第1章

TheAutobiographyofaHorse

TomydearandhonoredMother，whoselife，nolessthanherpen，hasbeendevotedtothewelfareofothers，thislittlebookisaffectionatelydedicated.

Contents

PartI

01MyEarlyHomeThefirstplacethatIcanwellrememberwasalargepleasantmeadowwithapondofclearwaterinit.Someshadytreesleanedoverit，andrushesandwater—liliesgrewatthedeepend.Overthehedgeononesidewelookedintoaplowedfield，andontheotherwelookedoveragateatourmaster’shouse，whichstoodbytheroadside;atthetopofthemeadowwasagroveoffirtrees，andatthebottomarunningbrookoverhungbyasteepbank.

WhileIwasyoungIliveduponmymother’smilk，asIcouldnoteatgrass.

InthedaytimeIranbyherside，andatnightIlaydownclosebyher.

Whenitwashotweusedtostandbythepondintheshadeofthetrees，andwhenitwascoldwehadanicewarmshednearthegrove.

AssoonasIwasoldenoughtoeatgrassmymotherusedtogoouttoworkinthedaytime，andcomebackintheevening.

Thereweresixyoungcoltsinthemeadowbesidesme;

theywereolderthanIwas;somewerenearlyaslargeasgrown—uphorses.

Iusedtorunwiththem，andhadgreatfun;weusedtogallopalltogetherroundandroundthefieldashardaswecouldgo.Sometimeswehadratherroughplay，fortheywouldfrequentlybiteandkickaswellasgallop.

Oneday，whentherewasagooddealofkicking，mymotherwhinniedtometocometoher，andthenshesaid：

"IwishyoutopayattentiontowhatIamgoingtosaytoyou.

Thecoltswholivehereareverygoodcolts，buttheyarecart—horsecolts，andofcoursetheyhavenotlearnedmanners.Youhavebeenwell—bredandwell—born;yourfatherhasagreatnameintheseparts，andyourgrandfatherwonthecuptwoyearsattheNewmarketraces;

yourgrandmotherhadthesweetesttemperofanyhorseIeverknew，andIthinkyouhaveneverseenmekickorbite.Ihopeyouwillgrowupgentleandgood，andneverlearnbadways;doyourworkwithagoodwill，liftyourfeetupwellwhenyoutrot，andneverbiteorkickeveninplay."

Ihaveneverforgottenmymother’sadvice;Iknewshewasawiseoldhorse，andourmasterthoughtagreatdealofher.HernamewasDuchess，butheoftencalledherPet.

Ourmasterwasagood，kindman.Hegaveusgoodfood，goodlodging，andkindwords;hespokeaskindlytousashedidtohislittlechildren.

Wewereallfondofhim，andmymotherlovedhimverymuch.

Whenshesawhimatthegateshewouldneighwithjoy，andtrotuptohim.

Hewouldpatandstrokeherandsay，"Well，oldPet，andhowisyourlittleDarkie？"Iwasadullblack，sohecalledmeDarkie;

thenhewouldgivemeapieceofbread，whichwasverygood，andsometimeshebroughtacarrotformymother.Allthehorseswouldcometohim，butIthinkwewerehisfavorites.

Mymotheralwaystookhimtothetownonamarketdayinalightgig.

Therewasaplowboy，Dick，whosometimescameintoourfieldtopluckblackberriesfromthehedge.Whenhehadeatenallhewantedhewouldhavewhathecalledfunwiththecolts，throwingstonesandsticksatthemtomakethemgallop.Wedidnotmuchmindhim，forwecouldgallopoff;butsometimesastonewouldhitandhurtus.

Onedayhewasatthisgame，anddidnotknowthatthemasterwasinthenextfield;buthewasthere，watchingwhatwasgoingon;

overthehedgehejumpedinasnap，andcatchingDickbythearm，hegavehimsuchaboxontheearasmadehimroarwiththepainandsurprise.Assoonaswesawthemasterwetrottedupnearertoseewhatwenton.

"Badboy！"hesaid，"badboy！tochasethecolts.Thisisnotthefirsttime，northesecond，butitshallbethelast.There——

takeyourmoneyandgohome;Ishallnotwantyouonmyfarmagain."

SoweneversawDickanymore.OldDaniel，themanwholookedafterthehorses，wasjustasgentleasourmaster，sowewerewelloff.

02TheHuntBeforeIwastwoyearsoldacircumstancehappenedwhichIhaveneverforgotten.Itwasearlyinthespring;

therehadbeenalittlefrostinthenight，andalightmiststillhungoverthewoodsandmeadows.Iandtheothercoltswerefeedingatthelowerpartofthefieldwhenweheard，quiteinthedistance，whatsoundedlikethecryofdogs.Theoldestofthecoltsraisedhishead，prickedhisears，andsaid，"Therearethehounds！"andimmediatelycanteredoff，followedbytherestofustotheupperpartofthefield，wherewecouldlookoverthehedgeandseeseveralfieldsbeyond.

Mymotherandanoldridinghorseofourmaster’swerealsostandingnear，andseemedtoknowallaboutit.

"Theyhavefoundahare，"saidmymother，"andiftheycomethiswayweshallseethehunt."

Andsoonthedogswerealltearingdownthefieldofyoungwheatnexttoours.Ineverheardsuchanoiseastheymade.Theydidnotbark，norhowl，norwhine，butkeptona"yo！yo，o，o！yo！yo，o，o！"

atthetopoftheirvoices.Afterthemcameanumberofmenonhorseback，someofthemingreencoats，allgallopingasfastastheycould.

Theoldhorsesnortedandlookedeagerlyafterthem，andweyoungcoltswantedtobegallopingwiththem，buttheyweresoonawayintothefieldslowerdown;

hereitseemedasiftheyhadcometoastand;thedogsleftoffbarking，andranabouteverywaywiththeirnosestotheground.

"Theyhavelostthescent，"saidtheoldhorse;"perhapstheharewillgetoff."

"Whathare？"Isaid.

"Oh！Idon’tknowwhathare;likelyenoughitmaybeoneofourownharesoutofthewoods;anyharetheycanfindwilldoforthedogsandmentorunafter;"andbeforelongthedogsbegantheir"yo！yo，o，o！"again，andbacktheycamealtogetheratfullspeed，makingstraightforourmeadowatthepartwherethehighbankandhedgeoverhangthebrook.

"Nowweshallseethehare，"saidmymother;andjustthenaharewildwithfrightrushedbyandmadeforthewoods.

Oncamethedogs;theyburstoverthebank，leapedthestream，andcamedashingacrossthefieldfollowedbythehuntsmen.

Sixoreightmenleapedtheirhorsescleanover，closeuponthedogs.

Theharetriedtogetthroughthefence;itwastoothick，andsheturnedsharproundtomakefortheroad，butitwastoolate;

thedogswereuponherwiththeirwildcries;weheardoneshriek，andthatwastheendofher.Oneofthehuntsmenrodeupandwhippedoffthedogs，whowouldsoonhavetornhertopieces.

Heheldherupbythelegtornandbleeding，andallthegentlemenseemedwellpleased.

Asforme，IwassoastonishedthatIdidnotatfirstseewhatwasgoingonbythebrook;butwhenIdidlooktherewasasadsight;

twofinehorsesweredown，onewasstrugglinginthestream，andtheotherwasgroaningonthegrass.Oneoftheriderswasgettingoutofthewatercoveredwithmud，theotherlayquitestill.

"Hisneckisbroke，"saidmymother.

"Andservehimright，too，"saidoneofthecolts.

Ithoughtthesame，butmymotherdidnotjoinwithus.

"Well，no，"shesaid，"youmustnotsaythat;butthoughIamanoldhorse，andhaveseenandheardagreatdeal，Ineveryetcouldmakeoutwhymenaresofondofthissport;theyoftenhurtthemselves，oftenspoilgoodhorses，andtearupthefields，andallforahareorafox，orastag，thattheycouldgetmoreeasilysomeotherway;

butweareonlyhorses，anddon’tknow."

Whilemymotherwassayingthiswestoodandlookedon.

Manyoftheridershadgonetotheyoungman;butmymaster，whohadbeenwatchingwhatwasgoingon，wasthefirsttoraisehim.

Hisheadfellbackandhisarmshungdown，andeveryonelookedveryserious.

Therewasnonoisenow;eventhedogswerequiet，andseemedtoknowthatsomethingwaswrong.Theycarriedhimtoourmaster’shouse.

IheardafterwardthatitwasyoungGeorgeGordon，thesquire’sonlyson，afine，tallyoungman，andtheprideofhisfamily.

Therewasnowridingoffinalldirectionstothedoctor’s，tothefarrier’s，andnodoubttoSquireGordon’s，tolethimknowabouthisson.

WhenMr.Bond，thefarrier，cametolookattheblackhorsethatlaygroaningonthegrass，hefelthimallover，andshookhishead;

oneofhislegswasbroken.Thensomeonerantoourmaster’shouseandcamebackwithagun;presentlytherewasaloudbangandadreadfulshriek，andthenallwasstill;theblackhorsemovednomore.

Mymotherseemedmuchtroubled;shesaidshehadknownthathorseforyears，andthathisnamewas"RobRoy";hewasagoodhorse，andtherewasnoviceinhim.Sheneverwouldgotothatpartofthefieldafterward.

Notmanydaysafterweheardthechurch—belltollingforalongtime，andlookingoverthegatewesawalong，strangeblackcoachthatwascoveredwithblackclothandwasdrawnbyblackhorses;

afterthatcameanotherandanotherandanother，andallwereblack，whilethebellkepttolling，tolling.TheywerecarryingyoungGordontothechurchyardtoburyhim.Hewouldneverrideagain.

WhattheydidwithRobRoyIneverknew;but’twasallforonelittlehare.

03MyBreakingInIwasnowbeginningtogrowhandsome;mycoathadgrownfineandsoft，andwasbrightblack.Ihadonewhitefootandaprettywhitestaronmyforehead.Iwasthoughtveryhandsome;mymasterwouldnotsellmetillIwasfouryearsold;hesaidladsoughtnottoworklikemen，andcoltsoughtnottoworklikehorsestilltheywerequitegrownup.

WhenIwasfouryearsoldSquireGordoncametolookatme.

Heexaminedmyeyes，mymouth，andmylegs;hefeltthemalldown;

andthenIhadtowalkandtrotandgallopbeforehim.

Heseemedtolikeme，andsaid，"Whenhehasbeenwellbrokeninhewilldoverywell."Mymastersaidhewouldbreakmeinhimself，asheshouldnotlikemetobefrightenedorhurt，andhelostnotimeaboutit，forthenextdayhebegan.

Everyonemaynotknowwhatbreakinginis，thereforeIwilldescribeit.

Itmeanstoteachahorsetowearasaddleandbridle，andtocarryonhisbackaman，womanorchild;togojustthewaytheywish，andtogoquietly.Besidesthishehastolearntowearacollar，acrupper，andabreeching，andtostandstillwhiletheyareputon;

thentohaveacartorachaisefixedbehind，sothathecannotwalkortrotwithoutdraggingitafterhim;andhemustgofastorslow，justashisdriverwishes.Hemustneverstartatwhathesees，norspeaktootherhorses，norbite，norkick，norhaveanywillofhisown;

butalwaysdohismaster’swill，eventhoughhemaybeverytiredorhungry;

buttheworstofallis，whenhisharnessisonceon，hemayneitherjumpforjoynorliedownforweariness.

Soyouseethisbreakinginisagreatthing.

Ihadofcourselongbeenusedtoahalterandaheadstall，andtobeledaboutinthefieldsandlanesquietly，butnowIwastohaveabitandbridle;mymastergavemesomeoatsasusual，andafteragooddealofcoaxinghegotthebitintomymouth，andthebridlefixed，butitwasanastything！Thosewhohaveneverhadabitintheirmouthscannotthinkhowbaditfeels;

agreatpieceofcoldhardsteelasthickasaman’sfingertobepushedintoone’smouth，betweenone’steeth，andoverone’stongue，withtheendscomingoutatthecornerofyourmouth，andheldfasttherebystrapsoveryourhead，underyourthroat，roundyournose，andunderyourchin;sothatnowayintheworldcanyougetridofthenastyhardthing;itisverybad！yes，verybad！

atleastIthoughtso;butIknewmymotheralwaysworeonewhenshewentout，andallhorsesdidwhentheyweregrownup;

andso，whatwiththeniceoats，andwhatwithmymaster’spats，kindwords，andgentleways，Igottowearmybitandbridle.

Nextcamethesaddle，butthatwasnothalfsobad;

mymasterputitonmybackverygently，whileoldDanielheldmyhead;

hethenmadethegirthsfastundermybody，pattingandtalkingtomeallthetime;thenIhadafewoats，thenalittleleadingabout;

andthishedideverydaytillIbegantolookfortheoatsandthesaddle.

Atlength，onemorning，mymastergotonmybackandrodemeroundthemeadowonthesoftgrass.Itcertainlydidfeelqueer;butImustsayIfeltratherproudtocarrymymaster，andashecontinuedtoridemealittleeverydayIsoonbecameaccustomedtoit.

Thenextunpleasantbusinesswasputtingontheironshoes;thattoowasveryhardatfirst.Mymasterwentwithmetothesmith’sforge，toseethatIwasnothurtorgotanyfright.Theblacksmithtookmyfeetinhishand，oneaftertheother，andcutawaysomeofthehoof.

Itdidnotpainme，soIstoodstillonthreelegstillhehaddonethemall.

Thenhetookapieceofirontheshapeofmyfoot，andclappediton，anddrovesomenailsthroughtheshoequiteintomyhoof，sothattheshoewasfirmlyon.Myfeetfeltverystiffandheavy，butintimeIgotusedtoit.

Andnowhavinggotsofar，mymasterwentontobreakmetoharness;

thereweremorenewthingstowear.First，astiffheavycollarjustonmyneck，andabridlewithgreatside—piecesagainstmyeyescalledblinkers，andblinkersindeedtheywere，forIcouldnotseeoneitherside，butonlystraightinfrontofme;next，therewasasmallsaddlewithanastystiffstrapthatwentrightundermytail;thatwasthecrupper.Ihatedthecrupper;

tohavemylongtaildoubledupandpokedthroughthatstrapwasalmostasbadasthebit.Ineverfeltmorelikekicking，butofcourseIcouldnotkicksuchagoodmaster，andsointimeIgotusedtoeverything，andcoulddomyworkaswellasmymother.

Imustnotforgettomentiononepartofmytraining，whichIhavealwaysconsideredaverygreatadvantage.

Mymastersentmeforafortnighttoaneighboringfarmer’s，whohadameadowwhichwasskirtedononesidebytherailway.

Hereweresomesheepandcows，andIwasturnedinamongthem.

Ishallneverforgetthefirsttrainthatranby.Iwasfeedingquietlynearthepaleswhichseparatedthemeadowfromtherailway，whenIheardastrangesoundatadistance，andbeforeIknewwhenceitcame——witharushandaclatter，andapuffingoutofsmoke——

alongblacktrainofsomethingflewby，andwasgonealmostbeforeIcoulddrawmybreath.IturnedandgallopedtothefurthersideofthemeadowasfastasIcouldgo，andthereIstoodsnortingwithastonishmentandfear.

Inthecourseofthedaymanyothertrainswentby，somemoreslowly;

thesedrewupatthestationcloseby，andsometimesmadeanawfulshriekandgroanbeforetheystopped.Ithoughtitverydreadful，butthecowswentoneatingveryquietly，andhardlyraisedtheirheadsastheblackfrightfulthingcamepuffingandgrindingpast.

ForthefirstfewdaysIcouldnotfeedinpeace;butasIfoundthatthisterriblecreaturenevercameintothefield，ordidmeanyharm，Ibegantodisregardit，andverysoonIcaredaslittleaboutthepassingofatrainasthecowsandsheepdid.

SincethenIhaveseenmanyhorsesmuchalarmedandrestiveatthesightorsoundofasteamengine;butthankstomygoodmaster’scare，Iamasfearlessatrailwaystationsasinmyownstable.

Nowifanyonewantstobreakinayounghorsewell，thatistheway.

Mymasteroftendrovemeindoubleharnesswithmymother，becauseshewassteadyandcouldteachmehowtogobetterthanastrangehorse.ShetoldmethebetterIbehavedthebetterIshouldbetreated，andthatitwaswisestalwaystodomybesttopleasemymaster;"but，"saidshe，"thereareagreatmanykindsofmen;

therearegoodthoughtfulmenlikeourmaster，thatanyhorsemaybeproudtoserve;andtherearebad，cruelmen，whoneveroughttohaveahorseordogtocalltheirown.Besides，thereareagreatmanyfoolishmen，vain，ignorant，andcareless，whonevertroublethemselvestothink;thesespoilmorehorsesthanall，justforwantofsense;theydon’tmeanit，buttheydoitforallthat.

Ihopeyouwillfallintogoodhands;butahorseneverknowswhomaybuyhim，orwhomaydrivehim;itisallachanceforus;

butstillIsay，doyourbestwhereveritis，andkeepupyourgoodname."

04BirtwickParkAtthistimeIusedtostandinthestableandmycoatwasbrushedeverydaytillitshonelikearook’swing.ItwasearlyinMay，whentherecameamanfromSquireGordon’s，whotookmeawaytothehall.Mymastersaid，"Good—by，Darkie;beagoodhorse，andalwaysdoyourbest."

Icouldnotsay"good—by"，soIputmynoseintohishand;

hepattedmekindly，andIleftmyfirsthome.AsIlivedsomeyearswithSquireGordon，Imayaswelltellsomethingabouttheplace.

SquireGordon’sparkskirtedthevillageofBirtwick.

Itwasenteredbyalargeirongate，atwhichstoodthefirstlodge，andthenyoutrottedalongonasmoothroadbetweenclumpsoflargeoldtrees;thenanotherlodgeandanothergate，whichbroughtyoutothehouseandthegardens.Beyondthislaythehomepaddock，theoldorchard，andthestables.Therewasaccommodationformanyhorsesandcarriages;butIneedonlydescribethestableintowhichIwastaken;thiswasveryroomy，withfourgoodstalls;

alargeswingingwindowopenedintotheyard，whichmadeitpleasantandairy.

Thefirststallwasalargesquareone，shutinbehindwithawoodengate;

theotherswerecommonstalls，goodstalls，butnotnearlysolarge;

ithadalowrackforhayandalowmangerforcorn;

itwascalledaloosebox，becausethehorsethatwasputintoitwasnottiedup，butleftloose，todoasheliked.Itisagreatthingtohavealoosebox.

Intothisfineboxthegroomputme;itwasclean，sweet，andairy.

Ineverwasinabetterboxthanthat，andthesideswerenotsohighbutthatIcouldseeallthatwentonthroughtheironrailsthatwereatthetop.

Hegavemesomeveryniceoats，hepattedme，spokekindly，andthenwentaway.

WhenIhadeatenmycornIlookedround.Inthestallnexttominestoodalittlefatgraypony，withathickmaneandtail，averyprettyhead，andapertlittlenose.

Iputmyheaduptotheironrailsatthetopofmybox，andsaid，"Howdoyoudo？Whatisyourname？"

Heturnedroundasfarashishalterwouldallow，helduphishead，andsaid，"MynameisMerrylegs.Iamveryhandsome;Icarrytheyoungladiesonmyback，andsometimesItakeourmistressoutinthelowchair.

Theythinkagreatdealofme，andsodoesJames.Areyougoingtolivenextdoortomeinthebox？"

Isaid，"Yes."

"Well，then，"hesaid，"Ihopeyouaregood—tempered;

Idonotlikeanyonenextdoorwhobites."

Justthenahorse’sheadlookedoverfromthestallbeyond;

theearswerelaidback，andtheeyelookedratherill—tempered.

Thiswasatallchestnutmare，withalonghandsomeneck.

Shelookedacrosstomeandsaid：

"Soitisyouwhohaveturnedmeoutofmybox;itisaverystrangethingforacoltlikeyoutocomeandturnaladyoutofherownhome."

"Ibegyourpardon，"Isaid，"Ihaveturnednooneout;

themanwhobroughtmeputmehere，andIhadnothingtodowithit;

andastomybeingacolt，Iamturnedfouryearsoldandamagrown—uphorse.Ineverhadwordsyetwithhorseormare，anditismywishtoliveatpeace."

"Well，"shesaid，"weshallsee.Ofcourse，Idonotwanttohavewordswithayoungthinglikeyou."Isaidnomore.

Intheafternoon，whenshewentout，Merrylegstoldmeallaboutit.

"Thethingisthis，"saidMerrylegs."Gingerhasabadhabitofbitingandsnapping;thatiswhytheycallherGinger，andwhenshewasinthelooseboxsheusedtosnapverymuch.

OnedayshebitJamesinthearmandmadeitbleed，andsoMissFloraandMissJessie，whoareveryfondofme，wereafraidtocomeintothestable.Theyusedtobringmenicethingstoeat，anappleoracarrot，orapieceofbread，butafterGingerstoodinthatboxtheydarednotcome，andImissedthemverymuch.Ihopetheywillnowcomeagain，ifyoudonotbiteorsnap."

ItoldhimIneverbitanythingbutgrass，hay，andcorn，andcouldnotthinkwhatpleasureGingerfoundit.

"Well，Idon’tthinkshedoesfindpleasure，"saysMerrylegs;

"itisjustabadhabit;shesaysnoonewaseverkindtoher，andwhyshouldshenotbite？Ofcourse，itisaverybadhabit;

butIamsure，ifallshesaysbetrue，shemusthavebeenveryill—usedbeforeshecamehere.Johndoesallhecantopleaseher，andJamesdoesallhecan，andourmasterneverusesawhipifahorseactsright;soIthinkshemightbegood—temperedhere.

Yousee，"hesaid，withawiselook，"Iamtwelveyearsold;

Iknowagreatdeal，andIcantellyouthereisnotabetterplaceforahorseallroundthecountrythanthis.Johnisthebestgroomthateverwas;hehasbeenherefourteenyears;andyouneversawsuchakindboyasJamesis;sothatitisallGinger’sownfaultthatshedidnotstayinthatbox."

05AFairStartThenameofthecoachmanwasJohnManly;hehadawifeandonelittlechild，andtheylivedinthecoachman’scottage，verynearthestables.

Thenextmorninghetookmeintotheyardandgavemeagoodgrooming，andjustasIwasgoingintomybox，withmycoatsoftandbright，thesquirecameintolookatme，andseemedpleased.

"John，"hesaid，"Imeanttohavetriedthenewhorsethismorning，butIhaveotherbusiness.Youmayaswelltakehimaroundafterbreakfast;

gobythecommonandtheHighwood，andbackbythewatermillandtheriver;

thatwillshowhispaces."

"Iwill，sir，"saidJohn.Afterbreakfasthecameandfittedmewithabridle.Hewasveryparticularinlettingoutandtakinginthestraps，tofitmyheadcomfortably;thenhebroughtasaddle，butitwasnotbroadenoughformyback;hesawitinaminuteandwentforanother，whichfittednicely.Herodemefirstslowly，thenatrot，thenacanter，andwhenwewereonthecommonhegavemealighttouchwithhiswhip，andwehadasplendidgallop.

"Ho，ho！myboy，"hesaid，ashepulledmeup，"youwouldliketofollowthehounds，Ithink."

AswecamebackthroughtheparkwemettheSquireandMrs.Gordonwalking;

theystopped，andJohnjumpedoff.

"Well，John，howdoeshego？"

"First—rate，sir，"answeredJohn;"heisasfleetasadeer，andhasafinespirittoo;butthelightesttouchofthereinwillguidehim.

Downattheendofthecommonwemetoneofthosetravelingcartshungalloverwithbaskets，rugs，andsuchlike;youknow，sir，manyhorseswillnotpassthosecartsquietly;hejusttookagoodlookatit，andthenwentonasquietandpleasantascouldbe.

TheywereshootingrabbitsneartheHighwood，andagunwentoffcloseby;

hepulledupalittleandlooked，butdidnotstirasteptorightorleft.

Ijustheldthereinsteadyanddidnothurryhim，andit’smyopinionhehasnotbeenfrightenedorill—usedwhilehewasyoung."

"That’swell，"saidthesquire，"Iwilltryhimmyselfto—morrow."

ThenextdayIwasbroughtupformymaster.Irememberedmymother’scounselandmygoodoldmaster’s，andItriedtodoexactlywhathewantedmetodo.Ifoundhewasaverygoodrider，andthoughtfulforhishorsetoo.Whenhecamehometheladywasatthehalldoorasherodeup.

"Well，mydear，"shesaid，"howdoyoulikehim？"

"HeisexactlywhatJohnsaid，"hereplied;"apleasantercreatureIneverwishtomount.Whatshallwecallhim？"

"WouldyoulikeEbony？"saidshe;"heisasblackasebony."

"No，notEbony."

"WillyoucallhimBlackbird，likeyouruncle’soldhorse？"

"No，heisfarhandsomerthanoldBlackbirdeverwas."

"Yes，"shesaid，"heisreallyquiteabeauty，andhehassuchasweet，good—temperedface，andsuchafine，intelligenteye——whatdoyousaytocallinghimBlackBeauty？"

"BlackBeauty——why，yes，Ithinkthatisaverygoodname.

Ifyoulikeitshallbehisname;"andsoitwas.

WhenJohnwentintothestablehetoldJamesthatmasterandmistresshadchosenagood，sensibleEnglishnameforme，thatmeantsomething;

notlikeMarengo，orPegasus，orAbdallah.Theybothlaughed，andJamessaid，"Ifitwasnotforbringingbackthepast，IshouldhavenamedhimRobRoy，forIneversawtwohorsesmorealike."

"That’snowonder，"saidJohn;"didn’tyouknowthatFarmerGrey’soldDuchesswasthemotherofthemboth？"

Ihadneverheardthatbefore;andsopoorRobRoywhowaskilledatthathuntwasmybrother！Ididnotwonderthatmymotherwassotroubled.Itseemsthathorseshavenorelations;

atleasttheyneverknoweachotheraftertheyaresold.

Johnseemedveryproudofme;heusedtomakemymaneandtailalmostassmoothasalady’shair，andhewouldtalktomeagreatdeal;

ofcourseIdidnotunderstandallhesaid，butIlearnedmoreandmoretoknowwhathemeant，andwhathewantedmetodo.Igrewveryfondofhim，hewassogentleandkind;heseemedtoknowjusthowahorsefeels，andwhenhecleanedmeheknewthetenderplacesandtheticklishplaces;

whenhebrushedmyheadhewentascarefullyovermyeyesasiftheywerehisown，andneverstirredupanyill—temper.

JamesHoward，thestableboy，wasjustasgentleandpleasantinhisway，soIthoughtmyselfwelloff.Therewasanothermanwhohelpedintheyard，buthehadverylittletodowithGingerandme.

AfewdaysafterthisIhadtogooutwithGingerinthecarriage.

Iwonderedhowweshouldgetontogether;butexceptlayingherearsbackwhenIwasleduptoher，shebehavedverywell.Shedidherworkhonestly，anddidherfullshare，andIneverwishtohaveabetterpartnerindoubleharness.Whenwecametoahill，insteadofslackeningherpace，shewouldthrowherweightrightintothecollar，andpullawaystraightup.

Wehadboththesamesortofcourageatourwork，andJohnhadoftenertoholdusinthantourgeusforward;heneverhadtousethewhipwitheitherofus;thenourpacesweremuchthesame，andIfounditveryeasytokeepstepwithherwhentrotting，whichmadeitpleasant，andmasteralwayslikeditwhenwekeptstepwell，andsodidJohn.Afterwehadbeenouttwoorthreetimestogetherwegrewquitefriendlyandsociable，whichmademefeelverymuchathome.

AsforMerrylegs，heandIsoonbecamegreatfriends;hewassuchacheerful，plucky，good—temperedlittlefellowthathewasafavoritewitheveryone，andespeciallywithMissJessieandFlora，whousedtoridehimaboutintheorchard，andhavefinegameswithhimandtheirlittledogFrisky.

Ourmasterhadtwootherhorsesthatstoodinanotherstable.

OnewasJustice，aroancob，usedforridingorfortheluggagecart;

theotherwasanoldbrownhunter，namedSirOliver;hewaspastworknow，butwasagreatfavoritewiththemaster，whogavehimtherunofthepark;

hesometimesdidalittlelightcartingontheestate，orcarriedoneoftheyoungladieswhentheyrodeoutwiththeirfather，forhewasverygentleandcouldbetrustedwithachildaswellasMerrylegs.Thecobwasastrong，well—made，good—temperedhorse，andwesometimeshadalittlechatinthepaddock，butofcourseIcouldnotbesointimatewithhimaswithGinger，whostoodinthesamestable.

06LibertyIwasquitehappyinmynewplace，andiftherewasonethingthatImisseditmustnotbethoughtIwasdiscontented;allwhohadtodowithmeweregoodandIhadalightairystableandthebestoffood.

WhatmorecouldIwant？Why，liberty！ForthreeyearsandahalfofmylifeIhadhadallthelibertyIcouldwishfor;butnow，weekafterweek，monthaftermonth，andnodoubtyearafteryear，ImuststandupinastablenightanddayexceptwhenIamwanted，andthenImustbejustassteadyandquietasanyoldhorsewhohasworkedtwentyyears.

Strapshereandstrapsthere，abitinmymouth，andblinkersovermyeyes.

Now，Iamnotcomplaining，forIknowitmustbeso.Ionlymeantosaythatforayounghorsefullofstrengthandspirits，whohasbeenusedtosomelargefieldorplainwherehecanflinguphisheadandtossuphistailandgallopawayatfullspeed，thenroundandbackagainwithasnorttohiscompanions——Isayitishardnevertohaveabitmorelibertytodoasyoulike.Sometimes，whenIhavehadlessexercisethanusual，IhavefeltsofulloflifeandspringthatwhenJohnhastakenmeouttoexerciseIreallycouldnotkeepquiet;

dowhatIwould，itseemedasifImustjump，ordance，orprance，andmanyagoodshakeIknowImusthavegivenhim，especiallyatthefirst;

buthewasalwaysgoodandpatient.

"Steady，steady，myboy，"hewouldsay;"waitabit，andwewillhaveagoodswing，andsoongetthetickleoutofyourfeet."

Thenassoonaswewereoutofthevillage，hewouldgivemeafewmilesataspankingtrot，andthenbringmebackasfreshasbefore，onlyclearofthefidgets，ashecalledthem.Spiritedhorses，whennotenoughexercised，areoftencalledskittish，whenitisonlyplay;

andsomegroomswillpunishthem，butourJohndidnot;

heknewitwasonlyhighspirits.Still，hehadhisownwaysofmakingmeunderstandbythetoneofhisvoiceorthetouchoftherein.

Ifhewasveryseriousandquitedetermined，Ialwaysknewitbyhisvoice，andthathadmorepowerwithmethananythingelse，forIwasveryfondofhim.

Ioughttosaythatsometimeswehadourlibertyforafewhours;

thisusedtobeonfineSundaysinthesummer—time.

ThecarriageneverwentoutonSundays，becausethechurchwasnotfaroff.

Itwasagreattreattoustobeturnedoutintothehomepaddockortheoldorchard;thegrasswassocoolandsofttoourfeet，theairsosweet，andthefreedomtodoaswelikedwassopleasant——

togallop，toliedown，androlloveronourbacks，ortonibblethesweetgrass.Thenitwasaverygoodtimefortalking，aswestoodtogetherundertheshadeofthelargechestnuttree.

07GingerOnedaywhenGingerandIwerestandingaloneintheshade，wehadagreatdealoftalk;shewantedtoknowallaboutmybringingupandbreakingin，andItoldher.

"Well，"saidshe，"ifIhadhadyourbringingupImighthavehadasgoodatemperasyou，butnowIdon’tbelieveIevershall."

"Whynot？"Isaid.

"Becauseithasbeenallsodifferentwithme，"shereplied.

"Ineverhadanyone，horseorman，thatwaskindtome，orthatIcaredtoplease，forinthefirstplaceIwastakenfrommymotherassoonasIwasweaned，andputwithalotofotheryoungcolts;

noneofthemcaredforme，andIcaredfornoneofthem.

Therewasnokindmasterlikeyourstolookafterme，andtalktome，andbringmenicethingstoeat.Themanthathadthecareofusnevergavemeakindwordinmylife.Idonotmeanthatheill—usedme，buthedidnotcareforusonebitfurtherthantoseethatwehadplentytoeat，andshelterinthewinter.Afootpathranthroughourfield，andveryoftenthegreatboyspassingthroughwouldflingstonestomakeusgallop.Iwasneverhit，butonefineyoungcoltwasbadlycutintheface，andIshouldthinkitwouldbeascarforlife.

Wedidnotcareforthem，butofcourseitmadeusmorewild，andwesettleditinourmindsthatboyswereourenemies.

Wehadverygoodfuninthefreemeadows，gallopingupanddownandchasingeachotherroundandroundthefield;thenstandingstillundertheshadeofthetrees.Butwhenitcametobreakingin，thatwasabadtimeforme;severalmencametocatchme，andwhenatlasttheyclosedmeinatonecornerofthefield，onecaughtmebytheforelock，anothercaughtmebythenoseandhelditsotightIcouldhardlydrawmybreath;

thenanothertookmyunderjawinhishardhandandwrenchedmymouthopen，andsobyforcetheygotonthehalterandthebarintomymouth;

thenonedraggedmealongbythehalter，anotherfloggingbehind，andthiswasthefirstexperienceIhadofmen’skindness;itwasallforce.

Theydidnotgivemeachancetoknowwhattheywanted.

Iwashighbredandhadagreatdealofspirit，andwasverywild，nodoubt，andgavethem，Idaresay，plentyoftrouble，butthenitwasdreadfultobeshutupinastalldayafterdayinsteadofhavingmyliberty，andIfrettedandpinedandwantedtogetloose.Youknowyourselfit’sbadenoughwhenyouhaveakindmasterandplentyofcoaxing，buttherewasnothingofthatsortforme.

"Therewasone——theoldmaster，Mr.Ryder——who，Ithink，couldsoonhavebroughtmeround，andcouldhavedoneanythingwithme;

buthehadgivenupallthehardpartofthetradetohissonandtoanotherexperiencedman，andheonlycameattimestooversee.

Hissonwasastrong，tall，boldman;theycalledhimSamson，andheusedtoboastthathehadneverfoundahorsethatcouldthrowhim.

Therewasnogentlenessinhim，astherewasinhisfather，butonlyhardness，ahardvoice，ahardeye，ahardhand;andIfeltfromthefirstthatwhathewantedwastowearallthespiritoutofme，andjustmakemeintoaquiet，humble，obedientpieceofhorseflesh.

`Horseflesh’！Yes，thatisallthathethoughtabout，"

andGingerstampedherfootasiftheverythoughtofhimmadeherangry.

Thenshewenton：

"IfIdidnotdoexactlywhathewantedhewouldgetputout，andmakemerunroundwiththatlongreininthetrainingfieldtillhehadtiredmeout.Ithinkhedrankagooddeal，andIamquitesurethattheoftenerhedranktheworseitwasforme.

Onedayhehadworkedmehardineverywayhecould，andwhenIlaydownIwastired，andmiserable，andangry;

itallseemedsohard.Thenextmorninghecameformeearly，andranmeroundagainforalongtime.Ihadscarcelyhadanhour’srest，whenhecameagainformewithasaddleandbridleandanewkindofbit.

Icouldneverquitetellhowitcameabout;hehadonlyjustmountedmeonthetrainingground，whensomethingIdidputhimoutoftemper，andhechuckedmehardwiththerein.Thenewbitwasverypainful，andIrearedupsuddenly，whichangeredhimstillmore，andhebegantoflogme.Ifeltmywholespiritsetagainsthim，andIbegantokick，andplunge，andrearasIhadneverdonebefore，andwehadaregularfight;

foralongtimehestucktothesaddleandpunishedmecruellywithhiswhipandspurs，butmybloodwasthoroughlyup，andIcaredfornothinghecoulddoifonlyIcouldgethimoff.

AtlastafteraterriblestruggleIthrewhimoffbackward.

Iheardhimfallheavilyontheturf，andwithoutlookingbehindme，Igallopedofftotheotherendofthefield;thereIturnedroundandsawmypersecutorslowlyrisingfromthegroundandgoingintothestable.

Istoodunderanoaktreeandwatched，butnoonecametocatchme.

Thetimewenton，andthesunwasveryhot;thefliesswarmedroundmeandsettledonmybleedingflankswherethespurshaddugin.

Ifelthungry，forIhadnoteatensincetheearlymorning，buttherewasnotenoughgrassinthatmeadowforagoosetoliveon.

Iwantedtoliedownandrest，butwiththesaddlestrappedtightlyontherewasnocomfort，andtherewasnotadropofwatertodrink.

Theafternoonworeon，andthesungotlow.Isawtheothercoltsledin，andIknewtheywerehavingagoodfeed.

"Atlast，justasthesunwentdown，Isawtheoldmastercomeoutwithasieveinhishand.Hewasaveryfineoldgentlemanwithquitewhitehair，buthisvoicewaswhatIshouldknowhimbyamongathousand.Itwasnothigh，noryetlow，butfull，andclear，andkind，andwhenhegaveordersitwassosteadyanddecidedthateveryoneknew，bothhorsesandmen，thatheexpectedtobeobeyed.

Hecamequietlyalong，nowandthenshakingtheoatsaboutthathehadinthesieve，andspeakingcheerfullyandgentlytome：

`Comealong，lassie，comealong，lassie;comealong，comealong.’

Istoodstillandlethimcomeup;heheldtheoatstome，andIbegantoeatwithoutfear;hisvoicetookallmyfearaway.

Hestoodby，pattingandstrokingmewhileIwaseating，andseeingtheclotsofbloodonmysideheseemedveryvexed.

`Poorlassie！itwasabadbusiness，abadbusiness;’

thenhequietlytookthereinandledmetothestable;

justatthedoorstoodSamson.Ilaidmyearsbackandsnappedathim.

`Standback，’saidthemaster，`andkeepoutofherway;

you’vedoneabadday’sworkforthisfilly.’Hegrowledoutsomethingaboutaviciousbrute.`Harkye，’saidthefather，`abad—temperedmanwillnevermakeagood—temperedhorse.You’venotlearnedyourtradeyet，Samson.’Thenheledmeintomybox，tookoffthesaddleandbridlewithhisownhands，andtiedmeup;thenhecalledforapailofwarmwaterandasponge，tookoffhiscoat，andwhilethestable—manheldthepail，hespongedmysidesagoodwhile，sotenderlythatIwassureheknewhowsoreandbruisedtheywere.`Whoa！myprettyone，’hesaid，`standstill，standstill.’Hisveryvoicedidmegood，andthebathingwasverycomfortable.TheskinwassobrokenatthecornersofmymouththatIcouldnoteatthehay，thestalkshurtme.Helookedcloselyatit，shookhishead，andtoldthemantofetchagoodbranmashandputsomemealintoit.Howgoodthatmashwas！andsosoftandhealingtomymouth.

HestoodbyallthetimeIwaseating，strokingmeandtalkingtotheman.

`Ifahigh—mettledcreaturelikethis，’saidhe，`can’tbebrokenbyfairmeans，shewillneverbegoodforanything.’

"Afterthatheoftencametoseeme，andwhenmymouthwashealedtheotherbreaker，Job，theycalledhim，wentontrainingme;

hewassteadyandthoughtful，andIsoonlearnedwhathewanted."

08Ginger’sStoryContinuedThenexttimethatGingerandIweretogetherinthepaddockshetoldmeaboutherfirstplace.

"Aftermybreakingin，"shesaid，"Iwasboughtbyadealertomatchanotherchestnuthorse.Forsomeweekshedroveustogether，andthenweweresoldtoafashionablegentleman，andweresentuptoLondon.

Ihadbeendrivenwithacheck—reinbythedealer，andIhateditworsethananythingelse;butinthisplacewewerereinedfartighter，thecoachmanandhismasterthinkingwelookedmorestylishso.

Wewereoftendrivenaboutintheparkandotherfashionableplaces.

Youwhoneverhadacheck—reinondon’tknowwhatitis，butIcantellyouitisdreadful.

"Iliketotossmyheadaboutandholditashighasanyhorse;

butfancynowyourself，ifyoutossedyourheaduphighandwereobligedtoholditthere，andthatforhourstogether，notabletomoveitatall，exceptwithajerkstillhigher，yourneckachingtillyoudidnotknowhowtobearit.Besidesthat，tohavetwobitsinsteadofone——

andminewasasharpone，ithurtmytongueandmyjaw，andthebloodfrommytonguecoloredthefroththatkeptflyingfrommylipsasIchafedandfrettedatthebitsandrein.Itwasworstwhenwehadtostandbythehourwaitingforourmistressatsomegrandpartyorentertainment，andifIfrettedorstampedwithimpatiencethewhipwaslaidon.Itwasenoughtodriveonemad."

"Didnotyourmastertakeanythoughtforyou？"Isaid.

"No，"saidshe，"heonlycaredtohaveastylishturnout，astheycallit;

Ithinkheknewverylittleabouthorses;heleftthattohiscoachman，whotoldhimIhadanirritabletemper！thatIhadnotbeenwellbrokentothecheck—rein，butIshouldsoongetusedtoit;buthewasnotthemantodoit，forwhenIwasinthestable，miserableandangry，insteadofbeingsmoothedandquietedbykindness，Igotonlyasurlywordorablow.IfhehadbeencivilIwouldhavetriedtobearit.

Iwaswillingtowork，andreadytoworkhardtoo;buttobetormentedfornothingbuttheirfanciesangeredme.Whatrighthadtheytomakemesufferlikethat？Besidesthesorenessinmymouth，andthepaininmyneck，italwaysmademywindpipefeelbad，andifIhadstoppedtherelongIknowitwouldhavespoiledmybreathing;

butIgrewmoreandmorerestlessandirritable，Icouldnothelpit;

andIbegantosnapandkickwhenanyonecametoharnessme;

forthisthegroombeatme，andoneday，astheyhadjustbuckledusintothecarriage，andwerestrainingmyheadupwiththatrein，Ibegantoplungeandkickwithallmymight.Isoonbrokealotofharness，andkickedmyselfclear;sothatwasanendofthatplace.

"AfterthisIwassenttoTattersall’stobesold;ofcourseIcouldnotbewarrantedfreefromvice，sonothingwassaidaboutthat.

Myhandsomeappearanceandgoodpacessoonbroughtagentlemantobidforme，andIwasboughtbyanotherdealer;hetriedmeinallkindsofwaysandwithdifferentbits，andhesoonfoundoutwhatIcouldnotbear.

Atlasthedrovemequitewithoutacheck—rein，andthensoldmeasaperfectlyquiethorsetoagentlemaninthecountry;

hewasagoodmaster，andIwasgettingonverywell，buthisoldgroomlefthimandanewonecame.Thismanwasashard—temperedandhard—handedasSamson;healwaysspokeinarough，impatientvoice，andifIdidnotmoveinthestallthemomenthewantedme，hewouldhitmeabovethehockswithhisstablebroomorthefork，whicheverhemighthaveinhishand.Everythinghedidwasrough，andIbegantohatehim;hewantedtomakemeafraidofhim，butIwastoohigh—mettledforthat，andonedaywhenhehadaggravatedmemorethanusualIbithim，whichofcourseputhiminagreatrage，andhebegantohitmeabouttheheadwitharidingwhip.

Afterthatheneverdaredtocomeintomystallagain;

eithermyheelsormyteethwerereadyforhim，andheknewit.

Iwasquitequietwithmymaster，butofcoursehelistenedtowhatthemansaid，andsoIwassoldagain.

"Thesamedealerheardofme，andsaidhethoughtheknewoneplacewhereIshoulddowell.`’Twasapity，’hesaid，`thatsuchafinehorseshouldgotothebad，forwantofarealgoodchance，’andtheendofitwasthatIcameherenotlongbeforeyoudid;butIhadthenmadeupmymindthatmenweremynaturalenemiesandthatImustdefendmyself.

Ofcourseitisverydifferenthere，butwhoknowshowlongitwilllast？

IwishIcouldthinkaboutthingsasyoudo;butIcan’t，afterallIhavegonethrough."

"Well，"Isaid，"IthinkitwouldbearealshameifyouweretobiteorkickJohnorJames."

"Idon’tmeanto，"shesaid，"whiletheyaregoodtome.

IdidbiteJamesonceprettysharp，butJohnsaid，`Tryherwithkindness，’

andinsteadofpunishingmeasIexpected，Jamescametomewithhisarmboundup，andbroughtmeabranmashandstrokedme;

andIhaveneversnappedathimsince，andIwon’teither."

IwassorryforGinger，butofcourseIknewverylittlethen，andIthoughtmostlikelyshemadetheworstofit;however，Ifoundthatastheweekswentonshegrewmuchmoregentleandcheerful，andhadlostthewatchful，defiantlookthatsheusedtoturnonanystrangepersonwhocamenearher;andonedayJamessaid，"Idobelievethatmareisgettingfondofme，shequitewhinniedaftermethismorningwhenIhadbeenrubbingherforehead."

"Ay，ay，Jim，’tis`theBirtwickballs’，"saidJohn，"she’llbeasgoodasBlackBeautybyandby;kindnessisallthephysicshewants，poorthing！"

Masternoticedthechange，too，andonedaywhenhegotoutofthecarriageandcametospeaktous，asheoftendid，hestrokedherbeautifulneck.

"Well，myprettyone，well，howdothingsgowithyounow？

Youareagoodbithappierthanwhenyoucametous，Ithink."

Sheputhernoseuptohiminafriendly，trustfulway，whileherubbeditgently.

"Weshallmakeacureofher，John，"hesaid.

"Yes，sir，she’swonderfullyimproved;she’snotthesamecreaturethatshewas;it’s`theBirtwickballs’，sir，"saidJohn，laughing.

ThiswasalittlejokeofJohn’s;heusedtosaythataregularcourseof"theBirtwickhorseballs"wouldcurealmostanyvicioushorse;

theseballs，hesaid，weremadeupofpatienceandgentleness，firmnessandpetting，onepoundofeachtobemixedupwithhalfapintofcommonsense，andgiventothehorseeveryday.

09MerrylegsMr.Blomefield，thevicar，hadalargefamilyofboysandgirls;

sometimestheyusedtocomeandplaywithMissJessieandFlora.

OneofthegirlswasasoldasMissJessie;twooftheboyswereolder，andtherewereseverallittleones.WhentheycametherewasplentyofworkforMerrylegs，fornothingpleasedthemsomuchasgettingonhimbyturnsandridinghimallabouttheorchardandthehomepaddock，andthistheywoulddobythehourtogether.

Oneafternoonhehadbeenoutwiththemalongtime，andwhenJamesbroughthiminandputonhishalterhesaid：

"There，yourogue，mindhowyoubehaveyourself，orweshallgetintotrouble."

"Whathaveyoubeendoing，Merrylegs？"Iasked.

"Oh！"saidhe，tossinghislittlehead，"Ihaveonlybeengivingthoseyoungpeoplealesson;theydidnotknowwhentheyhadhadenough，norwhenIhadhadenough，soIjustpitchedthemoffbackward;

thatwastheonlythingtheycouldunderstand."

"What！"saidI，"youthrewthechildrenoff？Ithoughtyoudidknowbetterthanthat！DidyouthrowMissJessieorMissFlora？"

Helookedverymuchoffended，andsaid：

"Ofcoursenot;Iwouldnotdosuchathingforthebestoatsthatevercameintothestable;why，Iamascarefulofouryoungladiesasthemastercouldbe，andasforthelittleonesitisIwhoteachthemtoride.WhentheyseemfrightenedoralittleunsteadyonmybackIgoassmoothandasquietasoldpussywhensheisafterabird;

andwhentheyareallrightIgoonagainfaster，yousee，justtousethemtoit;sodon’tyoutroubleyourselfpreachingtome;

Iamthebestfriendandthebestriding—masterthosechildrenhave.

Itisnotthem，itistheboys;boys，"saidhe，shakinghismane，"arequitedifferent;theymustbebrokeninaswewerebrokeninwhenwewerecolts，andjustbetaughtwhat’swhat.Theotherchildrenhadriddenmeaboutfornearlytwohours，andthentheboysthoughtitwastheirturn，andsoitwas，andIwasquiteagreeable.

Theyrodemebyturns，andIgallopedthemabout，upanddownthefieldsandallabouttheorchard，foragoodhour.Theyhadeachcutagreathazelstickforariding—whip，andlaiditonalittletoohard;

butItookitingoodpart，tillatlastIthoughtwehadhadenough，soIstoppedtwoorthreetimesbywayofahint.Boys，yousee，thinkahorseorponyislikeasteam—engineorathrashing—machine，andcangoonaslongandasfastastheyplease;theyneverthinkthataponycangettired，orhaveanyfeelings;soastheonewhowaswhippingmecouldnotunderstandIjustroseuponmyhindlegsandlethimslipoffbehind——thatwasall.Hemountedmeagain，andIdidthesame.Thentheotherboygotup，andassoonashebegantousehisstickIlaidhimonthegrass，andsoon，tilltheywereabletounderstand——thatwasall.Theyarenotbadboys;

theydon’twishtobecruel.Ilikethemverywell;butyouseeIhadtogivethemalesson.WhentheybroughtmetoJamesandtoldhimIthinkhewasveryangrytoseesuchbigsticks.Hesaidtheywereonlyfitfordroversorgypsies，andnotforyounggentlemen."