and the weather was bad, and he had not had +exercise enough, and when he did go out he was as full of spring as a +balloon. Our governor (the coachman, I mean) had him harnessed in as +tight and strong as he could, with the martingale, and the check-rein, a +very sharp curb, and the reins put in at the bottom bar. It is my belief +that it made the horse mad, being tender in the mouth and so full of +spirit." + +"Likely enough; I'll come and see him," said Jerry. + +The next day Hotspur, that was his name, came home; he was a fine brown +horse, without a white hair in him, as tall as Captain, with a very +handsome head, and only five years old. I gave him a friendly greeting +by way of good fellowship, but did not ask him any questions. The first +night he was very restless. Instead of lying down, he kept jerking his +halter rope up and down through the ring, and knocking the block about +against the manger till I could not sleep. However, the next day, after +five or six hours in the cab, he came in quiet and sensible. Jerry +patted and talked to him a good deal, and very soon they understood each +other, and Jerry said that with an easy bit and plenty of work he would +be as gentle as a lamb; and that it was an ill wind that blew nobody +good, for if his lordship had lost a hundred-guinea favorite, the cabman +had gained a good horse with all his strength in him. + +Hotspur thought it a great come-down to be a cab-horse, and was +disgusted at standing in the rank, but he confessed to me at the end of +the week that an easy mouth and a free head made up for a great deal, +and after all, the work was not so degrading as having one's head and +tail fastened to each other at the saddle. In fact, he settled in well, +and Jerry liked him very much. + + + + +45 Jerry's New Year + + +For some people Christmas and the New Year are very merry times; but for +cabmen and cabmen's horses it is no holiday, though it may be a harvest. +There are so many parties, balls, and places of amusement open that the +work is hard and often late. Sometimes driver and horse have to wait +for hours in the rain or frost, shivering with the cold, while the merry +people within are dancing away to the music. I wonder if the beautiful +ladies ever think of the weary cabman waiting on his box, and his +patient beast standing, till his legs get stiff with cold. + +I had now most of the evening work, as I was well accustomed to +standing, and Jerry was also more afraid of Hotspur taking cold. We had +a great deal of late work in the Christmas week, and Jerry's cough was +bad; but however late we were, Polly sat up for him, and came out with a +lantern to meet him, looking anxious and troubled. + +On the evening of the New Year we had to take two gentlemen to a house +in one of the West End Squares. We set them down at nine o'clock, and +were told to come again at eleven, "but," said one, "as it is a card +party, you may have to wait a few minutes, but don't be late." + +As the clock struck eleven we were at the door, for Jerry was always +punctual. The clock chimed the quarters, one, two, three, and then +struck twelve, but the door did not open. + +The wind had been very changeable, with squalls of rain during the day, +but now it came on sharp, driving sleet, which seemed to come all the +way round; it was very cold, and there was no shelter. Jerry got off +his box and came and pulled one of my cloths a little more over my neck; +then he took a turn or two up and down, stamping his feet; then he began +to beat his arms, but that set him off coughing; so he opened the cab +door and sat at the bottom with his feet on the pavement, and was a +little sheltered. Still the clock chimed the quarters, and no one came. +At half-past twelve he rang the bell and asked the servant if he would +be wanted that night. + +"Oh, yes, you'll be wanted safe enough," said the man; "you must not go, +it will soon be over," and again Jerry sat down, but his voice was so +hoarse I could hardly hear him. + +At a quarter past one the door opened, and the two gentlemen came out; +they got into the cab without a word, and told Jerry where to drive, +that was nearly two miles. My legs were numb with cold, and I thought +I should have stumbled. When the men got out they never said they were +sorry to have kept us waiting so long, but were angry at the charge; +however, as Jerry never charged more than was his due, so he never took +less, and they had to pay for the two hours and a quarter waiting; but +it was hard-earned money to Jerry. + +At last we got home; he could hardly speak, and his cough was dreadful. +Polly asked no questions, but opened the door and held the lantern for +him. + +"Can't I do something?" she said. + +"Yes; get Jack something warm, and then boil me some gruel." + +This was said in a hoarse whisper; he could hardly get his breath, but +he gave me a rub-down as usual, and even went up into the hayloft for an +extra bundle of straw for my bed. Polly brought me a warm mash that made +me comfortable, and then they locked the door. + +It was late the next morning before any one came, and then it was only +Harry. He cleaned us and fed us, and swept out the stalls, then he put +the straw back again as if it was Sunday. He was very still, and neither +whistled nor sang. At noon he came again and gave us our food and water; +this time Dolly came with him; she was crying, and I could gather from +what they said that Jerry was dangerously ill, and the doctor said it +was a bad case. So two days passed, and there was great trouble indoors. +We only saw Harry, and sometimes Dolly. I think she came for company, +for Polly was always with Jerry, and he had to be kept very quiet. + +On the third day, while Harry was in the stable, a tap came at the door, +and Governor Grant came in. + +"I wouldn't go to the house, my boy," he said, "but I want to know how +your father is." + +"He is very bad," said Harry, "he can't be much worse; they call +it 'bronchitis'; the doctor thinks it will turn one way or another +to-night." + +"That's bad, very bad," said Grant, shaking his head; "I know two men +who died of that last week; it takes 'em off in no time; but while +there's life there's hope, so you must keep up your spirits." + +"Yes," said Harry quickly, "and the doctor said that father had a better +chance than most men, because he didn't drink. He said yesterday the +fever was so high that if father had been a drinking man it would have +burned him up like a piece of paper; but I believe he thinks he will get +over it; don't you think he will, Mr. Grant?" + +The governor looked puzzled. + +"If there's any rule that good men should get over these things, I'm +sure he will, my boy; he's the best man I know. I'll look in early +to-morrow." + +Early next morning he was there. + +"Well?" said he. + +"Father is better," said Harry. "Mother hopes he will get over it." + +"Thank God!" said the governor, "and now you must keep him warm, and +keep his mind easy, and that brings me to the horses; you see Jack will +be all the better for the rest of a week or two in a warm stable, and +you can easily take him a turn up and down the street to stretch his +legs; but this young one, if he does not get work, he will soon be all +up on end, as you may say, and will be rather too much for you; and when +he does go out there'll be an accident." + +"It is like that now," said Harry. "I have kept him short of corn, but +he's so full of spirit I don't know what to do with him." + +"Just so," said Grant. "Now look here, will you tell your mother that +if she is agreeable I will come for him every day till something is +arranged, and take him for a good spell of work, and whatever he earns, +I'll bring your mother half of it, and that will help with the horses' +feed. Your father is in a good club, I know, but that won't keep the +horses, and they'll be eating their heads off all this time; I'll come +at noon and hear what she says," and without waiting for Harry's thanks +he was gone. + +At noon I think he went and saw Polly, for he and Harry came to the +stable together, harnessed Hotspur, and took him out. + +For a week or more he came for Hotspur, and when Harry thanked him or +said anything about his kindness, he laughed it off, saying it was all +good luck for him, for his horses were wanting a little rest which they +would not otherwise have had. + +Jerry grew better steadily, but the doctor said that he must never go +back to the cab work again if he wished to be an old man. The children +had many consultations together about what father and mother would do, +and how they could help to earn money. + +One afternoon Hotspur was brought in very wet and dirty. + +"The streets are nothing but slush," said the governor; "it will give +you a good warming, my boy, to get him clean and dry." + +"All right, governor," said Harry, "I shall not leave him till he is; +you know I have been trained by my father." + +"I wish all the boys had been trained like you," said the governor. + +While Harry was sponging off the mud from Hotspur's body and legs Dolly +came in, looking very full of something. + +"Who lives at Fairstowe, Harry? Mother has got a letter from Fairstowe; +she seemed so glad, and ran upstairs to father with it." + +"Don't you know? Why, it is the name of Mrs. Fowler's place--mother's +old mistress, you know--the lady that father met last summer, who sent +you and me five shillings each." + +"Oh! Mrs. Fowler. Of course, I know all about her. I wonder what she is +writing to mother about." + +"Mother wrote to her last week," said Harry; "you know she told father +if ever he gave up the cab work she would like to know. I wonder what +she says; run in and see, Dolly." + +Harry scrubbed away at Hotspur with a huish! huish! like any old +hostler. In a few minutes Dolly came dancing into the stable. + +"Oh! Harry, there never was anything so beautiful; Mrs. Fowler says we +are all to go and live near her. There is a cottage now empty that +will just suit us, with a garden and a henhouse, and apple-trees, and +everything! and her coachman is going away in the spring, and then she +will want father in his place; and there are good families round, where +you can get a place in the garden or the stable, or as a page-boy; +and there's a good school for me; and mother is laughing and crying by +turns, and father does look so happy!" + +"That's uncommon jolly," said Harry, "and just the right thing, I should +say; it will suit father and mother both; but I don't intend to be a +page-boy with tight clothes and rows of buttons. I'll be a groom or a +gardener." + +It was quickly settled that as soon as Jerry was well enough they should +remove to the country, and that the cab and horses should be sold as +soon as possible. + +This was heavy news for me, for I was not young now, and could not look +for any improvement in my condition. Since I left Birtwick I had never +been so happy as with my dear master Jerry; but three years of cab work, +even under the best conditions, will tell on one's strength, and I felt +that I was not the horse that I had been. + +Grant said at once that he would take Hotspur, and there were men on the +stand who would have bought me; but Jerry said I should not go to cab +work again with just anybody, and the governor promised to find a place +for me where I should be comfortable. + +The day came for going away. Jerry had not been allowed to go out yet, +and I never saw him after that New Year's eve. Polly and the children +came to bid me good-by. "Poor old Jack! dear old Jack! I wish we could +take you with us," she said, and then laying her hand on my mane she put +her face close to my neck and kissed me. Dolly was crying and kissed +me too. Harry stroked me a great deal, but said nothing, only he seemed +very sad, and so I was led away to my new place. + + + + +Part IV + + + + +46 Jakes and the Lady + + +I was sold to a corn dealer and baker, whom Jerry knew, and with him he +thought I should have good food and fair work. In the first he was quite +right, and if my master had always been on the premises I do not think +I should have been overloaded, but there was a foreman who was always +hurrying and driving every one, and frequently when I had quite a full +load he would order something else to be taken on. My carter, whose name +was Jakes, often said it was more than I ought to take, but the other +always overruled him. "'Twas no use going twice when once would do, and +he chose to get business forward." + +Jakes, like the other carters, always had the check-rein up, which +prevented me from drawing easily, and by the time I had been there three +or four months I found the work telling very much on my strength. + +One day I was loaded more than usual, and part of the road was a steep +uphill. I used all my strength, but I could not get on, and was obliged +continually to stop. This did not please my driver, and he laid his whip +on badly. "Get on, you lazy fellow," he said, "or I'll make you." + +Again I started the heavy load, and struggled on a few yards; again the +whip came down, and again I struggled forward. The pain of that great +cart whip was sharp, but my mind was hurt quite as much as my poor +sides. To be punished and abused when I was doing my very best was +so hard it took the heart out of me. A third time he was flogging me +cruelly, when a lady stepped quickly up to him, and said in a sweet, +earnest voice: + +"Oh! pray do not whip your good horse any more; I am sure he is doing +all he can, and the road is very steep; I am sure he is doing his best." + +"If doing his best won't get this load up he must do something more than +his best; that's all I know, ma'am," said Jakes. + +"But is it not a heavy load?" she said. + +"Yes, yes, too heavy," he said; "but that's not my fault; the foreman +came just as we were starting, and would have three hundredweight more +put on to save him trouble, and I must get on with it as well as I can." + +He was raising the whip again, when the lady said: + +"Pray, stop; I think I can help you if you will let me." + +The man laughed. + +"You see," she said, "you do not give him a fair chance; he cannot use +all his power with his head held back as it is with that check-rein; if +you would take it off I am sure he would do better--do try it," she said +persuasively, "I should be very glad if you would." + +"Well, well," said Jakes, with a short laugh, "anything to please a +lady, of course. How far would you wish it down, ma'am?" + +"Quite down, give him his head altogether." + +The rein was taken off, and in a moment I put my head down to my very +knees. What a comfort it was! Then I tossed it up and down several times +to get the aching stiffness out of my neck. + +"Poor fellow! that is what you wanted," said she, patting and stroking +me with her gentle hand; "and now if you will speak kindly to him and +lead him on I believe he will be able to do better." + +Jakes took the rein. "Come on, Blackie." I put down my head, and threw +my whole weight against the collar; I spared no strength; the load +moved on, and I pulled it steadily up the hill, and then stopped to take +breath. + +The lady had walked along the footpath, and now came across into the +road. She stroked and patted my neck, as I had not been patted for many +a long day. + +"You see he was quite willing when you gave him the chance; I am sure he +is a fine-tempered creature, and I dare say has known better days. You +won't put that rein on again, will you?" for he was just going to hitch +it up on the old plan. + +"Well, ma'am, I can't deny that having his head has helped him up the +hill, and I'll remember it another time, and thank you, ma'am; but if +he went without a check-rein I should be the laughing-stock of all the +carters; it is the fashion, you see." + +"Is it not better," she said, "to lead a good fashion than to follow a +bad one? A great many gentlemen do not use check-reins now; our carriage +horses have not worn them for fifteen years, and work with much less +fatigue than those who have them; besides," she added in a very serious +voice, "we have no right to distress any of God's creatures without a +very good reason; we call them dumb animals, and so they are, for they +cannot tell us how they feel, but they do not suffer less because they +have no words. But I must not detain you now; I thank you for trying +my plan with your good horse, and I am sure you will find it far better +than the whip. Good-day," and with another soft pat on my neck she +stepped lightly across the path, and I saw her no more. + +"That was a real lady, I'll be bound for it," said Jakes to himself; +"she spoke just as polite as if I was a gentleman, and I'll try her +plan, uphill, at any rate;" and I must do him the justice to say that +he let my rein out several holes, and going uphill after that, he always +gave me my head; but the heavy loads went on. Good feed and fair rest +will keep up one's strength under full work, but no horse can stand +against overloading; and I was getting so thoroughly pulled down from +this cause that a younger horse was bought in my place. I may as well +mention here what I suffered at this time from another cause. I had +heard horses speak of it, but had never myself had experience of the +evil; this was a badly-lighted stable; there was only one very small +window at the end, and the consequence was that the stalls were almost +dark. + +Besides the depressing effect this had on my spirits, it very much +weakened my sight, and when I was suddenly brought out of the darkness +into the glare of daylight it was very painful to my eyes. Several times +I stumbled over the threshold, and could scarcely see where I was going. + +I believe, had I stayed there very long, I should have become purblind, +and that would have been a great misfortune, for I have heard men say +that a stone-blind horse was safer to drive than one which had imperfect +sight, as it generally makes them very timid. However, I escaped without +any permanent injury to my sight, and was sold to a large cab owner. + + + + +47 Hard Times + + +My new master I shall never forget; he had black eyes and a hooked nose, +his mouth was as full of teeth as a bull-dog's, and his voice was as +harsh as the grinding of cart wheels over graveled stones. His name was +Nicholas Skinner, and I believe he was the man that poor Seedy Sam drove +for. + +I have heard men say that seeing is believing; but I should say that +feeling is believing; for much as I had seen before, I never knew till +now the utter misery of a cab-horse's life. + +Skinner had a low set of cabs and a low set of drivers; he was hard on +the men, and the men were hard on the horses. In this place we had no +Sunday rest, and it was in the heat of summer. + +Sometimes on a Sunday morning a party of fast men would hire the cab for +the day; four of them inside and another with the driver, and I had to +take them ten or fifteen miles out into the country, and back again; +never would any of them get down to walk up a hill, let it be ever +so steep, or the day ever so hot--unless, indeed, when the driver was +afraid I should not manage it, and sometimes I was so fevered and worn +that I could hardly touch my food. How I used to long for the nice bran +mash with niter in it that Jerry used to give us on Saturday nights in +hot weather, that used to cool us down and make us so comfortable. +Then we had two nights and a whole day for unbroken rest, and on Monday +morning we were as fresh as young horses again; but here there was no +rest, and my driver was just as hard as his master. He had a cruel whip +with something so sharp at the end that it sometimes drew blood, and he +would even whip me under the belly, and flip the lash out at my head. +Indignities like these took the heart out of me terribly, but still I +did my best and never hung back; for, as poor Ginger said, it was no +use; men are the strongest. + +My life was now so utterly wretched that I wished I might, like Ginger, +drop down dead at my work and be out of my misery, and one day my wish +very nearly came to pass. + +I went on the stand at eight in the morning, and had done a good share +of work, when we had to take a fare to the railway. A long train was +just expected in, so my driver pulled up at the back of some of the +outside cabs to take the chance of a return fare. It was a very heavy +train, and as all the cabs were soon engaged ours was called for. There +was a party of four; a noisy, blustering man with a lady, a little boy +and a young girl, and a great deal of luggage. The lady and the boy got +into the cab, and while the man ordered about the luggage the young girl +came and looked at me. + +"Papa," she said, "I am sure this poor horse cannot take us and all our +luggage so far, he is so very weak and worn up. Do look at him." + +"Oh! he's all right, miss," said my driver, "he's strong enough." + +The porter, who was pulling about some heavy boxes, suggested to the +gentleman, as there was so much luggage, whether he would not take a +second cab. + +"Can your horse do it, or can't he?" said the blustering man. + +"Oh! he can do it all right, sir; send up the boxes, porter; he could +take more than that;" and he helped to haul up a box so heavy that I +could feel the springs go down. + +"Papa, papa, do take a second cab," said the young girl in a beseeching +tone. "I am sure we are wrong, I am sure it is very cruel." + +"Nonsense, Grace, get in at once, and don't make all this fuss; a pretty +thing it would be if a man of business had to examine every cab-horse +before he hired it--the man knows his own business of course; there, get +in and hold your tongue!" + +My gentle friend had to obey, and box after box was dragged up and +lodged on the top of the cab or settled by the side of the driver. At +last all was ready, and with his usual jerk at the rein and slash of the +whip he drove out of the station. + +The load was very heavy and I had had neither food nor rest since +morning; but I did my best, as I always had done, in spite of cruelty +and injustice. + +I got along fairly till we came to Ludgate Hill; but there the heavy +load and my own exhaustion were too much. I was struggling to keep on, +goaded by constant chucks of the rein and use of the whip, when in a +single moment--I cannot tell how--my feet slipped from under me, and I +fell heavily to the ground on my side; the suddenness and the force +with which I fell seemed to beat all the breath out of my body. I lay +perfectly still; indeed, I had no power to move, and I thought now I was +going to die. I heard a sort of confusion round me, loud, angry voices, +and the getting down of the luggage, but it was all like a dream. I +thought I heard that sweet, pitiful voice saying, "Oh! that poor horse! +it is all our fault." Some one came and loosened the throat strap of +my bridle, and undid the traces which kept the collar so tight upon me. +Some one said, "He's dead, he'll never get up again." Then I could hear +a policeman giving orders, but I did not even open my eyes; I could only +draw a gasping breath now and then. Some cold water was thrown over +my head, and some cordial was poured into my mouth, and something was +covered over me. I cannot tell how long I lay there, but I found my life +coming back, and a kind-voiced man was patting me and encouraging me to +rise. After some more cordial had been given me, and after one or two +attempts, I staggered to my feet, and was gently led to some stables +which were close by. Here I was put into a well-littered stall, and some +warm gruel was brought to me, which I drank thankfully. + +In the evening I was sufficiently recovered to be led back to Skinner's +stables, where I think they did the best for me they could. In the +morning Skinner came with a farrier to look at me. He examined me very +closely and said: + +"This is a case of overwork more than disease, and if you could give him +a run off for six months he would be able to work again; but now there +is not an ounce of strength left in him." + +"Then he must just go to the dogs," said Skinner. "I have no meadows to +nurse sick horses in--he might get well or he might not; that sort of +thing don't suit my business; my plan is to work 'em as long as they'll +go, and then sell 'em for what they'll fetch, at the knacker's or +elsewhere." + +"If he was broken-winded," said the farrier, "you had better have him +killed out of hand, but he is not; there is a sale of horses coming off +in about ten days; if you rest him and feed him up he may pick up, and +you may get more than his skin is worth, at any rate." + +Upon this advice Skinner, rather unwillingly, I think, gave orders that +I should be well fed and cared for, and the stable man, happily for me, +carried out the orders with a much better will than his master had in +giving them. Ten days of perfect rest, plenty of good oats, hay, +bran mashes, with boiled linseed mixed in them, did more to get up my +condition than anything else could have done; those linseed mashes were +delicious, and I began to think, after all, it might be better to live +than go to the dogs. When the twelfth day after the accident came, I +was taken to the sale, a few miles out of London. I felt that any change +from my present place must be an improvement, so I held up my head, and +hoped for the best. + + + + +48 Farmer Thoroughgood and His Grandson Willie + + +At this sale, of course I found myself in company with the old +broken-down horses--some lame, some broken-winded, some old, and some +that I am sure it would have been merciful to shoot. + +The buyers and sellers, too, many of them, looked not much better off +than the poor beasts they were bargaining about. There were poor old +men, trying to get a horse or a pony for a few pounds, that might drag +about some little wood or coal cart. There were poor men trying to sell +a worn-out beast for two or three pounds, rather than have the greater +loss of killing him. Some of them looked as if poverty and hard times +had hardened them all over; but there were others that I would have +willingly used the last of my strength in serving; poor and shabby, but +kind and human, with voices that I could trust. There was one tottering +old man who took a great fancy to me, and I to him, but I was not strong +enough--it was an anxious time! Coming from the better part of the fair, +I noticed a man who looked like a gentleman farmer, with a young boy by +his side; he had a broad back and round shoulders, a kind, ruddy face, +and he wore a broad-brimmed hat. When he came up to me and my companions +he stood still and gave a pitiful look round upon us. I saw his eye +rest on me; I had still a good mane and tail, which did something for my +appearance. I pricked my ears and looked at him. + +"There's a horse, Willie, that has known better days." + +"Poor old fellow!" said the boy, "do you think, grandpapa, he was ever a +carriage horse?" + +"Oh, yes! my boy," said the farmer, coming closer, "he might have been +anything when he was young; look at his nostrils and his ears, the shape +of his neck and shoulder; there's a deal of breeding about that horse." +He put out his hand and gave me a kind pat on the neck. I put out my +nose in answer to his kindness; the boy stroked my face. + +"Poor old fellow! see, grandpapa, how well he understands kindness. +Could not you buy him and make him young again as you did with +Ladybird?" + +"My dear boy, I can't make all old horses young; besides, Ladybird was +not so very old, as she was run down and badly used." + +"Well, grandpapa, I don't believe that this one is old; look at his mane +and tail. I wish you would look into his mouth, and then you could tell; +though he is so very thin, his eyes are not sunk like some old horses'." + +The old gentleman laughed. "Bless the boy! he is as horsey as his old +grandfather." + +"But do look at his mouth, grandpapa, and ask the price; I am sure he +would grow young in our meadows." + +The man who had brought me for sale now put in his word. + +"The young gentleman's a real knowing one, sir. Now the fact is, this +'ere hoss is just pulled down with overwork in the cabs; he's not an old +one, and I heerd as how the vetenary should say, that a six months' run +off would set him right up, being as how his wind was not broken. +I've had the tending of him these ten days past, and a gratefuller, +pleasanter animal I never met with, and 'twould be worth a gentleman's +while to give a five-pound note for him, and let him have a chance. I'll +be bound he'd be worth twenty pounds next spring." + +The old gentleman laughed, and the little boy looked up eagerly. + +"Oh, grandpapa, did you not say the colt sold for five pounds more than +you expected? You would not be poorer if you did buy this one." + +The farmer slowly felt my legs, which were much swelled and strained; +then he looked at my mouth. "Thirteen or fourteen, I should say; just +trot him out, will you?" + +I arched my poor thin neck, raised my tail a little, and threw out my +legs as well as I could, for they were very stiff. + +"What is the lowest you will take for him?" said the farmer as I came +back. + +"Five pounds, sir; that was the lowest price my master set." + +"'Tis a speculation," said the old gentleman, shaking his head, but at +the same time slowly drawing out his purse, "quite a speculation! Have +you any more business here?" he said, counting the sovereigns into his +hand. + +"No, sir, I can take him for you to the inn, if you please." + +"Do so, I am now going there." + +They walked forward, and I was led behind. The boy could hardly control +his delight, and the old gentleman seemed to enjoy his pleasure. I had a +good feed at the inn, and was then gently ridden home by a servant of my +new master's, and turned into a large meadow with a shed in one corner +of it. + +Mr. Thoroughgood, for that was the name of my benefactor, gave orders +that I should have hay and oats every night and morning, and the run of +the meadow during the day, and, "you, Willie," said he, "must take the +oversight of him; I give him in charge to you." + +The boy was proud of his charge, and undertook it in all seriousness. +There was not a day when he did not pay me a visit; sometimes picking +me out from among the other horses, and giving me a bit of carrot, or +something good, or sometimes standing by me while I ate my oats. He +always came with kind words and caresses, and of course I grew very fond +of him. He called me Old Crony, as I used to come to him in the field +and follow him about. Sometimes he brought his grandfather, who always +looked closely at my legs. + +"This is our point, Willie," he would say; "but he is improving so +steadily that I think we shall see a change for the better in the +spring." + +The perfect rest, the good food, the soft turf, and gentle exercise, +soon began to tell on my condition and my spirits. I had a good +constitution from my mother, and I was never strained when I was young, +so that I had a better chance than many horses who have been worked +before they came to their full strength. During the winter my legs +improved so much that I began to feel quite young again. The spring came +round, and one day in March Mr. Thoroughgood determined that he would +try me in the phaeton. I was well pleased, and he and Willie drove me a +few miles. My legs were not stiff now, and I did the work with perfect +ease. + +"He's growing young, Willie; we must give him a little gentle work now, +and by mid-summer he will be as good as Ladybird. He has a beautiful +mouth and good paces; they can't be better." + +"Oh, grandpapa, how glad I am you bought him!" + +"So am I, my boy; but he has to thank you more than me; we must now +be looking out for a quiet, genteel place for him, where he will be +valued." + + + + +49 My Last Home + + +One day during this summer the groom cleaned and dressed me with such +extraordinary care that I thought some new change must be at hand; he +trimmed my fetlocks and legs, passed the tarbrush over my hoofs, and +even parted my forelock. I think the harness had an extra polish. Willie +seemed half-anxious, half-merry, as he got into the chaise with his +grandfather. + +"If the ladies take to him," said the old gentleman, "they'll be suited +and he'll be suited. We can but try." + +At the distance of a mile or two from the village we came to a pretty, +low house, with a lawn and shrubbery at the front and a drive up to the +door. Willie rang the bell, and asked if Miss Blomefield or Miss Ellen +was at home. Yes, they were. So, while Willie stayed with me, Mr. +Thoroughgood went into the house. In about ten minutes he returned, +followed by three ladies; one tall, pale lady, wrapped in a white shawl, +leaned on a younger lady, with dark eyes and a merry face; the other, +a very stately-looking person, was Miss Blomefield. They all came +and looked at me and asked questions. The younger lady--that was Miss +Ellen--took to me very much; she said she was sure she should like me, I +had such a good face. The tall, pale lady said that she should always +be nervous in riding behind a horse that had once been down, as I might +come down again, and if I did she should never get over the fright. + +"You see, ladies," said Mr. Thoroughgood, "many first-rate horses have +had their knees broken through the carelessness of their drivers without +any fault of their own, and from what I see of this horse I should say +that is his case; but of course I do not wish to influence you. If you +incline you can have him on trial, and then your coachman will see what +he thinks of him." + +"You have always been such a good adviser to us about our horses," said +the stately lady, "that your recommendation would go a long way with me, +and if my sister Lavinia sees no objection we will accept your offer of +a trial, with thanks." + +It was then arranged that I should be sent for the next day. + +In the morning a smart-looking young man came for me. At first he looked +pleased; but when he saw my knees he said in a disappointed voice: + +"I didn't think, sir, you would have recommended my ladies a blemished +horse like that." + +"'Handsome is that handsome does'," said my master; "you are only taking +him on trial, and I am sure you will do fairly by him, young man. If he +is not as safe as any horse you ever drove send him back." + +I was led to my new home, placed in a comfortable stable, fed, and left +to myself. The next day, when the groom was cleaning my face, he said: + +"That is just like the star that 'Black Beauty' had; he is much the same +height, too. I wonder where he is now." + +A little further on he came to the place in my neck where I was bled and +where a little knot was left in the skin. He almost started, and began +to look me over carefully, talking to himself. + +"White star in the forehead, one white foot on the off side, this little +knot just in that place;" then looking at the middle of my back--"and, +as I am alive, there is that little patch of white hair that John used +to call 'Beauty's three-penny bit'. It must be 'Black Beauty'! Why, +Beauty! Beauty! do you know me?--little Joe Green, that almost killed +you?" And he began patting and patting me as if he was quite overjoyed. + +I could not say that I remembered him, for now he was a fine grown young +fellow, with black whiskers and a man's voice, but I was sure he knew +me, and that he was Joe Green, and I was very glad. I put my nose up +to him, and tried to say that we were friends. I never saw a man so +pleased. + +"Give you a fair trial! I should think so indeed! I wonder who the +rascal was that broke your knees, my old Beauty! you must have been +badly served out somewhere; well, well, it won't be my fault if you +haven't good times of it now. I wish John Manly was here to see you." + +In the afternoon I was put into a low park chair and brought to the +door. Miss Ellen was going to try me, and Green went with her. I soon +found that she was a good driver, and she seemed pleased with my paces. +I heard Joe telling her about me, and that he was sure I was Squire +Gordon's old "Black Beauty". + +When we returned the other sisters came out to hear how I had behaved +myself. She told them what she had just heard, and said: + +"I shall certainly write to Mrs. Gordon, and tell her that her favorite +horse has come to us. How pleased she will be!" + +After this I was driven every day for a week or so, and as I appeared +to be quite safe, Miss Lavinia at last ventured out in the small close +carriage. After this it was quite decided to keep me and call me by my +old name of "Black Beauty". + +I have now lived in this happy place a whole year. Joe is the best and +kindest of grooms. My work is easy and pleasant, and I feel my strength +and spirits all coming back again. Mr. Thoroughgood said to Joe the +other day: + +"In your place he will last till he is twenty years old--perhaps more." + +Willie always speaks to me when he can, and treats me as his special +friend. My ladies have promised that I shall never be sold, and so I +have nothing to fear; and here my story ends. My troubles are all over, +and I am at home; and often before I am quite awake, I fancy I am still +in the orchard at Birtwick, standing with my old friends under the +apple-trees. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Black Beauty, by Anna Sewell + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BLACK BEAUTY *** + +***** This file should be named 271.txt or 271.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/7/271/ + +Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.29.93*END* + + + + + + +Black Beauty + +by Anna Sewell [English Quaker -- 1820-1878.] + + + +[Note: `Black Beauty' was originally published in 1877. +This etext was transcribed from an American edition of 1911. +Some small corrections were made, after being confirmed +against other sources.] + + + + + + +Black Beauty + +The Autobiography of a Horse + + + +by Anna Sewell + + + + + + +To my dear and honored Mother, +whose life, no less than her pen, +has been devoted to the welfare of others, +this little book is affectionately dedicated. + + + + + + +Contents + + + + Part I + +Chapter +01 My Early Home +02 The Hunt +03 My Breaking In +04 Birtwick Park +05 A Fair Start +06 Liberty +07 Ginger +08 Ginger's Story Continued +09 Merrylegs +10 A Talk in the Orchard +11 Plain Speaking +12 A Stormy Day +13 The Devil's Trade Mark +14 James Howard +15 The Old Hostler +16 The Fire +17 John Manly's Talk +18 Going for the Doctor +19 Only Ignorance +20 Joe Green +21 The Parting + + + Part II + +22 Earlshall +23 A Strike for Liberty +24 The Lady Anne, or a Runaway Horse +25 Reuben Smith +26 How it Ended +27 Ruined and Going Downhill +28 A Job Horse and His Drivers +29 Cockneys +30 A Thief +31 A Humbug + + + Part III + +32 A Horse Fair +33 A London Cab Horse +34 An Old War Horse +35 Jerry Barker +36 The Sunday Cab +37 The Golden Rule +38 Dolly and a Real Gentleman +39 Seedy Sam +40 Poor Ginger +41 The Butcher +42 The Election +43 A Friend in Need +44 Old Captain and His Successor +45 Jerry's New Year + + + Part IV + +46 Jakes and the Lady +47 Hard Times +48 Farmer Thoroughgood and His Grandson Willie +49 My Last Home + + + + + + +Black Beauty + + + + + + + Part I + + + + + + +01 My Early Home + + + +The first place that I can well remember was a large pleasant meadow +with a pond of clear water in it. Some shady trees leaned over it, +and rushes and water-lilies grew at the deep end. Over the hedge on one side +we looked into a plowed field, and on the other we looked over a gate +at our master's house, which stood by the roadside; at the top of the meadow +was a grove of fir trees, and at the bottom a running brook +overhung by a steep bank. + +While I was young I lived upon my mother's milk, as I could not eat grass. +In the daytime I ran by her side, and at night I lay down close by her. +When it was hot we used to stand by the pond in the shade of the trees, +and when it was cold we had a nice warm shed near the grove. + +As soon as I was old enough to eat grass my mother used to go out to work +in the daytime, and come back in the evening. + +There were six young colts in the meadow besides me; +they were older than I was; some were nearly as large as grown-up horses. +I used to run with them, and had great fun; we used to gallop all together +round and round the field as hard as we could go. Sometimes we had +rather rough play, for they would frequently bite and kick as well as gallop. + +One day, when there was a good deal of kicking, my mother whinnied to me +to come to her, and then she said: + +"I wish you to pay attention to what I am going to say to you. +The colts who live here are very good colts, but they are cart-horse colts, +and of course they have not learned manners. You have been +well-bred and well-born; your father has a great name in these parts, +and your grandfather won the cup two years at the Newmarket races; +your grandmother had the sweetest temper of any horse I ever knew, +and I think you have never seen me kick or bite. I hope you will grow up +gentle and good, and never learn bad ways; do your work with a good will, +lift your feet up well when you trot, and never bite or kick even in play." + +I have never forgotten my mother's advice; I knew she was a wise old horse, +and our master thought a great deal of her. Her name was Duchess, +but he often called her Pet. + +Our master was a good, kind man. He gave us good food, good lodging, +and kind words; he spoke as kindly to us as he did to his little children. +We were all fond of him, and my mother loved him very much. +When she saw him at the gate she would neigh with joy, and trot up to him. +He would pat and stroke her and say, "Well, old Pet, +and how is your little Darkie?" I was a dull black, so he called me Darkie; +then he would give me a piece of bread, which was very good, +and sometimes he brought a carrot for my mother. All the horses +would come to him, but I think we were his favorites. +My mother always took him to the town on a market day in a light gig. + +There was a plowboy, Dick, who sometimes came into our field +to pluck blackberries from the hedge. When he had eaten all he wanted +he would have what he called fun with the colts, throwing stones and sticks +at them to make them gallop. We did not much mind him, +for we could gallop off; but sometimes a stone would hit and hurt us. + +One day he was at this game, and did not know that the master +was in the next field; but he was there, watching what was going on; +over the hedge he jumped in a snap, and catching Dick by the arm, +he gave him such a box on the ear as made him roar +with the pain and surprise. As soon as we saw the master +we trotted up nearer to see what went on. + +"Bad boy!" he said, "bad boy! to chase the colts. This is not +the first time, nor the second, but it shall be the last. There -- +take your money and go home; I shall not want you on my farm again." +So we never saw Dick any more. Old Daniel, the man who looked after +the horses, was just as gentle as our master, so we were well off. + + + + +02 The Hunt + + + +Before I was two years old a circumstance happened +which I have never forgotten. It was early in the spring; +there had been a little frost in the night, and a light mist +still hung over the woods and meadows. I and the other colts were feeding +at the lower part of the field when we heard, quite in the distance, +what sounded like the cry of dogs. The oldest of the colts raised his head, +pricked his ears, and said, "There are the hounds!" and immediately +cantered off, followed by the rest of us to the upper part of the field, +where we could look over the hedge and see several fields beyond. +My mother and an old riding horse of our master's were also standing near, +and seemed to know all about it. + +"They have found a hare," said my mother, "and if they come this way +we shall see the hunt." + +And soon the dogs were all tearing down the field of young wheat +next to ours. I never heard such a noise as they made. They did not bark, +nor howl, nor whine, but kept on a "yo! yo, o, o! yo! yo, o, o!" +at the top of their voices. After them came a number of men on horseback, +some of them in green coats, all galloping as fast as they could. +The old horse snorted and looked eagerly after them, +and we young colts wanted to be galloping with them, +but they were soon away into the fields lower down; +here it seemed as if they had come to a stand; the dogs left off barking, +and ran about every way with their noses to the ground. + +"They have lost the scent," said the old horse; "perhaps the hare +will get off." + +"What hare?" I said. + +"Oh! I don't know what hare; likely enough it may be one of our own hares +out of the woods; any hare they can find will do for the dogs and men +to run after;" and before long the dogs began their "yo! yo, o, o!" again, +and back they came altogether at full speed, making straight for our meadow +at the part where the high bank and hedge overhang the brook. + +"Now we shall see the hare," said my mother; and just then +a hare wild with fright rushed by and made for the woods. +On came the dogs; they burst over the bank, leaped the stream, +and came dashing across the field followed by the huntsmen. +Six or eight men leaped their horses clean over, close upon the dogs. +The hare tried to get through the fence; it was too thick, +and she turned sharp round to make for the road, but it was too late; +the dogs were upon her with their wild cries; we heard one shriek, +and that was the end of her. One of the huntsmen rode up +and whipped off the dogs, who would soon have torn her to pieces. +He held her up by the leg torn and bleeding, and all the gentlemen +seemed well pleased. + +As for me, I was so astonished that I did not at first see what was going on +by the brook; but when I did look there was a sad sight; +two fine horses were down, one was struggling in the stream, +and the other was groaning on the grass. One of the riders +was getting out of the water covered with mud, the other lay quite still. + +"His neck is broke," said my mother. + +"And serve him right, too," said one of the colts. + +I thought the same, but my mother did not join with us. + +"Well, no," she said, "you must not say that; but though I am an old horse, +and have seen and heard a great deal, I never yet could make out +why men are so fond of this sport; they often hurt themselves, +often spoil good horses, and tear up the fields, and all for a hare or a fox, +or a stag, that they could get more easily some other way; +but we are only horses, and don't know." + +While my mother was saying this we stood and looked on. +Many of the riders had gone to the young man; but my master, +who had been watching what was going on, was the first to raise him. +His head fell back and his arms hung down, and every one looked very serious. +There was no noise now; even the dogs were quiet, and seemed to know +that something was wrong. They carried him to our master's house. +I heard afterward that it was young George Gordon, the squire's only son, +a fine, tall young man, and the pride of his family. + +There was now riding off in all directions to the doctor's, to the farrier's, +and no doubt to Squire Gordon's, to let him know about his son. +When Mr. Bond, the farrier, came to look at the black horse +that lay groaning on the grass, he felt him all over, and shook his head; +one of his legs was broken. Then some one ran to our master's house +and came back with a gun; presently there was a loud bang +and a dreadful shriek, and then all was still; the black horse moved no more. + +My mother seemed much troubled; she said she had known that horse for years, +and that his name was "Rob Roy"; he was a good horse, and there was +no vice in him. She never would go to that part of the field afterward. + +Not many days after we heard the church-bell tolling for a long time, +and looking over the gate we saw a long, strange black coach +that was covered with black cloth and was drawn by black horses; +after that came another and another and another, and all were black, +while the bell kept tolling, tolling. They were carrying young Gordon +to the churchyard to bury him. He would never ride again. +What they did with Rob Roy I never knew; but 'twas all for one little hare. + + + + +03 My Breaking In + + + +I was now beginning to grow handsome; my coat had grown fine and soft, +and was bright black. I had one white foot and a pretty white star +on my forehead. I was thought very handsome; my master would not sell me +till I was four years old; he said lads ought not to work like men, +and colts ought not to work like horses till they were quite grown up. + +When I was four years old Squire Gordon came to look at me. +He examined my eyes, my mouth, and my legs; he felt them all down; +and then I had to walk and trot and gallop before him. +He seemed to like me, and said, "When he has been well broken in +he will do very well." My master said he would break me in himself, +as he should not like me to be frightened or hurt, +and he lost no time about it, for the next day he began. + +Every one may not know what breaking in is, therefore I will describe it. +It means to teach a horse to wear a saddle and bridle, +and to carry on his back a man, woman or child; to go just the way they wish, +and to go quietly. Besides this he has to learn to wear a collar, a crupper, +and a breeching, and to stand still while they are put on; +then to have a cart or a chaise fixed behind, so that he cannot walk or trot +without dragging it after him; and he must go fast or slow, +just as his driver wishes. He must never start at what he sees, +nor speak to other horses, nor bite, nor kick, nor have any will of his own; +but always do his master's will, even though he may be very tired or hungry; +but the worst of all is, when his harness is once on, +he may neither jump for joy nor lie down for weariness. +So you see this breaking in is a great thing. + +I had of course long been used to a halter and a headstall, +and to be led about in the fields and lanes quietly, +but now I was to have a bit and bridle; my master gave me some oats as usual, +and after a good deal of coaxing he got the bit into my mouth, +and the bridle fixed, but it was a nasty thing! Those who have never had +a bit in their mouths cannot think how bad it feels; +a great piece of cold hard steel as thick as a man's finger +to be pushed into one's mouth, between one's teeth, and over one's tongue, +with the ends coming out at the corner of your mouth, +and held fast there by straps over your head, under your throat, +round your nose, and under your chin; so that no way in the world +can you get rid of the nasty hard thing; it is very bad! yes, very bad! +at least I thought so; but I knew my mother always wore one +when she went out, and all horses did when they were grown up; +and so, what with the nice oats, and what with my master's pats, +kind words, and gentle ways, I got to wear my bit and bridle. + +Next came the saddle, but that was not half so bad; +my master put it on my back very gently, while old Daniel held my head; +he then made the girths fast under my body, patting and talking to me +all the time; then I had a few oats, then a little leading about; +and this he did every day till I began to look for the oats and the saddle. +At length, one morning, my master got on my back and rode me round the meadow +on the soft grass. It certainly did feel queer; but I must say +I felt rather proud to carry my master, and as he continued to ride me +a little every day I soon became accustomed to it. + +The next unpleasant business was putting on the iron shoes; that too +was very hard at first. My master went with me to the smith's forge, +to see that I was not hurt or got any fright. The blacksmith took my feet +in his hand, one after the other, and cut away some of the hoof. +It did not pain me, so I stood still on three legs till he had done them all. +Then he took a piece of iron the shape of my foot, and clapped it on, +and drove some nails through the shoe quite into my hoof, +so that the shoe was firmly on. My feet felt very stiff and heavy, +but in time I got used to it. + +And now having got so far, my master went on to break me to harness; +there were more new things to wear. First, a stiff heavy collar +just on my neck, and a bridle with great side-pieces against my eyes +called blinkers, and blinkers indeed they were, for I could not see +on either side, but only straight in front of me; next, +there was a small saddle with a nasty stiff strap that went +right under my tail; that was the crupper. I hated the crupper; +to have my long tail doubled up and poked through that strap +was almost as bad as the bit. I never felt more like kicking, +but of course I could not kick such a good master, and so in time +I got used to everything, and could do my work as well as my mother. + +I must not forget to mention one part of my training, +which I have always considered a very great advantage. +My master sent me for a fortnight to a neighboring farmer's, +who had a meadow which was skirted on one side by the railway. +Here were some sheep and cows, and I was turned in among them. + +I shall never forget the first train that ran by. I was feeding quietly +near the pales which separated the meadow from the railway, +when I heard a strange sound at a distance, and before I knew whence it came +-- with a rush and a clatter, and a puffing out of smoke -- +a long black train of something flew by, and was gone almost before I could +draw my breath. I turned and galloped to the further side of the meadow +as fast as I could go, and there I stood snorting with astonishment and fear. +In the course of the day many other trains went by, some more slowly; +these drew up at the station close by, and sometimes made +an awful shriek and groan before they stopped. I thought it very dreadful, +but the cows went on eating very quietly, and hardly raised their heads +as the black frightful thing came puffing and grinding past. + +For the first few days I could not feed in peace; but as I found +that this terrible creature never came into the field, or did me any harm, +I began to disregard it, and very soon I cared as little +about the passing of a train as the cows and sheep did. + +Since then I have seen many horses much alarmed and restive +at the sight or sound of a steam engine; but thanks to my good master's care, +I am as fearless at railway stations as in my own stable. + +Now if any one wants to break in a young horse well, that is the way. + +My master often drove me in double harness with my mother, +because she was steady and could teach me how to go +better than a strange horse. She told me the better I behaved +the better I should be treated, and that it was wisest always to do my best +to please my master; "but," said she, "there are a great many kinds of men; +there are good thoughtful men like our master, that any horse +may be proud to serve; and there are bad, cruel men, +who never ought to have a horse or dog to call their own. Besides, +there are a great many foolish men, vain, ignorant, and careless, +who never trouble themselves to think; these spoil more horses than all, +just for want of sense; they don't mean it, but they do it for all that. +I hope you will fall into good hands; but a horse never knows +who may buy him, or who may drive him; it is all a chance for us; +but still I say, do your best wherever it is, and keep up your good name." + + + + +04 Birtwick Park + + + +At this time I used to stand in the stable and my coat was brushed every day +till it shone like a rook's wing. It was early in May, when there came a man +from Squire Gordon's, who took me away to the hall. My master said, +"Good-by, Darkie; be a good horse, and always do your best." +I could not say "good-by", so I put my nose into his hand; +he patted me kindly, and I left my first home. As I lived some years +with Squire Gordon, I may as well tell something about the place. + +Squire Gordon's park skirted the village of Birtwick. +It was entered by a large iron gate, at which stood the first lodge, +and then you trotted along on a smooth road between clumps +of large old trees; then another lodge and another gate, +which brought you to the house and the gardens. Beyond this lay +the home paddock, the old orchard, and the stables. There was accommodation +for many horses and carriages; but I need only describe the stable +into which I was taken; this was very roomy, with four good stalls; +a large swinging window opened into the yard, which made it pleasant and airy. + +The first stall was a large square one, shut in behind with a wooden gate; +the others were common stalls, good stalls, but not nearly so large; +it had a low rack for hay and a low manger for corn; +it was called a loose box, because the horse that was put into it +was not tied up, but left loose, to do as he liked. It is a great thing +to have a loose box. + +Into this fine box the groom put me; it was clean, sweet, and airy. +I never was in a better box than that, and the sides were not so high +but that I could see all that went on through the iron rails +that were at the top. + +He gave me some very nice oats, he patted me, spoke kindly, +and then went away. + +When I had eaten my corn I looked round. In the stall next to mine +stood a little fat gray pony, with a thick mane and tail, a very pretty head, +and a pert little nose. + +I put my head up to the iron rails at the top of my box, and said, +"How do you do? What is your name?" + +He turned round as far as his halter would allow, held up his head, and said, +"My name is Merrylegs. I am very handsome; I carry the young ladies +on my back, and sometimes I take our mistress out in the low chair. +They think a great deal of me, and so does James. Are you going to live +next door to me in the box?" + +I said, "Yes." + +"Well, then," he said, "I hope you are good-tempered; +I do not like any one next door who bites." + +Just then a horse's head looked over from the stall beyond; +the ears were laid back, and the eye looked rather ill-tempered. +This was a tall chestnut mare, with a long handsome neck. +She looked across to me and said: + +"So it is you who have turned me out of my box; it is a very strange thing +for a colt like you to come and turn a lady out of her own home." + +"I beg your pardon," I said, "I have turned no one out; +the man who brought me put me here, and I had nothing to do with it; +and as to my being a colt, I am turned four years old and am +a grown-up horse. I never had words yet with horse or mare, +and it is my wish to live at peace." + +"Well," she said, "we shall see. Of course, I do not want to have words +with a young thing like you." I said no more. + +In the afternoon, when she went out, Merrylegs told me all about it. + +"The thing is this," said Merrylegs. "Ginger has a bad habit +of biting and snapping; that is why they call her Ginger, +and when she was in the loose box she used to snap very much. +One day she bit James in the arm and made it bleed, +and so Miss Flora and Miss Jessie, who are very fond of me, +were afraid to come into the stable. They used to bring me +nice things to eat, an apple or a carrot, or a piece of bread, +but after Ginger stood in that box they dared not come, +and I missed them very much. I hope they will now come again, +if you do not bite or snap." + +I told him I never bit anything but grass, hay, and corn, +and could not think what pleasure Ginger found it. + +"Well, I don't think she does find pleasure," says Merrylegs; +"it is just a bad habit; she says no one was ever kind to her, +and why should she not bite? Of course, it is a very bad habit; +but I am sure, if all she says be true, she must have been very ill-used +before she came here. John does all he can to please her, +and James does all he can, and our master never uses a whip +if a horse acts right; so I think she might be good-tempered here. +You see," he said, with a wise look, "I am twelve years old; +I know a great deal, and I can tell you there is not a better place +for a horse all round the country than this. John is the best groom +that ever was; he has been here fourteen years; and you never saw +such a kind boy as James is; so that it is all Ginger's own fault +that she did not stay in that box." + + + + +05 A Fair Start + + + +The name of the coachman was John Manly; he had a wife and one little child, +and they lived in the coachman's cottage, very near the stables. + +The next morning he took me into the yard and gave me a good grooming, +and just as I was going into my box, with my coat soft and bright, +the squire came in to look at me, and seemed pleased. +"John," he said, "I meant to have tried the new horse this morning, +but I have other business. You may as well take him around after breakfast; +go by the common and the Highwood, and back by the watermill and the river; +that will show his paces." + +"I will, sir," said John. After breakfast he came and fitted me +with a bridle. He was very particular in letting out and taking in +the straps, to fit my head comfortably; then he brought a saddle, +but it was not broad enough for my back; he saw it in a minute +and went for another, which fitted nicely. He rode me first slowly, +then a trot, then a canter, and when we were on the common +he gave me a light touch with his whip, and we had a splendid gallop. + +"Ho, ho! my boy," he said, as he pulled me up, "you would like +to follow the hounds, I think." + +As we came back through the park we met the Squire and Mrs. Gordon walking; +they stopped, and John jumped off. + +"Well, John, how does he go?" + +"First-rate, sir," answered John; "he is as fleet as a deer, +and has a fine spirit too; but the lightest touch of the rein will guide him. +Down at the end of the common we met one of those traveling carts +hung all over with baskets, rugs, and such like; you know, sir, many horses +will not pass those carts quietly; he just took a good look at it, +and then went on as quiet and pleasant as could be. +They were shooting rabbits near the Highwood, and a gun went off close by; +he pulled up a little and looked, but did not stir a step to right or left. +I just held the rein steady and did not hurry him, and it's my opinion +he has not been frightened or ill-used while he was young." + +"That's well," said the squire, "I will try him myself to-morrow." + +The next day I was brought up for my master. I remembered +my mother's counsel and my good old master's, and I tried to do exactly +what he wanted me to do. I found he was a very good rider, +and thoughtful for his horse too. When he came home +the lady was at the hall door as he rode up. + +"Well, my dear," she said, "how do you like him?" + +"He is exactly what John said," he replied; "a pleasanter creature +I never wish to mount. What shall we call him?" + +"Would you like Ebony?" said she; "he is as black as ebony." + +"No, not Ebony." + +"Will you call him Blackbird, like your uncle's old horse?" + +"No, he is far handsomer than old Blackbird ever was." + +"Yes," she said, "he is really quite a beauty, and he has such a sweet, +good-tempered face, and such a fine, intelligent eye -- what do you say +to calling him Black Beauty?" + +"Black Beauty -- why, yes, I think that is a very good name. +If you like it shall be his name;" and so it was. + +When John went into the stable he told James that master and mistress +had chosen a good, sensible English name for me, that meant something; +not like Marengo, or Pegasus, or Abdallah. They both laughed, +and James said, "If it was not for bringing back the past, +I should have named him Rob Roy, for I never saw two horses more alike." + +"That's no wonder," said John; "didn't you know that Farmer Grey's +old Duchess was the mother of them both?" + +I had never heard that before; and so poor Rob Roy +who was killed at that hunt was my brother! I did not wonder +that my mother was so troubled. It seems that horses have no relations; +at least they never know each other after they are sold. + +John seemed very proud of me; he used to make my mane and tail +almost as smooth as a lady's hair, and he would talk to me a great deal; +of course I did not understand all he said, but I learned more and more +to know what he meant, and what he wanted me to do. I grew very fond of him, +he was so gentle and kind; he seemed to know just how a horse feels, +and when he cleaned me he knew the tender places and the ticklish places; +when he brushed my head he went as carefully over my eyes +as if they were his own, and never stirred up any ill-temper. + +James Howard, the stable boy, was just as gentle and pleasant in his way, +so I thought myself well off. There was another man who helped in the yard, +but he had very little to do with Ginger and me. + +A few days after this I had to go out with Ginger in the carriage. +I wondered how we should get on together; but except laying her ears back +when I was led up to her, she behaved very well. She did her work honestly, +and did her full share, and I never wish to have a better partner +in double harness. When we came to a hill, instead of slackening her pace, +she would throw her weight right into the collar, and pull away straight up. +We had both the same sort of courage at our work, and John had oftener +to hold us in than to urge us forward; he never had to use the whip +with either of us; then our paces were much the same, +and I found it very easy to keep step with her when trotting, +which made it pleasant, and master always liked it when we kept step well, +and so did John. After we had been out two or three times together +we grew quite friendly and sociable, which made me feel very much at home. + +As for Merrylegs, he and I soon became great friends; he was such a cheerful, +plucky, good-tempered little fellow that he was a favorite with every one, +and especially with Miss Jessie and Flora, who used to ride him about +in the orchard, and have fine games with him and their little dog Frisky. + +Our master had two other horses that stood in another stable. +One was Justice, a roan cob, used for riding or for the luggage cart; +the other was an old brown hunter, named Sir Oliver; he was past work now, +but was a great favorite with the master, who gave him the run of the park; +he sometimes did a little light carting on the estate, +or carried one of the young ladies when they rode out with their father, +for he was very gentle and could be trusted with a child +as well as Merrylegs. The cob was a strong, well-made, good-tempered horse, +and we sometimes had a little chat in the paddock, +but of course I could not be so intimate with him as with Ginger, +who stood in the same stable. + + + + +06 Liberty + + + +I was quite happy in my new place, and if there was one thing that I missed +it must not be thought I was discontented; all who had to do with me +were good and I had a light airy stable and the best of food. +What more could I want? Why, liberty! For three years and a half of my life +I had had all the liberty I could wish for; but now, week after week, +month after month, and no doubt year after year, I must stand up in a stable +night and day except when I am wanted, and then I must be +just as steady and quiet as any old horse who has worked twenty years. +Straps here and straps there, a bit in my mouth, and blinkers over my eyes. +Now, I am not complaining, for I know it must be so. I only mean to say +that for a young horse full of strength and spirits, +who has been used to some large field or plain where he can fling up his head +and toss up his tail and gallop away at full speed, then round and back again +with a snort to his companions -- I say it is hard never to have +a bit more liberty to do as you like. Sometimes, when I have had +less exercise than usual, I have felt so full of life and spring +that when John has taken me out to exercise I really could not keep quiet; +do what I would, it seemed as if I must jump, or dance, or prance, +and many a good shake I know I must have given him, especially at the first; +but he was always good and patient. + +"Steady, steady, my boy," he would say; "wait a bit, +and we will have a good swing, and soon get the tickle out of your feet." +Then as soon as we were out of the village, he would give me a few miles +at a spanking trot, and then bring me back as fresh as before, +only clear of the fidgets, as he called them. Spirited horses, +when not enough exercised, are often called skittish, when it is only play; +and some grooms will punish them, but our John did not; +he knew it was only high spirits. Still, he had his own ways +of making me understand by the tone of his voice or the touch of the rein. +If he was very serious and quite determined, I always knew it by his voice, +and that had more power with me than anything else, +for I was very fond of him. + +I ought to say that sometimes we had our liberty for a few hours; +this used to be on fine Sundays in the summer-time. +The carriage never went out on Sundays, because the church was not far off. + +It was a great treat to us to be turned out into the home paddock +or the old orchard; the grass was so cool and soft to our feet, +the air so sweet, and the freedom to do as we liked was so pleasant -- +to gallop, to lie down, and roll over on our backs, +or to nibble the sweet grass. Then it was a very good time for talking, +as we stood together under the shade of the large chestnut tree. + + + + +07 Ginger + + + +One day when Ginger and I were standing alone in the shade, +we had a great deal of talk; she wanted to know all about my bringing up +and breaking in, and I told her. + +"Well," said she, "if I had had your bringing up I might have had +as good a temper as you, but now I don't believe I ever shall." + +"Why not?" I said. + +"Because it has been all so different with me," she replied. +"I never had any one, horse or man, that was kind to me, +or that I cared to please, for in the first place I was taken from my mother +as soon as I was weaned, and put with a lot of other young colts; +none of them cared for me, and I cared for none of them. +There was no kind master like yours to look after me, and talk to me, +and bring me nice things to eat. The man that had the care of us +never gave me a kind word in my life. I do not mean that he ill-used me, +but he did not care for us one bit further than to see that we had +plenty to eat, and shelter in the winter. A footpath ran through our field, +and very often the great boys passing through would fling stones +to make us gallop. I was never hit, but one fine young colt +was badly cut in the face, and I should think it would be a scar for life. +We did not care for them, but of course it made us more wild, +and we settled it in our minds that boys were our enemies. +We had very good fun in the free meadows, galloping up and down +and chasing each other round and round the field; then standing still +under the shade of the trees. But when it came to breaking in, +that was a bad time for me; several men came to catch me, +and when at last they closed me in at one corner of the field, +one caught me by the forelock, another caught me by the nose +and held it so tight I could hardly draw my breath; +then another took my under jaw in his hard hand and wrenched my mouth open, +and so by force they got on the halter and the bar into my mouth; +then one dragged me along by the halter, another flogging behind, +and this was the first experience I had of men's kindness; it was all force. +They did not give me a chance to know what they wanted. +I was high bred and had a great deal of spirit, and was very wild, no doubt, +and gave them, I dare say, plenty of trouble, but then it was dreadful +to be shut up in a stall day after day instead of having my liberty, +and I fretted and pined and wanted to get loose. You know yourself +it's bad enough when you have a kind master and plenty of coaxing, +but there was nothing of that sort for me. + +"There was one -- the old master, Mr. Ryder -- who, I think, +could soon have brought me round, and could have done anything with me; +but he had given up all the hard part of the trade to his son +and to another experienced man, and he only came at times to oversee. +His son was a strong, tall, bold man; they called him Samson, +and he used to boast that he had never found a horse that could throw him. +There was no gentleness in him, as there was in his father, +but only hardness, a hard voice, a hard eye, a hard hand; and I felt +from the first that what he wanted was to wear all the spirit out of me, +and just make me into a quiet, humble, obedient piece of horseflesh. +`Horseflesh'! Yes, that is all that he thought about," +and Ginger stamped her foot as if the very thought of him made her angry. +Then she went on: + +"If I did not do exactly what he wanted he would get put out, +and make me run round with that long rein in the training field +till he had tired me out. I think he drank a good deal, +and I am quite sure that the oftener he drank the worse it was for me. +One day he had worked me hard in every way he could, +and when I lay down I was tired, and miserable, and angry; +it all seemed so hard. The next morning he came for me early, +and ran me round again for a long time. I had scarcely had an hour's rest, +when he came again for me with a saddle and bridle and a new kind of bit. +I could never quite tell how it came about; he had only just mounted me +on the training ground, when something I did put him out of temper, +and he chucked me hard with the rein. The new bit was very painful, +and I reared up suddenly, which angered him still more, and he began +to flog me. I felt my whole spirit set against him, and I began to kick, +and plunge, and rear as I had never done before, and we had a regular fight; +for a long time he stuck to the saddle and punished me cruelly +with his whip and spurs, but my blood was thoroughly up, +and I cared for nothing he could do if only I could get him off. +At last after a terrible struggle I threw him off backward. +I heard him fall heavily on the turf, and without looking behind me, +I galloped off to the other end of the field; there I turned round and saw +my persecutor slowly rising from the ground and going into the stable. +I stood under an oak tree and watched, but no one came to catch me. +The time went on, and the sun was very hot; the flies swarmed round me +and settled on my bleeding flanks where the spurs had dug in. +I felt hungry, for I had not eaten since the early morning, +but there was not enough grass in that meadow for a goose to live on. +I wanted to lie down and rest, but with the saddle strapped tightly on +there was no comfort, and there was not a drop of water to drink. +The afternoon wore on, and the sun got low. I saw the other colts led in, +and I knew they were having a good feed. + +"At last, just as the sun went down, I saw the old master come out +with a sieve in his hand. He was a very fine old gentleman +with quite white hair, but his voice was what I should know him by +among a thousand. It was not high, nor yet low, but full, and clear, +and kind, and when he gave orders it was so steady and decided +that every one knew, both horses and men, that he expected to be obeyed. +He came quietly along, now and then shaking the oats about +that he had in the sieve, and speaking cheerfully and gently to me: +`Come along, lassie, come along, lassie; come along, come along.' +I stood still and let him come up; he held the oats to me, +and I began to eat without fear; his voice took all my fear away. +He stood by, patting and stroking me while I was eating, +and seeing the clots of blood on my side he seemed very vexed. +`Poor lassie! it was a bad business, a bad business;' +then he quietly took the rein and led me to the stable; +just at the door stood Samson. I laid my ears back and snapped at him. +`Stand back,' said the master, `and keep out of her way; +you've done a bad day's work for this filly.' He growled out something +about a vicious brute. `Hark ye,' said the father, `a bad-tempered man +will never make a good-tempered horse. You've not learned your trade yet, +Samson.' Then he led me into my box, took off the saddle and bridle +with his own hands, and tied me up; then he called for a pail of warm water +and a sponge, took off his coat, and while the stable-man held the pail, +he sponged my sides a good while, so tenderly that I was sure he knew +how sore and bruised they were. `Whoa! my pretty one,' he said, +`stand still, stand still.' His very voice did me good, and the bathing +was very comfortable. The skin was so broken at the corners of my mouth +that I could not eat the hay, the stalks hurt me. He looked closely at it, +shook his head, and told the man to fetch a good bran mash and put some meal +into it. How good that mash was! and so soft and healing to my mouth. +He stood by all the time I was eating, stroking me and talking to the man. +`If a high-mettled creature like this,' said he, `can't be broken +by fair means, she will never be good for anything.' + +"After that he often came to see me, and when my mouth was healed +the other breaker, Job, they called him, went on training me; +he was steady and thoughtful, and I soon learned what he wanted." + + + + +08 Ginger's Story Continued + + + +The next time that Ginger and I were together in the paddock she told me +about her first place. + +"After my breaking in," she said, "I was bought by a dealer +to match another chestnut horse. For some weeks he drove us together, +and then we were sold to a fashionable gentleman, and were sent up to London. +I had been driven with a check-rein by the dealer, and I hated it worse +than anything else; but in this place we were reined far tighter, +the coachman and his master thinking we looked more stylish so. +We were often driven about in the park and other fashionable places. +You who never had a check-rein on don't know what it is, +but I can tell you it is dreadful. + +"I like to toss my head about and hold it as high as any horse; +but fancy now yourself, if you tossed your head up high and were obliged +to hold it there, and that for hours together, not able to move it at all, +except with a jerk still higher, your neck aching till you did not know +how to bear it. Besides that, to have two bits instead of one -- +and mine was a sharp one, it hurt my tongue and my jaw, +and the blood from my tongue colored the froth that kept flying from my lips +as I chafed and fretted at the bits and rein. It was worst +when we had to stand by the hour waiting for our mistress at some +grand party or entertainment, and if I fretted or stamped with impatience +the whip was laid on. It was enough to drive one mad." + +"Did not your master take any thought for you?" I said. + +"No," said she, "he only cared to have a stylish turnout, as they call it; +I think he knew very little about horses; he left that to his coachman, +who told him I had an irritable temper! that I had not been well broken +to the check-rein, but I should soon get used to it; but he was not +the man to do it, for when I was in the stable, miserable and angry, +instead of being smoothed and quieted by kindness, I got only a surly word +or a blow. If he had been civil I would have tried to bear it. +I was willing to work, and ready to work hard too; but to be tormented +for nothing but their fancies angered me. What right had they +to make me suffer like that? Besides the soreness in my mouth, +and the pain in my neck, it always made my windpipe feel bad, +and if I had stopped there long I know it would have spoiled my breathing; +but I grew more and more restless and irritable, I could not help it; +and I began to snap and kick when any one came to harness me; +for this the groom beat me, and one day, as they had just buckled us +into the carriage, and were straining my head up with that rein, +I began to plunge and kick with all my might. I soon broke a lot of harness, +and kicked myself clear; so that was an end of that place. + +"After this I was sent to Tattersall's to be sold; of course I could not be +warranted free from vice, so nothing was said about that. +My handsome appearance and good paces soon brought a gentleman to bid for me, +and I was bought by another dealer; he tried me in all kinds of ways +and with different bits, and he soon found out what I could not bear. +At last he drove me quite without a check-rein, and then sold me +as a perfectly quiet horse to a gentleman in the country; +he was a good master, and I was getting on very well, but his old groom +left him and a new one came. This man was as hard-tempered and hard-handed +as Samson; he always spoke in a rough, impatient voice, +and if I did not move in the stall the moment he wanted me, +he would hit me above the hocks with his stable broom or the fork, +whichever he might have in his hand. Everything he did was rough, +and I began to hate him; he wanted to make me afraid of him, +but I was too high-mettled for that, and one day when he had aggravated me +more than usual I bit him, which of course put him in a great rage, +and he began to hit me about the head with a riding whip. +After that he never dared to come into my stall again; +either my heels or my teeth were ready for him, and he knew it. +I was quite quiet with my master, but of course he listened +to what the man said, and so I was sold again. + +"The same dealer heard of me, and said he thought he knew one place +where I should do well. `'Twas a pity,' he said, `that such a fine horse +should go to the bad, for want of a real good chance,' and the end of it was +that I came here not long before you did; but I had then made up my mind +that men were my natural enemies and that I must defend myself. +Of course it is very different here, but who knows how long it will last? +I wish I could think about things as you do; but I can't, +after all I have gone through." + +"Well," I said, "I think it would be a real shame if you were to bite or kick +John or James." + +"I don't mean to," she said, "while they are good to me. +I did bite James once pretty sharp, but John said, `Try her with kindness,' +and instead of punishing me as I expected, James came to me +with his arm bound up, and brought me a bran mash and stroked me; +and I have never snapped at him since, and I won't either." + +I was sorry for Ginger, but of course I knew very little then, +and I thought most likely she made the worst of it; however, +I found that as the weeks went on she grew much more gentle and cheerful, +and had lost the watchful, defiant look that she used to turn +on any strange person who came near her; and one day James said, +"I do believe that mare is getting fond of me, she quite whinnied after me +this morning when I had been rubbing her forehead." + +"Ay, ay, Jim, 'tis `the Birtwick balls'," said John, "she'll be as good +as Black Beauty by and by; kindness is all the physic she wants, poor thing!" +Master noticed the change, too, and one day when he got out of the carriage +and came to speak to us, as he often did, he stroked her beautiful neck. +"Well, my pretty one, well, how do things go with you now? +You are a good bit happier than when you came to us, I think." + +She put her nose up to him in a friendly, trustful way, +while he rubbed it gently. + +"We shall make a cure of her, John," he said. + +"Yes, sir, she's wonderfully improved; she's not the same creature +that she was; it's `the Birtwick balls', sir," said John, laughing. + +This was a little joke of John's; he used to say that a regular course +of "the Birtwick horseballs" would cure almost any vicious horse; +these balls, he said, were made up of patience and gentleness, +firmness and petting, one pound of each to be mixed up with half a pint +of common sense, and given to the horse every day. + + + + +09 Merrylegs + + + +Mr. Blomefield, the vicar, had a large family of boys and girls; +sometimes they used to come and play with Miss Jessie and Flora. +One of the girls was as old as Miss Jessie; two of the boys were older, +and there were several little ones. When they came there was plenty of work +for Merrylegs, for nothing pleased them so much as getting on him by turns +and riding him all about the orchard and the home paddock, +and this they would do by the hour together. + +One afternoon he had been out with them a long time, +and when James brought him in and put on his halter he said: + +"There, you rogue, mind how you behave yourself, or we shall get +into trouble." + +"What have you been doing, Merrylegs?" I asked. + +"Oh!" said he, tossing his little head, "I have only been giving +those young people a lesson; they did not know when they had had enough, +nor when I had had enough, so I just pitched them off backward; +that was the only thing they could understand." + +"What!" said I, "you threw the children off? I thought you did know better +than that! Did you throw Miss Jessie or Miss Flora?" + +He looked very much offended, and said: + +"Of course not; I would not do such a thing for the best oats +that ever came into the stable; why, I am as careful of our young ladies +as the master could be, and as for the little ones it is I who teach them +to ride. When they seem frightened or a little unsteady on my back +I go as smooth and as quiet as old pussy when she is after a bird; +and when they are all right I go on again faster, you see, +just to use them to it; so don't you trouble yourself preaching to me; +I am the best friend and the best riding-master those children have. +It is not them, it is the boys; boys," said he, shaking his mane, +"are quite different; they must be broken in as we were broken in +when we were colts, and just be taught what's what. The other children +had ridden me about for nearly two hours, and then the boys thought +it was their turn, and so it was, and I was quite agreeable. +They rode me by turns, and I galloped them about, up and down the fields +and all about the orchard, for a good hour. They had each cut +a great hazel stick for a riding-whip, and laid it on a little too hard; +but I took it in good part, till at last I thought we had had enough, +so I stopped two or three times by way of a hint. Boys, you see, +think a horse or pony is like a steam-engine or a thrashing-machine, +and can go on as long and as fast as they please; they never think +that a pony can get tired, or have any feelings; so as the one +who was whipping me could not understand I just rose up on my hind legs +and let him slip off behind -- that was all. He mounted me again, +and I did the same. Then the other boy got up, and as soon +as he began to use his stick I laid him on the grass, and so on, +till they were able to understand -- that was all. They are not bad boys; +they don't wish to be cruel. I like them very well; but you see +I had to give them a lesson. When they brought me to James and told him +I think he was very angry to see such big sticks. He said they were only fit +for drovers or gypsies, and not for young gentlemen." + +"If I had been you," said Ginger, "I would have given those boys a good kick, +and that would have given them a lesson." + +"No doubt you would," said Merrylegs; "but then I am not quite such a fool +(begging your pardon) as to anger our master or make James ashamed of me. +Besides, those children are under my charge when they are riding; +I tell you they are intrusted to me. Why, only the other day +I heard our master say to Mrs. Blomefield, `My dear madam, you need not be +anxious about the children; my old Merrylegs will take as much care of them +as you or I could; I assure you I would not sell that pony for any money, +he is so perfectly good-tempered and trustworthy;' and do you think +I am such an ungrateful brute as to forget all the kind treatment +I have had here for five years, and all the trust they place in me, +and turn vicious because a couple of ignorant boys used me badly? +No, no! you never had a good place where they were kind to you, +and so you don't know, and I'm sorry for you; but I can tell you +good places make good horses. I wouldn't vex our people for anything; +I love them, I do," said Merrylegs, and he gave a low "ho, ho, ho!" +through his nose, as he used to do in the morning when he heard +James' footstep at the door. + +"Besides," he went on, "if I took to kicking where should I be? Why, +sold off in a jiffy, and no character, and I might find myself slaved about +under a butcher's boy, or worked to death at some seaside place +where no one cared for me, except to find out how fast I could go, +or be flogged along in some cart with three or four great men in it +going out for a Sunday spree, as I have often seen in the place I lived in +before I came here; no," said he, shaking his head, "I hope I shall never +come to that." + + + + +10 A Talk in the Orchard + + + +Ginger and I were not of the regular tall carriage horse breed, we had more +of the racing blood in us. We stood about fifteen and a half hands high; +we were therefore just as good for riding as we were for driving, +and our master used to say that he disliked either horse or man that could do +but one thing; and as he did not want to show off in London parks, +he preferred a more active and useful kind of horse. As for us, +our greatest pleasure was when we were saddled for a riding party; +the master on Ginger, the mistress on me, and the young ladies +on Sir Oliver and Merrylegs. It was so cheerful to be trotting and cantering +all together that it always put us in high spirits. I had the best of it, +for I always carried the mistress; her weight was little, +her voice was sweet, and her hand was so light on the rein +that I was guided almost without feeling it. + +Oh! if people knew what a comfort to horses a light hand is, and how it keeps +a good mouth and a good temper, they surely would not chuck, and drag, +and pull at the rein as they often do. Our mouths are so tender that +where they have not been spoiled or hardened with bad or ignorant treatment, +they feel the slightest movement of the driver's hand, and we know +in an instant what is required of us. My mouth has never been spoiled, +and I believe that was why the mistress preferred me to Ginger, +although her paces were certainly quite as good. She used often to envy me, +and said it was all the fault of breaking in, and the gag bit in London, +that her mouth was not so perfect as mine; and then old Sir Oliver would say, +"There, there! don't vex yourself; you have the greatest honor; +a mare that can carry a tall man of our master's weight, +with all your spring and sprightly action, does not need +to hold her head down because she does not carry the lady; +we horses must take things as they come, and always be contented and willing +so long as we are kindly used." + +I had often wondered how it was that Sir Oliver had such a very short tail; +it really was only six or seven inches long, with a tassel of hair +hanging from it; and on one of our holidays in the orchard +I ventured to ask him by what accident it was that he had lost his tail. +"Accident!" he snorted with a fierce look, "it was no accident! +it was a cruel, shameful, cold-blooded act! When I was young +I was taken to a place where these cruel things were done; I was tied up, +and made fast so that I could not stir, and then they came and cut off +my long and beautiful tail, through the flesh and through the bone, +and took it away. + +"How dreadful!" I exclaimed. + +"Dreadful, ah! it was dreadful; but it was not only the pain, +though that was terrible and lasted a long time; it was not only +the indignity of having my best ornament taken from me, though that was bad; +but it was this, how could I ever brush the flies off +my sides and my hind legs any more? You who have tails +just whisk the flies off without thinking about it, and you can't tell +what a torment it is to have them settle upon you and sting and sting, +and have nothing in the world to lash them off with. I tell you +it is a lifelong wrong, and a lifelong loss; but thank heaven, +they don't do it now." + +"What did they do it for then?" said Ginger. + +"For fashion!" said the old horse with a stamp of his foot; "for fashion! +if you know what that means; there was not a well-bred young horse in my time +that had not his tail docked in that shameful way, just as if +the good God that made us did not know what we wanted and what looked best." + +"I suppose it is fashion that makes them strap our heads up +with those horrid bits that I was tortured with in London," said Ginger. + +"Of course it is," said he; "to my mind, fashion is one of the wickedest +things in the world. Now look, for instance, at the way they serve dogs, +cutting off their tails to make them look plucky, and shearing up +their pretty little ears to a point to make them both look sharp, forsooth. +I had a dear friend once, a brown terrier; `Skye' they called her. +She was so fond of me that she never would sleep out of my stall; +she made her bed under the manger, and there she had a litter +of five as pretty little puppies as need be; none were drowned, +for they were a valuable kind, and how pleased she was with them! and when +they got their eyes open and crawled about, it was a real pretty sight; +but one day the man came and took them all away; I thought he might be afraid +I should tread upon them. But it was not so; in the evening poor Skye +brought them back again, one by one in her mouth; not the happy little things +that they were, but bleeding and crying pitifully; they had all had +a piece of their tails cut off, and the soft flap of their pretty little ears +was cut quite off. How their mother licked them, and how troubled she was, +poor thing! I never forgot it. They healed in time, +and they forgot the pain, but the nice soft flap, that of course was intended +to protect the delicate part of their ears from dust and injury, +was gone forever. Why don't they cut their own children's ears into points +to make them look sharp? Why don't they cut the end off their noses +to make them look plucky? One would be just as sensible as the other. +What right have they to torment and disfigure God's creatures?" + +Sir Oliver, though he was so gentle, was a fiery old fellow, +and what he said was all so new to me, and so dreadful, +that I found a bitter feeling toward men rise up in my mind +that I never had before. Of course Ginger was very much excited; +she flung up her head with flashing eyes and distended nostrils, +declaring that men were both brutes and blockheads. + +"Who talks about blockheads?" said Merrylegs, who just came up +from the old apple-tree, where he had been rubbing himself against +the low branch. "Who talks about blockheads? I believe that is a bad word." + +"Bad words were made for bad things," said Ginger, and she told him +what Sir Oliver had said. + +"It is all true," said Merrylegs sadly, "and I've seen that about the dogs +over and over again where I lived first; but we won't talk about it here. +You know that master, and John and James are always good to us, and talking +against men in such a place as this doesn't seem fair or grateful, +and you know there are good masters and good grooms beside ours, +though of course ours are the best." + +This wise speech of good little Merrylegs, which we knew was quite true, +cooled us all down, especially Sir Oliver, who was dearly fond of his master; +and to turn the subject I said, "Can any one tell me the use of blinkers?" + +"No!" said Sir Oliver shortly, "because they are no use." + +"They are supposed," said Justice, the roan cob, in his calm way, +"to prevent horses from shying and starting, and getting so frightened +as to cause accidents." + +"Then what is the reason they do not put them on riding horses; +especially on ladies' horses?" said I. + +"There is no reason at all," said he quietly, "except the fashion; +they say that a horse would be so frightened to see the wheels +of his own cart or carriage coming behind him that he would be sure +to run away, although of course when he is ridden he sees them all about him +if the streets are crowded. I admit they do sometimes come too close +to be pleasant, but we don't run away; we are used to it, and understand it, +and if we never had blinkers put on we should never want them; +we should see what was there, and know what was what, +and be much less frightened than by only seeing bits of things +that we can't understand. Of course there may be some nervous horses +who have been hurt or frightened when they were young, +who may be the better for them; but as I never was nervous, I can't judge." + +"I consider," said Sir Oliver, "that blinkers are dangerous things +in the night; we horses can see much better in the dark than men can, +and many an accident would never have happened if horses might have had +the full use of their eyes. Some years ago, I remember, +there was a hearse with two horses returning one dark night, +and just by Farmer Sparrow's house, where the pond is close to the road, +the wheels went too near the edge, and the hearse was overturned +into the water; both the horses were drowned, and the driver hardly escaped. +Of course after this accident a stout white rail was put up that might be +easily seen, but if those horses had not been partly blinded, +they would of themselves have kept further from the edge, and no accident +would have happened. When our master's carriage was overturned, +before you came here, it was said that if the lamp on the left side had not +gone out, John would have seen the great hole that the road-makers had left; +and so he might, but if old Colin had not had blinkers on he would have +seen it, lamp or no lamp, for he was far too knowing an old horse +to run into danger. As it was, he was very much hurt, +the carriage was broken, and how John escaped nobody knew." + +"I should say," said Ginger, curling her nostril, "that these men, +who are so wise, had better give orders that in the future +all foals should be born with their eyes set just in the middle +of their foreheads, instead of on the side; they always think +they can improve upon nature and mend what God has made." + +Things were getting rather sore again, when Merrylegs held up +his knowing little face and said, "I'll tell you a secret: I believe +John does not approve of blinkers; I heard him talking with master about it +one day. The master said that `if horses had been used to them, +it might be dangerous in some cases to leave them off'; +and John said he thought it would be a good thing if all colts +were broken in without blinkers, as was the case in some foreign countries. +So let us cheer up, and have a run to the other end of the orchard; +I believe the wind has blown down some apples, and we might +just as well eat them as the slugs." + +Merrylegs could not be resisted, so we broke off our long conversation, +and got up our spirits by munching some very sweet apples +which lay scattered on the grass. + + + + +11 Plain Speaking + + + +The longer I lived at Birtwick the more proud and happy I felt +at having such a place. Our master and mistress were respected and beloved +by all who knew them; they were good and kind to everybody and everything; +not only men and women, but horses and donkeys, dogs and cats, +cattle and birds; there was no oppressed or ill-used creature +that had not a friend in them, and their servants took the same tone. +If any of the village children were known to treat any creature cruelly +they soon heard about it from the Hall. + +The squire and Farmer Grey had worked together, as they said, +for more than twenty years to get check-reins on the cart-horses +done away with, and in our parts you seldom saw them; and sometimes, +if mistress met a heavily laden horse with his head strained up +she would stop the carriage and get out, and reason with the driver +in her sweet serious voice, and try to show him how foolish and cruel it was. + +I don't think any man could withstand our mistress. I wish all ladies +were like her. Our master, too, used to come down very heavy sometimes. +I remember he was riding me toward home one morning when we saw +a powerful man driving toward us in a light pony chaise, +with a beautiful little bay pony, with slender legs and a high-bred +sensitive head and face. Just as he came to the park gates +the little thing turned toward them; the man, without word or warning, +wrenched the creature's head round with such a force and suddenness +that he nearly threw it on its haunches. Recovering itself it was going on, +when he began to lash it furiously. The pony plunged forward, +but the strong, heavy hand held the pretty creature back +with force almost enough to break its jaw, while the whip still cut into him. +It was a dreadful sight to me, for I knew what fearful pain it gave +that delicate little mouth; but master gave me the word, +and we were up with him in a second. + +"Sawyer," he cried in a stern voice, "is that pony made of flesh and blood?" + +"Flesh and blood and temper," he said; "he's too fond of his own will, +and that won't suit me." He spoke as if he was in a strong passion. +He was a builder who had often been to the park on business. + +"And do you think," said master sternly, "that treatment like this +will make him fond of your will?" + +"He had no business to make that turn; his road was straight on!" +said the man roughly. + +"You have often driven that pony up to my place," said master; +"it only shows the creature's memory and intelligence; how did he know +that you were not going there again? But that has little to do with it. +I must say, Mr. Sawyer, that a more unmanly, brutal treatment +of a little pony it was never my painful lot to witness, +and by giving way to such passion you injure your own character as much, +nay more, than you injure your horse; and remember, we shall all have to be +judged according to our works, whether they be toward man or toward beast." + +Master rode me home slowly, and I could tell by his voice +how the thing had grieved him. He was just as free to speak +to gentlemen of his own rank as to those below him; for another day, +when we were out, we met a Captain Langley, a friend of our master's; +he was driving a splendid pair of grays in a kind of break. +After a little conversation the captain said: + +"What do you think of my new team, Mr. Douglas? You know, +you are the judge of horses in these parts, and I should like your opinion." + +The master backed me a little, so as to get a good view of them. +"They are an uncommonly handsome pair," he said, "and if they are +as good as they look I am sure you need not wish for anything better; +but I see you still hold that pet scheme of yours for worrying your horses +and lessening their power." + +"What do you mean," said the other, "the check-reins? Oh, ah! +I know that's a hobby of yours; well, the fact is, I like to see my horses +hold their heads up." + +"So do I," said master, "as well as any man, but I don't like to see them +held up; that takes all the shine out of it. Now, you are a military man, +Langley, and no doubt like to see your regiment look well on parade, +`heads up', and all that; but you would not take much credit for your drill +if all your men had their heads tied to a backboard! It might not be +much harm on parade, except to worry and fatigue them; but how would it be +in a bayonet charge against the enemy, when they want the free use +of every muscle, and all their strength thrown forward? +I would not give much for their chance of victory. And it is just the same +with horses: you fret and worry their tempers, and decrease their power; +you will not let them throw their weight against their work, +and so they have to do too much with their joints and muscles, +and of course it wears them up faster. You may depend upon it, +horses were intended to have their heads free, as free as men's are; +and if we could act a little more according to common sense, +and a good deal less according to fashion, we should find many things +work easier; besides, you know as well as I that if a horse makes +a false step, he has much less chance of recovering himself +if his head and neck are fastened back. And now," said the master, laughing, +"I have given my hobby a good trot out, can't you make up your mind +to mount him, too, captain? Your example would go a long way." + +"I believe you are right in theory," said the other, +"and that's rather a hard hit about the soldiers; but -- well -- +I'll think about it," and so they parted. + + + + +12 A Stormy Day + + + +One day late in the autumn my master had a long journey to go on business. +I was put into the dog-cart, and John went with his master. +I always liked to go in the dog-cart, it was so light and the high wheels +ran along so pleasantly. There had been a great deal of rain, +and now the wind was very high and blew the dry leaves across the road +in a shower. We went along merrily till we came to the toll-bar +and the low wooden bridge. The river banks were rather high, +and the bridge, instead of rising, went across just level, +so that in the middle, if the river was full, the water would be nearly up to +the woodwork and planks; but as there were good substantial rails +on each side, people did not mind it. + +The man at the gate said the river was rising fast, and he feared it would be +a bad night. Many of the meadows were under water, and in one low part +of the road the water was halfway up to my knees; the bottom was good, +and master drove gently, so it was no matter. + +When we got to the town of course I had a good bait, +but as the master's business engaged him a long time +we did not start for home till rather late in the afternoon. +The wind was then much higher, and I heard the master say to John +that he had never been out in such a storm; and so I thought, +as we went along the skirts of a wood, where the great branches +were swaying about like twigs, and the rushing sound was terrible. + +"I wish we were well out of this wood," said my master. + +"Yes, sir," said John, "it would be rather awkward if one of these branches +came down upon us." + +The words were scarcely out of his mouth when there was a groan, and a crack, +and a splitting sound, and tearing, crashing down among the other trees +came an oak, torn up by the roots, and it fell right across the road +just before us. I will never say I was not frightened, for I was. +I stopped still, and I believe I trembled; of course I did not turn round +or run away; I was not brought up to that. John jumped out +and was in a moment at my head. + +"That was a very near touch," said my master. "What's to be done now?" + +"Well, sir, we can't drive over that tree, nor yet get round it; +there will be nothing for it, but to go back to the four crossways, +and that will be a good six miles before we get round +to the wooden bridge again; it will make us late, but the horse is fresh." + +So back we went and round by the crossroads, but by the time we got +to the bridge it was very nearly dark; we could just see that the water +was over the middle of it; but as that happened sometimes +when the floods were out, master did not stop. We were going along +at a good pace, but the moment my feet touched the first part of the bridge +I felt sure there was something wrong. I dare not go forward, +and I made a dead stop. "Go on, Beauty," said my master, +and he gave me a touch with the whip, but I dare not stir; +he gave me a sharp cut; I jumped, but I dare not go forward. + +"There's something wrong, sir," said John, and he sprang out of the dog-cart +and came to my head and looked all about. He tried to lead me forward. +"Come on, Beauty, what's the matter?" Of course I could not tell him, +but I knew very well that the bridge was not safe. + +Just then the man at the toll-gate on the other side ran out of the house, +tossing a torch about like one mad. + +"Hoy, hoy, hoy! halloo! stop!" he cried. + +"What's the matter?" shouted my master. + +"The bridge is broken in the middle, and part of it is carried away; +if you come on you'll be into the river." + +"Thank God!" said my master. "You Beauty!" said John, and took the bridle +and gently turned me round to the right-hand road by the river side. +The sun had set some time; the wind seemed to have lulled off +after that furious blast which tore up the tree. It grew darker and darker, +stiller and stiller. I trotted quietly along, the wheels hardly making +a sound on the soft road. For a good while neither master nor John spoke, +and then master began in a serious voice. I could not understand much +of what they said, but I found they thought, if I had gone on as the master +wanted me, most likely the bridge would have given way under us, +and horse, chaise, master, and man would have fallen into the river; +and as the current was flowing very strongly, and there was no light +and no help at hand, it was more than likely we should all have been drowned. +Master said, God had given men reason, by which they could find out things +for themselves; but he had given animals knowledge which did not +depend on reason, and which was much more prompt and perfect in its way, +and by which they had often saved the lives of men. John had many +stories to tell of dogs and horses, and the wonderful things they had done; +he thought people did not value their animals half enough +nor make friends of them as they ought to do. I am sure +he makes friends of them if ever a man did. + +At last we came to the park gates and found the gardener looking out for us. +He said that mistress had been in a dreadful way ever since dark, +fearing some accident had happened, and that she had sent James off +on Justice, the roan cob, toward the wooden bridge to make inquiry after us. + +We saw a light at the hall-door and at the upper windows, +and as we came up mistress ran out, saying, "Are you really safe, my dear? +Oh! I have been so anxious, fancying all sorts of things. +Have you had no accident?" + +"No, my dear; but if your Black Beauty had not been wiser than we were +we should all have been carried down the river at the wooden bridge." +I heard no more, as they went into the house, and John took me to the stable. +Oh, what a good supper he gave me that night, a good bran mash +and some crushed beans with my oats, and such a thick bed of straw! +and I was glad of it, for I was tired. + + + + +13 The Devil's Trade Mark + + + +One day when John and I had been out on some business of our master's, +and were returning gently on a long, straight road, at some distance we saw +a boy trying to leap a pony over a gate; the pony would not take the leap, +and the boy cut him with the whip, but he only turned off on one side. +He whipped him again, but the pony turned off on the other side. +Then the boy got off and gave him a hard thrashing, and knocked him +about the head; then he got up again and tried to make him leap the gate, +kicking him all the time shamefully, but still the pony refused. +When we were nearly at the spot the pony put down his head and threw up +his heels, and sent the boy neatly over into a broad quickset hedge, +and with the rein dangling from his head he set off home at a full gallop. +John laughed out quite loud. "Served him right," he said. + +"Oh, oh, oh!" cried the boy as he struggled about among the thorns; +"I say, come and help me out." + +"Thank ye," said John, "I think you are quite in the right place, +and maybe a little scratching will teach you not to leap a pony over a gate +that is too high for him," and so with that John rode off. "It may be," +said he to himself, "that young fellow is a liar as well as a cruel one; +we'll just go home by Farmer Bushby's, Beauty, and then +if anybody wants to know you and I can tell 'em, ye see." +So we turned off to the right, and soon came up to the stack-yard, +and within sight of the house. The farmer was hurrying out into the road, +and his wife was standing at the gate, looking very frightened. + +"Have you seen my boy?" said Mr. Bushby as we came up; +"he went out an hour ago on my black pony, and the creature is just come back +without a rider." + +"I should think, sir," said John, "he had better be without a rider, +unless he can be ridden properly." + +"What do you mean?" said the farmer. + +"Well, sir, I saw your son whipping, and kicking, and knocking +that good little pony about shamefully because he would not leap a gate +that was too high for him. The pony behaved well, sir, and showed no vice; +but at last he just threw up his heels and tipped the young gentleman +into the thorn hedge. He wanted me to help him out, but I hope you will +excuse me, sir, I did not feel inclined to do so. There's no bones broken, +sir; he'll only get a few scratches. I love horses, and it riles me +to see them badly used; it is a bad plan to aggravate an animal +till he uses his heels; the first time is not always the last." + +During this time the mother began to cry, "Oh, my poor Bill, +I must go and meet him; he must be hurt." + +"You had better go into the house, wife," said the farmer; +"Bill wants a lesson about this, and I must see that he gets it; +this is not the first time, nor the second, that he has ill-used that pony, +and I shall stop it. I am much obliged to you, Manly. Good-evening." + +So we went on, John chuckling all the way home; then he told James about it, +who laughed and said, "Serve him right. I knew that boy at school; +he took great airs on himself because he was a farmer's son; +he used to swagger about and bully the little boys. Of course, +we elder ones would not have any of that nonsense, and let him know +that in the school and the playground farmers' sons and laborers' sons +were all alike. I well remember one day, just before afternoon school, +I found him at the large window catching flies and pulling off their wings. +He did not see me and I gave him a box on the ears that laid him sprawling +on the floor. Well, angry as I was, I was almost frightened, +he roared and bellowed in such a style. The boys rushed in +from the playground, and the master ran in from the road to see +who was being murdered. Of course I said fair and square at once +what I had done, and why; then I showed the master the flies, +some crushed and some crawling about helpless, and I showed him the wings +on the window sill. I never saw him so angry before; +but as Bill was still howling and whining, like the coward that he was, +he did not give him any more punishment of that kind, +but set him up on a stool for the rest of the afternoon, +and said that he should not go out to play for that week. +Then he talked to all the boys very seriously about cruelty, and said +how hard-hearted and cowardly it was to hurt the weak and the helpless; +but what stuck in my mind was this, he said that cruelty was the devil's +own trade-mark, and if we saw any one who took pleasure in cruelty +we might know who he belonged to, for the devil was a murderer +from the beginning, and a tormentor to the end. On the other hand, +where we saw people who loved their neighbors, and were kind +to man and beast, we might know that was God's mark." + +"Your master never taught you a truer thing," said John; +"there is no religion without love, and people may talk as much as they like +about their religion, but if it does not teach them to be good and kind +to man and beast it is all a sham -- all a sham, James, and it won't stand +when things come to be turned inside out." + + + + +14 James Howard + + + +Early one morning in December John had just led me into my box +after my daily exercise, and was strapping my cloth on +and James was coming in from the corn chamber with some oats, +when the master came into the stable. He looked rather serious, +and held an open letter in his hand. John fastened the door of my box, +touched his cap, and waited for orders. + +"Good-morning, John," said the master. "I want to know +if you have any complaint to make of James." + +"Complaint, sir? No, sir." + +"Is he industrious at his work and respectful to you?" + +"Yes, sir, always." + +"You never find he slights his work when your back is turned?" + +"Never, sir." + +"That's well; but I must put another question. Have you no reason +to suspect, when he goes out with the horses to exercise them +or to take a message, that he stops about talking to his acquaintances, +or goes into houses where he has no business, leaving the horses outside?" + +"No, sir, certainly not; and if anybody has been saying that about James, +I don't believe it, and I don't mean to believe it unless I have it +fairly proved before witnesses; it's not for me to say who has been trying +to take away James' character, but I will say this, sir, that a steadier, +pleasanter, honester, smarter young fellow I never had in this stable. +I can trust his word and I can trust his work; he is gentle and clever +with the horses, and I would rather have them in charge with him +than with half the young fellows I know of in laced hats and liveries; +and whoever wants a character of James Howard," said John, +with a decided jerk of his head, "let them come to John Manly." + +The master stood all this time grave and attentive, +but as John finished his speech a broad smile spread over his face, +and looking kindly across at James, who all this time had stood still +at the door, he said, "James, my lad, set down the oats and come here; +I am very glad to find that John's opinion of your character +agrees so exactly with my own. John is a cautious man," he said, +with a droll smile, "and it is not always easy to get his opinion +about people, so I thought if I beat the bush on this side +the birds would fly out, and I should learn what I wanted to know quickly; +so now we will come to business. I have a letter from my brother-in-law, +Sir Clifford Williams, of Clifford Hall. He wants me to find him +a trustworthy young groom, about twenty or twenty-one, +who knows his business. His old coachman, who has lived with him +thirty years, is getting feeble, and he wants a man to work with him +and get into his ways, who would be able, when the old man was pensioned off, +to step into his place. He would have eighteen shillings a week at first, +a stable suit, a driving suit, a bedroom over the coachhouse, +and a boy under him. Sir Clifford is a good master, +and if you could get the place it would be a good start for you. +I don't want to part with you, and if you left us I know John would lose +his right hand." + +"That I should, sir," said John, "but I would not stand in his light +for the world." + +"How old are you, James?" said master. + +"Nineteen next May, sir." + +"That's young; what do you think, John?" + +"Well, sir, it is young; but he is as steady as a man, and is strong, +and well grown, and though he has not had much experience in driving, +he has a light firm hand and a quick eye, and he is very careful, +and I am quite sure no horse of his will be ruined for want of having +his feet and shoes looked after." + +"Your word will go the furthest, John," said the master, +"for Sir Clifford adds in a postscript, `If I could find a man +trained by your John I should like him better than any other;' +so, James, lad, think it over, talk to your mother at dinner-time, +and then let me know what you wish." + +In a few days after this conversation it was fully settled +that James should go to Clifford Hall, in a month or six weeks, +as it suited his master, and in the meantime he was to get +all the practice in driving that could be given to him. I never knew +the carriage to go out so often before; when the mistress did not go out +the master drove himself in the two-wheeled chaise; but now, +whether it was master or the young ladies, or only an errand, +Ginger and I were put in the carriage and James drove us. +At the first John rode with him on the box, telling him this and that, +and after that James drove alone. + +Then it was wonderful what a number of places the master would go to +in the city on Saturday, and what queer streets we were driven through. +He was sure to go to the railway station just as the train was coming in, +and cabs and carriages, carts and omnibuses were all trying to get over +the bridge together; that bridge wanted good horses and good drivers +when the railway bell was ringing, for it was narrow, and there was +a very sharp turn up to the station, where it would not have been +at all difficult for people to run into each other, if they did not +look sharp and keep their wits about them. + + + + +15 The Old Hostler + + + +After this it was decided by my master and mistress to pay a visit +to some friends who lived about forty-six miles from our home, +and James was to drive them. The first day we traveled thirty-two miles. +There were some long, heavy hills, but James drove so carefully +and thoughtfully that we were not at all harassed. He never forgot to +put on the brake as we went downhill, nor to take it off at the right place. +He kept our feet on the smoothest part of the road, and if the uphill +was very long, he set the carriage wheels a little across the road, +so as not to run back, and gave us a breathing. All these little things +help a horse very much, particularly if he gets kind words into the bargain. + +We stopped once or twice on the road, and just as the sun was going down +we reached the town where we were to spend the night. We stopped at +the principal hotel, which was in the market-place; it was a very large one; +we drove under an archway into a long yard, at the further end of which +were the stables and coachhouses. Two hostlers came to take us out. +The head hostler was a pleasant, active little man, with a crooked leg, +and a yellow striped waistcoat. I never saw a man unbuckle harness +so quickly as he did, and with a pat and a good word he led me +to a long stable, with six or eight stalls in it, and two or three horses. +The other man brought Ginger; James stood by while we were +rubbed down and cleaned. + +I never was cleaned so lightly and quickly as by that little old man. +When he had done James stepped up and felt me over, as if he thought +I could not be thoroughly done, but he found my coat as clean and smooth +as silk. + +"Well," he said, "I thought I was pretty quick, and our John quicker still, +but you do beat all I ever saw for being quick and thorough +at the same time." + +"Practice makes perfect," said the crooked little hostler, +"and 'twould be a pity if it didn't; forty years' practice, and not perfect! +ha, ha! that would be a pity; and as to being quick, why, bless you! +that is only a matter of habit; if you get into the habit of being quick +it is just as easy as being slow; easier, I should say; +in fact it don't agree with my health to be hulking about over a job +twice as long as it need take. Bless you! I couldn't whistle +if I crawled over my work as some folks do! You see, +I have been about horses ever since I was twelve years old, +in hunting stables, and racing stables; and being small, ye see, +I was jockey for several years; but at the Goodwood, ye see, +the turf was very slippery and my poor Larkspur got a fall, +and I broke my knee, and so of course I was of no more use there. +But I could not live without horses, of course I couldn't, +so I took to the hotels. And I can tell ye it is a downright pleasure +to handle an animal like this, well-bred, well-mannered, well-cared-for; +bless ye! I can tell how a horse is treated. Give me the handling of a horse +for twenty minutes, and I'll tell you what sort of a groom he has had. +Look at this one, pleasant, quiet, turns about just as you want him, +holds up his feet to be cleaned out, or anything else you please to wish; +then you'll find another fidgety, fretty, won't move the right way, +or starts across the stall, tosses up his head as soon as you come near him, +lays his ears, and seems afraid of you; or else squares about at you +with his heels. Poor things! I know what sort of treatment they have had. +If they are timid it makes them start or shy; if they are high-mettled +it makes them vicious or dangerous; their tempers are mostly made +when they are young. Bless you! they are like children, +train 'em up in the way they should go, as the good book says, +and when they are old they will not depart from it, if they have a chance." + +"I like to hear you talk," said James, "that's the way +we lay it down at home, at our master's." + +"Who is your master, young man? if it be a proper question. +I should judge he is a good one, from what I see." + +"He is Squire Gordon, of Birtwick Park, the other side the Beacon Hills," +said James. + +"Ah! so, so, I have heard tell of him; fine judge of horses, ain't he? +the best rider in the county." + +"I believe he is," said James, "but he rides very little now, +since the poor young master was killed." + +"Ah! poor gentleman; I read all about it in the paper at the time. +A fine horse killed, too, wasn't there?" + +"Yes," said James; "he was a splendid creature, brother to this one, +and just like him." + +"Pity! pity!" said the old man; "'twas a bad place to leap, if I remember; +a thin fence at top, a steep bank down to the stream, wasn't it? +No chance for a horse to see where he is going. Now, I am for bold riding +as much as any man, but still there are some leaps that only +a very knowing old huntsman has any right to take. A man's life +and a horse's life are worth more than a fox's tail; at least, +I should say they ought to be." + +During this time the other man had finished Ginger and had brought our corn, +and James and the old man left the stable together. + + + + +16 The Fire + + + +Later on in the evening a traveler's horse was brought in +by the second hostler, and while he was cleaning him +a young man with a pipe in his mouth lounged into the stable to gossip. + +"I say, Towler," said the hostler, "just run up the ladder into the loft and +put some hay down into this horse's rack, will you? only lay down your pipe." + +"All right," said the other, and went up through the trapdoor; +and I heard him step across the floor overhead and put down the hay. +James came in to look at us the last thing, and then the door was locked. + +I cannot say how long I had slept, nor what time in the night it was, +but I woke up very uncomfortable, though I hardly knew why. I got up; +the air seemed all thick and choking. I heard Ginger coughing +and one of the other horses seemed very restless; it was quite dark, +and I could see nothing, but the stable seemed full of smoke, +and I hardly knew how to breathe. + +The trapdoor had been left open, and I thought that was the place +it came through. I listened, and heard a soft rushing sort of noise +and a low crackling and snapping. I did not know what it was, but there was +something in the sound so strange that it made me tremble all over. +The other horses were all awake; some were pulling at their halters, +others stamping. + +At last I heard steps outside, and the hostler who had put up +the traveler's horse burst into the stable with a lantern, +and began to untie the horses, and try to lead them out; +but he seemed in such a hurry and so frightened himself +that he frightened me still more. The first horse would not go with him; +he tried the second and third, and they too would not stir. +He came to me next and tried to drag me out of the stall by force; +of course that was no use. He tried us all by turns +and then left the stable. + +No doubt we were very foolish, but danger seemed to be all round, +and there was nobody we knew to trust in, and all was strange and uncertain. +The fresh air that had come in through the open door made it +easier to breathe, but the rushing sound overhead grew louder, +and as I looked upward through the bars of my empty rack I saw a red light +flickering on the wall. Then I heard a cry of "Fire!" outside, +and the old hostler quietly and quickly came in; he got one horse out, +and went to another, but the flames were playing round the trapdoor, +and the roaring overhead was dreadful. + +The next thing I heard was James' voice, quiet and cheery, as it always was. + +"Come, my beauties, it is time for us to be off, so wake up and come along." +I stood nearest the door, so he came to me first, patting me as he came in. + +"Come, Beauty, on with your bridle, my boy, we'll soon be +out of this smother." It was on in no time; then he took the scarf +off his neck, and tied it lightly over my eyes, and patting and coaxing +he led me out of the stable. Safe in the yard, he slipped the scarf +off my eyes, and shouted, "Here somebody! take this horse while I go back +for the other." + +A tall, broad man stepped forward and took me, and James darted back +into the stable. I set up a shrill whinny as I saw him go. +Ginger told me afterward that whinny was the best thing I could have done +for her, for had she not heard me outside she would never have had courage +to come out. + +There was much confusion in the yard; the horses being got out +of other stables, and the carriages and gigs being pulled out +of houses and sheds, lest the flames should spread further. +On the other side the yard windows were thrown up, and people were shouting +all sorts of things; but I kept my eye fixed on the stable door, +where the smoke poured out thicker than ever, and I could see flashes +of red light; presently I heard above all the stir and din a loud, +clear voice, which I knew was master's: + +"James Howard! James Howard! Are you there?" There was no answer, +but I heard a crash of something falling in the stable, +and the next moment I gave a loud, joyful neigh, for I saw James +coming through the smoke leading Ginger with him; she was coughing violently, +and he was not able to speak. + +"My brave lad!" said master, laying his hand on his shoulder, +"are you hurt?" + +James shook his head, for he could not yet speak. + +"Ay," said the big man who held me; "he is a brave lad, and no mistake." + +"And now," said master, "when you have got your breath, James, +we'll get out of this place as quickly as we can," and we were moving +toward the entry, when from the market-place there came a sound +of galloping feet and loud rumbling wheels. + +"'Tis the fire-engine! the fire-engine!" shouted two or three voices, +"stand back, make way!" and clattering and thundering over the stones +two horses dashed into the yard with a heavy engine behind them. The firemen +leaped to the ground; there was no need to ask where the fire was -- +it was rolling up in a great blaze from the roof. + +We got out as fast as we could into the broad quiet market-place; +the stars were shining, and except the noise behind us, all was still. +Master led the way to a large hotel on the other side, +and as soon as the hostler came, he said, "James, I must now hasten +to your mistress; I trust the horses entirely to you, +order whatever you think is needed," and with that he was gone. +The master did not run, but I never saw mortal man walk so fast +as he did that night. + +There was a dreadful sound before we got into our stalls -- +the shrieks of those poor horses that were left burning to death +in the stable -- it was very terrible! and made both Ginger and me +feel very bad. We, however, were taken in and well done by. + +The next morning the master came to see how we were and to speak to James. +I did not hear much, for the hostler was rubbing me down, +but I could see that James looked very happy, and I thought the master +was proud of him. Our mistress had been so much alarmed in the night +that the journey was put off till the afternoon, so James had the morning +on hand, and went first to the inn to see about our harness and the carriage, +and then to hear more about the fire. When he came back we heard him tell +the hostler about it. At first no one could guess how the fire +had been caused, but at last a man said he saw Dick Towler go into the stable +with a pipe in his mouth, and when he came out he had not one, +and went to the tap for another. Then the under hostler said +he had asked Dick to go up the ladder to put down some hay, but told him +to lay down his pipe first. Dick denied taking the pipe with him, +but no one believed him. I remember our John Manly's rule, never to allow +a pipe in the stable, and thought it ought to be the rule everywhere. + +James said the roof and floor had all fallen in, and that only +the black walls were standing; the two poor horses that could not be got out +were buried under the burnt rafters and tiles. + + + + +17 John Manly's Talk + + + +The rest of our journey was very easy, and a little after sunset +we reached the house of my master's friend. We were taken into a clean, +snug stable; there was a kind coachman, who made us very comfortable, +and who seemed to think a good deal of James when he heard about the fire. + +"There is one thing quite clear, young man," he said, "your horses know +who they can trust; it is one of the hardest things in the world +to get horses out of a stable when there is either fire or flood. +I don't know why they won't come out, but they won't -- not one in twenty." + +We stopped two or three days at this place and then returned home. +All went well on the journey; we were glad to be in our own stable again, +and John was equally glad to see us. + +Before he and James left us for the night James said, +"I wonder who is coming in my place." + +"Little Joe Green at the lodge," said John. + +"Little Joe Green! why, he's a child!" + +"He is fourteen and a half," said John. + +"But he is such a little chap!" + +"Yes, he is small, but he is quick and willing, and kind-hearted, too, +and then he wishes very much to come, and his father would like it; +and I know the master would like to give him the chance. +He said if I thought he would not do he would look out for a bigger boy; +but I said I was quite agreeable to try him for six weeks." + +"Six weeks!" said James; "why, it will be six months before he can be +of much use! It will make you a deal of work, John." + +"Well," said John with a laugh, "work and I are very good friends; +I never was afraid of work yet." + +"You are a very good man," said James. "I wish I may ever be like you." + +"I don't often speak of myself," said John, "but as you are going +away from us out into the world to shift for yourself I'll just tell you +how I look on these things. I was just as old as Joseph +when my father and mother died of the fever within ten days of each other, +and left me and my cripple sister Nelly alone in the world, +without a relation that we could look to for help. I was a farmer's boy, +not earning enough to keep myself, much less both of us, +and she must have gone to the workhouse but for our mistress +(Nelly calls her her angel, and she has good right to do so). +She went and hired a room for her with old Widow Mallet, +and she gave her knitting and needlework when she was able to do it; +and when she was ill she sent her dinners and many nice, comfortable things, +and was like a mother to her. Then the master he took me into the stable +under old Norman, the coachman that was then. I had my food at the house +and my bed in the loft, and a suit of clothes, and three shillings a week, +so that I could help Nelly. Then there was Norman; +he might have turned round and said at his age he could not be troubled +with a raw boy from the plow-tail, but he was like a father to me, +and took no end of pains with me. When the old man died some years after +I stepped into his place, and now of course I have top wages, +and can lay by for a rainy day or a sunny day, as it may happen, +and Nelly is as happy as a bird. So you see, James, I am not the man +that should turn up his nose at a little boy and vex a good, kind master. +No, no! I shall miss you very much, James, but we shall pull through, +and there's nothing like doing a kindness when 'tis put in your way, +and I am glad I can do it." + +"Then," said James, "you don't hold with that saying, +`Everybody look after himself, and take care of number one'?" + +"No, indeed," said John, "where should I and Nelly have been +if master and mistress and old Norman had only taken care of number one? +Why, she in the workhouse and I hoeing turnips! Where would Black Beauty +and Ginger have been if you had only thought of number one? why, +roasted to death! No, Jim, no! that is a selfish, heathenish saying, +whoever uses it; and any man who thinks he has nothing to do +but take care of number one, why, it's a pity but what he had been drowned +like a puppy or a kitten, before he got his eyes open; that's what I think," +said John, with a very decided jerk of his head. + +James laughed at this; but there was a thickness in his voice when he said, +"You have been my best friend except my mother; I hope you won't forget me." + +"No, lad, no!" said John, "and if ever I can do you a good turn +I hope you won't forget me." + +The next day Joe came to the stables to learn all he could before James left. +He learned to sweep the stable, to bring in the straw and hay; +he began to clean the harness, and helped to wash the carriage. +As he was quite too short to do anything in the way of grooming +Ginger and me, James taught him upon Merrylegs, for he was to have +full charge of him, under John. He was a nice little bright fellow, +and always came whistling to his work. + +Merrylegs was a good deal put out at being "mauled about," as he said, +"by a boy who knew nothing;" but toward the end of the second week +he told me confidentially that he thought the boy would turn out well. + +At last the day came when James had to leave us; cheerful as he always was, +he looked quite down-hearted that morning. + +"You see," he said to John, "I am leaving a great deal behind; +my mother and Betsy, and you, and a good master and mistress, +and then the horses, and my old Merrylegs. At the new place +there will not be a soul that I shall know. If it were not that +I shall get a higher place, and be able to help my mother better, +I don't think I should have made up my mind to it; it is a real pinch, John." + +"Ay, James, lad, so it is; but I should not think much of you +if you could leave your home for the first time and not feel it. Cheer up, +you'll make friends there; and if you get on well, as I am sure you will, +it will be a fine thing for your mother, and she will be proud enough +that you have got into such a good place as that." + +So John cheered him up, but every one was sorry to lose James; +as for Merrylegs, he pined after him for several days, and went quite off +his appetite. So John took him out several mornings with a leading rein, +when he exercised me, and, trotting and galloping by my side, +got up the little fellow's spirits again, and he was soon all right. + +Joe's father would often come in and give a little help, +as he understood the work; and Joe took a great deal of pains to learn, +and John was quite encouraged about him. + + + + +18 Going for the Doctor + + + +One night, a few days after James had left, I had eaten my hay +and was lying down in my straw fast asleep, when I was suddenly roused +by the stable bell ringing very loud. I heard the door of John's house open, +and his feet running up to the hall. He was back again in no time; +he unlocked the stable door, and came in, calling out, "Wake up, Beauty! +You must go well now, if ever you did;" and almost before I could think +he had got the saddle on my back and the bridle on my head. +He just ran round for his coat, and then took me at a quick trot +up to the hall door. The squire stood there, with a lamp in his hand. + +"Now, John," he said, "ride for your life -- that is, +for your mistress' life; there is not a moment to lose. +Give this note to Dr. White; give your horse a rest at the inn, +and be back as soon as you can." + +John said, "Yes, sir," and was on my back in a minute. +The gardener who lived at the lodge had heard the bell ring, +and was ready with the gate open, and away we went through the park, +and through the village, and down the hill till we came to the toll-gate. +John called very loud and thumped upon the door; the man was soon out +and flung open the gate. + +"Now," said John, "do you keep the gate open for the doctor; +here's the money," and off he went again. + +There was before us a long piece of level road by the river side; +John said to me, "Now, Beauty, do your best," and so I did; +I wanted no whip nor spur, and for two miles I galloped as fast as +I could lay my feet to the ground; I don't believe that my old grandfather, +who won the race at Newmarket, could have gone faster. When we came +to the bridge John pulled me up a little and patted my neck. "Well done, +Beauty! good old fellow," he said. He would have let me go slower, +but my spirit was up, and I was off again as fast as before. +The air was frosty, the moon was bright; it was very pleasant. +We came through a village, then through a dark wood, then uphill, +then downhill, till after eight miles' run we came to the town, +through the streets and into the market-place. It was all quite still +except the clatter of my feet on the stones -- everybody was asleep. +The church clock struck three as we drew up at Dr. White's door. +John rang the bell twice, and then knocked at the door like thunder. +A window was thrown up, and Dr. White, in his nightcap, +put his head out and said, "What do you want?" + +"Mrs. Gordon is very ill, sir; master wants you to go at once; +he thinks she will die if you cannot get there. Here is a note." + +"Wait," he said, "I will come." + +He shut the window, and was soon at the door. + +"The worst of it is," he said, "that my horse has been out all day +and is quite done up; my son has just been sent for, +and he has taken the other. What is to be done? Can I have your horse?" + +"He has come at a gallop nearly all the way, sir, and I was to give him +a rest here; but I think my master would not be against it, +if you think fit, sir." + +"All right," he said; "I will soon be ready." + +John stood by me and stroked my neck; I was very hot. The doctor came out +with his riding-whip. + +"You need not take that, sir," said John; "Black Beauty will go +till he drops. Take care of him, sir, if you can; I should not like +any harm to come to him." + +"No, no, John," said the doctor, "I hope not," and in a minute +we had left John far behind. + +I will not tell about our way back. The doctor was a heavier man than John, +and not so good a rider; however, I did my very best. +The man at the toll-gate had it open. When we came to the hill +the doctor drew me up. "Now, my good fellow," he said, "take some breath." +I was glad he did, for I was nearly spent, but that breathing helped me on, +and soon we were in the park. Joe was at the lodge gate; +my master was at the hall door, for he had heard us coming. +He spoke not a word; the doctor went into the house with him, +and Joe led me to the stable. I was glad to get home; +my legs shook under me, and I could only stand and pant. +I had not a dry hair on my body, the water ran down my legs, +and I steamed all over, Joe used to say, like a pot on the fire. +Poor Joe! he was young and small, and as yet he knew very little, +and his father, who would have helped him, had been sent to the next village; +but I am sure he did the very best he knew. He rubbed my legs and my chest, +but he did not put my warm cloth on me; he thought I was so hot +I should not like it. Then he gave me a pailful of water to drink; +it was cold and very good, and I drank it all; then he gave me +some hay and some corn, and thinking he had done right, he went away. +Soon I began to shake and tremble, and turned deadly cold; my legs ached, +my loins ached, and my chest ached, and I felt sore all over. +Oh! how I wished for my warm, thick cloth, as I stood and trembled. +I wished for John, but he had eight miles to walk, so I lay down in my straw +and tried to go to sleep. After a long while I heard John at the door; +I gave a low moan, for I was in great pain. He was at my side in a moment, +stooping down by me. I could not tell him how I felt, +but he seemed to know it all; he covered me up with two or three warm cloths, +and then ran to the house for some hot water; he made me some warm gruel, +which I drank, and then I think I went to sleep. + +John seemed to be very much put out. I heard him say to himself +over and over again, "Stupid boy! stupid boy! no cloth put on, +and I dare say the water was cold, too; boys are no good;" +but Joe was a good boy, after all. + +I was now very ill; a strong inflammation had attacked my lungs, +and I could not draw my breath without pain. John nursed me night and day; +he would get up two or three times in the night to come to me. +My master, too, often came to see me. "My poor Beauty," he said one day, +"my good horse, you saved your mistress' life, Beauty; +yes, you saved her life." I was very glad to hear that, +for it seems the doctor had said if we had been a little longer +it would have been too late. John told my master he never saw a horse +go so fast in his life. It seemed as if the horse knew what was the matter. +Of course I did, though John thought not; at least I knew as much as this -- +that John and I must go at the top of our speed, and that it was +for the sake of the mistress. + + + + +19 Only Ignorance + + + +I do not know how long I was ill. Mr. Bond, the horse-doctor, +came every day. One day he bled me; John held a pail for the blood. +I felt very faint after it and thought I should die, and I believe +they all thought so too. + +Ginger and Merrylegs had been moved into the other stable, +so that I might be quiet, for the fever made me very quick of hearing; +any little noise seemed quite loud, and I could tell every one's footstep +going to and from the house. I knew all that was going on. +One night John had to give me a draught; Thomas Green came in to help him. +After I had taken it and John had made me as comfortable as he could, +he said he should stay half an hour to see how the medicine settled. +Thomas said he would stay with him, so they went and sat down on a bench +that had been brought into Merrylegs' stall, and put down the lantern +at their feet, that I might not be disturbed with the light. + +For awhile both men sat silent, and then Tom Green said in a low voice: + +"I wish, John, you'd say a bit of a kind word to Joe. +The boy is quite broken-hearted; he can't eat his meals, and he can't smile. +He says he knows it was all his fault, though he is sure he did the best +he knew, and he says if Beauty dies no one will ever speak to him again. +It goes to my heart to hear him. I think you might give him just a word; +he is not a bad boy." + +After a short pause John said slowly, "You must not be too hard upon me, Tom. +I know he meant no harm, I never said he did; I know he is not a bad boy. +But you see, I am sore myself; that horse is the pride of my heart, +to say nothing of his being such a favorite with the master and mistress; +and to think that his life may be flung away in this manner +is more than I can bear. But if you think I am hard on the boy +I will try to give him a good word to-morrow -- that is, +I mean if Beauty is better." + +"Well, John, thank you. I knew you did not wish to be too hard, +and I am glad you see it was only ignorance." + +John's voice almost startled me as he answered: + +"Only ignorance! only ignorance! how can you talk about only ignorance? +Don't you know that it is the worst thing in the world, next to wickedness? +-- and which does the most mischief heaven only knows. If people can say, +`Oh! I did not know, I did not mean any harm,' they think it is all right. +I suppose Martha Mulwash did not mean to kill that baby +when she dosed it with Dalby and soothing syrups; but she did kill it, +and was tried for manslaughter." + +"And serve her right, too," said Tom. "A woman should not undertake to nurse +a tender little child without knowing what is good and what is bad for it." + +"Bill Starkey," continued John, "did not mean to frighten his brother +into fits when he dressed up like a ghost and ran after him in the moonlight; +but he did; and that bright, handsome little fellow, that might have been +the pride of any mother's heart is just no better than an idiot, +and never will be, if he lives to be eighty years old. +You were a good deal cut up yourself, Tom, two weeks ago, +when those young ladies left your hothouse door open, with a frosty east wind +blowing right in; you said it killed a good many of your plants." + +"A good many!" said Tom; "there was not one of the tender cuttings +that was not nipped off. I shall have to strike all over again, +and the worst of it is that I don't know where to go to get fresh ones. +I was nearly mad when I came in and saw what was done." + +"And yet," said John, "I am sure the young ladies did not mean it; +it was only ignorance." + +I heard no more of this conversation, for the medicine did well +and sent me to sleep, and in the morning I felt much better; +but I often thought of John's words when I came to know more of the world. + + + + +20 Joe Green + + + +Joe Green went on very well; he learned quickly, and was so +attentive and careful that John began to trust him in many things; +but as I have said, he was small of his age, and it was seldom +that he was allowed to exercise either Ginger or me; but it so happened +one morning that John was out with Justice in the luggage cart, +and the master wanted a note to be taken immediately to a gentleman's house, +about three miles distant, and sent his orders for Joe to saddle me +and take it, adding the caution that he was to ride steadily. + +The note was delivered, and we were quietly returning when we came +to the brick-field. Here we saw a cart heavily laden with bricks; +the wheels had stuck fast in the stiff mud of some deep ruts, +and the carter was shouting and flogging the two horses unmercifully. +Joe pulled up. It was a sad sight. There were the two horses +straining and struggling with all their might to drag the cart out, +but they could not move it; the sweat streamed from their legs and flanks, +their sides heaved, and every muscle was strained, while the man, +fiercely pulling at the head of the fore horse, swore and lashed +most brutally. + +"Hold hard," said Joe; "don't go on flogging the horses like that; +the wheels are so stuck that they cannot move the cart." + +The man took no heed, but went on lashing. + +"Stop! pray stop!" said Joe. "I'll help you to lighten the cart; +they can't move it now." + +"Mind your own business, you impudent young rascal, and I'll mind mine!" +The man was in a towering passion and the worse for drink, +and laid on the whip again. Joe turned my head, and the next moment +we were going at a round gallop toward the house of the master brick-maker. +I cannot say if John would have approved of our pace, but Joe and I +were both of one mind, and so angry that we could not have gone slower. + +The house stood close by the roadside. Joe knocked at the door, +and shouted, "Halloo! Is Mr. Clay at home?" The door was opened, +and Mr. Clay himself came out. + +"Halloo, young man! You seem in a hurry; any orders from the squire +this morning?" + +"No, Mr. Clay, but there's a fellow in your brick-yard +flogging two horses to death. I told him to stop, and he wouldn't; +I said I'd help him to lighten the cart, and he wouldn't; so I have come +to tell you. Pray, sir, go." Joe's voice shook with excitement. + +"Thank ye, my lad," said the man, running in for his hat; +then pausing for a moment, "Will you give evidence of what you saw +if I should bring the fellow up before a magistrate?" + +"That I will," said Joe, "and glad too." The man was gone, +and we were on our way home at a smart trot. + +"Why, what's the matter with you, Joe? You look angry all over," said John, +as the boy flung himself from the saddle. + +"I am angry all over, I can tell you," said the boy, and then in hurried, +excited words he told all that had happened. Joe was usually such a quiet, +gentle little fellow that it was wonderful to see him so roused. + +"Right, Joe! you did right, my boy, whether the fellow gets a summons or not. +Many folks would have ridden by and said it was not their business +to interfere. Now I say that with cruelty and oppression it is +everybody's business to interfere when they see it; you did right, my boy." + +Joe was quite calm by this time, and proud that John approved of him, +and cleaned out my feet and rubbed me down with a firmer hand than usual. + +They were just going home to dinner when the footman came down to the stable +to say that Joe was wanted directly in master's private room; +there was a man brought up for ill-using horses, and Joe's evidence +was wanted. The boy flushed up to his forehead, and his eyes sparkled. +"They shall have it," said he. + +"Put yourself a bit straight," said John. Joe gave a pull at his necktie +and a twitch at his jacket, and was off in a moment. Our master being +one of the county magistrates, cases were often brought to him to settle, +or say what should be done. In the stable we heard no more for some time, +as it was the men's dinner hour, but when Joe came next into the stable +I saw he was in high spirits; he gave me a good-natured slap, and said, +"We won't see such things done, will we, old fellow?" We heard afterward +that he had given his evidence so clearly, and the horses were in such +an exhausted state, bearing marks of such brutal usage, that the carter +was committed to take his trial, and might possibly be sentenced +to two or three months in prison. + +It was wonderful what a change had come over Joe. John laughed, +and said he had grown an inch taller in that week, and I believe he had. +He was just as kind and gentle as before, but there was more purpose +and determination in all that he did -- as if he had jumped at once +from a boy into a man. + + + + +21 The Parting + + + +Now I had lived in this happy place three years, but sad changes were about +to come over us. We heard from time to time that our mistress was ill. +The doctor was often at the house, and the master looked grave and anxious. +Then we heard that she must leave her home at once, and go to a warm country +for two or three years. The news fell upon the household like the tolling +of a deathbell. Everybody was sorry; but the master began directly +to make arrangements for breaking up his establishment and leaving England. +We used to hear it talked about in our stable; indeed, +nothing else was talked about. + +John went about his work silent and sad, and Joe scarcely whistled. +There was a great deal of coming and going; Ginger and I had full work. + +The first of the party who went were Miss Jessie and Flora, +with their governess. They came to bid us good-by. +They hugged poor Merrylegs like an old friend, and so indeed he was. +Then we heard what had been arranged for us. Master had sold Ginger and me +to his old friend, the Earl of W----, for he thought we should have +a good place there. Merrylegs he had given to the vicar, +who was wanting a pony for Mrs. Blomefield, but it was on the condition +that he should never be sold, and that when he was past work +he should be shot and buried. + +Joe was engaged to take care of him and to help in the house, +so I thought that Merrylegs was well off. John had the offer +of several good places, but he said he should wait a little and look round. + +The evening before they left the master came into the stable +to give some directions, and to give his horses the last pat. +He seemed very low-spirited; I knew that by his voice. +I believe we horses can tell more by the voice than many men can. + +"Have you decided what to do, John?" he said. "I find you have not accepted +either of those offers." + +"No, sir; I have made up my mind that if I could get a situation +with some first-rate colt-breaker and horse-trainer, it would be +the right thing for me. Many young animals are frightened and spoiled +by wrong treatment, which need not be if the right man took them in hand. +I always get on well with horses, and if I could help some of them +to a fair start I should feel as if I was doing some good. +What do you think of it, sir?" + +"I don't know a man anywhere," said master, "that I should think +so suitable for it as yourself. You understand horses, +and somehow they understand you, and in time you might set up for yourself; +I think you could not do better. If in any way I can help you, write to me. +I shall speak to my agent in London, and leave your character with him." + +Master gave John the name and address, and then he thanked him +for his long and faithful service; but that was too much for John. +"Pray, don't, sir, I can't bear it; you and my dear mistress have done +so much for me that I could never repay it. But we shall never forget you, +sir, and please God, we may some day see mistress back again like herself; +we must keep up hope, sir." Master gave John his hand, but he did not speak, +and they both left the stable. + +The last sad day had come; the footman and the heavy luggage had gone off +the day before, and there were only master and mistress and her maid. +Ginger and I brought the carriage up to the hall door for the last time. +The servants brought out cushions and rugs and many other things; +and when all were arranged master came down the steps carrying the mistress +in his arms (I was on the side next to the house, and could see +all that went on); he placed her carefully in the carriage, +while the house servants stood round crying. + +"Good-by, again," he said; "we shall not forget any of you," and he got in. +"Drive on, John." + +Joe jumped up, and we trotted slowly through the park +and through the village, where the people were standing at their doors +to have a last look and to say, "God bless them." + +When we reached the railway station I think mistress walked from the carriage +to the waiting-room. I heard her say in her own sweet voice, "Good-by, John. +God bless you." I felt the rein twitch, but John made no answer; +perhaps he could not speak. As soon as Joe had taken the things +out of the carriage John called him to stand by the horses, +while he went on the platform. Poor Joe! he stood close up to our heads +to hide his tears. Very soon the train came puffing up into the station; +then two or three minutes, and the doors were slammed to, the guard whistled, +and the train glided away, leaving behind it only clouds of white smoke +and some very heavy hearts. + +When it was quite out of sight John came back. + +"We shall never see her again," he said -- "never." He took the reins, +mounted the box, and with Joe drove slowly home; but it was not our home now. + + + + + + + Part II + + + + + + +22 Earlshall + + + +The next morning after breakfast Joe put Merrylegs into +the mistress' low chaise to take him to the vicarage; he came first +and said good-by to us, and Merrylegs neighed to us from the yard. +Then John put the saddle on Ginger and the leading rein on me, +and rode us across the country about fifteen miles to Earlshall Park, +where the Earl of W---- lived. There was a very fine house +and a great deal of stabling. We went into the yard through a stone gateway, +and John asked for Mr. York. It was some time before he came. +He was a fine-looking, middle-aged man, and his voice said at once +that he expected to be obeyed. He was very friendly and polite to John, +and after giving us a slight look he called a groom to take us to our boxes, +and invited John to take some refreshment. + +We were taken to a light, airy stable, and placed in boxes +adjoining each other, where we were rubbed down and fed. +In about half an hour John and Mr. York, who was to be our new coachman, +came in to see us. + +"Now, Mr. Manly," he said, after carefully looking at us both, +"I can see no fault in these horses; but we all know that horses +have their peculiarities as well as men, and that sometimes they need +different treatment. I should like to know if there is anything particular +in either of these that you would like to mention." + +"Well," said John, "I don't believe there is a better pair of horses +in the country, and right grieved I am to part with them, +but they are not alike. The black one is the most perfect temper +I ever knew; I suppose he has never known a hard word or a blow +since he was foaled, and all his pleasure seems to be to do what you wish; +but the chestnut, I fancy, must have had bad treatment; +we heard as much from the dealer. She came to us snappish and suspicious, +but when she found what sort of place ours was, it all went off by degrees; +for three years I have never seen the smallest sign of temper, +and if she is well treated there is not a better, more willing animal +than she is. But she is naturally a more irritable constitution +than the black horse; flies tease her more; anything wrong in the harness +frets her more; and if she were ill-used or unfairly treated +she would not be unlikely to give tit for tat. You know that +many high-mettled horses will do so." + +"Of course," said York, "I quite understand; but you know it is not easy +in stables like these to have all the grooms just what they should be. +I do my best, and there I must leave it. I'll remember what you have said +about the mare." + +They were going out of the stable, when John stopped and said, +"I had better mention that we have never used the check-rein +with either of them; the black horse never had one on, +and the dealer said it was the gag-bit that spoiled the other's temper." + +"Well," said York, "if they come here they must wear the check-rein. +I prefer a loose rein myself, and his lordship is always very reasonable +about horses; but my lady -- that's another thing; she will have style, +and if her carriage horses are not reined up tight she wouldn't look at them. +I always stand out against the gag-bit, and shall do so, +but it must be tight up when my lady rides!" + +"I am sorry for it, very sorry," said John; "but I must go now, +or I shall lose the train." + +He came round to each of us to pat and speak to us for the last time; +his voice sounded very sad. + +I held my face close to him; that was all I could do to say good-by; +and then he was gone, and I have never seen him since. + +The next day Lord W---- came to look at us; he seemed pleased +with our appearance. + +"I have great confidence in these horses," he said, "from the character +my friend Mr. Gordon has given me of them. Of course they are not +a match in color, but my idea is that they will do very well for the carriage +while we are in the country. Before we go to London I must try +to match Baron; the black horse, I believe, is perfect for riding." + +York then told him what John had said about us. + +"Well," said he, "you must keep an eye to the mare, +and put the check-rein easy; I dare say they will do very well +with a little humoring at first. I'll mention it to your lady." + +In the afternoon we were harnessed and put in the carriage, +and as the stable clock struck three we were led round to the front +of the house. It was all very grand, and three or four times as large +as the old house at Birtwick, but not half so pleasant, +if a horse may have an opinion. Two footmen were standing ready, +dressed in drab livery, with scarlet breeches and white stockings. +Presently we heard the rustling sound of silk as my lady came down +the flight of stone steps. She stepped round to look at us; she was a tall, +proud-looking woman, and did not seem pleased about something, +but she said nothing, and got into the carriage. This was the first time +of wearing a check-rein, and I must say, though it certainly was a nuisance +not to be able to get my head down now and then, it did not pull my head +higher than I was accustomed to carry it. I felt anxious about Ginger, +but she seemed to be quiet and content. + +The next day at three o'clock we were again at the door, +and the footmen as before; we heard the silk dress rustle +and the lady came down the steps, and in an imperious voice she said, +"York, you must put those horses' heads higher; they are not fit to be seen." + +York got down, and said very respectfully, "I beg your pardon, my lady, +but these horses have not been reined up for three years, +and my lord said it would be safer to bring them to it by degrees; +but if your ladyship pleases I can take them up a little more." + +"Do so," she said. + +York came round to our heads and shortened the rein himself -- one hole, +I think; every little makes a difference, be it for better or worse, +and that day we had a steep hill to go up. Then I began to understand +what I had heard of. Of course, I wanted to put my head forward +and take the carriage up with a will, as we had been used to do; but no, +I had to pull with my head up now, and that took all the spirit out of me, +and the strain came on my back and legs. When we came in Ginger said, +"Now you see what it is like; but this is not bad, +and if it does not get much worse than this I shall say nothing about it, +for we are very well treated here; but if they strain me up tight, +why, let 'em look out! I can't bear it, and I won't." + +Day by day, hole by hole, our bearing reins were shortened, +and instead of looking forward with pleasure to having my harness put on, +as I used to do, I began to dread it. Ginger, too, seemed restless, +though she said very little. At last I thought the worst was over; +for several days there was no more shortening, and I determined +to make the best of it and do my duty, though it was now a constant harass +instead of a pleasure; but the worst was not come. + + + + +23 A Strike for Liberty + + + +One day my lady came down later than usual, and the silk rustled +more than ever. + +"Drive to the Duchess of B----'s," she said, and then after a pause, +"Are you never going to get those horses' heads up, York? +Raise them at once and let us have no more of this humoring and nonsense." + +York came to me first, while the groom stood at Ginger's head. +He drew my head back and fixed the rein so tight that it was +almost intolerable; then he went to Ginger, who was impatiently +jerking her head up and down against the bit, as was her way now. +She had a good idea of what was coming, and the moment York took the rein +off the terret in order to shorten it she took her opportunity +and reared up so suddenly that York had his nose roughly hit +and his hat knocked off; the groom was nearly thrown off his legs. +At once they both flew to her head; but she was a match for them, +and went on plunging, rearing, and kicking in a most desperate manner. +At last she kicked right over the carriage pole and fell down, +after giving me a severe blow on my near quarter. There is no knowing +what further mischief she might have done had not York promptly +sat himself down flat on her head to prevent her struggling, +at the same time calling out, "Unbuckle the black horse! +Run for the winch and unscrew the carriage pole! Cut the trace here, +somebody, if you can't unhitch it!" One of the footmen ran for the winch, +and another brought a knife from the house. The groom soon set me free +from Ginger and the carriage, and led me to my box. He just turned me in +as I was and ran back to York. I was much excited by what had happened, +and if I had ever been used to kick or rear I am sure I should have +done it then; but I never had, and there I stood, angry, sore in my leg, +my head still strained up to the terret on the saddle, +and no power to get it down. I was very miserable and felt much inclined +to kick the first person who came near me. + +Before long, however, Ginger was led in by two grooms, a good deal +knocked about and bruised. York came with her and gave his orders, +and then came to look at me. In a moment he let down my head. + +"Confound these check-reins!" he said to himself; "I thought we should have +some mischief soon. Master will be sorely vexed. But there, +if a woman's husband can't rule her of course a servant can't; +so I wash my hands of it, and if she can't get to the duchess' garden party +I can't help it." + +York did not say this before the men; he always spoke respectfully +when they were by. Now he felt me all over, and soon found the place +above my hock where I had been kicked. It was swelled and painful; +he ordered it to be sponged with hot water, and then some lotion was put on. + +Lord W---- was much put out when he learned what had happened; +he blamed York for giving way to his mistress, to which he replied +that in future he would much prefer to receive his orders only from +his lordship; but I think nothing came of it, for things went on +the same as before. I thought York might have stood up better +for his horses, but perhaps I am no judge. + +Ginger was never put into the carriage again, but when she was +well of her bruises one of the Lord W----'s younger sons +said he should like to have her; he was sure she would make a good hunter. +As for me, I was obliged still to go in the carriage, and had a fresh partner +called Max; he had always been used to the tight rein. +I asked him how it was he bore it. + +"Well," he said, "I bear it because I must; but it is shortening my life, +and it will shorten yours too if you have to stick to it." + +"Do you think," I said, "that our masters know how bad it is for us?" + +"I can't say," he replied, "but the dealers and the horse-doctors +know it very well. I was at a dealer's once, who was training me +and another horse to go as a pair; he was getting our heads up, as he said, +a little higher and a little higher every day. A gentleman who was there +asked him why he did so. `Because,' said he, `people won't buy them +unless we do. The London people always want their horses +to carry their heads high and to step high. Of course it is very bad +for the horses, but then it is good for trade. The horses soon wear up, +or get diseased, and they come for another pair.' That," said Max, +"is what he said in my hearing, and you can judge for yourself." + +What I suffered with that rein for four long months in my lady's carriage +it would be hard to describe; but I am quite sure that, had it lasted +much longer, either my health or my temper would have given way. +Before that, I never knew what it was to foam at the mouth, +but now the action of the sharp bit on my tongue and jaw, +and the constrained position of my head and throat, always caused me +to froth at the mouth more or less. Some people think it very fine +to see this, and say, "What fine spirited creatures!" But it is just +as unnatural for horses as for men to foam at the mouth; it is a sure sign +of some discomfort, and should be attended to. Besides this, +there was a pressure on my windpipe, which often made my breathing +very uncomfortable; when I returned from my work my neck and chest +were strained and painful, my mouth and tongue tender, +and I felt worn and depressed. + +In my old home I always knew that John and my master were my friends; +but here, although in many ways I was well treated, I had no friend. +York might have known, and very likely did know, how that rein harassed me; +but I suppose he took it as a matter of course that it could not be helped; +at any rate, nothing was done to relieve me. + + + + +24 The Lady Anne, or a Runaway Horse + + + +Early in the spring, Lord W---- and part of his family went up to London, +and took York with them. I and Ginger and some other horses +were left at home for use, and the head groom was left in charge. + +The Lady Harriet, who remained at the hall, was a great invalid, +and never went out in the carriage, and the Lady Anne preferred +riding on horseback with her brother or cousins. She was +a perfect horsewoman, and as gay and gentle as she was beautiful. +She chose me for her horse, and named me "Black Auster". +I enjoyed these rides very much in the clear cold air, sometimes with Ginger, +sometimes with Lizzie. This Lizzie was a bright bay mare, +almost thoroughbred, and a great favorite with the gentlemen, +on account of her fine action and lively spirit; but Ginger, +who knew more of her than I did, told me she was rather nervous. + +There was a gentleman of the name of Blantyre staying at the hall; +he always rode Lizzie, and praised her so much that one day Lady Anne ordered +the side-saddle to be put on her, and the other saddle on me. +When we came to the door the gentleman seemed very uneasy. + +"How is this?" he said. "Are you tired of your good Black Auster?" + +"Oh, no, not at all," she replied, "but I am amiable enough +to let you ride him for once, and I will try your charming Lizzie. +You must confess that in size and appearance she is far more like +a lady's horse than my own favorite." + +"Do let me advise you not to mount her," he said; +"she is a charming creature, but she is too nervous for a lady. +I assure you, she is not perfectly safe; let me beg you +to have the saddles changed." + +"My dear cousin," said Lady Anne, laughing, "pray do not trouble +your good careful head about me. I have been a horsewoman +ever since I was a baby, and I have followed the hounds a great many times, +though I know you do not approve of ladies hunting; +but still that is the fact, and I intend to try this Lizzie +that you gentlemen are all so fond of; so please help me to mount, +like a good friend as you are." + +There was no more to be said; he placed her carefully on the saddle, +looked to the bit and curb, gave the reins gently into her hand, +and then mounted me. Just as we were moving off a footman came out +with a slip of paper and message from the Lady Harriet. +"Would they ask this question for her at Dr. Ashley's, and bring the answer?" + +The village was about a mile off, and the doctor's house was the last in it. +We went along gayly enough till we came to his gate. There was a short drive +up to the house between tall evergreens. + +Blantyre alighted at the gate, and was going to open it for Lady Anne, +but she said, "I will wait for you here, and you can hang Auster's rein +on the gate." + +He looked at her doubtfully. "I will not be five minutes," he said. + +"Oh, do not hurry yourself; Lizzie and I shall not run away from you." + +He hung my rein on one of the iron spikes, and was soon hidden +among the trees. Lizzie was standing quietly by the side of the road +a few paces off, with her back to me. My young mistress was sitting easily +with a loose rein, humming a little song. I listened to my rider's footsteps +until they reached the house, and heard him knock at the door. +There was a meadow on the opposite side of the road, the gate of which +stood open; just then some cart horses and several young colts +came trotting out in a very disorderly manner, while a boy behind +was cracking a great whip. The colts were wild and frolicsome, +and one of them bolted across the road and blundered up against +Lizzie's hind legs, and whether it was the stupid colt, +or the loud cracking of the whip, or both together, I cannot say, +but she gave a violent kick, and dashed off into a headlong gallop. +It was so sudden that Lady Anne was nearly unseated, +but she soon recovered herself. I gave a loud, shrill neigh for help; +again and again I neighed, pawing the ground impatiently, +and tossing my head to get the rein loose. I had not long to wait. +Blantyre came running to the gate; he looked anxiously about, +and just caught sight of the flying figure, now far away on the road. +In an instant he sprang to the saddle. I needed no whip, no spur, +for I was as eager as my rider; he saw it, and giving me a free rein, +and leaning a little forward, we dashed after them. + +For about a mile and a half the road ran straight, +and then bent to the right, after which it divided into two roads. +Long before we came to the bend she was out of sight. +Which way had she turned? A woman was standing at her garden gate, +shading her eyes with her hand, and looking eagerly up the road. +Scarcely drawing the rein, Blantyre shouted, "Which way?" +"To the right!" cried the woman, pointing with her hand, and away we went +up the right-hand road; then for a moment we caught sight of her; +another bend and she was hidden again. Several times we caught glimpses, +and then lost them. We scarcely seemed to gain ground upon them at all. +An old road-mender was standing near a heap of stones, his shovel dropped +and his hands raised. As we came near he made a sign to speak. +Blantyre drew the rein a little. "To the common, to the common, sir; +she has turned off there." I knew this common very well; +it was for the most part very uneven ground, covered with heather +and dark-green furze bushes, with here and there a scrubby old thorn-tree; +there were also open spaces of fine short grass, with ant-hills +and mole-turns everywhere; the worst place I ever knew for a headlong gallop. + +We had hardly turned on the common, when we caught sight again +of the green habit flying on before us. My lady's hat was gone, +and her long brown hair was streaming behind her. Her head and body +were thrown back, as if she were pulling with all her remaining strength, +and as if that strength were nearly exhausted. It was clear +that the roughness of the ground had very much lessened Lizzie's speed, +and there seemed a chance that we might overtake her. + +While we were on the highroad, Blantyre had given me my head; but now, +with a light hand and a practiced eye, he guided me over the ground +in such a masterly manner that my pace was scarcely slackened, +and we were decidedly gaining on them. + +About halfway across the heath there had been a wide dike recently cut, +and the earth from the cutting was cast up roughly on the other side. +Surely this would stop them! But no; with scarcely a pause +Lizzie took the leap, stumbled among the rough clods and fell. +Blantyre groaned, "Now, Auster, do your best!" He gave me a steady rein. +I gathered myself well together and with one determined leap +cleared both dike and bank. + +Motionless among the heather, with her face to the earth, +lay my poor young mistress. Blantyre kneeled down and called her name: +there was no sound. Gently he turned her face upward: it was ghastly white +and the eyes were closed. "Annie, dear Annie, do speak!" +But there was no answer. He unbuttoned her habit, loosened her collar, +felt her hands and wrist, then started up and looked wildly round him +for help. + +At no great distance there were two men cutting turf, who, +seeing Lizzie running wild without a rider, had left their work to catch her. + +Blantyre's halloo soon brought them to the spot. The foremost man +seemed much troubled at the sight, and asked what he could do. + +"Can you ride?" + +"Well, sir, I bean't much of a horseman, but I'd risk my neck +for the Lady Anne; she was uncommon good to my wife in the winter." + +"Then mount this horse, my friend -- your neck will be quite safe -- +and ride to the doctor's and ask him to come instantly; then on to the hall; +tell them all that you know, and bid them send me the carriage, +with Lady Anne's maid and help. I shall stay here." + +"All right, sir, I'll do my best, and I pray God the dear young lady +may open her eyes soon." Then, seeing the other man, he called out, +"Here, Joe, run for some water, and tell my missis to come +as quick as she can to the Lady Anne." + +He then somehow scrambled into the saddle, and with a "Gee up" +and a clap on my sides with both his legs, he started on his journey, +making a little circuit to avoid the dike. He had no whip, +which seemed to trouble him; but my pace soon cured that difficulty, +and he found the best thing he could do was to stick to the saddle +and hold me in, which he did manfully. I shook him as little +as I could help, but once or twice on the rough ground he called out, +"Steady! Woah! Steady!" On the highroad we were all right; +and at the doctor's and the hall he did his errand like a good man and true. +They asked him in to take a drop of something. "No, no," he said; +"I'll be back to 'em again by a short cut through the fields, +and be there afore the carriage." + +There was a great deal of hurry and excitement after the news became known. +I was just turned into my box; the saddle and bridle were taken off, +and a cloth thrown over me. + +Ginger was saddled and sent off in great haste for Lord George, +and I soon heard the carriage roll out of the yard. + +It seemed a long time before Ginger came back, and before we were left alone; +and then she told me all that she had seen. + +"I can't tell much," she said. "We went a gallop nearly all the way, +and got there just as the doctor rode up. There was a woman +sitting on the ground with the lady's head in her lap. +The doctor poured something into her mouth, but all that I heard was, +`She is not dead.' Then I was led off by a man to a little distance. +After awhile she was taken to the carriage, and we came home together. +I heard my master say to a gentleman who stopped him to inquire, +that he hoped no bones were broken, but that she had not spoken yet." + +When Lord George took Ginger for hunting, York shook his head; +he said it ought to be a steady hand to train a horse for the first season, +and not a random rider like Lord George. + +Ginger used to like it very much, but sometimes when she came back +I could see that she had been very much strained, and now and then +she gave a short cough. She had too much spirit to complain, +but I could not help feeling anxious about her. + +Two days after the accident Blantyre paid me a visit; +he patted me and praised me very much; he told Lord George that he was sure +the horse knew of Annie's danger as well as he did. "I could not have +held him in if I would," said he, "she ought never to ride any other horse." +I found by their conversation that my young mistress was now out of danger, +and would soon be able to ride again. This was good news to me +and I looked forward to a happy life. + + + + +25 Reuben Smith + + + +Now I must say a little about Reuben Smith, who was left in charge +of the stables when York went to London. No one more thoroughly +understood his business than he did, and when he was all right +there could not be a more faithful or valuable man. +He was gentle and very clever in his management of horses, +and could doctor them almost as well as a farrier, +for he had lived two years with a veterinary surgeon. +He was a first-rate driver; he could take a four-in-hand or a tandem +as easily as a pair. He was a handsome man, a good scholar, +and had very pleasant manners. I believe everybody liked him; +certainly the horses did. The only wonder was that he should be +in an under situation and not in the place of a head coachman like York; +but he had one great fault and that was the love of drink. +He was not like some men, always at it; he used to keep steady for weeks +or months together, and then he would break out and have a "bout" of it, +as York called it, and be a disgrace to himself, a terror to his wife, +and a nuisance to all that had to do with him. He was, however, so useful +that two or three times York had hushed the matter up and kept it +from the earl's knowledge; but one night, when Reuben had to drive a party +home from a ball he was so drunk that he could not hold the reins, +and a gentleman of the party had to mount the box and drive the ladies home. +Of course, this could not be hidden, and Reuben was at once dismissed; +his poor wife and little children had to turn out of the pretty cottage +by the park gate and go where they could. Old Max told me all this, +for it happened a good while ago; but shortly before Ginger and I came +Smith had been taken back again. York had interceded for him with the earl, +who is very kind-hearted, and the man had promised faithfully +that he would never taste another drop as long as he lived there. +He had kept his promise so well that York thought he might be safely trusted +to fill his place while he was away, and he was so clever and honest +that no one else seemed so well fitted for it. + +It was now early in April, and the family was expected home some time in May. +The light brougham was to be fresh done up, and as Colonel Blantyre +was obliged to return to his regiment it was arranged that Smith +should drive him to the town in it, and ride back; for this purpose +he took the saddle with him, and I was chosen for the journey. +At the station the colonel put some money into Smith's hand +and bid him good-by, saying, "Take care of your young mistress, Reuben, +and don't let Black Auster be hacked about by any random young prig +that wants to ride him -- keep him for the lady." + +We left the carriage at the maker's, and Smith rode me to the White Lion, +and ordered the hostler to feed me well, and have me ready for him at +four o'clock. A nail in one of my front shoes had started as I came along, +but the hostler did not notice it till just about four o'clock. +Smith did not come into the yard till five, and then he said he should +not leave till six, as he had met with some old friends. The man then +told him of the nail, and asked if he should have the shoe looked to. + +"No," said Smith, "that will be all right till we get home." + +He spoke in a very loud, offhand way, and I thought it very unlike him +not to see about the shoe, as he was generally wonderfully particular +about loose nails in our shoes. He did not come at six nor seven, nor eight, +and it was nearly nine o'clock before he called for me, +and then it was with a loud, rough voice. He seemed in a very bad temper, +and abused the hostler, though I could not tell what for. + +The landlord stood at the door and said, "Have a care, Mr. Smith!" +but he answered angrily with an oath; and almost before +he was out of the town he began to gallop, frequently giving me a sharp cut +with his whip, though I was going at full speed. The moon had not yet risen, +and it was very dark. The roads were stony, having been recently mended; +going over them at this pace, my shoe became looser, +and as we neared the turnpike gate it came off. + +If Smith had been in his right senses he would have been sensible +of something wrong in my pace, but he was too drunk to notice. + +Beyond the turnpike was a long piece of road, upon which fresh stones +had just been laid -- large sharp stones, over which no horse could be +driven quickly without risk of danger. Over this road, with one shoe gone, +I was forced to gallop at my utmost speed, my rider meanwhile cutting into me +with his whip, and with wild curses urging me to go still faster. +Of course my shoeless foot suffered dreadfully; the hoof was broken and split +down to the very quick, and the inside was terribly cut by the sharpness +of the stones. + +This could not go on; no horse could keep his footing +under such circumstances; the pain was too great. I stumbled, +and fell with violence on both my knees. Smith was flung off by my fall, +and, owing to the speed I was going at, he must have fallen with great force. +I soon recovered my feet and limped to the side of the road, +where it was free from stones. The moon had just risen above the hedge, +and by its light I could see Smith lying a few yards beyond me. +He did not rise; he made one slight effort to do so, +and then there was a heavy groan. I could have groaned, too, +for I was suffering intense pain both from my foot and knees; +but horses are used to bear their pain in silence. I uttered no sound, +but I stood there and listened. One more heavy groan from Smith; +but though he now lay in the full moonlight I could see no motion. +I could do nothing for him nor myself, but, oh! how I listened for the sound +of horse, or wheels, or footsteps! The road was not much frequented, +and at this time of the night we might stay for hours before help came to us. +I stood watching and listening. It was a calm, sweet April night; +there were no sounds but a few low notes of a nightingale, +and nothing moved but the white clouds near the moon and a brown owl +that flitted over the hedge. It made me think of the summer nights long ago, +when I used to lie beside my mother in the green pleasant meadow +at Farmer Grey's. + + + + +26 How it Ended + + + +It must have been nearly midnight when I heard at a great distance +the sound of a horse's feet. Sometimes the sound died away, then it grew +clearer again and nearer. The road to Earlshall led through woods +that belonged to the earl; the sound came in that direction, +and I hoped it might be some one coming in search of us. As the sound +came nearer and nearer I was almost sure I could distinguish Ginger's step; +a little nearer still, and I could tell she was in the dog-cart. +I neighed loudly, and was overjoyed to hear an answering neigh from Ginger, +and men's voices. They came slowly over the stones, and stopped at +the dark figure that lay upon the ground. + +One of the men jumped out, and stooped down over it. "It is Reuben," +he said, "and he does not stir!" + +The other man followed, and bent over him. "He's dead," he said; +"feel how cold his hands are." + +They raised him up, but there was no life, and his hair was soaked +with blood. They laid him down again, and came and looked at me. +They soon saw my cut knees. + +"Why, the horse has been down and thrown him! Who would have thought +the black horse would have done that? Nobody thought he could fall. +Reuben must have been lying here for hours! Odd, too, +that the horse has not moved from the place." + +Robert then attempted to lead me forward. I made a step, +but almost fell again. + +"Halloo! he's bad in his foot as well as his knees. Look here -- +his hoof is cut all to pieces; he might well come down, poor fellow! +I tell you what, Ned, I'm afraid it hasn't been all right with Reuben. +Just think of his riding a horse over these stones without a shoe! +Why, if he had been in his right senses he would just as soon have tried +to ride him over the moon. I'm afraid it has been the old thing over again. +Poor Susan! she looked awfully pale when she came to my house +to ask if he had not come home. She made believe she was not a bit anxious, +and talked of a lot of things that might have kept him. +But for all that she begged me to go and meet him. But what must we do? +There's the horse to get home as well as the body, and that will be +no easy matter." + +Then followed a conversation between them, till it was agreed that Robert, +as the groom, should lead me, and that Ned must take the body. +It was a hard job to get it into the dog-cart, for there was no one +to hold Ginger; but she knew as well as I did what was going on, +and stood as still as a stone. I noticed that, because, if she had a fault, +it was that she was impatient in standing. + +Ned started off very slowly with his sad load, and Robert came and looked +at my foot again; then he took his handkerchief and bound it closely round, +and so he led me home. I shall never forget that night walk; +it was more than three miles. Robert led me on very slowly, +and I limped and hobbled on as well as I could with great pain. +I am sure he was sorry for me, for he often patted and encouraged me, +talking to me in a pleasant voice. + +At last I reached my own box, and had some corn; and after Robert +had wrapped up my knees in wet cloths, he tied up my foot in a bran poultice, +to draw out the heat and cleanse it before the horse-doctor saw it +in the morning, and I managed to get myself down on the straw, +and slept in spite of the pain. + +The next day after the farrier had examined my wounds, he said he hoped +the joint was not injured; and if so, I should not be spoiled for work, +but I should never lose the blemish. I believe they did the best +to make a good cure, but it was a long and painful one. Proud flesh, +as they called it, came up in my knees, and was burned out with caustic; +and when at last it was healed, they put a blistering fluid over the front +of both knees to bring all the hair off; they had some reason for this, +and I suppose it was all right. + +As Smith's death had been so sudden, and no one was there to see it, +there was an inquest held. The landlord and hostler at the White Lion, +with several other people, gave evidence that he was intoxicated +when he started from the inn. The keeper of the toll-gate +said he rode at a hard gallop through the gate; and my shoe was picked up +among the stones, so that the case was quite plain to them, +and I was cleared of all blame. + +Everybody pitied Susan. She was nearly out of her mind; +she kept saying over and over again, "Oh! he was so good -- so good! +It was all that cursed drink; why will they sell that cursed drink? +Oh Reuben, Reuben!" So she went on till after he was buried; and then, +as she had no home or relations, she, with her six little children, +was obliged once more to leave the pleasant home by the tall oak-trees, +and go into that great gloomy Union House. + + + + +27 Ruined and Going Downhill + + + +As soon as my knees were sufficiently healed I was turned into a small meadow +for a month or two; no other creature was there; and though I enjoyed +the liberty and the sweet grass, yet I had been so long used to society +that I felt very lonely. Ginger and I had become fast friends, +and now I missed her company extremely. I often neighed when I heard +horses' feet passing in the road, but I seldom got an answer; +till one morning the gate was opened, and who should come in +but dear old Ginger. The man slipped off her halter, and left her there. +With a joyful whinny I trotted up to her; we were both glad to meet, +but I soon found that it was not for our pleasure that she was brought +to be with me. Her story would be too long to tell, but the end of it was +that she had been ruined by hard riding, and was now turned off +to see what rest would do. + +Lord George was young and would take no warning; he was a hard rider, +and would hunt whenever he could get the chance, quite careless of his horse. +Soon after I left the stable there was a steeplechase, and he determined +to ride. Though the groom told him she was a little strained, +and was not fit for the race, he did not believe it, +and on the day of the race urged Ginger to keep up with the foremost riders. +With her high spirit, she strained herself to the utmost; +she came in with the first three horses, but her wind was touched, +besides which he was too heavy for her, and her back was strained. +"And so," she said, "here we are, ruined in the prime of our +youth and strength, you by a drunkard, and I by a fool; it is very hard." +We both felt in ourselves that we were not what we had been. However, +that did not spoil the pleasure we had in each other's company; +we did not gallop about as we once did, but we used to feed, +and lie down together, and stand for hours under one of the shady lime-trees +with our heads close to each other; and so we passed our time +till the family returned from town. + +One day we saw the earl come into the meadow, and York was with him. +Seeing who it was, we stood still under our lime-tree, +and let them come up to us. They examined us carefully. +The earl seemed much annoyed. + +"There is three hundred pounds flung away for no earthly use," said he; +"but what I care most for is that these horses of my old friend, +who thought they would find a good home with me, are ruined. +The mare shall have a twelve-month's run, and we shall see +what that will do for her; but the black one, he must be sold; +'tis a great pity, but I could not have knees like these in my stables." + +"No, my lord, of course not," said York; "but he might get +a place where appearance is not of much consequence, +and still be well treated. I know a man in Bath, the master +of some livery stables, who often wants a good horse at a low figure; +I know he looks well after his horses. The inquest cleared +the horse's character, and your lordship's recommendation, or mine, +would be sufficient warrant for him." + +"You had better write to him, York. I should be more particular +about the place than the money he would fetch." + +After this they left us. + +"They'll soon take you away," said Ginger, "and I shall lose +the only friend I have, and most likely we shall never see each other again. +'Tis a hard world!" + +About a week after this Robert came into the field with a halter, +which he slipped over my head, and led me away. There was no leave-taking +of Ginger; we neighed to each other as I was led off, +and she trotted anxiously along by the hedge, calling to me +as long as she could hear the sound of my feet. + +Through the recommendation of York, I was bought by the master +of the livery stables. I had to go by train, which was new to me, +and required a good deal of courage the first time; +but as I found the puffing, rushing, whistling, and, more than all, +the trembling of the horse-box in which I stood did me no real harm, +I soon took it quietly. + +When I reached the end of my journey I found myself +in a tolerably comfortable stable, and well attended to. +These stables were not so airy and pleasant as those I had been used to. +The stalls were laid on a slope instead of being level, and as my head +was kept tied to the manger, I was obliged always to stand on the slope, +which was very fatiguing. Men do not seem to know yet that horses +can do more work if they can stand comfortably and can turn about; +however, I was well fed and well cleaned, and, on the whole, +I think our master took as much care of us as he could. +He kept a good many horses and carriages of different kinds for hire. +Sometimes his own men drove them; at others, the horse and chaise +were let to gentlemen or ladies who drove themselves. + + + + +28 A Job Horse and His Drivers + + + +Hitherto I had always been driven by people who at least knew how to drive; +but in this place I was to get my experience of all the different kinds +of bad and ignorant driving to which we horses are subjected; +for I was a "job horse", and was let out to all sorts of people +who wished to hire me; and as I was good-tempered and gentle, I think I was +oftener let out to the ignorant drivers than some of the other horses, +because I could be depended upon. It would take a long time +to tell of all the different styles in which I was driven, +but I will mention a few of them. + +First, there were the tight-rein drivers -- men who seemed to think +that all depended on holding the reins as hard as they could, never relaxing +the pull on the horse's mouth, or giving him the least liberty of movement. +They are always talking about "keeping the horse well in hand", +and "holding a horse up", just as if a horse was not made to hold himself up. + +Some poor, broken-down horses, whose mouths have been made +hard and insensible by just such drivers as these, may, perhaps, +find some support in it; but for a horse who can depend upon his own legs, +and who has a tender mouth and is easily guided, it is not only tormenting, +but it is stupid. + +Then there are the loose-rein drivers, who let the reins lie easily +on our backs, and their own hand rest lazily on their knees. Of course, +such gentlemen have no control over a horse, if anything happens suddenly. +If a horse shies, or starts, or stumbles, they are nowhere, +and cannot help the horse or themselves till the mischief is done. +Of course, for myself I had no objection to it, as I was not in the habit +either of starting or stumbling, and had only been used to depend on +my driver for guidance and encouragement. Still, one likes +to feel the rein a little in going downhill, and likes to know +that one's driver is not gone to sleep. + +Besides, a slovenly way of driving gets a horse into bad +and often lazy habits, and when he changes hands he has to be +whipped out of them with more or less pain and trouble. +Squire Gordon always kept us to our best paces and our best manners. +He said that spoiling a horse and letting him get into bad habits was +just as cruel as spoiling a child, and both had to suffer for it afterward. + +Besides, these drivers are often careless altogether, +and will attend to anything else more than their horses. +I went out in the phaeton one day with one of them; he had a lady +and two children behind. He flopped the reins about as we started, +and of course gave me several unmeaning cuts with the whip, +though I was fairly off. There had been a good deal of road-mending +going on, and even where the stones were not freshly laid down +there were a great many loose ones about. My driver was laughing and joking +with the lady and the children, and talking about the country +to the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while +to keep an eye on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; +and so it easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet. + +Now, if Mr. Gordon or John, or in fact any good driver, had been there, +he would have seen that something was wrong before I had gone three paces. +Or even if it had been dark a practiced hand would have felt by the rein +that there was something wrong in the step, and they would have got down +and picked out the stone. But this man went on laughing and talking, +while at every step the stone became more firmly wedged between +my shoe and the frog of my foot. The stone was sharp on the inside +and round on the outside, which, as every one knows, +is the most dangerous kind that a horse can pick up, at the same time +cutting his foot and making him most liable to stumble and fall. + +Whether the man was partly blind or only very careless I can't say, +but he drove me with that stone in my foot for a good half-mile +before he saw anything. By that time I was going so lame with the pain +that at last he saw it, and called out, "Well, here's a go! Why, +they have sent us out with a lame horse! What a shame!" + +He then chucked the reins and flipped about with the whip, saying, +"Now, then, it's no use playing the old soldier with me; +there's the journey to go, and it's no use turning lame and lazy." + +Just at this time a farmer came riding up on a brown cob. +He lifted his hat and pulled up. + +"I beg your pardon, sir," he said, "but I think there is something the matter +with your horse; he goes very much as if he had a stone in his shoe. +If you will allow me I will look at his feet; these loose scattered stones +are confounded dangerous things for the horses." + +"He's a hired horse," said my driver. "I don't know what's the matter +with him, but it is a great shame to send out a lame beast like this." + +The farmer dismounted, and slipping his rein over his arm +at once took up my near foot. + +"Bless me, there's a stone! Lame! I should think so!" + +At first he tried to dislodge it with his hand, but as it was now +very tightly wedged he drew a stone-pick out of his pocket, +and very carefully and with some trouble got it out. Then holding it up +he said, "There, that's the stone your horse had picked up. +It is a wonder he did not fall down and break his knees into the bargain!" + +"Well, to be sure!" said my driver; "that is a queer thing! +I never knew that horses picked up stones before." + +"Didn't you?" said the farmer rather contemptuously; "but they do, though, +and the best of them will do it, and can't help it sometimes on such roads +as these. And if you don't want to lame your horse you must look sharp +and get them out quickly. This foot is very much bruised," he said, +setting it gently down and patting me. "If I might advise, sir, +you had better drive him gently for awhile; the foot is a good deal hurt, +and the lameness will not go off directly." + +Then mounting his cob and raising his hat to the lady he trotted off. + +When he was gone my driver began to flop the reins about +and whip the harness, by which I understood that I was to go on, +which of course I did, glad that the stone was gone, +but still in a good deal of pain. + +This was the sort of experience we job horses often came in for. + + + + +29 Cockneys + + + +Then there is the steam-engine style of driving; these drivers +were mostly people from towns, who never had a horse of their own +and generally traveled by rail. + +They always seemed to think that a horse was something like a steam-engine, +only smaller. At any rate, they think that if only they pay for it +a horse is bound to go just as far and just as fast and with just as heavy +a load as they please. And be the roads heavy and muddy, or dry and good; +be they stony or smooth, uphill or downhill, it is all the same -- on, on, +on, one must go, at the same pace, with no relief and no consideration. + +These people never think of getting out to walk up a steep hill. Oh, no, +they have paid to ride, and ride they will! The horse? Oh, he's used to it! +What were horses made for, if not to drag people uphill? Walk! +A good joke indeed! And so the whip is plied and the rein is chucked +and often a rough, scolding voice cries out, "Go along, you lazy beast!" +And then another slash of the whip, when all the time we are doing +our very best to get along, uncomplaining and obedient, +though often sorely harassed and down-hearted. + +This steam-engine style of driving wears us up faster than any other kind. +I would far rather go twenty miles with a good considerate driver +than I would go ten with some of these; it would take less out of me. + +Another thing, they scarcely ever put on the brake, however steep +the downhill may be, and thus bad accidents sometimes happen; +or if they do put it on, they often forget to take it off +at the bottom of the hill, and more than once I have had to pull +halfway up the next hill, with one of the wheels held by the brake, +before my driver chose to think about it; and that is a terrible strain +on a horse. + +Then these cockneys, instead of starting at an easy pace, +as a gentleman would do, generally set off at full speed +from the very stable-yard; and when they want to stop, they first whip us, +and then pull up so suddenly that we are nearly thrown on our haunches, +and our mouths jagged with the bit -- they call that pulling up with a dash; +and when they turn a corner they do it as sharply as if there were +no right side or wrong side of the road. + +I well remember one spring evening I and Rory had been out for the day. +(Rory was the horse that mostly went with me when a pair was ordered, +and a good honest fellow he was.) We had our own driver, and as he was +always considerate and gentle with us, we had a very pleasant day. +We were coming home at a good smart pace, about twilight. +Our road turned sharp to the left; but as we were close to the hedge +on our own side, and there was plenty of room to pass, our driver did not +pull us in. As we neared the corner I heard a horse and two wheels +coming rapidly down the hill toward us. The hedge was high, +and I could see nothing, but the next moment we were upon each other. +Happily for me, I was on the side next the hedge. Rory was on +the left side of the pole, and had not even a shaft to protect him. +The man who was driving was making straight for the corner, +and when he came in sight of us he had no time to pull over to his own side. +The whole shock came upon Rory. The gig shaft ran right into the chest, +making him stagger back with a cry that I shall never forget. +The other horse was thrown upon his haunches and one shaft broken. +It turned out that it was a horse from our own stables, +with the high-wheeled gig that the young men were so fond of. + +The driver was one of those random, ignorant fellows, who don't even know +which is their own side of the road, or, if they know, don't care. +And there was poor Rory with his flesh torn open and bleeding, +and the blood streaming down. They said if it had been a little more +to one side it would have killed him; and a good thing for him, poor fellow, +if it had. + +As it was, it was a long time before the wound healed, +and then he was sold for coal-carting; and what that is, +up and down those steep hills, only horses know. Some of the sights +I saw there, where a horse had to come downhill with a heavily loaded +two-wheel cart behind him, on which no brake could be placed, +make me sad even now to think of. + +After Rory was disabled I often went in the carriage with a mare named Peggy, +who stood in the next stall to mine. She was a strong, well-made animal, +of a bright dun color, beautifully dappled, and with a dark-brown +mane and tail. There was no high breeding about her, +but she was very pretty and remarkably sweet-tempered and willing. +Still, there was an anxious look about her eye, by which I knew +that she had some trouble. The first time we went out together +I thought she had a very odd pace; she seemed to go partly a trot, +partly a canter, three or four paces, and then a little jump forward. + +It was very unpleasant for any horse who pulled with her, +and made me quite fidgety. When we got home I asked her +what made her go in that odd, awkward way. + +"Ah," she said in a troubled manner, "I know my paces are very bad, +but what can I do? It really is not my fault; it is just because +my legs are so short. I stand nearly as high as you, +but your legs are a good three inches longer above your knee than mine, +and of course you can take a much longer step and go much faster. +You see I did not make myself. I wish I could have done so; +I would have had long legs then. All my troubles come from my short legs," +said Peggy, in a desponding tone. + +"But how is it," I said, "when you are so strong and good-tempered +and willing?" + +"Why, you see," said she, "men will go so fast, and if one can't +keep up to other horses it is nothing but whip, whip, whip, all the time. +And so I have had to keep up as I could, and have got into this ugly +shuffling pace. It was not always so; when I lived with my first master +I always went a good regular trot, but then he was not in such a hurry. +He was a young clergyman in the country, and a good, kind master he was. +He had two churches a good way apart, and a great deal of work, +but he never scolded or whipped me for not going faster. +He was very fond of me. I only wish I was with him now; +but he had to leave and go to a large town, and then I was sold to a farmer. + +"Some farmers, you know, are capital masters; but I think this one +was a low sort of man. He cared nothing about good horses or good driving; +he only cared for going fast. I went as fast as I could, +but that would not do, and he was always whipping; so I got into this way +of making a spring forward to keep up. On market nights he used to stay +very late at the inn, and then drive home at a gallop. + +"One dark night he was galloping home as usual, when all of a sudden +the wheel came against some great heavy thing in the road, +and turned the gig over in a minute. He was thrown out and his arm broken, +and some of his ribs, I think. At any rate, it was the end +of my living with him, and I was not sorry. But you see it will be the same +everywhere for me, if men must go so fast. I wish my legs were longer!" + +Poor Peggy! I was very sorry for her, and I could not comfort her, +for I knew how hard it was upon slow-paced horses to be put with fast ones; +all the whipping comes to their share, and they can't help it. + +She was often used in the phaeton, and was very much liked by some of +the ladies, because she was so gentle; and some time after this she was sold +to two ladies who drove themselves, and wanted a safe, good horse. + +I met her several times out in the country, going a good steady pace, +and looking as gay and contented as a horse could be. I was very glad +to see her, for she deserved a good place. + +After she left us another horse came in her stead. He was young, +and had a bad name for shying and starting, by which he had lost +a good place. I asked him what made him shy. + +"Well, I hardly know," he said. "I was timid when I was young, +and was a good deal frightened several times, and if I saw anything strange +I used to turn and look at it -- you see, with our blinkers +one can't see or understand what a thing is unless one looks round -- +and then my master always gave me a whipping, which of course made me +start on, and did not make me less afraid. I think if he would have let me +just look at things quietly, and see that there was nothing to hurt me, +it would have been all right, and I should have got used to them. +One day an old gentleman was riding with him, and a large piece +of white paper or rag blew across just on one side of me. +I shied and started forward. My master as usual whipped me smartly, +but the old man cried out, `You're wrong! you're wrong! +You should never whip a horse for shying; he shies because he is frightened, +and you only frighten him more and make the habit worse.' +So I suppose all men don't do so. I am sure I don't want to shy +for the sake of it; but how should one know what is dangerous +and what is not, if one is never allowed to get used to anything? +I am never afraid of what I know. Now I was brought up in a park +where there were deer; of course I knew them as well as I did +a sheep or a cow, but they are not common, and I know many sensible horses +who are frightened at them, and who kick up quite a shindy +before they will pass a paddock where there are deer." + +I knew what my companion said was true, and I wished that every young horse +had as good masters as Farmer Grey and Squire Gordon. + +Of course we sometimes came in for good driving here. I remember one morning +I was put into the light gig, and taken to a house in Pulteney Street. +Two gentlemen came out; the taller of them came round to my head; +he looked at the bit and bridle, and just shifted the collar with his hand, +to see if it fitted comfortably. + +"Do you consider this horse wants a curb?" he said to the hostler. + +"Well," said the man, "I should say he would go just as well without; +he has an uncommon good mouth, and though he has a fine spirit +he has no vice; but we generally find people like the curb." + +"I don't like it," said the gentleman; "be so good as to take it off, +and put the rein in at the cheek. An easy mouth is a great thing +on a long journey, is it not, old fellow?" he said, patting my neck. + +Then he took the reins, and they both got up. I can remember now +how quietly he turned me round, and then with a light feel of the rein, +and drawing the whip gently across my back, we were off. + +I arched my neck and set off at my best pace. I found I had +some one behind me who knew how a good horse ought to be driven. +It seemed like old times again, and made me feel quite gay. + +This gentleman took a great liking to me, and after trying me +several times with the saddle he prevailed upon my master to sell me +to a friend of his, who wanted a safe, pleasant horse for riding. +And so it came to pass that in the summer I was sold to Mr. Barry. + + + + +30 A Thief + + + +My new master was an unmarried man. He lived at Bath, and was much engaged +in business. His doctor advised him to take horse exercise, +and for this purpose he bought me. He hired a stable a short distance +from his lodgings, and engaged a man named Filcher as groom. +My master knew very little about horses, but he treated me well, +and I should have had a good and easy place but for circumstances +of which he was ignorant. He ordered the best hay with plenty of oats, +crushed beans, and bran, with vetches, or rye grass, +as the man might think needful. I heard the master give the order, +so I knew there was plenty of good food, and I thought I was well off. + +For a few days all went on well. I found that my groom +understood his business. He kept the stable clean and airy, +and he groomed me thoroughly; and was never otherwise than gentle. +He had been an hostler in one of the great hotels in Bath. +He had given that up, and now cultivated fruit and vegetables for the market, +and his wife bred and fattened poultry and rabbits for sale. +After awhile it seemed to me that my oats came very short; I had the beans, +but bran was mixed with them instead of oats, of which there were very few; +certainly not more than a quarter of what there should have been. +In two or three weeks this began to tell upon my strength and spirits. +The grass food, though very good, was not the thing to keep up my condition +without corn. However, I could not complain, nor make known my wants. +So it went on for about two months; and I wondered that my master +did not see that something was the matter. However, one afternoon +he rode out into the country to see a friend of his, a gentleman farmer, +who lived on the road to Wells. + +This gentleman had a very quick eye for horses; and after he had +welcomed his friend he said, casting his eye over me: + +"It seems to me, Barry, that your horse does not look so well as he did +when you first had him; has he been well?" + +"Yes, I believe so," said my master; "but he is not nearly so lively +as he was; my groom tells me that horses are always dull and weak +in the autumn, and that I must expect it." + +"Autumn, fiddlesticks!" said the farmer. "Why, this is only August; +and with your light work and good food he ought not to go down like this, +even if it was autumn. How do you feed him?" + +My master told him. The other shook his head slowly, +and began to feel me over. + +"I can't say who eats your corn, my dear fellow, but I am much mistaken +if your horse gets it. Have you ridden very fast?" + +"No, very gently." + +"Then just put your hand here," said he, passing his hand over my neck +and shoulder; "he is as warm and damp as a horse just come up from grass. +I advise you to look into your stable a little more. +I hate to be suspicious, and, thank heaven, I have no cause to be, +for I can trust my men, present or absent; but there are mean scoundrels, +wicked enough to rob a dumb beast of his food. You must look into it." +And turning to his man, who had come to take me, "Give this horse +a right good feed of bruised oats, and don't stint him." + +"Dumb beasts!" Yes, we are; but if I could have spoken I could have +told my master where his oats went to. My groom used to come every morning +about six o'clock, and with him a little boy, who always had a covered basket +with him. He used to go with his father into the harness-room, +where the corn was kept, and I could see them, when the door stood ajar, +fill a little bag with oats out of the bin, and then he used to be off. + +Five or six mornings after this, just as the boy had left the stable, +the door was pushed open, and a policeman walked in, holding the child tight +by the arm; another policeman followed, and locked the door on the inside, +saying, "Show me the place where your father keeps his rabbits' food." + +The boy looked very frightened and began to cry; but there was no escape, +and he led the way to the corn-bin. Here the policeman found +another empty bag like that which was found full of oats in the boy's basket. + +Filcher was cleaning my feet at the time, but they soon saw him, +and though he blustered a good deal they walked him off to the "lock-up", +and his boy with him. I heard afterward that the boy was not held +to be guilty, but the man was sentenced to prison for two months. + + + + +31 A Humbug + + + +My master was not immediately suited, but in a few days my new groom came. +He was a tall, good-looking fellow enough; but if ever there was a humbug +in the shape of a groom Alfred Smirk was the man. He was very civil to me, +and never used me ill; in fact, he did a great deal of stroking and patting +when his master was there to see it. He always brushed my mane and tail +with water and my hoofs with oil before he brought me to the door, +to make me look smart; but as to cleaning my feet or looking to my shoes, +or grooming me thoroughly, he thought no more of that +than if I had been a cow. He left my bit rusty, my saddle damp, +and my crupper stiff. + +Alfred Smirk considered himself very handsome; he spent a great deal of time +about his hair, whiskers and necktie, before a little looking-glass +in the harness-room. When his master was speaking to him it was always, +"Yes, sir; yes, sir" -- touching his hat at every word; +and every one thought he was a very nice young man and that Mr. Barry +was very fortunate to meet with him. I should say he was the laziest, +most conceited fellow I ever came near. Of course, it was a great thing +not to be ill-used, but then a horse wants more than that. +I had a loose box, and might have been very comfortable if he had not been +too indolent to clean it out. He never took all the straw away, +and the smell from what lay underneath was very bad; +while the strong vapors that rose made my eyes smart and inflame, +and I did not feel the same appetite for my food. + +One day his master came in and said, "Alfred, the stable smells +rather strong; should not you give that stall a good scrub +and throw down plenty of water?" + +"Well, sir," he said, touching his cap, "I'll do so if you please, sir; +but it is rather dangerous, sir, throwing down water in a horse's box; +they are very apt to take cold, sir. I should not like to do him an injury, +but I'll do it if you please, sir." + +"Well," said his master, "I should not like him to take cold; +but I don't like the smell of this stable. Do you think the drains +are all right?" + +"Well, sir, now you mention it, I think the drain does sometimes +send back a smell; there may be something wrong, sir." + +"Then send for the bricklayer and have it seen to," said his master. + +"Yes, sir, I will." + +The bricklayer came and pulled up a great many bricks, +but found nothing amiss; so he put down some lime and charged the master +five shillings, and the smell in my box was as bad as ever. +But that was not all: standing as I did on a quantity of moist straw +my feet grew unhealthy and tender, and the master used to say: + +"I don't know what is the matter with this horse; he goes very fumble-footed. +I am sometimes afraid he will stumble." + +"Yes, sir," said Alfred, "I have noticed the same myself, +when I have exercised him." + +Now the fact was that he hardly ever did exercise me, +and when the master was busy I often stood for days together +without stretching my legs at all, and yet being fed just as high +as if I were at hard work. This often disordered my health, +and made me sometimes heavy and dull, but more often restless and feverish. +He never even gave me a meal of green food or a bran mash, +which would have cooled me, for he was altogether as ignorant +as he was conceited; and then, instead of exercise or change of food, +I had to take horse balls and draughts; which, beside the nuisance +of having them poured down my throat, used to make me feel ill +and uncomfortable. + +One day my feet were so tender that, trotting over some fresh stones +with my master on my back, I made two such serious stumbles that, +as he came down Lansdown into the city, he stopped at the farrier's, +and asked him to see what was the matter with me. The man took up my feet +one by one and examined them; then standing up and dusting his hands +one against the other, he said: + +"Your horse has got the `thrush', and badly, too; his feet are very tender; +it is fortunate that he has not been down. I wonder your groom has not +seen to it before. This is the sort of thing we find in foul stables, +where the litter is never properly cleaned out. If you will +send him here to-morrow I will attend to the hoof, and I will direct your man +how to apply the liniment which I will give him." + +The next day I had my feet thoroughly cleansed and stuffed with tow +soaked in some strong lotion; and an unpleasant business it was. + +The farrier ordered all the litter to be taken out of my box day by day, +and the floor kept very clean. Then I was to have bran mashes, +a little green food, and not so much corn, till my feet were well again. +With this treatment I soon regained my spirits; but Mr. Barry was +so much disgusted at being twice deceived by his grooms that he determined +to give up keeping a horse, and to hire when he wanted one. +I was therefore kept till my feet were quite sound, and was then sold again. + + + + + + + Part III + + + + + + +32 A Horse Fair + + + +No doubt a horse fair is a very amusing place to those who have +nothing to lose; at any rate, there is plenty to see. + +Long strings of young horses out of the country, fresh from the marshes; +and droves of shaggy little Welsh ponies, no higher than Merrylegs; +and hundreds of cart horses of all sorts, some of them with their long tails +braided up and tied with scarlet cord; and a good many like myself, +handsome and high-bred, but fallen into the middle class, through some +accident or blemish, unsoundness of wind, or some other complaint. +There were some splendid animals quite in their prime, and fit for anything; +they were throwing out their legs and showing off their paces in high style, +as they were trotted out with a leading rein, the groom running by the side. +But round in the background there were a number of poor things, +sadly broken down with hard work, with their knees knuckling over +and their hind legs swinging out at every step, and there were some +very dejected-looking old horses, with the under lip hanging down +and the ears lying back heavily, as if there were no more pleasure in life, +and no more hope; there were some so thin you might see all their ribs, +and some with old sores on their backs and hips. These were sad sights +for a horse to look upon, who knows not but he may come to the same state. + +There was a great deal of bargaining, of running up and beating down; +and if a horse may speak his mind so far as he understands, +I should say there were more lies told and more trickery at that horse fair +than a clever man could give an account of. I was put with +two or three other strong, useful-looking horses, and a good many people +came to look at us. The gentlemen always turned from me +when they saw my broken knees; though the man who had me +swore it was only a slip in the stall. + +The first thing was to pull my mouth open, then to look at my eyes, +then feel all the way down my legs, and give me a hard feel +of the skin and flesh, and then try my paces. It was wonderful +what a difference there was in the way these things were done. +Some did it in a rough, offhand way, as if one was only a piece of wood; +while others would take their hands gently over one's body, +with a pat now and then, as much as to say, "By your leave." +Of course I judged a good deal of the buyers by their manners to myself. + +There was one man, I thought, if he would buy me, I should be happy. +He was not a gentleman, nor yet one of the loud, flashy sort +that call themselves so. He was rather a small man, but well made, +and quick in all his motions. I knew in a moment by the way he handled me, +that he was used to horses; he spoke gently, and his gray eye had a kindly, +cheery look in it. It may seem strange to say -- but it is true +all the same -- that the clean, fresh smell there was about him +made me take to him; no smell of old beer and tobacco, which I hated, +but a fresh smell as if he had come out of a hayloft. +He offered twenty-three pounds for me, but that was refused, +and he walked away. I looked after him, but he was gone, +and a very hard-looking, loud-voiced man came. I was dreadfully afraid +he would have me; but he walked off. One or two more came +who did not mean business. Then the hard-faced man came back again +and offered twenty-three pounds. A very close bargain was being driven, +for my salesman began to think he should not get all he asked, +and must come down; but just then the gray-eyed man came back again. +I could not help reaching out my head toward him. He stroked my face kindly. + +"Well, old chap," he said, "I think we should suit each other. +I'll give twenty-four for him." + +"Say twenty-five and you shall have him." + +"Twenty-four ten," said my friend, in a very decided tone, +"and not another sixpence -- yes or no?" + +"Done," said the salesman; "and you may depend upon it +there's a monstrous deal of quality in that horse, and if you want him +for cab work he's a bargain." + +The money was paid on the spot, and my new master took my halter, +and led me out of the fair to an inn, where he had a saddle and bridle ready. +He gave me a good feed of oats and stood by while I ate it, +talking to himself and talking to me. Half an hour after +we were on our way to London, through pleasant lanes and country roads, +until we came into the great London thoroughfare, on which +we traveled steadily, till in the twilight we reached the great city. +The gas lamps were already lighted; there were streets to the right, +and streets to the left, and streets crossing each other, for mile upon mile. +I thought we should never come to the end of them. At last, +in passing through one, we came to a long cab stand, when my rider called out +in a cheery voice, "Good-night, governor!" + +"Halloo!" cried a voice. "Have you got a good one?" + +"I think so," replied my owner. + +"I wish you luck with him." + +"Thank you, governor," and he rode on. We soon turned up +one of the side streets, and about halfway up that we turned into +a very narrow street, with rather poor-looking houses on one side, +and what seemed to be coach-houses and stables on the other. + +My owner pulled up at one of the houses and whistled. The door flew open, +and a young woman, followed by a little girl and boy, ran out. +There was a very lively greeting as my rider dismounted. + +"Now, then, Harry, my boy, open the gates, and mother will bring us +the lantern." + +The next minute they were all standing round me in a small stable-yard. + +"Is he gentle, father?" + +"Yes, Dolly, as gentle as your own kitten; come and pat him." + +At once the little hand was patting about all over my shoulder without fear. +How good it felt! + +"Let me get him a bran mash while you rub him down," said the mother. + +"Do, Polly, it's just what he wants; and I know you've got a beautiful mash +ready for me." + +"Sausage dumpling and apple turnover!" shouted the boy, +which set them all laughing. I was led into a comfortable, +clean-smelling stall, with plenty of dry straw, and after a capital supper +I lay down, thinking I was going to be happy. + + + + +33 A London Cab Horse + + + +Jeremiah Barker was my new master's name, but as every one called him Jerry, +I shall do the same. Polly, his wife, was just as good a match +as a man could have. She was a plump, trim, tidy little woman, +with smooth, dark hair, dark eyes, and a merry little mouth. +The boy was twelve years old, a tall, frank, good-tempered lad; +and little Dorothy (Dolly they called her) was her mother over again, +at eight years old. They were all wonderfully fond of each other; +I never knew such a happy, merry family before or since. Jerry had +a cab of his own, and two horses, which he drove and attended to himself. +His other horse was a tall, white, rather large-boned animal +called "Captain". He was old now, but when he was young +he must have been splendid; he had still a proud way of holding his head +and arching his neck; in fact, he was a high-bred, fine-mannered, +noble old horse, every inch of him. He told me that in his early youth +he went to the Crimean War; he belonged to an officer in the cavalry, +and used to lead the regiment. I will tell more of that hereafter. + +The next morning, when I was well-groomed, Polly and Dolly came into the yard +to see me and make friends. Harry had been helping his father +since the early morning, and had stated his opinion that I should turn out +a "regular brick". Polly brought me a slice of apple, +and Dolly a piece of bread, and made as much of me as if I had been +the "Black Beauty" of olden time. It was a great treat to be petted again +and talked to in a gentle voice, and I let them see as well as I could +that I wished to be friendly. Polly thought I was very handsome, +and a great deal too good for a cab, if it was not for the broken knees. + +"Of course there's no one to tell us whose fault that was," said Jerry, +"and as long as I don't know I shall give him the benefit of the doubt; +for a firmer, neater stepper I never rode. We'll call him `Jack', +after the old one -- shall we, Polly?" + +"Do," she said, "for I like to keep a good name going." + +Captain went out in the cab all the morning. Harry came in after school +to feed me and give me water. In the afternoon I was put into the cab. +Jerry took as much pains to see if the collar and bridle fitted comfortably +as if he had been John Manly over again. When the crupper +was let out a hole or two it all fitted well. There was no check-rein, +no curb, nothing but a plain ring snaffle. What a blessing that was! + +After driving through the side street we came to the large cab stand +where Jerry had said "Good-night". On one side of this wide street +were high houses with wonderful shop fronts, and on the other +was an old church and churchyard, surrounded by iron palisades. +Alongside these iron rails a number of cabs were drawn up, +waiting for passengers; bits of hay were lying about on the ground; +some of the men were standing together talking; some were sitting +on their boxes reading the newspaper; and one or two +were feeding their horses with bits of hay, and giving them a drink of water. +We pulled up in the rank at the back of the last cab. Two or three men +came round and began to look at me and pass their remarks. + +"Very good for a funeral," said one. + +"Too smart-looking," said another, shaking his head in a very wise way; +"you'll find out something wrong one of these fine mornings, +or my name isn't Jones." + +"Well," said Jerry pleasantly, "I suppose I need not find it out till it +finds me out, eh? And if so, I'll keep up my spirits a little longer." + +Then there came up a broad-faced man, dressed in a great gray coat +with great gray cape and great white buttons, a gray hat, +and a blue comforter loosely tied round his neck; his hair was gray, too; +but he was a jolly-looking fellow, and the other men made way for him. +He looked me all over, as if he had been going to buy me; +and then straightening himself up with a grunt, he said, +"He's the right sort for you, Jerry; I don't care what you gave for him, +he'll be worth it." Thus my character was established on the stand. + +This man's name was Grant, but he was called "Gray Grant", +or "Governor Grant". He had been the longest on that stand +of any of the men, and he took it upon himself to settle matters +and stop disputes. He was generally a good-humored, sensible man; +but if his temper was a little out, as it was sometimes +when he had drunk too much, nobody liked to come too near his fist, +for he could deal a very heavy blow. + +The first week of my life as a cab horse was very trying. +I had never been used to London, and the noise, the hurry, +the crowds of horses, carts, and carriages that I had to make my way through +made me feel anxious and harassed; but I soon found that I could +perfectly trust my driver, and then I made myself easy and got used to it. + +Jerry was as good a driver as I had ever known, and what was better, +he took as much thought for his horses as he did for himself. +He soon found out that I was willing to work and do my best, +and he never laid the whip on me unless it was gently drawing the end of it +over my back when I was to go on; but generally I knew this quite well +by the way in which he took up the reins, and I believe his whip +was more frequently stuck up by his side than in his hand. + +In a short time I and my master understood each other as well +as horse and man can do. In the stable, too, he did all that he could +for our comfort. The stalls were the old-fashioned style, +too much on the slope; but he had two movable bars fixed across +the back of our stalls, so that at night, and when we were resting, +he just took off our halters and put up the bars, and thus we could +turn about and stand whichever way we pleased, which is a great comfort. + +Jerry kept us very clean, and gave us as much change of food as he could, +and always plenty of it; and not only that, but he always gave us plenty +of clean fresh water, which he allowed to stand by us both night and day, +except of course when we came in warm. Some people say that a horse +ought not to drink all he likes; but I know if we are allowed to drink +when we want it we drink only a little at a time, and it does us +a great deal more good than swallowing down half a bucketful at a time, +because we have been left without till we are thirsty and miserable. +Some grooms will go home to their beer and leave us for hours +with our dry hay and oats and nothing to moisten them; then of course +we gulp down too much at once, which helps to spoil our breathing +and sometimes chills our stomachs. But the best thing we had here +was our Sundays for rest; we worked so hard in the week +that I do not think we could have kept up to it but for that day; +besides, we had then time to enjoy each other's company. +It was on these days that I learned my companion's history. + + + + +34 An Old War Horse + + + +Captain had been broken in and trained for an army horse; +his first owner was an officer of cavalry going out to the Crimean war. +He said he quite enjoyed the training with all the other horses, +trotting together, turning together, to the right hand or the left, +halting at the word of command, or dashing forward at full speed +at the sound of the trumpet or signal of the officer. He was, +when young, a dark, dappled iron-gray, and considered very handsome. +His master, a young, high-spirited gentleman, was very fond of him, +and treated him from the first with the greatest care and kindness. +He told me he thought the life of an army horse was very pleasant; +but when it came to being sent abroad over the sea in a great ship, +he almost changed his mind. + +"That part of it," said he, "was dreadful! Of course we could not walk +off the land into the ship; so they were obliged to put strong straps +under our bodies, and then we were lifted off our legs +in spite of our struggles, and were swung through the air over the water, +to the deck of the great vessel. There we were placed in small close stalls, +and never for a long time saw the sky, or were able to stretch our legs. +The ship sometimes rolled about in high winds, and we were knocked about, +and felt bad enough. + +"However, at last it came to an end, and we were hauled up, +and swung over again to the land; we were very glad, and snorted and neighed +for joy, when we once more felt firm ground under our feet. + +"We soon found that the country we had come to was very different +from our own and that we had many hardships to endure besides the fighting; +but many of the men were so fond of their horses that they did +everything they could to make them comfortable in spite of snow, wet, +and all things out of order." + +"But what about the fighting?" said I, "was not that worse +than anything else?" + +"Well," said he, "I hardly know; we always liked to hear the trumpet sound, +and to be called out, and were impatient to start off, though sometimes +we had to stand for hours, waiting for the word of command; +and when the word was given we used to spring forward as gayly and eagerly +as if there were no cannon balls, bayonets, or bullets. +I believe so long as we felt our rider firm in the saddle, +and his hand steady on the bridle, not one of us gave way to fear, +not even when the terrible bomb-shells whirled through the air +and burst into a thousand pieces. + +"I, with my noble master, went into many actions together without a wound; +and though I saw horses shot down with bullets, pierced through with lances, +and gashed with fearful saber-cuts; though we left them dead on the field, +or dying in the agony of their wounds, I don't think I feared for myself. +My master's cheery voice, as he encouraged his men, made me feel as if +he and I could not be killed. I had such perfect trust in him that +while he was guiding me I was ready to charge up to the very cannon's mouth. +I saw many brave men cut down, many fall mortally wounded from their saddles. +I had heard the cries and groans of the dying, I had cantered over ground +slippery with blood, and frequently had to turn aside to avoid trampling on +wounded man or horse, but, until one dreadful day, I had never felt terror; +that day I shall never forget." + +Here old Captain paused for awhile and drew a long breath; I waited, +and he went on. + +"It was one autumn morning, and as usual, an hour before daybreak our cavalry +had turned out, ready caparisoned for the day's work, whether it might be +fighting or waiting. The men stood by their horses waiting, +ready for orders. As the light increased there seemed to be some excitement +among the officers; and before the day was well begun we heard the firing +of the enemy's guns. + +"Then one of the officers rode up and gave the word for the men to mount, +and in a second every man was in his saddle, and every horse stood +expecting the touch of the rein, or the pressure of his rider's heels, +all animated, all eager; but still we had been trained so well that, +except by the champing of our bits, and the restive tossing of our heads +from time to time, it could not be said that we stirred. + +"My dear master and I were at the head of the line, and as all sat +motionless and watchful, he took a little stray lock of my mane +which had turned over on the wrong side, laid it over on the right, +and smoothed it down with his hand; then patting my neck, he said, +`We shall have a day of it to-day, Bayard, my beauty; but we'll do our duty +as we have done.' He stroked my neck that morning more, I think, +than he had ever done before; quietly on and on, as if he were thinking +of something else. I loved to feel his hand on my neck, and arched my crest +proudly and happily; but I stood very still, for I knew all his moods, +and when he liked me to be quiet, and when gay. + +"I cannot tell all that happened on that day, but I will tell of +the last charge that we made together; it was across a valley right in front +of the enemy's cannon. By this time we were well used to the roar +of heavy guns, the rattle of musket fire, and the flying of shot near us; +but never had I been under such a fire as we rode through on that day. +From the right, from the left, and from the front, shot and shell +poured in upon us. Many a brave man went down, many a horse fell, +flinging his rider to the earth; many a horse without a rider +ran wildly out of the ranks; then terrified at being alone, +with no hand to guide him, came pressing in among his old companions, +to gallop with them to the charge. + +"Fearful as it was, no one stopped, no one turned back. +Every moment the ranks were thinned, but as our comrades fell, +we closed in to keep them together; and instead of being shaken +or staggered in our pace our gallop became faster and faster +as we neared the cannon. + +"My master, my dear master was cheering on his comrades with his right arm +raised on high, when one of the balls whizzing close to my head struck him. +I felt him stagger with the shock, though he uttered no cry; +I tried to check my speed, but the sword dropped from his right hand, +the rein fell loose from the left, and sinking backward from the saddle +he fell to the earth; the other riders swept past us, and by the force +of their charge I was driven from the spot. + +"I wanted to keep my place by his side and not leave him under that rush +of horses' feet, but it was in vain; and now without a master or a friend +I was alone on that great slaughter ground; then fear took hold on me, +and I trembled as I had never trembled before; and I too, as I had seen +other horses do, tried to join in the ranks and gallop with them; +but I was beaten off by the swords of the soldiers. Just then a soldier +whose horse had been killed under him caught at my bridle and mounted me, +and with this new master I was again going forward; but our gallant company +was cruelly overpowered, and those who remained alive +after the fierce fight for the guns came galloping back over the same ground. +Some of the horses had been so badly wounded that they could scarcely move +from the loss of blood; other noble creatures were trying on three legs +to drag themselves along, and others were struggling to rise +on their fore feet, when their hind legs had been shattered by shot. +After the battle the wounded men were brought in and the dead were buried." + +"And what about the wounded horses?" I said; "were they left to die?" + +"No, the army farriers went over the field with their pistols +and shot all that were ruined; some that had only slight wounds +were brought back and attended to, but the greater part of the noble, +willing creatures that went out that morning never came back! +In our stables there was only about one in four that returned. + +"I never saw my dear master again. I believe he fell dead from the saddle. +I never loved any other master so well. I went into many other engagements, +but was only once wounded, and then not seriously; and when the war was over +I came back again to England, as sound and strong as when I went out." + +I said, "I have heard people talk about war as if it was a very fine thing." + +"Ah!" said he, "I should think they never saw it. No doubt it is very fine +when there is no enemy, when it is just exercise and parade and sham fight. +Yes, it is very fine then; but when thousands of good brave men and horses +are killed or crippled for life, it has a very different look." + +"Do you know what they fought about?" said I. + +"No," he said, "that is more than a horse can understand, +but the enemy must have been awfully wicked people, if it was right +to go all that way over the sea on purpose to kill them." + + + + +35 Jerry Barker + + + +I never knew a better man than my new master. He was kind and good, +and as strong for the right as John Manly; and so good-tempered and merry +that very few people could pick a quarrel with him. +He was very fond of making little songs, and singing them to himself. +One he was very fond of was this: + + "Come, father and mother, + And sister and brother, + Come, all of you, turn to + And help one another." + +And so they did; Harry was as clever at stable-work as a much older boy, +and always wanted to do what he could. Then Polly and Dolly used to come +in the morning to help with the cab -- to brush and beat the cushions, +and rub the glass, while Jerry was giving us a cleaning in the yard, +and Harry was rubbing the harness. There used to be a great deal +of laughing and fun between them, and it put Captain and me +in much better spirits than if we had heard scolding and hard words. +They were always early in the morning, for Jerry would say: + + "If you in the morning + Throw minutes away, + You can't pick them up + In the course of a day. + You may hurry and scurry, + And flurry and worry, + You've lost them forever, + Forever and aye." + +He could not bear any careless loitering and waste of time; +and nothing was so near making him angry as to find people, +who were always late, wanting a cab horse to be driven hard, +to make up for their idleness. + +One day two wild-looking young men came out of a tavern close by the stand, +and called Jerry. + +"Here, cabby! look sharp, we are rather late; put on the steam, will you, +and take us to the Victoria in time for the one o'clock train? +You shall have a shilling extra." + +"I will take you at the regular pace, gentlemen; shillings don't pay +for putting on the steam like that." + +Larry's cab was standing next to ours; he flung open the door, and said, +"I'm your man, gentlemen! take my cab, my horse will get you there +all right;" and as he shut them in, with a wink toward Jerry, said, +"It's against his conscience to go beyond a jog-trot." +Then slashing his jaded horse, he set off as hard as he could. +Jerry patted me on the neck: "No, Jack, a shilling would not pay +for that sort of thing, would it, old boy?" + +Although Jerry was determinedly set against hard driving, +to please careless people, he always went a good fair pace, +and was not against putting on the steam, as he said, if only he knew why. + +I well remember one morning, as we were on the stand waiting for a fare, +that a young man, carrying a heavy portmanteau, trod on a piece +of orange peel which lay on the pavement, and fell down with great force. + +Jerry was the first to run and lift him up. He seemed much stunned, +and as they led him into a shop he walked as if he were in great pain. +Jerry of course came back to the stand, but in about ten minutes +one of the shopmen called him, so we drew up to the pavement. + +"Can you take me to the South-Eastern Railway?" said the young man; +"this unlucky fall has made me late, I fear; but it is of great importance +that I should not lose the twelve o'clock train. I should be most thankful +if you could get me there in time, and will gladly pay you an extra fare." + +"I'll do my very best," said Jerry heartily, "if you think you are +well enough, sir," for he looked dreadfully white and ill. + +"I must go," he said earnestly, "please to open the door, +and let us lose no time." + +The next minute Jerry was on the box; with a cheery chirrup to me, +and a twitch of the rein that I well understood. + +"Now then, Jack, my boy," said he, "spin along, we'll show them +how we can get over the ground, if we only know why." + +It is always difficult to drive fast in the city in the middle of the day, +when the streets are full of traffic, but we did what could be done; +and when a good driver and a good horse, who understand each other, +are of one mind, it is wonderful what they can do. I had a very good mouth +-- that is I could be guided by the slightest touch of the rein; +and that is a great thing in London, among carriages, omnibuses, carts, +vans, trucks, cabs, and great wagons creeping along at a walking pace; +some going one way, some another, some going slowly, +others wanting to pass them; omnibuses stopping short every few minutes +to take up a passenger, obliging the horse that is coming behind +to pull up too, or to pass, and get before them; perhaps you try to pass, +but just then something else comes dashing in through the narrow opening, +and you have to keep in behind the omnibus again; presently you think +you see a chance, and manage to get to the front, going so near +the wheels on each side that half an inch nearer and they would scrape. +Well, you get along for a bit, but soon find yourself in a long train +of carts and carriages all obliged to go at a walk; perhaps you come +to a regular block-up, and have to stand still for minutes together, +till something clears out into a side street, or the policeman interferes; +you have to be ready for any chance -- to dash forward +if there be an opening, and be quick as a rat-dog to see if there be room +and if there be time, lest you get your own wheels locked or smashed, +or the shaft of some other vehicle run into your chest or shoulder. All this +is what you have to be ready for. If you want to get through London fast +in the middle of the day it wants a deal of practice. + +Jerry and I were used to it, and no one could beat us at getting through +when we were set upon it. I was quick and bold and could always trust +my driver; Jerry was quick and patient at the same time, +and could trust his horse, which was a great thing too. +He very seldom used the whip; I knew by his voice, and his click, click, +when he wanted to get on fast, and by the rein where I was to go; +so there was no need for whipping; but I must go back to my story. + +The streets were very full that day, but we got on pretty well as far as +the bottom of Cheapside, where there was a block for three or four minutes. +The young man put his head out and said anxiously, "I think I had better +get out and walk; I shall never get there if this goes on." + +"I'll do all that can be done, sir," said Jerry; "I think we shall +be in time. This block-up cannot last much longer, and your luggage +is very heavy for you to carry, sir." + +Just then the cart in front of us began to move on, +and then we had a good turn. In and out, in and out we went, +as fast as horseflesh could do it, and for a wonder had a good clear time +on London Bridge, for there was a whole train of cabs and carriages +all going our way at a quick trot, perhaps wanting to catch that very train. +At any rate, we whirled into the station with many more, +just as the great clock pointed to eight minutes to twelve o'clock. + +"Thank God! we are in time," said the young man, "and thank you, too, +my friend, and your good horse. You have saved me more than money +can ever pay for. Take this extra half-crown." + +"No, sir, no, thank you all the same; so glad we hit the time, sir; +but don't stay now, sir, the bell is ringing. Here, porter! +take this gentleman's luggage -- Dover line twelve o'clock train -- +that's it," and without waiting for another word Jerry wheeled me round +to make room for other cabs that were dashing up at the last minute, +and drew up on one side till the crush was past. + +"`So glad!' he said, `so glad!' Poor young fellow! I wonder what it was +that made him so anxious!" + +Jerry often talked to himself quite loud enough for me to hear +when we were not moving. + +On Jerry's return to the rank there was a good deal of laughing +and chaffing at him for driving hard to the train for an extra fare, +as they said, all against his principles, and they wanted to know +how much he had pocketed. + +"A good deal more than I generally get," said he, nodding slyly; +"what he gave me will keep me in little comforts for several days." + +"Gammon!" said one. + +"He's a humbug," said another; "preaching to us and then +doing the same himself." + +"Look here, mates," said Jerry; "the gentleman offered me half a crown extra, +but I didn't take it; 'twas quite pay enough for me to see how glad he was +to catch that train; and if Jack and I choose to have a quick run +now and then to please ourselves, that's our business and not yours." + +"Well," said Larry, "you'll never be a rich man." + +"Most likely not," said Jerry; "but I don't know that I shall be +the less happy for that. I have heard the commandments read +a great many times and I never noticed that any of them said, +`Thou shalt be rich'; and there are a good many curious things +said in the New Testament about rich men that I think would make me +feel rather queer if I was one of them." + +"If you ever do get rich," said Governor Gray, looking over his shoulder +across the top of his cab, "you'll deserve it, Jerry, and you won't find +a curse come with your wealth. As for you, Larry, you'll die poor; +you spend too much in whipcord." + +"Well," said Larry, "what is a fellow to do if his horse won't go +without it?" + +"You never take the trouble to see if he will go without it; +your whip is always going as if you had the St. Vitus' dance in your arm, +and if it does not wear you out it wears your horse out; +you know you are always changing your horses; and why? +Because you never give them any peace or encouragement." + +"Well, I have not had good luck," said Larry, "that's where it is." + +"And you never will," said the governor. "Good Luck is rather particular +who she rides with, and mostly prefers those who have got common sense +and a good heart; at least that is my experience." + +Governor Gray turned round again to his newspaper, and the other men +went to their cabs. + + + + +36 The Sunday Cab + + + +One morning, as Jerry had just put me into the shafts and was fastening +the traces, a gentleman walked into the yard. "Your servant, sir," +said Jerry. + +"Good-morning, Mr. Barker," said the gentleman. "I should be glad +to make some arrangements with you for taking Mrs. Briggs regularly to church +on Sunday mornings. We go to the New Church now, and that is rather further +than she can walk." + +"Thank you, sir," said Jerry, "but I have only taken out +a six-days' license,* and therefore I could not take a fare on a Sunday; +it would not be legal." + +-- +* A few years since the annual charge for a cab license was +very much reduced, and the difference between the six and seven days' cabs +was abolished. +-- + +"Oh!" said the other, "I did not know yours was a six-days' cab; +but of course it would be very easy to alter your license. +I would see that you did not lose by it; the fact is, +Mrs. Briggs very much prefers you to drive her." + +"I should be glad to oblige the lady, sir, but I had +a seven-days' license once, and the work was too hard for me, +and too hard for my horses. Year in and year out, not a day's rest, +and never a Sunday with my wife and children; and never able to go +to a place of worship, which I had always been used to do before I took +to the driving box. So for the last five years I have only taken +a six-days' license, and I find it better all the way round." + +"Well, of course," replied Mr. Briggs, "it is very proper that every person +should have rest, and be able to go to church on Sundays, +but I should have thought you would not have minded such a short distance +for the horse, and only once a day; you would have all the afternoon +and evening for yourself, and we are very good customers, you know." + +"Yes, sir, that is true, and I am grateful for all favors, I am sure; +and anything that I could do to oblige you, or the lady, +I should be proud and happy to do; but I can't give up my Sundays, sir, +indeed I can't. I read that God made man, and he made horses and all +the other beasts, and as soon as He had made them He made a day of rest, +and bade that all should rest one day in seven; and I think, sir, +He must have known what was good for them, and I am sure it is good for me; +I am stronger and healthier altogether, now that I have a day of rest; +the horses are fresh too, and do not wear up nearly so fast. +The six-day drivers all tell me the same, and I have laid by +more money in the savings bank than ever I did before; +and as for the wife and children, sir, why, heart alive! +they would not go back to the seven days for all they could see." + +"Oh, very well," said the gentleman. "Don't trouble yourself, Mr. Barker, +any further. I will inquire somewhere else," and he walked away. + +"Well," says Jerry to me, "we can't help it, Jack, old boy; +we must have our Sundays." + +"Polly!" he shouted, "Polly! come here." + +She was there in a minute. + +"What is it all about, Jerry?" + +"Why, my dear, Mr. Briggs wants me to take Mrs. Briggs to church +every Sunday morning. I say I have only a six-days' license. He says, +`Get a seven-days' license, and I'll make it worth your while;' +and you know, Polly, they are very good customers to us. +Mrs. Briggs often goes out shopping for hours, or making calls, +and then she pays down fair and honorable like a lady; +there's no beating down or making three hours into two hours and a half, +as some folks do; and it is easy work for the horses; not like tearing along +to catch trains for people that are always a quarter of an hour too late; +and if I don't oblige her in this matter it is very likely +we shall lose them altogether. What do you say, little woman?" + +"I say, Jerry," says she, speaking very slowly, "I say, if Mrs. Briggs +would give you a sovereign every Sunday morning, I would not have you +a seven-days' cabman again. We have known what it was to have no Sundays, +and now we know what it is to call them our own. Thank God, +you earn enough to keep us, though it is sometimes close work +to pay for all the oats and hay, the license, and the rent besides; +but Harry will soon be earning something, and I would rather struggle on +harder than we do than go back to those horrid times when you hardly had +a minute to look at your own children, and we never could go +to a place of worship together, or have a happy, quiet day. +God forbid that we should ever turn back to those times; +that's what I say, Jerry." + +"And that is just what I told Mr. Briggs, my dear," said Jerry, +"and what I mean to stick to. So don't go and fret yourself, Polly" +(for she had begun to cry); "I would not go back to the old times +if I earned twice as much, so that is settled, little woman. +Now, cheer up, and I'll be off to the stand." + +Three weeks had passed away after this conversation, and no order had come +from Mrs. Briggs; so there was nothing but taking jobs from the stand. +Jerry took it to heart a good deal, for of course the work was harder +for horse and man. But Polly would always cheer him up, and say, +"Never mind, father, never, mind. + + "`Do your best, + And leave the rest, + 'Twill all come right + Some day or night.'" + +It soon became known that Jerry had lost his best customer, +and for what reason. Most of the men said he was a fool, +but two or three took his part. + +"If workingmen don't stick to their Sunday," said Truman, "they'll soon have +none left; it is every man's right and every beast's right. By God's law +we have a day of rest, and by the law of England we have a day of rest; +and I say we ought to hold to the rights these laws give us +and keep them for our children." + +"All very well for you religious chaps to talk so," said Larry; +"but I'll turn a shilling when I can. I don't believe in religion, +for I don't see that your religious people are any better than the rest." + +"If they are not better," put in Jerry, "it is because +they are not religious. You might as well say that our country's laws +are not good because some people break them. If a man gives way +to his temper, and speaks evil of his neighbor, and does not pay his debts, +he is not religious, I don't care how much he goes to church. +If some men are shams and humbugs, that does not make religion untrue. +Real religion is the best and truest thing in the world, and the only thing +that can make a man really happy or make the world we live in any better." + +"If religion was good for anything," said Jones, "it would prevent +your religious people from making us work on Sundays, as you know +many of them do, and that's why I say religion is nothing but a sham; why, +if it was not for the church and chapel-goers it would be hardly worth while +our coming out on a Sunday. But they have their privileges, +as they call them, and I go without. I shall expect them to answer +for my soul, if I can't get a chance of saving it." + +Several of the men applauded this, till Jerry said: + +"That may sound well enough, but it won't do; every man must look after +his own soul; you can't lay it down at another man's door like a foundling +and expect him to take care of it; and don't you see, +if you are always sitting on your box waiting for a fare, they will say, +`If we don't take him some one else will, and he does not look +for any Sunday.' Of course, they don't go to the bottom of it, +or they would see if they never came for a cab it would be no use +your standing there; but people don't always like to go +to the bottom of things; it may not be convenient to do it; +but if you Sunday drivers would all strike for a day of rest +the thing would be done." + +"And what would all the good people do if they could not get +to their favorite preachers?" said Larry. + +"'Tis not for me to lay down plans for other people," said Jerry, +"but if they can't walk so far they can go to what is nearer; +and if it should rain they can put on their mackintoshes as they do +on a week-day. If a thing is right it can be done, and if it is wrong +it can be done without; and a good man will find a way. +And that is as true for us cabmen as it is for the church-goers." + + + + +37 The Golden Rule + + + +Two or three weeks after this, as we came into the yard rather late +in the evening, Polly came running across the road with the lantern +(she always brought it to him if it was not very wet). + +"It has all come right, Jerry; Mrs. Briggs sent her servant this afternoon +to ask you to take her out to-morrow at eleven o'clock. I said, +`Yes, I thought so, but we supposed she employed some one else now.'" + +"`Well,' said he, `the real fact is, master was put out because +Mr. Barker refused to come on Sundays, and he has been trying other cabs, +but there's something wrong with them all; some drive too fast, +and some too slow, and the mistress says there is not one of them so nice +and clean as yours, and nothing will suit her but Mr. Barker's cab again.'" + +Polly was almost out of breath, and Jerry broke out into a merry laugh. + +"`'Twill all come right some day or night': you were right, my dear; +you generally are. Run in and get the supper, and I'll have +Jack's harness off and make him snug and happy in no time." + +After this Mrs. Briggs wanted Jerry's cab quite as often as before, +never, however, on a Sunday; but there came a day when we had Sunday work, +and this was how it happened. We had all come home on the Saturday night +very tired, and very glad to think that the next day would be all rest, +but so it was not to be. + +On Sunday morning Jerry was cleaning me in the yard, +when Polly stepped up to him, looking very full of something. + +"What is it?" said Jerry. + +"Well, my dear," she said, "poor Dinah Brown has just had a letter brought +to say that her mother is dangerously ill, and that she must go directly +if she wishes to see her alive. The place is more than ten miles away +from here, out in the country, and she says if she takes the train +she should still have four miles to walk; and so weak as she is, +and the baby only four weeks old, of course that would be impossible; +and she wants to know if you would take her in your cab, +and she promises to pay you faithfully, as she can get the money." + +"Tut, tut! we'll see about that. It was not the money I was thinking about, +but of losing our Sunday; the horses are tired, and I am tired, too -- +that's where it pinches." + +"It pinches all round, for that matter," said Polly, "for it's only +half Sunday without you, but you know we should do to other people +as we should like they should do to us; and I know very well +what I should like if my mother was dying; and Jerry, dear, +I am sure it won't break the Sabbath; for if pulling a poor beast or donkey +out of a pit would not spoil it, I am quite sure taking poor Dinah +would not do it." + +"Why, Polly, you are as good as the minister, and so, as I've had +my Sunday-morning sermon early to-day, you may go and tell Dinah +that I'll be ready for her as the clock strikes ten; but stop -- +just step round to butcher Braydon's with my compliments, +and ask him if he would lend me his light trap; I know he never uses it +on the Sunday, and it would make a wonderful difference to the horse." + +Away she went, and soon returned, saying that he could have the trap +and welcome. + +"All right," said he; "now put me up a bit of bread and cheese, +and I'll be back in the afternoon as soon as I can." + +"And I'll have the meat pie ready for an early tea instead of for dinner," +said Polly; and away she went, while he made his preparations to the tune of +"Polly's the woman and no mistake", of which tune he was very fond. + +I was selected for the journey, and at ten o'clock we started, +in a light, high-wheeled gig, which ran so easily +that after the four-wheeled cab it seemed like nothing. + +It was a fine May day, and as soon as we were out of the town, the sweet air, +the smell of the fresh grass, and the soft country roads were as pleasant +as they used to be in the old times, and I soon began to feel quite fresh. + +Dinah's family lived in a small farmhouse, up a green lane, close by a meadow +with some fine shady trees; there were two cows feeding in it. +A young man asked Jerry to bring his trap into the meadow, and he would +tie me up in the cowshed; he wished he had a better stable to offer. + +"If your cows would not be offended," said Jerry, "there is nothing my horse +would like so well as to have an hour or two in your beautiful meadow; +he's quiet, and it would be a rare treat for him." + +"Do, and welcome," said the young man; "the best we have is at your service +for your kindness to my sister; we shall be having some dinner in an hour, +and I hope you'll come in, though with mother so ill we are all out of sorts +in the house." + +Jerry thanked him kindly, but said as he had some dinner with him +there was nothing he should like so well as walking about in the meadow. + +When my harness was taken off I did not know what I should do first -- +whether to eat the grass, or roll over on my back, or lie down and rest, +or have a gallop across the meadow out of sheer spirits at being free; +and I did all by turns. Jerry seemed to be quite as happy as I was; +he sat down by a bank under a shady tree, and listened to the birds, +then he sang himself, and read out of the little brown book he is so fond of, +then wandered round the meadow, and down by a little brook, +where he picked the flowers and the hawthorn, and tied them up +with long sprays of ivy; then he gave me a good feed of the oats +which he had brought with him; but the time seemed all too short -- +I had not been in a field since I left poor Ginger at Earlshall. + +We came home gently, and Jerry's first words were, as we came into the yard, +"Well, Polly, I have not lost my Sunday after all, for the birds +were singing hymns in every bush, and I joined in the service; +and as for Jack, he was like a young colt." + +When he handed Dolly the flowers she jumped about for joy. + + + + +38 Dolly and a Real Gentleman + + + +Winter came in early, with a great deal of cold and wet. There was snow, +or sleet, or rain almost every day for weeks, changing only for +keen driving winds or sharp frosts. The horses all felt it very much. +When it is a dry cold a couple of good thick rugs will keep the warmth in us; +but when it is soaking rain they soon get wet through and are no good. +Some of the drivers had a waterproof cover to throw over, +which was a fine thing; but some of the men were so poor +that they could not protect either themselves or their horses, +and many of them suffered very much that winter. When we horses +had worked half the day we went to our dry stables, and could rest, +while they had to sit on their boxes, sometimes staying out as late +as one or two o'clock in the morning if they had a party to wait for. + +When the streets were slippery with frost or snow that was the worst of all +for us horses. One mile of such traveling, with a weight to draw +and no firm footing, would take more out of us than four on a good road; +every nerve and muscle of our bodies is on the strain to keep our balance; +and, added to this, the fear of falling is more exhausting +than anything else. If the roads are very bad indeed our shoes are roughed, +but that makes us feel nervous at first. + +When the weather was very bad many of the men would go and sit +in the tavern close by, and get some one to watch for them; +but they often lost a fare in that way, and could not, as Jerry said, +be there without spending money. He never went to the Rising Sun; +there was a coffee-shop near, where he now and then went, +or he bought of an old man, who came to our rank with tins +of hot coffee and pies. It was his opinion that spirits and beer +made a man colder afterward, and that dry clothes, good food, cheerfulness, +and a comfortable wife at home, were the best things to keep a cabman warm. +Polly always supplied him with something to eat when he could not get home, +and sometimes he would see little Dolly peeping from the corner +of the street, to make sure if "father" was on the stand. +If she saw him she would run off at full speed and soon come back +with something in a tin or basket, some hot soup or pudding Polly had ready. +It was wonderful how such a little thing could get safely across the street, +often thronged with horses and carriages; but she was a brave little maid, +and felt it quite an honor to bring "father's first course", +as he used to call it. She was a general favorite on the stand, +and there was not a man who would not have seen her safely across the street, +if Jerry had not been able to do it. + +One cold windy day Dolly had brought Jerry a basin of something hot, +and was standing by him while he ate it. He had scarcely begun +when a gentleman, walking toward us very fast, held up his umbrella. +Jerry touched his hat in return, gave the basin to Dolly, +and was taking off my cloth, when the gentleman, hastening up, cried out, +"No, no, finish your soup, my friend; I have not much time to spare, +but I can wait till you have done, and set your little girl +safe on the pavement." So saying, he seated himself in the cab. +Jerry thanked him kindly, and came back to Dolly. + +"There, Dolly, that's a gentleman; that's a real gentleman, Dolly; +he has got time and thought for the comfort of a poor cabman +and a little girl." + +Jerry finished his soup, set the child across, and then took his orders +to drive to Clapham Rise. Several times after that the same gentleman +took our cab. I think he was very fond of dogs and horses, +for whenever we took him to his own door two or three dogs +would come bounding out to meet him. Sometimes he came round and patted me, +saying in his quiet, pleasant way, "This horse has got a good master, +and he deserves it." It was a very rare thing for any one to notice +the horse that had been working for him. I have known ladies to do it +now and then, and this gentleman, and one or two others have given me +a pat and a kind word; but ninety-nine persons out of a hundred +would as soon think of patting the steam engine that drew the train. + +The gentleman was not young, and there was a forward stoop in his shoulders +as if he was always going at something. His lips were thin and close shut, +though they had a very pleasant smile; his eye was keen, +and there was something in his jaw and the motion of his head +that made one think he was very determined in anything he set about. +His voice was pleasant and kind; any horse would trust that voice, +though it was just as decided as everything else about him. + +One day he and another gentleman took our cab; they stopped at a shop +in R---- Street, and while his friend went in he stood at the door. +A little ahead of us on the other side of the street +a cart with two very fine horses was standing before some wine vaults; +the carter was not with them, and I cannot tell how long +they had been standing, but they seemed to think they had waited long enough, +and began to move off. Before they had gone many paces +the carter came running out and caught them. He seemed furious +at their having moved, and with whip and rein punished them brutally, +even beating them about the head. Our gentleman saw it all, +and stepping quickly across the street, said in a decided voice: + +"If you don't stop that directly, I'll have you arrested +for leaving your horses, and for brutal conduct." + +The man, who had clearly been drinking, poured forth some abusive language, +but he left off knocking the horses about, and taking the reins, +got into his cart; meantime our friend had quietly taken a note-book +from his pocket, and looking at the name and address painted on the cart, +he wrote something down. + +"What do you want with that?" growled the carter, as he cracked his whip +and was moving on. A nod and a grim smile was the only answer he got. + +On returning to the cab our friend was joined by his companion, +who said laughingly, "I should have thought, Wright, +you had enough business of your own to look after, without troubling yourself +about other people's horses and servants." + +Our friend stood still for a moment, and throwing his head a little back, +"Do you know why this world is as bad as it is?" + +"No," said the other. + +"Then I'll tell you. It is because people think only about +their own business, and won't trouble themselves to stand up +for the oppressed, nor bring the wrongdoer to light. +I never see a wicked thing like this without doing what I can, +and many a master has thanked me for letting him know +how his horses have been used." + +"I wish there were more gentlemen like you, sir," said Jerry, +"for they are wanted badly enough in this city." + +After this we continued our journey, and as they got out of the cab +our friend was saying, "My doctrine is this, that if we see cruelty or wrong +that we have the power to stop, and do nothing, we make ourselves +sharers in the guilt." + + + + +39 Seedy Sam + + + +I should say that for a cab-horse I was very well off indeed; +my driver was my owner, and it was his interest to treat me well +and not overwork me, even had he not been so good a man as he was; +but there were a great many horses which belonged to the large cab-owners, +who let them out to their drivers for so much money a day. +As the horses did not belong to these men the only thing they thought of +was how to get their money out of them, first, to pay the master, +and then to provide for their own living; and a dreadful time +some of these horses had of it. Of course, I understood but little, +but it was often talked over on the stand, and the governor, +who was a kind-hearted man and fond of horses, would sometimes speak up +if one came in very much jaded or ill-used. + +One day a shabby, miserable-looking driver, who went by the name +of "Seedy Sam", brought in his horse looking dreadfully beat, +and the governor said: + +"You and your horse look more fit for the police station than for this rank." + +The man flung his tattered rug over the horse, turned full round +upon the Governor and said in a voice that sounded almost desperate: + +"If the police have any business with the matter it ought to be with +the masters who charge us so much, or with the fares that are fixed so low. +If a man has to pay eighteen shillings a day for the use of a cab +and two horses, as many of us have to do in the season, +and must make that up before we earn a penny for ourselves +I say 'tis more than hard work; nine shillings a day to get out of each horse +before you begin to get your own living. You know that's true, +and if the horses don't work we must starve, and I and my children +have known what that is before now. I've six of 'em, and only one +earns anything; I am on the stand fourteen or sixteen hours a day, +and I haven't had a Sunday these ten or twelve weeks; you know Skinner +never gives a day if he can help it, and if I don't work hard, +tell me who does! I want a warm coat and a mackintosh, +but with so many to feed how can a man get it? I had to pledge my clock +a week ago to pay Skinner, and I shall never see it again." + +Some of the other drivers stood round nodding their heads +and saying he was right. The man went on: + +"You that have your own horses and cabs, or drive for good masters, +have a chance of getting on and a chance of doing right; I haven't. +We can't charge more than sixpence a mile after the first, +within the four-mile radius. This very morning I had to go a clear six miles +and only took three shillings. I could not get a return fare, +and had to come all the way back; there's twelve miles for the horse +and three shillings for me. After that I had a three-mile fare, +and there were bags and boxes enough to have brought in a good many twopences +if they had been put outside; but you know how people do; +all that could be piled up inside on the front seat were put in +and three heavy boxes went on the top. That was sixpence, +and the fare one and sixpence; then I got a return for a shilling. +Now that makes eighteen miles for the horse and six shillings for me; +there's three shillings still for that horse to earn and nine shillings +for the afternoon horse before I touch a penny. Of course, +it is not always so bad as that, but you know it often is, +and I say 'tis a mockery to tell a man that he must not overwork his horse, +for when a beast is downright tired there's nothing but the whip +that will keep his legs a-going; you can't help yourself -- +you must put your wife and children before the horse; the masters must +look to that, we can't. I don't ill-use my horse for the sake of it; +none of you can say I do. There's wrong lays somewhere -- +never a day's rest, never a quiet hour with the wife and children. +I often feel like an old man, though I'm only forty-five. +You know how quick some of the gentry are to suspect us of cheating +and overcharging; why, they stand with their purses in their hands +counting it over to a penny and looking at us as if we were pickpockets. +I wish some of 'em had got to sit on my box sixteen hours a day +and get a living out of it and eighteen shillings beside, +and that in all weathers; they would not be so uncommon particular +never to give us a sixpence over or to cram all the luggage inside. +Of course, some of 'em tip us pretty handsome now and then, +or else we could not live; but you can't depend upon that." + +The men who stood round much approved this speech, and one of them said, +"It is desperate hard, and if a man sometimes does what is wrong +it is no wonder, and if he gets a dram too much who's to blow him up?" + +Jerry had taken no part in this conversation, but I never saw his face +look so sad before. The governor had stood with both his hands +in his pockets; now he took his handkerchief out of his hat +and wiped his forehead. + +"You've beaten me, Sam," he said, "for it's all true, +and I won't cast it up to you any more about the police; +it was the look in that horse's eye that came over me. +It is hard lines for man and it is hard lines for beast, +and who's to mend it I don't know: but anyway you might tell the poor beast +that you were sorry to take it out of him in that way. +Sometimes a kind word is all we can give 'em, poor brutes, +and 'tis wonderful what they do understand." + +A few mornings after this talk a new man came on the stand with Sam's cab. + +"Halloo!" said one, "what's up with Seedy Sam?" + +"He's ill in bed," said the man; "he was taken last night in the yard, +and could scarcely crawl home. His wife sent a boy this morning +to say his father was in a high fever and could not get out, +so I'm here instead." + +The next morning the same man came again. + +"How is Sam?" inquired the governor. + +"He's gone," said the man. + +"What, gone? You don't mean to say he's dead?" + +"Just snuffed out," said the other; "he died at four o'clock this morning; +all yesterday he was raving -- raving about Skinner, and having no Sundays. +`I never had a Sunday's rest,' these were his last words." + +No one spoke for a while, and then the governor said, "I'll tell you what, +mates, this is a warning for us." + + + + +40 Poor Ginger + + + +One day, while our cab and many others were waiting outside one of the parks +where music was playing, a shabby old cab drove up beside ours. +The horse was an old worn-out chestnut, with an ill-kept coat, +and bones that showed plainly through it, the knees knuckled over, +and the fore-legs were very unsteady. I had been eating some hay, +and the wind rolled a little lock of it that way, and the poor creature +put out her long thin neck and picked it up, and then turned +and looked about for more. There was a hopeless look in the dull eye +that I could not help noticing, and then, as I was thinking +where I had seen that horse before, she looked full at me and said, +"Black Beauty, is that you?" + +It was Ginger! but how changed! The beautifully arched and glossy neck +was now straight, and lank, and fallen in; the clean straight legs +and delicate fetlocks were swelled; the joints were grown out of shape +with hard work; the face, that was once so full of spirit and life, +was now full of suffering, and I could tell by the heaving of her sides, +and her frequent cough, how bad her breath was. + +Our drivers were standing together a little way off, so I sidled up to her +a step or two, that we might have a little quiet talk. It was a sad tale +that she had to tell. + +After a twelvemonth's run off at Earlshall, she was considered to be fit +for work again, and was sold to a gentleman. For a little while +she got on very well, but after a longer gallop than usual +the old strain returned, and after being rested and doctored +she was again sold. In this way she changed hands several times, +but always getting lower down. + +"And so at last," said she, "I was bought by a man who keeps +a number of cabs and horses, and lets them out. You look well off, +and I am glad of it, but I could not tell you what my life has been. +When they found out my weakness they said I was not worth +what they gave for me, and that I must go into one of the low cabs, +and just be used up; that is what they are doing, whipping and working +with never one thought of what I suffer -- they paid for me, +and must get it out of me, they say. The man who hires me now +pays a deal of money to the owner every day, and so he has to +get it out of me too; and so it's all the week round and round, +with never a Sunday rest." + +I said, "You used to stand up for yourself if you were ill-used." + +"Ah!" she said, "I did once, but it's no use; men are strongest, +and if they are cruel and have no feeling, there is nothing that we can do, +but just bear it -- bear it on and on to the end. I wish the end was come, +I wish I was dead. I have seen dead horses, and I am sure they do not +suffer pain; I wish I may drop down dead at my work, and not be sent off +to the knackers." + +I was very much troubled, and I put my nose up to hers, +but I could say nothing to comfort her. I think she was pleased to see me, +for she said, "You are the only friend I ever had." + +Just then her driver came up, and with a tug at her mouth backed her +out of the line and drove off, leaving me very sad indeed. + +A short time after this a cart with a dead horse in it passed our cab-stand. +The head hung out of the cart-tail, the lifeless tongue was slowly +dropping with blood; and the sunken eyes! but I can't speak of them, +the sight was too dreadful. It was a chestnut horse with a long, thin neck. +I saw a white streak down the forehead. I believe it was Ginger; +I hoped it was, for then her troubles would be over. Oh! if men were +more merciful they would shoot us before we came to such misery. + + + + +41 The Butcher + + + +I saw a great deal of trouble among the horses in London, +and much of it might have been prevented by a little common sense. +We horses do not mind hard work if we are treated reasonably, +and I am sure there are many driven by quite poor men who have a happier life +than I had when I used to go in the Countess of W----'s carriage, +with my silver-mounted harness and high feeding. + +It often went to my heart to see how the little ponies were used, +straining along with heavy loads or staggering under heavy blows +from some low, cruel boy. Once I saw a little gray pony +with a thick mane and a pretty head, and so much like Merrylegs +that if I had not been in harness I should have neighed to him. +He was doing his best to pull a heavy cart, while a strong rough boy +was cutting him under the belly with his whip and chucking cruelly +at his little mouth. Could it be Merrylegs? It was just like him; +but then Mr. Blomefield was never to sell him, and I think +he would not do it; but this might have been quite as good a little fellow, +and had as happy a place when he was young. + +I often noticed the great speed at which butchers' horses were made to go, +though I did not know why it was so till one day when we had to +wait some time in St. John's Wood. There was a butcher's shop next door, +and as we were standing a butcher's cart came dashing up at a great pace. +The horse was hot and much exhausted; he hung his head down, while his +heaving sides and trembling legs showed how hard he had been driven. +The lad jumped out of the cart and was getting the basket +when the master came out of the shop much displeased. +After looking at the horse he turned angrily to the lad. + +"How many times shall I tell you not to drive in this way? +You ruined the last horse and broke his wind, and you are going +to ruin this in the same way. If you were not my own son I would dismiss you +on the spot; it is a disgrace to have a horse brought to the shop +in a condition like that; you are liable to be taken up by the police +for such driving, and if you are you need not look to me for bail, +for I have spoken to you till I'm tired; you must look out for yourself." + +During this speech the boy had stood by, sullen and dogged, +but when his father ceased he broke out angrily. It wasn't his fault, +and he wouldn't take the blame; he was only going by orders all the time. + +"You always say, `Now be quick; now look sharp!' and when I go to the houses +one wants a leg of mutton for an early dinner and I must be back with it +in a quarter of an hour; another cook has forgotten to order the beef; +I must go and fetch it and be back in no time, or the mistress will scold; +and the housekeeper says they have company coming unexpectedly +and must have some chops sent up directly; and the lady at No. 4, +in the Crescent, never orders her dinner till the meat comes in for lunch, +and it's nothing but hurry, hurry, all the time. If the gentry would think +of what they want, and order their meat the day before, +there need not be this blow up!" + +"I wish to goodness they would," said the butcher; "'twould save me +a wonderful deal of harass, and I could suit my customers much better +if I knew beforehand -- But there! what's the use of talking -- +who ever thinks of a butcher's convenience or a butcher's horse! Now, then, +take him in and look to him well; mind, he does not go out again to-day, +and if anything else is wanted you must carry it yourself in the basket." +With that he went in, and the horse was led away. + +But all boys are not cruel. I have seen some as fond of their pony or donkey +as if it had been a favorite dog, and the little creatures have worked away +as cheerfully and willingly for their young drivers as I work for Jerry. +It may be hard work sometimes, but a friend's hand and voice make it easy. + +There was a young coster-boy who came up our street with greens and potatoes; +he had an old pony, not very handsome, but the cheerfullest +and pluckiest little thing I ever saw, and to see how fond those two were +of each other was a treat. The pony followed his master like a dog, +and when he got into his cart would trot off without a whip or a word, +and rattle down the street as merrily as if he had come out of +the queen's stables. Jerry liked the boy, and called him "Prince Charlie", +for he said he would make a king of drivers some day. + +There was an old man, too, who used to come up our street with +a little coal cart; he wore a coal-heaver's hat, and looked rough and black. +He and his old horse used to plod together along the street, +like two good partners who understood each other; the horse would stop +of his own accord at the doors where they took coal of him; he used to keep +one ear bent toward his master. The old man's cry could be heard +up the street long before he came near. I never knew what he said, +but the children called him "Old Ba-a-ar Hoo", for it sounded like that. +Polly took her coal of him, and was very friendly, and Jerry said +it was a comfort to think how happy an old horse might be in a poor place. + + + + +42 The Election + + + +As we came into the yard one afternoon Polly came out. "Jerry! +I've had Mr. B---- here asking about your vote, and he wants to hire your cab +for the election; he will call for an answer." + +"Well, Polly, you may say that my cab will be otherwise engaged. +I should not like to have it pasted over with their great bills, +and as to making Jack and Captain race about to the public-houses +to bring up half-drunken voters, why, I think 'twould be an insult +to the horses. No, I shan't do it." + +"I suppose you'll vote for the gentleman? He said he was of your politics." + +"So he is in some things, but I shall not vote for him, Polly; +you know what his trade is?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, a man who gets rich by that trade may be all very well in some ways, +but he is blind as to what workingmen want; I could not in my conscience +send him up to make the laws. I dare say they'll be angry, +but every man must do what he thinks to be the best for his country." + +On the morning before the election, Jerry was putting me into the shafts, +when Dolly came into the yard sobbing and crying, with her little blue frock +and white pinafore spattered all over with mud. + +"Why, Dolly, what is the matter?" + +"Those naughty boys," she sobbed, "have thrown the dirt all over me, +and called me a little raga-- raga--" + +"They called her a little `blue' ragamuffin, father," said Harry, +who ran in looking very angry; "but I have given it to them; +they won't insult my sister again. I have given them a thrashing +they will remember; a set of cowardly, rascally `orange' blackguards." + +Jerry kissed the child and said, "Run in to mother, my pet, +and tell her I think you had better stay at home to-day and help her." + +Then turning gravely to Harry: + +"My boy, I hope you will always defend your sister, and give anybody +who insults her a good thrashing -- that is as it should be; +but mind, I won't have any election blackguarding on my premises. +There are as many `blue' blackguards as there are `orange', +and as many white as there are purple, or any other color, +and I won't have any of my family mixed up with it. Even women and children +are ready to quarrel for the sake of a color, and not one in ten of them +knows what it is about." + +"Why, father, I thought blue was for Liberty." + +"My boy, Liberty does not come from colors, they only show party, +and all the liberty you can get out of them is, liberty to get drunk +at other people's expense, liberty to ride to the poll in a dirty old cab, +liberty to abuse any one that does not wear your color, +and to shout yourself hoarse at what you only half-understand -- +that's your liberty!" + +"Oh, father, you are laughing." + +"No, Harry, I am serious, and I am ashamed to see how men go on +who ought to know better. An election is a very serious thing; +at least it ought to be, and every man ought to vote according to +his conscience, and let his neighbor do the same." + + + + +43 A Friend in Need + + + +The election day came at last; there was no lack of work for Jerry and me. +First came a stout puffy gentleman with a carpet bag; he wanted to go +to the Bishopsgate station; then we were called by a party +who wished to be taken to the Regent's Park; and next we were wanted +in a side street where a timid, anxious old lady was waiting to be taken +to the bank; there we had to stop to take her back again, +and just as we had set her down a red-faced gentleman, +with a handful of papers, came running up out of breath, +and before Jerry could get down he had opened the door, popped himself in, +and called out, "Bow Street Police Station, quick!" so off we went with him, +and when after another turn or two we came back, there was no other cab +on the stand. Jerry put on my nose-bag, for as he said, +"We must eat when we can on such days as these; so munch away, Jack, +and make the best of your time, old boy." + +I found I had a good feed of crushed oats wetted up with a little bran; +this would be a treat any day, but very refreshing then. +Jerry was so thoughtful and kind -- what horse would not do his best +for such a master? Then he took out one of Polly's meat pies, +and standing near me, he began to eat it. The streets were very full, +and the cabs, with the candidates' colors on them, were dashing about +through the crowd as if life and limb were of no consequence; +we saw two people knocked down that day, and one was a woman. +The horses were having a bad time of it, poor things! +but the voters inside thought nothing of that; many of them were half-drunk, +hurrahing out of the cab windows if their own party came by. +It was the first election I had seen, and I don't want to be in another, +though I have heard things are better now. + +Jerry and I had not eaten many mouthfuls before a poor young woman, +carrying a heavy child, came along the street. She was looking +this way and that way, and seemed quite bewildered. Presently she made +her way up to Jerry and asked if he could tell her the way +to St. Thomas' Hospital, and how far it was to get there. +She had come from the country that morning, she said, in a market cart; +she did not know about the election, and was quite a stranger in London. +She had got an order for the hospital for her little boy. +The child was crying with a feeble, pining cry. + +"Poor little fellow!" she said, "he suffers a deal of pain; +he is four years old and can't walk any more than a baby; +but the doctor said if I could get him into the hospital +he might get well; pray, sir, how far is it; and which way is it?" + +"Why, missis," said Jerry, "you can't get there walking through crowds +like this! why, it is three miles away, and that child is heavy." + +"Yes, bless him, he is; but I am strong, thank God, and if I knew the way +I think I should get on somehow; please tell me the way." + +"You can't do it," said Jerry, "you might be knocked down +and the child be run over. Now look here, just get into this cab, +and I'll drive you safe to the hospital. Don't you see +the rain is coming on?" + +"No, sir, no; I can't do that, thank you, I have only just money enough +to get back with. Please tell me the way." + +"Look you here, missis," said Jerry, "I've got a wife and dear children +at home, and I know a father's feelings; now get you into that cab, +and I'll take you there for nothing. I'd be ashamed of myself +to let a woman and a sick child run a risk like that." + +"Heaven bless you!" said the woman, and burst into tears. + +"There, there, cheer up, my dear, I'll soon take you there; +come, let me put you inside." + +As Jerry went to open the door two men, with colors in their hats +and buttonholes, ran up calling out, "Cab!" + +"Engaged," cried Jerry; but one of the men, pushing past the woman, +sprang into the cab, followed by the other. Jerry looked as stern +as a policeman. "This cab is already engaged, gentlemen, by that lady." + +"Lady!" said one of them; "oh! she can wait; our business is very important, +besides we were in first, it is our right, and we shall stay in." + +A droll smile came over Jerry's face as he shut the door upon them. +"All right, gentlemen, pray stay in as long as it suits you; +I can wait while you rest yourselves." And turning his back upon them +he walked up to the young woman, who was standing near me. +"They'll soon be gone," he said, laughing; "don't trouble yourself, my dear." + +And they soon were gone, for when they understood Jerry's dodge they got out, +calling him all sorts of bad names and blustering about his number +and getting a summons. After this little stoppage we were soon on our way +to the hospital, going as much as possible through by-streets. +Jerry rung the great bell and helped the young woman out. + +"Thank you a thousand times," she said; "I could never have got here alone." + +"You're kindly welcome, and I hope the dear child will soon be better." + +He watched her go in at the door, and gently he said to himself, +"Inasmuch as ye have done it to one of the least of these." +Then he patted my neck, which was always his way when anything pleased him. + +The rain was now coming down fast, and just as we were leaving the hospital +the door opened again, and the porter called out, "Cab!" We stopped, +and a lady came down the steps. Jerry seemed to know her at once; +she put back her veil and said, "Barker! Jeremiah Barker, is it you? +I am very glad to find you here; you are just the friend I want, +for it is very difficult to get a cab in this part of London to-day." + +"I shall be proud to serve you, ma'am; I am right glad I happened to be here. +Where may I take you to, ma'am?" + +"To the Paddington Station, and then if we are in good time, +as I think we shall be, you shall tell me all about Mary and the children." + +We got to the station in good time, and being under shelter the lady stood +a good while talking to Jerry. I found she had been Polly's mistress, +and after many inquiries about her she said: + +"How do you find the cab work suit you in winter? I know Mary +was rather anxious about you last year." + +"Yes, ma'am, she was; I had a bad cough that followed me up quite into +the warm weather, and when I am kept out late she does worry herself +a good deal. You see, ma'am, it is all hours and all weathers, +and that does try a man's constitution; but I am getting on pretty well, +and I should feel quite lost if I had not horses to look after. +I was brought up to it, and I am afraid I should not do so well +at anything else." + +"Well, Barker," she said, "it would be a great pity that you should +seriously risk your health in this work, not only for your own +but for Mary's and the children's sake; there are many places +where good drivers or good grooms are wanted, and if ever you think +you ought to give up this cab work let me know." + +Then sending some kind messages to Mary she put something into his hand, +saying, "There is five shillings each for the two children; +Mary will know how to spend it." + +Jerry thanked her and seemed much pleased, and turning out of the station +we at last reached home, and I, at least, was tired. + + + + +44 Old Captain and His Successor + + + +Captain and I were great friends. He was a noble old fellow, +and he was very good company. I never thought that he would have to +leave his home and go down the hill; but his turn came, +and this was how it happened. I was not there, but I heard all about it. + +He and Jerry had taken a party to the great railway station +over London Bridge, and were coming back, somewhere between the bridge +and the monument, when Jerry saw a brewer's empty dray coming along, +drawn by two powerful horses. The drayman was lashing his horses with +his heavy whip; the dray was light, and they started off at a furious rate; +the man had no control over them, and the street was full of traffic. + +One young girl was knocked down and run over, and the next moment they +dashed up against our cab; both the wheels were torn off and the cab +was thrown over. Captain was dragged down, the shafts splintered, +and one of them ran into his side. Jerry, too, was thrown, +but was only bruised; nobody could tell how he escaped; +he always said 'twas a miracle. When poor Captain was got up he was found +to be very much cut and knocked about. Jerry led him home gently, +and a sad sight it was to see the blood soaking into his white coat +and dropping from his side and shoulder. The drayman was proved to be +very drunk, and was fined, and the brewer had to pay damages to our master; +but there was no one to pay damages to poor Captain. + +The farrier and Jerry did the best they could to ease his pain +and make him comfortable. The fly had to be mended, and for several days +I did not go out, and Jerry earned nothing. The first time we went to +the stand after the accident the governor came up to hear how Captain was. + +"He'll never get over it," said Jerry, "at least not for my work, +so the farrier said this morning. He says he may do for carting, +and that sort of work. It has put me out very much. Carting, indeed! +I've seen what horses come to at that work round London. I only wish +all the drunkards could be put in a lunatic asylum instead of being allowed +to run foul of sober people. If they would break their own bones, +and smash their own carts, and lame their own horses, that would be +their own affair, and we might let them alone, but it seems to me +that the innocent always suffer; and then they talk about compensation! +You can't make compensation; there's all the trouble, and vexation, +and loss of time, besides losing a good horse that's like an old friend -- +it's nonsense talking of compensation! If there's one devil +that I should like to see in the bottomless pit more than another, +it's the drink devil." + +"I say, Jerry," said the governor, "you are treading pretty hard on my toes, +you know; I'm not so good as you are, more shame to me; I wish I was." + +"Well," said Jerry, "why don't you cut with it, governor? +You are too good a man to be the slave of such a thing." + +"I'm a great fool, Jerry, but I tried once for two days, +and I thought I should have died; how did you do?" + +"I had hard work at it for several weeks; you see I never did get drunk, +but I found that I was not my own master, and that when the craving came on +it was hard work to say `no'. I saw that one of us must knock under, +the drink devil or Jerry Barker, and I said that it should not be +Jerry Barker, God helping me; but it was a struggle, +and I wanted all the help I could get, for till I tried to break the habit +I did not know how strong it was; but then Polly took such pains +that I should have good food, and when the craving came on I used to get +a cup of coffee, or some peppermint, or read a bit in my book, +and that was a help to me; sometimes I had to say over and over to myself, +`Give up the drink or lose your soul! Give up the drink +or break Polly's heart!' But thanks be to God, and my dear wife, +my chains were broken, and now for ten years I have not tasted a drop, +and never wish for it." + +"I've a great mind to try at it," said Grant, "for 'tis a poor thing +not to be one's own master." + +"Do, governor, do, you'll never repent it, and what a help it would be +to some of the poor fellows in our rank if they saw you do without it. +I know there's two or three would like to keep out of that tavern +if they could." + +At first Captain seemed to do well, but he was a very old horse, +and it was only his wonderful constitution, and Jerry's care, +that had kept him up at the cab work so long; now he broke down very much. +The farrier said he might mend up enough to sell for a few pounds, +but Jerry said, no! a few pounds got by selling a good old servant +into hard work and misery would canker all the rest of his money, +and he thought the kindest thing he could do for the fine old fellow +would be to put a sure bullet through his head, and then he would +never suffer more; for he did not know where to find a kind master +for the rest of his days. + +The day after this was decided Harry took me to the forge for some new shoes; +when I returned Captain was gone. I and the family all felt it very much. + +Jerry had now to look out for another horse, and he soon heard of one +through an acquaintance who was under-groom in a nobleman's stables. +He was a valuable young horse, but he had run away, smashed into +another carriage, flung his lordship out, and so cut and blemished himself +that he was no longer fit for a gentleman's stables, and the coachman +had orders to look round, and sell him as well as he could. + +"I can do with high spirits," said Jerry, "if a horse is not vicious +or hard-mouthed." + +"There is not a bit of vice in him," said the man; "his mouth is very tender, +and I think myself that was the cause of the accident; +you see he had just been clipped, and the weather was bad, +and he had not had exercise enough, and when he did go out +he was as full of spring as a balloon. Our governor (the coachman, I mean) +had him harnessed in as tight and strong as he could, with the martingale, +and the check-rein, a very sharp curb, and the reins put in +at the bottom bar. It is my belief that it made the horse mad, +being tender in the mouth and so full of spirit." + +"Likely enough; I'll come and see him," said Jerry. + +The next day Hotspur, that was his name, came home; +he was a fine brown horse, without a white hair in him, as tall as Captain, +with a very handsome head, and only five years old. I gave him +a friendly greeting by way of good fellowship, but did not ask him +any questions. The first night he was very restless. Instead of lying down, +he kept jerking his halter rope up and down through the ring, +and knocking the block about against the manger till I could not sleep. +However, the next day, after five or six hours in the cab, +he came in quiet and sensible. Jerry patted and talked to him a good deal, +and very soon they understood each other, and Jerry said that +with an easy bit and plenty of work he would be as gentle as a lamb; +and that it was an ill wind that blew nobody good, for if his lordship +had lost a hundred-guinea favorite, the cabman had gained a good horse +with all his strength in him. + +Hotspur thought it a great come-down to be a cab-horse, +and was disgusted at standing in the rank, but he confessed to me +at the end of the week that an easy mouth and a free head made up +for a great deal, and after all, the work was not so degrading +as having one's head and tail fastened to each other at the saddle. +In fact, he settled in well, and Jerry liked him very much. + + + + +45 Jerry's New Year + + + +For some people Christmas and the New Year are very merry times; +but for cabmen and cabmen's horses it is no holiday, though it may be +a harvest. There are so many parties, balls, and places of amusement open +that the work is hard and often late. Sometimes driver and horse +have to wait for hours in the rain or frost, shivering with the cold, +while the merry people within are dancing away to the music. I wonder if +the beautiful ladies ever think of the weary cabman waiting on his box, +and his patient beast standing, till his legs get stiff with cold. + +I had now most of the evening work, as I was well accustomed to standing, +and Jerry was also more afraid of Hotspur taking cold. We had a great deal +of late work in the Christmas week, and Jerry's cough was bad; +but however late we were, Polly sat up for him, and came out with a lantern +to meet him, looking anxious and troubled. + +On the evening of the New Year we had to take two gentlemen to a house +in one of the West End Squares. We set them down at nine o'clock, +and were told to come again at eleven, "but," said one, +"as it is a card party, you may have to wait a few minutes, +but don't be late." + +As the clock struck eleven we were at the door, for Jerry was +always punctual. The clock chimed the quarters, one, two, three, +and then struck twelve, but the door did not open. + +The wind had been very changeable, with squalls of rain during the day, +but now it came on sharp, driving sleet, which seemed to come +all the way round; it was very cold, and there was no shelter. +Jerry got off his box and came and pulled one of my cloths a little more +over my neck; then he took a turn or two up and down, stamping his feet; +then he began to beat his arms, but that set him off coughing; so he opened +the cab door and sat at the bottom with his feet on the pavement, +and was a little sheltered. Still the clock chimed the quarters, +and no one came. At half-past twelve he rang the bell and asked the servant +if he would be wanted that night. + +"Oh, yes, you'll be wanted safe enough," said the man; "you must not go, +it will soon be over," and again Jerry sat down, but his voice was so hoarse +I could hardly hear him. + +At a quarter past one the door opened, and the two gentlemen came out; +they got into the cab without a word, and told Jerry where to drive, +that was nearly two miles. My legs were numb with cold, and I thought +I should have stumbled. When the men got out they never said they were sorry +to have kept us waiting so long, but were angry at the charge; however, +as Jerry never charged more than was his due, so he never took less, +and they had to pay for the two hours and a quarter waiting; +but it was hard-earned money to Jerry. + +At last we got home; he could hardly speak, and his cough was dreadful. +Polly asked no questions, but opened the door and held the lantern for him. + +"Can't I do something?" she said. + +"Yes; get Jack something warm, and then boil me some gruel." + +This was said in a hoarse whisper; he could hardly get his breath, +but he gave me a rub-down as usual, and even went up into the hayloft +for an extra bundle of straw for my bed. Polly brought me a warm mash +that made me comfortable, and then they locked the door. + +It was late the next morning before any one came, and then it was only Harry. +He cleaned us and fed us, and swept out the stalls, then he put the straw +back again as if it was Sunday. He was very still, and neither whistled +nor sang. At noon he came again and gave us our food and water; +this time Dolly came with him; she was crying, and I could gather +from what they said that Jerry was dangerously ill, and the doctor said +it was a bad case. So two days passed, and there was great trouble indoors. +We only saw Harry, and sometimes Dolly. I think she came for company, +for Polly was always with Jerry, and he had to be kept very quiet. + +On the third day, while Harry was in the stable, a tap came at the door, +and Governor Grant came in. + +"I wouldn't go to the house, my boy," he said, "but I want to know +how your father is." + +"He is very bad," said Harry, "he can't be much worse; +they call it `bronchitis'; the doctor thinks it will turn +one way or another to-night." + +"That's bad, very bad," said Grant, shaking his head; +"I know two men who died of that last week; it takes 'em off in no time; +but while there's life there's hope, so you must keep up your spirits." + +"Yes," said Harry quickly, "and the doctor said that father had +a better chance than most men, because he didn't drink. He said yesterday +the fever was so high that if father had been a drinking man it would have +burned him up like a piece of paper; but I believe he thinks +he will get over it; don't you think he will, Mr. Grant?" + +The governor looked puzzled. + +"If there's any rule that good men should get over these things, +I'm sure he will, my boy; he's the best man I know. +I'll look in early to-morrow." + +Early next morning he was there. + +"Well?" said he. + +"Father is better," said Harry. "Mother hopes he will get over it." + +"Thank God!" said the governor, "and now you must keep him warm, +and keep his mind easy, and that brings me to the horses; +you see Jack will be all the better for the rest of a week or two +in a warm stable, and you can easily take him a turn up and down the street +to stretch his legs; but this young one, if he does not get work, +he will soon be all up on end, as you may say, and will be rather too much +for you; and when he does go out there'll be an accident." + +"It is like that now," said Harry. "I have kept him short of corn, +but he's so full of spirit I don't know what to do with him." + +"Just so," said Grant. "Now look here, will you tell your mother +that if she is agreeable I will come for him every day till something +is arranged, and take him for a good spell of work, and whatever he earns, +I'll bring your mother half of it, and that will help with the horses' feed. +Your father is in a good club, I know, but that won't keep the horses, +and they'll be eating their heads off all this time; I'll come at noon +and hear what she says," and without waiting for Harry's thanks he was gone. + +At noon I think he went and saw Polly, for he and Harry +came to the stable together, harnessed Hotspur, and took him out. + +For a week or more he came for Hotspur, and when Harry thanked him +or said anything about his kindness, he laughed it off, saying it was all +good luck for him, for his horses were wanting a little rest +which they would not otherwise have had. + +Jerry grew better steadily, but the doctor said that he must never go back +to the cab work again if he wished to be an old man. The children had +many consultations together about what father and mother would do, +and how they could help to earn money. + +One afternoon Hotspur was brought in very wet and dirty. + +"The streets are nothing but slush," said the governor; +"it will give you a good warming, my boy, to get him clean and dry." + +"All right, governor," said Harry, "I shall not leave him till he is; +you know I have been trained by my father." + +"I wish all the boys had been trained like you," said the governor. + +While Harry was sponging off the mud from Hotspur's body and legs +Dolly came in, looking very full of something. + +"Who lives at Fairstowe, Harry? Mother has got a letter from Fairstowe; +she seemed so glad, and ran upstairs to father with it." + +"Don't you know? Why, it is the name of Mrs. Fowler's place -- +mother's old mistress, you know -- the lady that father met last summer, +who sent you and me five shillings each." + +"Oh! Mrs. Fowler. Of course, I know all about her. I wonder what +she is writing to mother about." + +"Mother wrote to her last week," said Harry; "you know she told father +if ever he gave up the cab work she would like to know. +I wonder what she says; run in and see, Dolly." + +Harry scrubbed away at Hotspur with a huish! huish! like any old hostler. +In a few minutes Dolly came dancing into the stable. + +"Oh! Harry, there never was anything so beautiful; Mrs. Fowler says +we are all to go and live near her. There is a cottage now empty +that will just suit us, with a garden and a henhouse, and apple-trees, +and everything! and her coachman is going away in the spring, and then +she will want father in his place; and there are good families round, +where you can get a place in the garden or the stable, or as a page-boy; +and there's a good school for me; and mother is laughing and crying by turns, +and father does look so happy!" + +"That's uncommon jolly," said Harry, "and just the right thing, I should say; +it will suit father and mother both; but I don't intend to be a page-boy +with tight clothes and rows of buttons. I'll be a groom or a gardener." + +It was quickly settled that as soon as Jerry was well enough +they should remove to the country, and that the cab and horses +should be sold as soon as possible. + +This was heavy news for me, for I was not young now, and could not look +for any improvement in my condition. Since I left Birtwick I had never been +so happy as with my dear master Jerry; but three years of cab work, +even under the best conditions, will tell on one's strength, +and I felt that I was not the horse that I had been. + +Grant said at once that he would take Hotspur, and there were +men on the stand who would have bought me; but Jerry said I should not go +to cab work again with just anybody, and the governor promised +to find a place for me where I should be comfortable. + +The day came for going away. Jerry had not been allowed to go out yet, +and I never saw him after that New Year's eve. Polly and the children came +to bid me good-by. "Poor old Jack! dear old Jack! I wish we could +take you with us," she said, and then laying her hand on my mane +she put her face close to my neck and kissed me. Dolly was crying +and kissed me too. Harry stroked me a great deal, but said nothing, +only he seemed very sad, and so I was led away to my new place. + + + + + + + Part IV + + + + + + +46 Jakes and the Lady + + + +I was sold to a corn dealer and baker, whom Jerry knew, and with him +he thought I should have good food and fair work. In the first +he was quite right, and if my master had always been on the premises +I do not think I should have been overloaded, but there was a foreman +who was always hurrying and driving every one, and frequently +when I had quite a full load he would order something else to be taken on. +My carter, whose name was Jakes, often said it was more than I ought to take, +but the other always overruled him. "'Twas no use going twice +when once would do, and he chose to get business forward." + +Jakes, like the other carters, always had the check-rein up, +which prevented me from drawing easily, and by the time I had been there +three or four months I found the work telling very much on my strength. + +One day I was loaded more than usual, and part of the road +was a steep uphill. I used all my strength, but I could not get on, +and was obliged continually to stop. This did not please my driver, +and he laid his whip on badly. "Get on, you lazy fellow," he said, +"or I'll make you." + +Again I started the heavy load, and struggled on a few yards; +again the whip came down, and again I struggled forward. +The pain of that great cart whip was sharp, but my mind was hurt +quite as much as my poor sides. To be punished and abused +when I was doing my very best was so hard it took the heart out of me. +A third time he was flogging me cruelly, when a lady +stepped quickly up to him, and said in a sweet, earnest voice: + +"Oh! pray do not whip your good horse any more; I am sure he is doing +all he can, and the road is very steep; I am sure he is doing his best." + +"If doing his best won't get this load up he must do something +more than his best; that's all I know, ma'am," said Jakes. + +"But is it not a heavy load?" she said. + +"Yes, yes, too heavy," he said; "but that's not my fault; +the foreman came just as we were starting, and would have +three hundredweight more put on to save him trouble, +and I must get on with it as well as I can." + +He was raising the whip again, when the lady said: + +"Pray, stop; I think I can help you if you will let me." + +The man laughed. + +"You see," she said, "you do not give him a fair chance; +he cannot use all his power with his head held back as it is +with that check-rein; if you would take it off I am sure he would do better +-- do try it," she said persuasively, "I should be very glad if you would." + +"Well, well," said Jakes, with a short laugh, "anything to please a lady, +of course. How far would you wish it down, ma'am?" + +"Quite down, give him his head altogether." + +The rein was taken off, and in a moment I put my head down to my very knees. +What a comfort it was! Then I tossed it up and down several times +to get the aching stiffness out of my neck. + +"Poor fellow! that is what you wanted," said she, patting and stroking me +with her gentle hand; "and now if you will speak kindly to him +and lead him on I believe he will be able to do better." + +Jakes took the rein. "Come on, Blackie." I put down my head, +and threw my whole weight against the collar; I spared no strength; +the load moved on, and I pulled it steadily up the hill, +and then stopped to take breath. + +The lady had walked along the footpath, and now came across into the road. +She stroked and patted my neck, as I had not been patted for many a long day. + +"You see he was quite willing when you gave him the chance; I am sure +he is a fine-tempered creature, and I dare say has known better days. +You won't put that rein on again, will you?" for he was just going +to hitch it up on the old plan. + +"Well, ma'am, I can't deny that having his head has helped him up the hill, +and I'll remember it another time, and thank you, ma'am; but if he went +without a check-rein I should be the laughing-stock of all the carters; +it is the fashion, you see." + +"Is it not better," she said, "to lead a good fashion than to follow +a bad one? A great many gentlemen do not use check-reins now; +our carriage horses have not worn them for fifteen years, +and work with much less fatigue than those who have them; besides," +she added in a very serious voice, "we have no right to distress +any of God's creatures without a very good reason; we call them dumb animals, +and so they are, for they cannot tell us how they feel, +but they do not suffer less because they have no words. +But I must not detain you now; I thank you for trying my plan +with your good horse, and I am sure you will find it far better +than the whip. Good-day," and with another soft pat on my neck +she stepped lightly across the path, and I saw her no more. + +"That was a real lady, I'll be bound for it," said Jakes to himself; +"she spoke just as polite as if I was a gentleman, and I'll try her plan, +uphill, at any rate;" and I must do him the justice to say +that he let my rein out several holes, and going uphill after that, +he always gave me my head; but the heavy loads went on. +Good feed and fair rest will keep up one's strength under full work, +but no horse can stand against overloading; and I was getting +so thoroughly pulled down from this cause that a younger horse was bought +in my place. I may as well mention here what I suffered at this time +from another cause. I had heard horses speak of it, but had never myself +had experience of the evil; this was a badly-lighted stable; +there was only one very small window at the end, and the consequence +was that the stalls were almost dark. + +Besides the depressing effect this had on my spirits, +it very much weakened my sight, and when I was suddenly brought out +of the darkness into the glare of daylight it was very painful to my eyes. +Several times I stumbled over the threshold, and could scarcely see +where I was going. + +I believe, had I stayed there very long, I should have become purblind, +and that would have been a great misfortune, for I have heard men say +that a stone-blind horse was safer to drive than one which had +imperfect sight, as it generally makes them very timid. However, +I escaped without any permanent injury to my sight, and was sold +to a large cab owner. + + + + +47 Hard Times + + + +My new master I shall never forget; he had black eyes and a hooked nose, +his mouth was as full of teeth as a bull-dog's, and his voice was as harsh +as the grinding of cart wheels over graveled stones. +His name was Nicholas Skinner, and I believe he was the man +that poor Seedy Sam drove for. + +I have heard men say that seeing is believing; but I should say +that feeling is believing; for much as I had seen before, +I never knew till now the utter misery of a cab-horse's life. + +Skinner had a low set of cabs and a low set of drivers; +he was hard on the men, and the men were hard on the horses. +In this place we had no Sunday rest, and it was in the heat of summer. + +Sometimes on a Sunday morning a party of fast men would hire the cab +for the day; four of them inside and another with the driver, +and I had to take them ten or fifteen miles out into the country, +and back again; never would any of them get down to walk up a hill, +let it be ever so steep, or the day ever so hot -- unless, indeed, +when the driver was afraid I should not manage it, and sometimes +I was so fevered and worn that I could hardly touch my food. +How I used to long for the nice bran mash with niter in it +that Jerry used to give us on Saturday nights in hot weather, +that used to cool us down and make us so comfortable. +Then we had two nights and a whole day for unbroken rest, +and on Monday morning we were as fresh as young horses again; +but here there was no rest, and my driver was just as hard as his master. +He had a cruel whip with something so sharp at the end +that it sometimes drew blood, and he would even whip me under the belly, +and flip the lash out at my head. Indignities like these +took the heart out of me terribly, but still I did my best +and never hung back; for, as poor Ginger said, it was no use; +men are the strongest. + +My life was now so utterly wretched that I wished I might, like Ginger, +drop down dead at my work and be out of my misery, and one day my wish +very nearly came to pass. + +I went on the stand at eight in the morning, and had done +a good share of work, when we had to take a fare to the railway. +A long train was just expected in, so my driver pulled up at the back +of some of the outside cabs to take the chance of a return fare. +It was a very heavy train, and as all the cabs were soon engaged +ours was called for. There was a party of four; a noisy, +blustering man with a lady, a little boy and a young girl, +and a great deal of luggage. The lady and the boy got into the cab, +and while the man ordered about the luggage the young girl came +and looked at me. + +"Papa," she said, "I am sure this poor horse cannot take us +and all our luggage so far, he is so very weak and worn up. +Do look at him." + +"Oh! he's all right, miss," said my driver, "he's strong enough." + +The porter, who was pulling about some heavy boxes, +suggested to the gentleman, as there was so much luggage, +whether he would not take a second cab. + +"Can your horse do it, or can't he?" said the blustering man. + +"Oh! he can do it all right, sir; send up the boxes, porter; +he could take more than that;" and he helped to haul up a box so heavy +that I could feel the springs go down. + +"Papa, papa, do take a second cab," said the young girl in a beseeching tone. +"I am sure we are wrong, I am sure it is very cruel." + +"Nonsense, Grace, get in at once, and don't make all this fuss; +a pretty thing it would be if a man of business had to examine +every cab-horse before he hired it -- the man knows his own business +of course; there, get in and hold your tongue!" + +My gentle friend had to obey, and box after box was dragged up +and lodged on the top of the cab or settled by the side of the driver. +At last all was ready, and with his usual jerk at the rein +and slash of the whip he drove out of the station. + +The load was very heavy and I had had neither food nor rest since morning; +but I did my best, as I always had done, in spite of cruelty and injustice. + +I got along fairly till we came to Ludgate Hill; but there the heavy load +and my own exhaustion were too much. I was struggling to keep on, +goaded by constant chucks of the rein and use of the whip, +when in a single moment -- I cannot tell how -- my feet slipped +from under me, and I fell heavily to the ground on my side; +the suddenness and the force with which I fell seemed to beat all the breath +out of my body. I lay perfectly still; indeed, I had no power to move, +and I thought now I was going to die. I heard a sort of confusion round me, +loud, angry voices, and the getting down of the luggage, but it was all +like a dream. I thought I heard that sweet, pitiful voice saying, +"Oh! that poor horse! it is all our fault." Some one came and loosened +the throat strap of my bridle, and undid the traces which kept the collar +so tight upon me. Some one said, "He's dead, he'll never get up again." +Then I could hear a policeman giving orders, but I did not even open my eyes; +I could only draw a gasping breath now and then. Some cold water +was thrown over my head, and some cordial was poured into my mouth, +and something was covered over me. I cannot tell how long I lay there, +but I found my life coming back, and a kind-voiced man was patting me +and encouraging me to rise. After some more cordial had been given me, +and after one or two attempts, I staggered to my feet, +and was gently led to some stables which were close by. +Here I was put into a well-littered stall, and some warm gruel +was brought to me, which I drank thankfully. + +In the evening I was sufficiently recovered to be led back +to Skinner's stables, where I think they did the best for me they could. +In the morning Skinner came with a farrier to look at me. +He examined me very closely and said: + +"This is a case of overwork more than disease, and if you could give him +a run off for six months he would be able to work again; +but now there is not an ounce of strength left in him." + +"Then he must just go to the dogs," said Skinner. "I have no meadows +to nurse sick horses in -- he might get well or he might not; +that sort of thing don't suit my business; my plan is to work 'em +as long as they'll go, and then sell 'em for what they'll fetch, +at the knacker's or elsewhere." + +"If he was broken-winded," said the farrier, "you had better have him +killed out of hand, but he is not; there is a sale of horses coming off +in about ten days; if you rest him and feed him up he may pick up, +and you may get more than his skin is worth, at any rate." + +Upon this advice Skinner, rather unwillingly, I think, gave orders +that I should be well fed and cared for, and the stable man, happily for me, +carried out the orders with a much better will than his master had +in giving them. Ten days of perfect rest, plenty of good oats, +hay, bran mashes, with boiled linseed mixed in them, +did more to get up my condition than anything else could have done; +those linseed mashes were delicious, and I began to think, after all, +it might be better to live than go to the dogs. When the twelfth day +after the accident came, I was taken to the sale, a few miles out of London. +I felt that any change from my present place must be an improvement, +so I held up my head, and hoped for the best. + + + + +48 Farmer Thoroughgood and His Grandson Willie + + + +At this sale, of course I found myself in company with the old +broken-down horses -- some lame, some broken-winded, some old, +and some that I am sure it would have been merciful to shoot. + +The buyers and sellers, too, many of them, looked not much better off +than the poor beasts they were bargaining about. There were poor old men, +trying to get a horse or a pony for a few pounds, that might drag about +some little wood or coal cart. There were poor men trying to sell +a worn-out beast for two or three pounds, rather than have the greater loss +of killing him. Some of them looked as if poverty and hard times +had hardened them all over; but there were others that I would have +willingly used the last of my strength in serving; poor and shabby, +but kind and human, with voices that I could trust. +There was one tottering old man who took a great fancy to me, and I to him, +but I was not strong enough -- it was an anxious time! +Coming from the better part of the fair, I noticed a man +who looked like a gentleman farmer, with a young boy by his side; +he had a broad back and round shoulders, a kind, ruddy face, +and he wore a broad-brimmed hat. When he came up to me and my companions +he stood still and gave a pitiful look round upon us. I saw his eye +rest on me; I had still a good mane and tail, which did something +for my appearance. I pricked my ears and looked at him. + +"There's a horse, Willie, that has known better days." + +"Poor old fellow!" said the boy, "do you think, grandpapa, +he was ever a carriage horse?" + +"Oh, yes! my boy," said the farmer, coming closer, "he might have been +anything when he was young; look at his nostrils and his ears, +the shape of his neck and shoulder; there's a deal of breeding +about that horse." He put out his hand and gave me a kind pat on the neck. +I put out my nose in answer to his kindness; the boy stroked my face. + +"Poor old fellow! see, grandpapa, how well he understands kindness. +Could not you buy him and make him young again as you did with Ladybird?" + +"My dear boy, I can't make all old horses young; besides, +Ladybird was not so very old, as she was run down and badly used." + +"Well, grandpapa, I don't believe that this one is old; +look at his mane and tail. I wish you would look into his mouth, +and then you could tell; though he is so very thin, +his eyes are not sunk like some old horses'." + +The old gentleman laughed. "Bless the boy! he is as horsey +as his old grandfather." + +"But do look at his mouth, grandpapa, and ask the price; +I am sure he would grow young in our meadows." + +The man who had brought me for sale now put in his word. + +"The young gentleman's a real knowing one, sir. Now the fact is, +this 'ere hoss is just pulled down with overwork in the cabs; +he's not an old one, and I heerd as how the vetenary should say, +that a six months' run off would set him right up, being as how +his wind was not broken. I've had the tending of him these ten days past, +and a gratefuller, pleasanter animal I never met with, and 'twould be worth +a gentleman's while to give a five-pound note for him, and let him have +a chance. I'll be bound he'd be worth twenty pounds next spring." + +The old gentleman laughed, and the little boy looked up eagerly. + +"Oh, grandpapa, did you not say the colt sold for five pounds more +than you expected? You would not be poorer if you did buy this one." + +The farmer slowly felt my legs, which were much swelled and strained; +then he looked at my mouth. "Thirteen or fourteen, I should say; +just trot him out, will you?" + +I arched my poor thin neck, raised my tail a little, and threw out my legs +as well as I could, for they were very stiff. + +"What is the lowest you will take for him?" said the farmer as I came back. + +"Five pounds, sir; that was the lowest price my master set." + +"'Tis a speculation," said the old gentleman, shaking his head, +but at the same time slowly drawing out his purse, "quite a speculation! +Have you any more business here?" he said, counting the sovereigns +into his hand. + +"No, sir, I can take him for you to the inn, if you please." + +"Do so, I am now going there." + +They walked forward, and I was led behind. The boy could hardly control +his delight, and the old gentleman seemed to enjoy his pleasure. +I had a good feed at the inn, and was then gently ridden home +by a servant of my new master's, and turned into a large meadow +with a shed in one corner of it. + +Mr. Thoroughgood, for that was the name of my benefactor, +gave orders that I should have hay and oats every night and morning, +and the run of the meadow during the day, and, "you, Willie," said he, +"must take the oversight of him; I give him in charge to you." + +The boy was proud of his charge, and undertook it in all seriousness. +There was not a day when he did not pay me a visit; sometimes picking me out +from among the other horses, and giving me a bit of carrot, +or something good, or sometimes standing by me while I ate my oats. +He always came with kind words and caresses, and of course I grew very fond +of him. He called me Old Crony, as I used to come to him in the field +and follow him about. Sometimes he brought his grandfather, +who always looked closely at my legs. + +"This is our point, Willie," he would say; "but he is improving so steadily +that I think we shall see a change for the better in the spring." + +The perfect rest, the good food, the soft turf, and gentle exercise, +soon began to tell on my condition and my spirits. I had a good constitution +from my mother, and I was never strained when I was young, +so that I had a better chance than many horses who have been worked +before they came to their full strength. During the winter +my legs improved so much that I began to feel quite young again. +The spring came round, and one day in March Mr. Thoroughgood determined +that he would try me in the phaeton. I was well pleased, +and he and Willie drove me a few miles. My legs were not stiff now, +and I did the work with perfect ease. + +"He's growing young, Willie; we must give him a little gentle work now, +and by mid-summer he will be as good as Ladybird. He has a beautiful mouth +and good paces; they can't be better." + +"Oh, grandpapa, how glad I am you bought him!" + +"So am I, my boy; but he has to thank you more than me; +we must now be looking out for a quiet, genteel place for him, +where he will be valued." + + + + +49 My Last Home + + + +One day during this summer the groom cleaned and dressed me +with such extraordinary care that I thought some new change must be at hand; +he trimmed my fetlocks and legs, passed the tarbrush over my hoofs, +and even parted my forelock. I think the harness had an extra polish. +Willie seemed half-anxious, half-merry, as he got into the chaise +with his grandfather. + +"If the ladies take to him," said the old gentleman, "they'll be suited +and he'll be suited. We can but try." + +At the distance of a mile or two from the village we came to a pretty, +low house, with a lawn and shrubbery at the front and a drive up to the door. +Willie rang the bell, and asked if Miss Blomefield or Miss Ellen was at home. +Yes, they were. So, while Willie stayed with me, Mr. Thoroughgood went +into the house. In about ten minutes he returned, followed by three ladies; +one tall, pale lady, wrapped in a white shawl, leaned on a younger lady, +with dark eyes and a merry face; the other, a very stately-looking person, +was Miss Blomefield. They all came and looked at me and asked questions. +The younger lady -- that was Miss Ellen -- took to me very much; +she said she was sure she should like me, I had such a good face. +The tall, pale lady said that she should always be nervous +in riding behind a horse that had once been down, as I might come down again, +and if I did she should never get over the fright. + +"You see, ladies," said Mr. Thoroughgood, "many first-rate horses +have had their knees broken through the carelessness of their drivers +without any fault of their own, and from what I see of this horse +I should say that is his case; but of course I do not wish to influence you. +If you incline you can have him on trial, and then your coachman will see +what he thinks of him." + +"You have always been such a good adviser to us about our horses," +said the stately lady, "that your recommendation would go a long way with me, +and if my sister Lavinia sees no objection we will accept your offer +of a trial, with thanks." + +It was then arranged that I should be sent for the next day. + +In the morning a smart-looking young man came for me. At first +he looked pleased; but when he saw my knees he said in a disappointed voice: + +"I didn't think, sir, you would have recommended my ladies +a blemished horse like that." + +"`Handsome is that handsome does'," said my master; "you are only taking him +on trial, and I am sure you will do fairly by him, young man. +If he is not as safe as any horse you ever drove send him back." + +I was led to my new home, placed in a comfortable stable, fed, +and left to myself. The next day, when the groom was cleaning my face, +he said: + +"That is just like the star that `Black Beauty' had; +he is much the same height, too. I wonder where he is now." + +A little further on he came to the place in my neck where I was bled +and where a little knot was left in the skin. He almost started, +and began to look me over carefully, talking to himself. + +"White star in the forehead, one white foot on the off side, this little knot +just in that place;" then looking at the middle of my back -- "and, +as I am alive, there is that little patch of white hair that +John used to call `Beauty's three-penny bit'. It must be `Black Beauty'! +Why, Beauty! Beauty! do you know me? -- little Joe Green, +that almost killed you?" And he began patting and patting me +as if he was quite overjoyed. + +I could not say that I remembered him, for now he was a fine grown +young fellow, with black whiskers and a man's voice, but I was sure +he knew me, and that he was Joe Green, and I was very glad. +I put my nose up to him, and tried to say that we were friends. +I never saw a man so pleased. + +"Give you a fair trial! I should think so indeed! I wonder who +the rascal was that broke your knees, my old Beauty! you must have been +badly served out somewhere; well, well, it won't be my fault +if you haven't good times of it now. I wish John Manly was here to see you." + +In the afternoon I was put into a low park chair and brought to the door. +Miss Ellen was going to try me, and Green went with her. I soon found +that she was a good driver, and she seemed pleased with my paces. +I heard Joe telling her about me, and that he was sure I was Squire Gordon's +old "Black Beauty". + +When we returned the other sisters came out to hear how I had behaved myself. +She told them what she had just heard, and said: + +"I shall certainly write to Mrs. Gordon, and tell her that her favorite horse +has come to us. How pleased she will be!" + +After this I was driven every day for a week or so, and as I appeared to be +quite safe, Miss Lavinia at last ventured out in the small close carriage. +After this it was quite decided to keep me and call me by my old name +of "Black Beauty". + +I have now lived in this happy place a whole year. Joe is the best +and kindest of grooms. My work is easy and pleasant, and I feel +my strength and spirits all coming back again. Mr. Thoroughgood said to Joe +the other day: + +"In your place he will last till he is twenty years old -- perhaps more." + +Willie always speaks to me when he can, and treats me as his special friend. +My ladies have promised that I shall never be sold, and so I have +nothing to fear; and here my story ends. My troubles are all over, +and I am at home; and often before I am quite awake, +I fancy I am still in the orchard at Birtwick, standing with my old friends +under the apple-trees. + + + + +End of this Project Gutenberg Etext of Black Beauty + diff --git a/old/bbeau10.zip b/old/bbeau10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a582069 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/bbeau10.zip |