第3章

Jameslaughedatthis;buttherewasathicknessinhisvoicewhenhesaid，"Youhavebeenmybestfriendexceptmymother;Ihopeyouwon’tforgetme."

"No，lad，no！"saidJohn，"andifeverIcandoyouagoodturnIhopeyouwon’tforgetme."

ThenextdayJoecametothestablestolearnallhecouldbeforeJamesleft.

Helearnedtosweepthestable，tobringinthestrawandhay;

hebegantocleantheharness，andhelpedtowashthecarriage.

AshewasquitetooshorttodoanythinginthewayofgroomingGingerandme，JamestaughthimuponMerrylegs，forhewastohavefullchargeofhim，underJohn.Hewasanicelittlebrightfellow，andalwayscamewhistlingtohiswork.

Merrylegswasagooddealputoutatbeing"mauledabout，"ashesaid，"byaboywhoknewnothing;"buttowardtheendofthesecondweekhetoldmeconfidentiallythathethoughttheboywouldturnoutwell.

AtlastthedaycamewhenJameshadtoleaveus;cheerfulashealwayswas，helookedquitedown—heartedthatmorning.

"Yousee，"hesaidtoJohn，"Iamleavingagreatdealbehind;

mymotherandBetsy，andyou，andagoodmasterandmistress，andthenthehorses，andmyoldMerrylegs.AtthenewplacetherewillnotbeasoulthatIshallknow.IfitwerenotthatIshallgetahigherplace，andbeabletohelpmymotherbetter，Idon’tthinkIshouldhavemadeupmymindtoit;itisarealpinch，John."

"Ay，James，lad，soitis;butIshouldnotthinkmuchofyouifyoucouldleaveyourhomeforthefirsttimeandnotfeelit.Cheerup，you’llmakefriendsthere;andifyougetonwell，asIamsureyouwill，itwillbeafinethingforyourmother，andshewillbeproudenoughthatyouhavegotintosuchagoodplaceasthat."

SoJohncheeredhimup，buteveryonewassorrytoloseJames;

asforMerrylegs，hepinedafterhimforseveraldays，andwentquiteoffhisappetite.SoJohntookhimoutseveralmorningswithaleadingrein，whenheexercisedme，and，trottingandgallopingbymyside，gotupthelittlefellow’sspiritsagain，andhewassoonallright.

Joe’sfatherwouldoftencomeinandgivealittlehelp，asheunderstoodthework;andJoetookagreatdealofpainstolearn，andJohnwasquiteencouragedabouthim.

18GoingfortheDoctorOnenight，afewdaysafterJameshadleft，Ihadeatenmyhayandwaslyingdowninmystrawfastasleep，whenIwassuddenlyrousedbythestablebellringingveryloud.IheardthedoorofJohn’shouseopen，andhisfeetrunninguptothehall.Hewasbackagaininnotime;

heunlockedthestabledoor，andcamein，callingout，"Wakeup，Beauty！

Youmustgowellnow，ifeveryoudid;"andalmostbeforeIcouldthinkhehadgotthesaddleonmybackandthebridleonmyhead.

Hejustranroundforhiscoat，andthentookmeataquicktrotuptothehalldoor.Thesquirestoodthere，withalampinhishand.

"Now，John，"hesaid，"rideforyourlife——thatis，foryourmistress’life;thereisnotamomenttolose.

GivethisnotetoDr.White;giveyourhorsearestattheinn，andbebackassoonasyoucan."

Johnsaid，"Yes，sir，"andwasonmybackinaminute.

Thegardenerwholivedatthelodgehadheardthebellring，andwasreadywiththegateopen，andawaywewentthroughthepark，andthroughthevillage，anddownthehilltillwecametothetoll—gate.

Johncalledveryloudandthumpeduponthedoor;themanwassoonoutandflungopenthegate.

"Now，"saidJohn，"doyoukeepthegateopenforthedoctor;

here’sthemoney，"andoffhewentagain.

Therewasbeforeusalongpieceoflevelroadbytheriverside;

Johnsaidtome，"Now，Beauty，doyourbest，"andsoIdid;

Iwantednowhipnorspur，andfortwomilesIgallopedasfastasIcouldlaymyfeettotheground;Idon’tbelievethatmyoldgrandfather，whowontheraceatNewmarket，couldhavegonefaster.WhenwecametothebridgeJohnpulledmeupalittleandpattedmyneck."Welldone，Beauty！goodoldfellow，"hesaid.Hewouldhaveletmegoslower，butmyspiritwasup，andIwasoffagainasfastasbefore.

Theairwasfrosty，themoonwasbright;itwasverypleasant.

Wecamethroughavillage，thenthroughadarkwood，thenuphill，thendownhill，tillaftereightmiles’runwecametothetown，throughthestreetsandintothemarket—place.Itwasallquitestillexcepttheclatterofmyfeetonthestones——everybodywasasleep.

ThechurchclockstruckthreeaswedrewupatDr.White’sdoor.

Johnrangthebelltwice，andthenknockedatthedoorlikethunder.

Awindowwasthrownup，andDr.White，inhisnightcap，puthisheadoutandsaid，"Whatdoyouwant？"

"Mrs.Gordonisveryill，sir;masterwantsyoutogoatonce;

hethinksshewilldieifyoucannotgetthere.Hereisanote."

"Wait，"hesaid，"Iwillcome."

Heshutthewindow，andwassoonatthedoor.

"Theworstofitis，"hesaid，"thatmyhorsehasbeenoutalldayandisquitedoneup;mysonhasjustbeensentfor，andhehastakentheother.Whatistobedone？CanIhaveyourhorse？"

"Hehascomeatagallopnearlyalltheway，sir，andIwastogivehimaresthere;butIthinkmymasterwouldnotbeagainstit，ifyouthinkfit，sir."

"Allright，"hesaid;"Iwillsoonbeready."

Johnstoodbymeandstrokedmyneck;Iwasveryhot.Thedoctorcameoutwithhisriding—whip.

"Youneednottakethat，sir，"saidJohn;"BlackBeautywillgotillhedrops.Takecareofhim，sir，ifyoucan;Ishouldnotlikeanyharmtocometohim."

"No，no，John，"saidthedoctor，"Ihopenot，"andinaminutewehadleftJohnfarbehind.

Iwillnottellaboutourwayback.ThedoctorwasaheaviermanthanJohn，andnotsogoodarider;however，Ididmyverybest.

Themanatthetoll—gatehaditopen.Whenwecametothehillthedoctordrewmeup."Now，mygoodfellow，"hesaid，"takesomebreath."

Iwasgladhedid，forIwasnearlyspent，butthatbreathinghelpedmeon，andsoonwewereinthepark.Joewasatthelodgegate;

mymasterwasatthehalldoor，forhehadhearduscoming.

Hespokenotaword;thedoctorwentintothehousewithhim，andJoeledmetothestable.Iwasgladtogethome;

mylegsshookunderme，andIcouldonlystandandpant.

Ihadnotadryhaironmybody，thewaterrandownmylegs，andIsteamedallover，Joeusedtosay，likeapotonthefire.

PoorJoe！hewasyoungandsmall，andasyetheknewverylittle，andhisfather，whowouldhavehelpedhim，hadbeensenttothenextvillage;

butIamsurehedidtheverybestheknew.Herubbedmylegsandmychest，buthedidnotputmywarmclothonme;hethoughtIwassohotIshouldnotlikeit.Thenhegavemeapailfulofwatertodrink;

itwascoldandverygood，andIdrankitall;thenhegavemesomehayandsomecorn，andthinkinghehaddoneright，hewentaway.

SoonIbegantoshakeandtremble，andturneddeadlycold;mylegsached，myloinsached，andmychestached，andIfeltsoreallover.

Oh！howIwishedformywarm，thickcloth，asIstoodandtrembled.

IwishedforJohn，buthehadeightmilestowalk，soIlaydowninmystrawandtriedtogotosleep.AfteralongwhileIheardJohnatthedoor;

Igavealowmoan，forIwasingreatpain.Hewasatmysideinamoment，stoopingdownbyme.IcouldnottellhimhowIfelt，butheseemedtoknowitall;hecoveredmeupwithtwoorthreewarmcloths，andthenrantothehouseforsomehotwater;hemademesomewarmgruel，whichIdrank，andthenIthinkIwenttosleep.

Johnseemedtobeverymuchputout.Iheardhimsaytohimselfoverandoveragain，"Stupidboy！stupidboy！noclothputon，andIdaresaythewaterwascold，too;boysarenogood;"

butJoewasagoodboy，afterall.

Iwasnowveryill;astronginflammationhadattackedmylungs，andIcouldnotdrawmybreathwithoutpain.Johnnursedmenightandday;

hewouldgetuptwoorthreetimesinthenighttocometome.

Mymaster，too，oftencametoseeme."MypoorBeauty，"hesaidoneday，"mygoodhorse，yousavedyourmistress’life，Beauty;

yes，yousavedherlife."Iwasverygladtohearthat，foritseemsthedoctorhadsaidifwehadbeenalittlelongeritwouldhavebeentoolate.Johntoldmymasterheneversawahorsegosofastinhislife.Itseemedasifthehorseknewwhatwasthematter.

OfcourseIdid，thoughJohnthoughtnot;atleastIknewasmuchasthis——

thatJohnandImustgoatthetopofourspeed，andthatitwasforthesakeofthemistress.

19OnlyIgnoranceIdonotknowhowlongIwasill.Mr.Bond，thehorse—doctor，cameeveryday.Onedayhebledme;Johnheldapailfortheblood.

IfeltveryfaintafteritandthoughtIshoulddie，andIbelievetheyallthoughtsotoo.

GingerandMerrylegshadbeenmovedintotheotherstable，sothatImightbequiet，forthefevermademeveryquickofhearing;

anylittlenoiseseemedquiteloud，andIcouldtelleveryone’sfootstepgoingtoandfromthehouse.Iknewallthatwasgoingon.

OnenightJohnhadtogivemeadraught;ThomasGreencameintohelphim.

AfterIhadtakenitandJohnhadmademeascomfortableashecould，hesaidheshouldstayhalfanhourtoseehowthemedicinesettled.

Thomassaidhewouldstaywithhim，sotheywentandsatdownonabenchthathadbeenbroughtintoMerrylegs’stall，andputdownthelanternattheirfeet，thatImightnotbedisturbedwiththelight.

Forawhilebothmensatsilent，andthenTomGreensaidinalowvoice：

"Iwish，John，you’dsayabitofakindwordtoJoe.

Theboyisquitebroken—hearted;hecan’teathismeals，andhecan’tsmile.

Hesaysheknowsitwasallhisfault，thoughheissurehedidthebestheknew，andhesaysifBeautydiesnoonewilleverspeaktohimagain.

Itgoestomyhearttohearhim.Ithinkyoumightgivehimjustaword;

heisnotabadboy."

AfterashortpauseJohnsaidslowly，"Youmustnotbetooharduponme，Tom.

Iknowhemeantnoharm，Ineversaidhedid;Iknowheisnotabadboy.

Butyousee，Iamsoremyself;thathorseistheprideofmyheart，tosaynothingofhisbeingsuchafavoritewiththemasterandmistress;

andtothinkthathislifemaybeflungawayinthismannerismorethanIcanbear.ButifyouthinkIamhardontheboyIwilltrytogivehimagoodwordto—morrow——thatis，ImeanifBeautyisbetter."

"Well，John，thankyou.Iknewyoudidnotwishtobetoohard，andIamgladyouseeitwasonlyignorance."

John’svoicealmoststartledmeasheanswered：

"Onlyignorance！onlyignorance！howcanyoutalkaboutonlyignorance？

Don’tyouknowthatitistheworstthingintheworld，nexttowickedness？

——andwhichdoesthemostmischiefheavenonlyknows.Ifpeoplecansay，`Oh！Ididnotknow，Ididnotmeananyharm，’theythinkitisallright.

IsupposeMarthaMulwashdidnotmeantokillthatbabywhenshedoseditwithDalbyandsoothingsyrups;butshedidkillit，andwastriedformanslaughter."

"Andserveherright，too，"saidTom."Awomanshouldnotundertaketonurseatenderlittlechildwithoutknowingwhatisgoodandwhatisbadforit."

"BillStarkey，"continuedJohn，"didnotmeantofrightenhisbrotherintofitswhenhedresseduplikeaghostandranafterhiminthemoonlight;

buthedid;andthatbright，handsomelittlefellow，thatmighthavebeentheprideofanymother’sheartisjustnobetterthananidiot，andneverwillbe，ifhelivestobeeightyyearsold.

Youwereagooddealcutupyourself，Tom，twoweeksago，whenthoseyoungladiesleftyourhothousedooropen，withafrostyeastwindblowingrightin;yousaiditkilledagoodmanyofyourplants."

"Agoodmany！"saidTom;"therewasnotoneofthetendercuttingsthatwasnotnippedoff.Ishallhavetostrikealloveragain，andtheworstofitisthatIdon’tknowwheretogotogetfreshones.

IwasnearlymadwhenIcameinandsawwhatwasdone."

"Andyet，"saidJohn，"Iamsuretheyoungladiesdidnotmeanit;

itwasonlyignorance."

Iheardnomoreofthisconversation，forthemedicinedidwellandsentmetosleep，andinthemorningIfeltmuchbetter;

butIoftenthoughtofJohn’swordswhenIcametoknowmoreoftheworld.

20JoeGreenJoeGreenwentonverywell;helearnedquickly，andwassoattentiveandcarefulthatJohnbegantotrusthiminmanythings;

butasIhavesaid，hewassmallofhisage，anditwasseldomthathewasallowedtoexerciseeitherGingerorme;butitsohappenedonemorningthatJohnwasoutwithJusticeintheluggagecart，andthemasterwantedanotetobetakenimmediatelytoagentleman’shouse，aboutthreemilesdistant，andsenthisordersforJoetosaddlemeandtakeit，addingthecautionthathewastoridesteadily.

Thenotewasdelivered，andwewerequietlyreturningwhenwecametothebrick—field.Herewesawacartheavilyladenwithbricks;

thewheelshadstuckfastinthestiffmudofsomedeepruts，andthecarterwasshoutingandfloggingthetwohorsesunmercifully.

Joepulledup.Itwasasadsight.Therewerethetwohorsesstrainingandstrugglingwithalltheirmighttodragthecartout，buttheycouldnotmoveit;thesweatstreamedfromtheirlegsandflanks，theirsidesheaved，andeverymusclewasstrained，whiletheman，fiercelypullingattheheadoftheforehorse，sworeandlashedmostbrutally.

"Holdhard，"saidJoe;"don’tgoonfloggingthehorseslikethat;

thewheelsaresostuckthattheycannotmovethecart."

Themantooknoheed，butwentonlashing.

"Stop！praystop！"saidJoe."I’llhelpyoutolightenthecart;

theycan’tmoveitnow."

"Mindyourownbusiness，youimpudentyoungrascal，andI’llmindmine！"

Themanwasinatoweringpassionandtheworsefordrink，andlaidonthewhipagain.Joeturnedmyhead，andthenextmomentweweregoingataroundgalloptowardthehouseofthemasterbrick—maker.

IcannotsayifJohnwouldhaveapprovedofourpace，butJoeandI

werebothofonemind，andsoangrythatwecouldnothavegoneslower.

Thehousestoodclosebytheroadside.Joeknockedatthedoor，andshouted，"Halloo！IsMr.Clayathome？"Thedoorwasopened，andMr.Clayhimselfcameout.

"Halloo，youngman！Youseeminahurry;anyordersfromthesquirethismorning？"

"No，Mr.Clay，butthere’safellowinyourbrick—yardfloggingtwohorsestodeath.Itoldhimtostop，andhewouldn’t;

IsaidI’dhelphimtolightenthecart，andhewouldn’t;soIhavecometotellyou.Pray，sir，go."Joe’svoiceshookwithexcitement.

"Thankye，mylad，"saidtheman，runninginforhishat;

thenpausingforamoment，"WillyougiveevidenceofwhatyousawifIshouldbringthefellowupbeforeamagistrate？"

"ThatIwill，"saidJoe，"andgladtoo."Themanwasgone，andwewereonourwayhomeatasmarttrot.

"Why，what’sthematterwithyou，Joe？Youlookangryallover，"saidJohn，astheboyflunghimselffromthesaddle.

"Iamangryallover，Icantellyou，"saidtheboy，andtheninhurried，excitedwordshetoldallthathadhappened.Joewasusuallysuchaquiet，gentlelittlefellowthatitwaswonderfultoseehimsoroused.

"Right，Joe！youdidright，myboy，whetherthefellowgetsasummonsornot.

Manyfolkswouldhaveriddenbyandsaiditwasnottheirbusinesstointerfere.NowIsaythatwithcrueltyandoppressionitiseverybody’sbusinesstointerferewhentheyseeit;youdidright，myboy."

Joewasquitecalmbythistime，andproudthatJohnapprovedofhim，andcleanedoutmyfeetandrubbedmedownwithafirmerhandthanusual.

TheywerejustgoinghometodinnerwhenthefootmancamedowntothestabletosaythatJoewaswanteddirectlyinmaster’sprivateroom;

therewasamanbroughtupforill—usinghorses，andJoe’sevidencewaswanted.Theboyflusheduptohisforehead，andhiseyessparkled.

"Theyshallhaveit，"saidhe.

"Putyourselfabitstraight，"saidJohn.Joegaveapullathisnecktieandatwitchathisjacket，andwasoffinamoment.Ourmasterbeingoneofthecountymagistrates，caseswereoftenbroughttohimtosettle，orsaywhatshouldbedone.Inthestableweheardnomoreforsometime，asitwasthemen’sdinnerhour，butwhenJoecamenextintothestableIsawhewasinhighspirits;hegavemeagood—naturedslap，andsaid，"Wewon’tseesuchthingsdone，willwe，oldfellow？"Weheardafterwardthathehadgivenhisevidencesoclearly，andthehorseswereinsuchanexhaustedstate，bearingmarksofsuchbrutalusage，thatthecarterwascommittedtotakehistrial，andmightpossiblybesentencedtotwoorthreemonthsinprison.

ItwaswonderfulwhatachangehadcomeoverJoe.Johnlaughed，andsaidhehadgrownaninchtallerinthatweek，andIbelievehehad.

Hewasjustaskindandgentleasbefore，buttherewasmorepurposeanddeterminationinallthathedid——asifhehadjumpedatoncefromaboyintoaman.

21ThePartingNowIhadlivedinthishappyplacethreeyears，butsadchangeswereabouttocomeoverus.Weheardfromtimetotimethatourmistresswasill.

Thedoctorwasoftenatthehouse，andthemasterlookedgraveandanxious.

Thenweheardthatshemustleaveherhomeatonce，andgotoawarmcountryfortwoorthreeyears.Thenewsfelluponthehouseholdlikethetollingofadeathbell.Everybodywassorry;butthemasterbegandirectlytomakearrangementsforbreakinguphisestablishmentandleavingEngland.

Weusedtohearittalkedaboutinourstable;indeed，nothingelsewastalkedabout.

Johnwentabouthisworksilentandsad，andJoescarcelywhistled.

Therewasagreatdealofcomingandgoing;GingerandIhadfullwork.

ThefirstofthepartywhowentwereMissJessieandFlora，withtheirgoverness.Theycametobidusgood—by.

TheyhuggedpoorMerrylegslikeanoldfriend，andsoindeedhewas.

Thenweheardwhathadbeenarrangedforus.MasterhadsoldGingerandmetohisoldfriend，theEarlofW————，forhethoughtweshouldhaveagoodplacethere.Merrylegshehadgiventothevicar，whowaswantingaponyforMrs.Blomefield，butitwasontheconditionthatheshouldneverbesold，andthatwhenhewaspastworkheshouldbeshotandburied.

Joewasengagedtotakecareofhimandtohelpinthehouse，soIthoughtthatMerrylegswaswelloff.Johnhadtheofferofseveralgoodplaces，buthesaidheshouldwaitalittleandlookround.

Theeveningbeforetheyleftthemastercameintothestabletogivesomedirections，andtogivehishorsesthelastpat.

Heseemedverylow—spirited;Iknewthatbyhisvoice.

Ibelievewehorsescantellmorebythevoicethanmanymencan.

"Haveyoudecidedwhattodo，John？"hesaid."Ifindyouhavenotacceptedeitherofthoseoffers."

"No，sir;IhavemadeupmymindthatifIcouldgetasituationwithsomefirst—ratecolt—breakerandhorse—trainer，itwouldbetherightthingforme.Manyyounganimalsarefrightenedandspoiledbywrongtreatment，whichneednotbeiftherightmantooktheminhand.

Ialwaysgetonwellwithhorses，andifIcouldhelpsomeofthemtoafairstartIshouldfeelasifIwasdoingsomegood.

Whatdoyouthinkofit，sir？"

"Idon’tknowamananywhere，"saidmaster，"thatIshouldthinksosuitableforitasyourself.Youunderstandhorses，andsomehowtheyunderstandyou，andintimeyoumightsetupforyourself;

Ithinkyoucouldnotdobetter.IfinanywayIcanhelpyou，writetome.

IshallspeaktomyagentinLondon，andleaveyourcharacterwithhim."

MastergaveJohnthenameandaddress，andthenhethankedhimforhislongandfaithfulservice;butthatwastoomuchforJohn.

"Pray，don’t，sir，Ican’tbearit;youandmydearmistresshavedonesomuchformethatIcouldneverrepayit.Butweshallneverforgetyou，sir，andpleaseGod，wemaysomedayseemistressbackagainlikeherself;

wemustkeepuphope，sir."MastergaveJohnhishand，buthedidnotspeak，andtheybothleftthestable.

Thelastsaddayhadcome;thefootmanandtheheavyluggagehadgoneoffthedaybefore，andtherewereonlymasterandmistressandhermaid.

GingerandIbroughtthecarriageuptothehalldoorforthelasttime.

Theservantsbroughtoutcushionsandrugsandmanyotherthings;

andwhenallwerearrangedmastercamedownthestepscarryingthemistressinhisarms（Iwasonthesidenexttothehouse，andcouldseeallthatwenton）;heplacedhercarefullyinthecarriage，whilethehouseservantsstoodroundcrying.

"Good—by，again，"hesaid;"weshallnotforgetanyofyou，"andhegotin.

"Driveon，John."

Joejumpedup，andwetrottedslowlythroughtheparkandthroughthevillage，wherethepeoplewerestandingattheirdoorstohavealastlookandtosay，"Godblessthem."

WhenwereachedtherailwaystationIthinkmistresswalkedfromthecarriagetothewaiting—room.Iheardhersayinherownsweetvoice，"Good—by，John.

Godblessyou."Ifeltthereintwitch，butJohnmadenoanswer;

perhapshecouldnotspeak.AssoonasJoehadtakenthethingsoutofthecarriageJohncalledhimtostandbythehorses，whilehewentontheplatform.PoorJoe！hestoodcloseuptoourheadstohidehistears.Verysoonthetraincamepuffingupintothestation;

thentwoorthreeminutes，andthedoorswereslammedto，theguardwhistled，andthetrainglidedaway，leavingbehinditonlycloudsofwhitesmokeandsomeveryheavyhearts.

WhenitwasquiteoutofsightJohncameback.

"Weshallneverseeheragain，"hesaid——"never."Hetookthereins，mountedthebox，andwithJoedroveslowlyhome;butitwasnotourhomenow.

PartII

22EarlshallThenextmorningafterbreakfastJoeputMerrylegsintothemistress’lowchaisetotakehimtothevicarage;hecamefirstandsaidgood—bytous，andMerrylegsneighedtousfromtheyard.

ThenJohnputthesaddleonGingerandtheleadingreinonme，androdeusacrossthecountryaboutfifteenmilestoEarlshallPark，wheretheEarlofW————lived.Therewasaveryfinehouseandagreatdealofstabling.Wewentintotheyardthroughastonegateway，andJohnaskedforMr.York.Itwassometimebeforehecame.

Hewasafine—looking，middle—agedman，andhisvoicesaidatoncethatheexpectedtobeobeyed.HewasveryfriendlyandpolitetoJohn，andaftergivingusaslightlookhecalledagroomtotakeustoourboxes，andinvitedJohntotakesomerefreshment.

Weweretakentoalight，airystable，andplacedinboxesadjoiningeachother，wherewewererubbeddownandfed.

InabouthalfanhourJohnandMr.York，whowastobeournewcoachman，cameintoseeus.

"Now，Mr.Manly，"hesaid，aftercarefullylookingatusboth，"Icanseenofaultinthesehorses;butweallknowthathorseshavetheirpeculiaritiesaswellasmen，andthatsometimestheyneeddifferenttreatment.Ishouldliketoknowifthereisanythingparticularineitherofthesethatyouwouldliketomention."

"Well，"saidJohn，"Idon’tbelievethereisabetterpairofhorsesinthecountry，andrightgrievedIamtopartwiththem，buttheyarenotalike.TheblackoneisthemostperfecttemperIeverknew;Isupposehehasneverknownahardwordorablowsincehewasfoaled，andallhispleasureseemstobetodowhatyouwish;

butthechestnut，Ifancy，musthavehadbadtreatment;

weheardasmuchfromthedealer.Shecametoussnappishandsuspicious，butwhenshefoundwhatsortofplaceourswas，itallwentoffbydegrees;

forthreeyearsIhaveneverseenthesmallestsignoftemper，andifsheiswelltreatedthereisnotabetter，morewillinganimalthansheis.Butsheisnaturallyamoreirritableconstitutionthantheblackhorse;fliesteasehermore;anythingwrongintheharnessfretshermore;andifshewereill—usedorunfairlytreatedshewouldnotbeunlikelytogivetitfortat.Youknowthatmanyhigh—mettledhorseswilldoso."

"Ofcourse，"saidYork，"Iquiteunderstand;butyouknowitisnoteasyinstableslikethesetohaveallthegroomsjustwhattheyshouldbe.

Idomybest，andthereImustleaveit.I’llrememberwhatyouhavesaidaboutthemare."

Theyweregoingoutofthestable，whenJohnstoppedandsaid，"Ihadbettermentionthatwehaveneverusedthecheck—reinwitheitherofthem;theblackhorseneverhadoneon，andthedealersaiditwasthegag—bitthatspoiledtheother’stemper."

"Well，"saidYork，"iftheycomeheretheymustwearthecheck—rein.

Ipreferaloosereinmyself，andhislordshipisalwaysveryreasonableabouthorses;butmylady——that’sanotherthing;shewillhavestyle，andifhercarriagehorsesarenotreineduptightshewouldn’tlookatthem.

Ialwaysstandoutagainstthegag—bit，andshalldoso，butitmustbetightupwhenmyladyrides！"

"Iamsorryforit，verysorry，"saidJohn;"butImustgonow，orIshalllosethetrain."

Hecameroundtoeachofustopatandspeaktousforthelasttime;

hisvoicesoundedverysad.

Iheldmyfaceclosetohim;thatwasallIcoulddotosaygood—by;

andthenhewasgone，andIhaveneverseenhimsince.

ThenextdayLordW————cametolookatus;heseemedpleasedwithourappearance.

"Ihavegreatconfidenceinthesehorses，"hesaid，"fromthecharactermyfriendMr.Gordonhasgivenmeofthem.Ofcoursetheyarenotamatchincolor，butmyideaisthattheywilldoverywellforthecarriagewhileweareinthecountry.BeforewegotoLondonImusttrytomatchBaron;theblackhorse，Ibelieve，isperfectforriding."

YorkthentoldhimwhatJohnhadsaidaboutus.

"Well，"saidhe，"youmustkeepaneyetothemare，andputthecheck—reineasy;Idaresaytheywilldoverywellwithalittlehumoringatfirst.I’llmentionittoyourlady."

Intheafternoonwewereharnessedandputinthecarriage，andasthestableclockstruckthreewewereledroundtothefrontofthehouse.Itwasallverygrand，andthreeorfourtimesaslargeastheoldhouseatBirtwick，butnothalfsopleasant，ifahorsemayhaveanopinion.Twofootmenwerestandingready，dressedindrablivery，withscarletbreechesandwhitestockings.

Presentlyweheardtherustlingsoundofsilkasmyladycamedowntheflightofstonesteps.Shesteppedroundtolookatus;shewasatall，proud—lookingwoman，anddidnotseempleasedaboutsomething，butshesaidnothing，andgotintothecarriage.Thiswasthefirsttimeofwearingacheck—rein，andImustsay，thoughitcertainlywasanuisancenottobeabletogetmyheaddownnowandthen，itdidnotpullmyheadhigherthanIwasaccustomedtocarryit.IfeltanxiousaboutGinger，butsheseemedtobequietandcontent.

Thenextdayatthreeo’clockwewereagainatthedoor，andthefootmenasbefore;weheardthesilkdressrustleandtheladycamedownthesteps，andinanimperiousvoiceshesaid，"York，youmustputthosehorses’headshigher;theyarenotfittobeseen."

Yorkgotdown，andsaidveryrespectfully，"Ibegyourpardon，mylady，butthesehorseshavenotbeenreinedupforthreeyears，andmylordsaiditwouldbesafertobringthemtoitbydegrees;

butifyourladyshippleasesIcantakethemupalittlemore."

"Doso，"shesaid.

Yorkcameroundtoourheadsandshortenedthereinhimself——onehole，Ithink;everylittlemakesadifference，beitforbetterorworse，andthatdaywehadasteephilltogoup.ThenIbegantounderstandwhatIhadheardof.Ofcourse，Iwantedtoputmyheadforwardandtakethecarriageupwithawill，aswehadbeenusedtodo;butno，Ihadtopullwithmyheadupnow，andthattookallthespiritoutofme，andthestraincameonmybackandlegs.WhenwecameinGingersaid，"Nowyouseewhatitislike;butthisisnotbad，andifitdoesnotgetmuchworsethanthisIshallsaynothingaboutit，forweareverywelltreatedhere;butiftheystrainmeuptight，why，let’emlookout！Ican’tbearit，andIwon’t."

Daybyday，holebyhole，ourbearingreinswereshortened，andinsteadoflookingforwardwithpleasuretohavingmyharnessputon，asIusedtodo，Ibegantodreadit.Ginger，too，seemedrestless，thoughshesaidverylittle.AtlastIthoughttheworstwasover;

forseveraldaystherewasnomoreshortening，andIdeterminedtomakethebestofitanddomyduty，thoughitwasnowaconstantharassinsteadofapleasure;buttheworstwasnotcome.

23AStrikeforLibertyOnedaymyladycamedownlaterthanusual，andthesilkrustledmorethanever.

"DrivetotheDuchessofB————’s，"shesaid，andthenafterapause，"Areyounevergoingtogetthosehorses’headsup，York？

Raisethematonceandletushavenomoreofthishumoringandnonsense."

Yorkcametomefirst，whilethegroomstoodatGinger’shead.

Hedrewmyheadbackandfixedthereinsotightthatitwasalmostintolerable;thenhewenttoGinger，whowasimpatientlyjerkingherheadupanddownagainstthebit，aswasherwaynow.

Shehadagoodideaofwhatwascoming，andthemomentYorktookthereinofftheterretinordertoshortenitshetookheropportunityandrearedupsosuddenlythatYorkhadhisnoseroughlyhitandhishatknockedoff;thegroomwasnearlythrownoffhislegs.

Atoncetheybothflewtoherhead;butshewasamatchforthem，andwentonplunging，rearing，andkickinginamostdesperatemanner.

Atlastshekickedrightoverthecarriagepoleandfelldown，aftergivingmeasevereblowonmynearquarter.ThereisnoknowingwhatfurthermischiefshemighthavedonehadnotYorkpromptlysathimselfdownflatonherheadtopreventherstruggling，atthesametimecallingout，"Unbuckletheblackhorse！

Runforthewinchandunscrewthecarriagepole！Cutthetracehere，somebody，ifyoucan’tunhitchit！"Oneofthefootmenranforthewinch，andanotherbroughtaknifefromthehouse.ThegroomsoonsetmefreefromGingerandthecarriage，andledmetomybox.HejustturnedmeinasIwasandranbacktoYork.Iwasmuchexcitedbywhathadhappened，andifIhadeverbeenusedtokickorrearIamsureIshouldhavedoneitthen;butIneverhad，andthereIstood，angry，soreinmyleg，myheadstillstraineduptotheterretonthesaddle，andnopowertogetitdown.Iwasverymiserableandfeltmuchinclinedtokickthefirstpersonwhocamenearme.

Beforelong，however，Gingerwasledinbytwogrooms，agooddealknockedaboutandbruised.Yorkcamewithherandgavehisorders，andthencametolookatme.Inamomentheletdownmyhead.

"Confoundthesecheck—reins！"hesaidtohimself;"Ithoughtweshouldhavesomemischiefsoon.Masterwillbesorelyvexed.Butthere，ifawoman’shusbandcan’truleherofcourseaservantcan’t;

soIwashmyhandsofit，andifshecan’tgettotheduchess’gardenpartyIcan’thelpit."

Yorkdidnotsaythisbeforethemen;healwaysspokerespectfullywhentheywereby.Nowhefeltmeallover，andsoonfoundtheplaceabovemyhockwhereIhadbeenkicked.Itwasswelledandpainful;

heorderedittobespongedwithhotwater，andthensomelotionwasputon.

LordW————wasmuchputoutwhenhelearnedwhathadhappened;

heblamedYorkforgivingwaytohismistress，towhichherepliedthatinfuturehewouldmuchprefertoreceivehisordersonlyfromhislordship;butIthinknothingcameofit，forthingswentonthesameasbefore.IthoughtYorkmighthavestoodupbetterforhishorses，butperhapsIamnojudge.

Gingerwasneverputintothecarriageagain，butwhenshewaswellofherbruisesoneoftheLordW————’syoungersonssaidheshouldliketohaveher;hewassureshewouldmakeagoodhunter.

Asforme，Iwasobligedstilltogointhecarriage，andhadafreshpartnercalledMax;hehadalwaysbeenusedtothetightrein.

Iaskedhimhowitwasheboreit.

"Well，"hesaid，"IbearitbecauseImust;butitisshorteningmylife，anditwillshortenyourstooifyouhavetosticktoit."

"Doyouthink，"Isaid，"thatourmastersknowhowbaditisforus？"

"Ican’tsay，"hereplied，"butthedealersandthehorse—doctorsknowitverywell.Iwasatadealer’sonce，whowastrainingmeandanotherhorsetogoasapair;hewasgettingourheadsup，ashesaid，alittlehigherandalittlehighereveryday.Agentlemanwhowasthereaskedhimwhyhedidso.`Because，’saidhe，`peoplewon’tbuythemunlesswedo.TheLondonpeoplealwayswanttheirhorsestocarrytheirheadshighandtostephigh.Ofcourseitisverybadforthehorses，butthenitisgoodfortrade.Thehorsessoonwearup，orgetdiseased，andtheycomeforanotherpair.’That，"saidMax，"iswhathesaidinmyhearing，andyoucanjudgeforyourself."

WhatIsufferedwiththatreinforfourlongmonthsinmylady’scarriageitwouldbehardtodescribe;butIamquitesurethat，haditlastedmuchlonger，eithermyhealthormytemperwouldhavegivenway.

Beforethat，Ineverknewwhatitwastofoamatthemouth，butnowtheactionofthesharpbitonmytongueandjaw，andtheconstrainedpositionofmyheadandthroat，alwayscausedmetofrothatthemouthmoreorless.Somepeoplethinkitveryfinetoseethis，andsay，"Whatfinespiritedcreatures！"Butitisjustasunnaturalforhorsesasformentofoamatthemouth;itisasuresignofsomediscomfort，andshouldbeattendedto.Besidesthis，therewasapressureonmywindpipe，whichoftenmademybreathingveryuncomfortable;whenIreturnedfrommyworkmyneckandchestwerestrainedandpainful，mymouthandtonguetender，andIfeltwornanddepressed.

InmyoldhomeIalwaysknewthatJohnandmymasterweremyfriends;

buthere，althoughinmanywaysIwaswelltreated，Ihadnofriend.

Yorkmighthaveknown，andverylikelydidknow，howthatreinharassedme;

butIsupposehetookitasamatterofcoursethatitcouldnotbehelped;

atanyrate，nothingwasdonetorelieveme.

24TheLadyAnne，oraRunawayHorseEarlyinthespring，LordW————andpartofhisfamilywentuptoLondon，andtookYorkwiththem.IandGingerandsomeotherhorseswereleftathomeforuse，andtheheadgroomwasleftincharge.

TheLadyHarriet，whoremainedatthehall，wasagreatinvalid，andneverwentoutinthecarriage，andtheLadyAnnepreferredridingonhorsebackwithherbrotherorcousins.Shewasaperfecthorsewoman，andasgayandgentleasshewasbeautiful.

Shechosemeforherhorse，andnamedme"BlackAuster".

Ienjoyedtheseridesverymuchintheclearcoldair，sometimeswithGinger，sometimeswithLizzie.ThisLizziewasabrightbaymare，almostthoroughbred，andagreatfavoritewiththegentlemen，onaccountofherfineactionandlivelyspirit;butGinger，whoknewmoreofherthanIdid，toldmeshewasrathernervous.

TherewasagentlemanofthenameofBlantyrestayingatthehall;

healwaysrodeLizzie，andpraisedhersomuchthatonedayLadyAnneorderedtheside—saddletobeputonher，andtheothersaddleonme.

Whenwecametothedoorthegentlemanseemedveryuneasy.

"Howisthis？"hesaid."AreyoutiredofyourgoodBlackAuster？"

"Oh，no，notatall，"shereplied，"butIamamiableenoughtoletyouridehimforonce，andIwilltryyourcharmingLizzie.

Youmustconfessthatinsizeandappearancesheisfarmorelikealady’shorsethanmyownfavorite."

"Doletmeadviseyounottomounther，"hesaid;

"sheisacharmingcreature，butsheistoonervousforalady.

Iassureyou，sheisnotperfectlysafe;letmebegyoutohavethesaddleschanged."

"Mydearcousin，"saidLadyAnne，laughing，"praydonottroubleyourgoodcarefulheadaboutme.IhavebeenahorsewomaneversinceIwasababy，andIhavefollowedthehoundsagreatmanytimes，thoughIknowyoudonotapproveofladieshunting;

butstillthatisthefact，andIintendtotrythisLizziethatyougentlemenareallsofondof;sopleasehelpmetomount，likeagoodfriendasyouare."

Therewasnomoretobesaid;heplacedhercarefullyonthesaddle，lookedtothebitandcurb，gavethereinsgentlyintoherhand，andthenmountedme.JustasweweremovingoffafootmancameoutwithaslipofpaperandmessagefromtheLadyHarriet.

"WouldtheyaskthisquestionforheratDr.Ashley’s，andbringtheanswer？"

Thevillagewasaboutamileoff，andthedoctor’shousewasthelastinit.

Wewentalonggaylyenoughtillwecametohisgate.Therewasashortdriveuptothehousebetweentallevergreens.

Blantyrealightedatthegate，andwasgoingtoopenitforLadyAnne，butshesaid，"Iwillwaitforyouhere，andyoucanhangAuster’sreinonthegate."

Helookedatherdoubtfully."Iwillnotbefiveminutes，"hesaid.

"Oh，donothurryyourself;LizzieandIshallnotrunawayfromyou."

Hehungmyreinononeoftheironspikes，andwassoonhiddenamongthetrees.Lizziewasstandingquietlybythesideoftheroadafewpacesoff，withherbacktome.Myyoungmistresswassittingeasilywithalooserein，hummingalittlesong.Ilistenedtomyrider’sfootstepsuntiltheyreachedthehouse，andheardhimknockatthedoor.

Therewasameadowontheoppositesideoftheroad，thegateofwhichstoodopen;justthensomecarthorsesandseveralyoungcoltscametrottingoutinaverydisorderlymanner，whileaboybehindwascrackingagreatwhip.Thecoltswerewildandfrolicsome，andoneofthemboltedacrosstheroadandblunderedupagainstLizzie’shindlegs，andwhetheritwasthestupidcolt，ortheloudcrackingofthewhip，orbothtogether，Icannotsay，butshegaveaviolentkick，anddashedoffintoaheadlonggallop.

ItwassosuddenthatLadyAnnewasnearlyunseated，butshesoonrecoveredherself.Igavealoud，shrillneighforhelp;

againandagainIneighed，pawingthegroundimpatiently，andtossingmyheadtogetthereinloose.Ihadnotlongtowait.

Blantyrecamerunningtothegate;helookedanxiouslyabout，andjustcaughtsightoftheflyingfigure，nowfarawayontheroad.

Inaninstanthesprangtothesaddle.Ineedednowhip，nospur，forIwasaseagerasmyrider;hesawit，andgivingmeafreerein，andleaningalittleforward，wedashedafterthem.

Foraboutamileandahalftheroadranstraight，andthenbenttotheright，afterwhichitdividedintotworoads.

Longbeforewecametothebendshewasoutofsight.

Whichwayhadsheturned？Awomanwasstandingathergardengate，shadinghereyeswithherhand，andlookingeagerlyuptheroad.

Scarcelydrawingtherein，Blantyreshouted，"Whichway？"

"Totheright！"criedthewoman，pointingwithherhand，andawaywewentuptheright—handroad;thenforamomentwecaughtsightofher;

anotherbendandshewashiddenagain.Severaltimeswecaughtglimpses，andthenlostthem.Wescarcelyseemedtogaingrounduponthematall.

Anoldroad—menderwasstandingnearaheapofstones，hisshoveldroppedandhishandsraised.Aswecamenearhemadeasigntospeak.

Blantyredrewthereinalittle."Tothecommon，tothecommon，sir;

shehasturnedoffthere."Iknewthiscommonverywell;

itwasforthemostpartveryunevenground，coveredwithheatheranddark—greenfurzebushes，withhereandthereascrubbyoldthorn—tree;

therewerealsoopenspacesoffineshortgrass，withant—hillsandmole—turnseverywhere;theworstplaceIeverknewforaheadlonggallop.

Wehadhardlyturnedonthecommon，whenwecaughtsightagainofthegreenhabitflyingonbeforeus.Mylady’shatwasgone，andherlongbrownhairwasstreamingbehindher.Herheadandbodywerethrownback，asifshewerepullingwithallherremainingstrength，andasifthatstrengthwerenearlyexhausted.ItwasclearthattheroughnessofthegroundhadverymuchlessenedLizzie’sspeed，andthereseemedachancethatwemightovertakeher.

Whilewewereonthehighroad，Blantyrehadgivenmemyhead;butnow，withalighthandandapracticedeye，heguidedmeoverthegroundinsuchamasterlymannerthatmypacewasscarcelyslackened，andweweredecidedlygainingonthem.

Abouthalfwayacrosstheheaththerehadbeenawidedikerecentlycut，andtheearthfromthecuttingwascastuproughlyontheotherside.

Surelythiswouldstopthem！Butno;withscarcelyapauseLizzietooktheleap，stumbledamongtheroughclodsandfell.

Blantyregroaned，"Now，Auster，doyourbest！"Hegavemeasteadyrein.

Igatheredmyselfwelltogetherandwithonedeterminedleapclearedbothdikeandbank.

Motionlessamongtheheather，withherfacetotheearth，laymypooryoungmistress.Blantyrekneeleddownandcalledhername：

therewasnosound.Gentlyheturnedherfaceupward：itwasghastlywhiteandtheeyeswereclosed."Annie，dearAnnie，dospeak！"

Buttherewasnoanswer.Heunbuttonedherhabit，loosenedhercollar，feltherhandsandwrist，thenstartedupandlookedwildlyroundhimforhelp.

Atnogreatdistancethereweretwomencuttingturf，who，seeingLizzierunningwildwithoutarider，hadlefttheirworktocatchher.

Blantyre’shalloosoonbroughtthemtothespot.Theforemostmanseemedmuchtroubledatthesight，andaskedwhathecoulddo.

"Canyouride？"

"Well，sir，Ibean’tmuchofahorseman，butI’driskmyneckfortheLadyAnne;shewasuncommongoodtomywifeinthewinter."

"Thenmountthishorse，myfriend——yourneckwillbequitesafe——

andridetothedoctor’sandaskhimtocomeinstantly;thenontothehall;

tellthemallthatyouknow，andbidthemsendmethecarriage，withLadyAnne’smaidandhelp.Ishallstayhere."

"Allright，sir，I’lldomybest，andIprayGodthedearyoungladymayopenhereyessoon."Then，seeingtheotherman，hecalledout，"Here，Joe，runforsomewater，andtellmymissistocomeasquickasshecantotheLadyAnne."

Hethensomehowscrambledintothesaddle，andwitha"Geeup"

andaclaponmysideswithbothhislegs，hestartedonhisjourney，makingalittlecircuittoavoidthedike.Hehadnowhip，whichseemedtotroublehim;butmypacesooncuredthatdifficulty，andhefoundthebestthinghecoulddowastosticktothesaddleandholdmein，whichhedidmanfully.IshookhimaslittleasIcouldhelp，butonceortwiceontheroughgroundhecalledout，"Steady！Woah！Steady！"Onthehighroadwewereallright;

andatthedoctor’sandthehallhedidhiserrandlikeagoodmanandtrue.

Theyaskedhimintotakeadropofsomething."No，no，"hesaid;

"I’llbebackto’emagainbyashortcutthroughthefields，andbethereaforethecarriage."

Therewasagreatdealofhurryandexcitementafterthenewsbecameknown.

Iwasjustturnedintomybox;thesaddleandbridleweretakenoff，andacloththrownoverme.

GingerwassaddledandsentoffingreathasteforLordGeorge，andIsoonheardthecarriagerolloutoftheyard.

ItseemedalongtimebeforeGingercameback，andbeforewewereleftalone;

andthenshetoldmeallthatshehadseen.

"Ican’ttellmuch，"shesaid."Wewentagallopnearlyalltheway，andgottherejustasthedoctorrodeup.Therewasawomansittingonthegroundwiththelady’sheadinherlap.

Thedoctorpouredsomethingintohermouth，butallthatIheardwas，`Sheisnotdead.’ThenIwasledoffbyamantoalittledistance.

Afterawhileshewastakentothecarriage，andwecamehometogether.

Iheardmymastersaytoagentlemanwhostoppedhimtoinquire，thathehopednoboneswerebroken，butthatshehadnotspokenyet."

WhenLordGeorgetookGingerforhunting，Yorkshookhishead;

hesaiditoughttobeasteadyhandtotrainahorseforthefirstseason，andnotarandomriderlikeLordGeorge.

Gingerusedtolikeitverymuch，butsometimeswhenshecamebackIcouldseethatshehadbeenverymuchstrained，andnowandthenshegaveashortcough.Shehadtoomuchspirittocomplain，butIcouldnothelpfeelinganxiousabouther.

TwodaysaftertheaccidentBlantyrepaidmeavisit;

hepattedmeandpraisedmeverymuch;hetoldLordGeorgethathewassurethehorseknewofAnnie’sdangeraswellashedid."IcouldnothaveheldhiminifIwould，"saidhe，"sheoughtnevertorideanyotherhorse."

Ifoundbytheirconversationthatmyyoungmistresswasnowoutofdanger，andwouldsoonbeabletorideagain.ThiswasgoodnewstomeandIlookedforwardtoahappylife.

25ReubenSmithNowImustsayalittleaboutReubenSmith，whowasleftinchargeofthestableswhenYorkwenttoLondon.Noonemorethoroughlyunderstoodhisbusinessthanhedid，andwhenhewasallrighttherecouldnotbeamorefaithfulorvaluableman.

Hewasgentleandverycleverinhismanagementofhorses，andcoulddoctorthemalmostaswellasafarrier，forhehadlivedtwoyearswithaveterinarysurgeon.

Hewasafirst—ratedriver;hecouldtakeafour—in—handoratandemaseasilyasapair.Hewasahandsomeman，agoodscholar，andhadverypleasantmanners.Ibelieveeverybodylikedhim;

certainlythehorsesdid.TheonlywonderwasthatheshouldbeinanundersituationandnotintheplaceofaheadcoachmanlikeYork;

buthehadonegreatfaultandthatwastheloveofdrink.

Hewasnotlikesomemen，alwaysatit;heusedtokeepsteadyforweeksormonthstogether，andthenhewouldbreakoutandhavea"bout"ofit，asYorkcalledit，andbeadisgracetohimself，aterrortohiswife，andanuisancetoallthathadtodowithhim.Hewas，however，sousefulthattwoorthreetimesYorkhadhushedthematterupandkeptitfromtheearl’sknowledge;butonenight，whenReubenhadtodriveapartyhomefromaballhewassodrunkthathecouldnotholdthereins，andagentlemanofthepartyhadtomounttheboxanddrivetheladieshome.

Ofcourse，thiscouldnotbehidden，andReubenwasatoncedismissed;

hispoorwifeandlittlechildrenhadtoturnoutoftheprettycottagebytheparkgateandgowheretheycould.OldMaxtoldmeallthis，forithappenedagoodwhileago;butshortlybeforeGingerandIcameSmithhadbeentakenbackagain.Yorkhadintercededforhimwiththeearl，whoisverykind—hearted，andthemanhadpromisedfaithfullythathewouldnevertasteanotherdropaslongashelivedthere.

HehadkepthispromisesowellthatYorkthoughthemightbesafelytrustedtofillhisplacewhilehewasaway，andhewassocleverandhonestthatnooneelseseemedsowellfittedforit.

ItwasnowearlyinApril，andthefamilywasexpectedhomesometimeinMay.

Thelightbroughamwastobefreshdoneup，andasColonelBlantyrewasobligedtoreturntohisregimentitwasarrangedthatSmithshoulddrivehimtothetowninit，andrideback;forthispurposehetookthesaddlewithhim，andIwaschosenforthejourney.

AtthestationthecolonelputsomemoneyintoSmith’shandandbidhimgood—by，saying，"Takecareofyouryoungmistress，Reuben，anddon’tletBlackAusterbehackedaboutbyanyrandomyoungprigthatwantstoridehim——keephimforthelady."

Weleftthecarriageatthemaker’s，andSmithrodemetotheWhiteLion，andorderedthehostlertofeedmewell，andhavemereadyforhimatfouro’clock.AnailinoneofmyfrontshoeshadstartedasIcamealong，butthehostlerdidnotnoticeittilljustaboutfouro’clock.

Smithdidnotcomeintotheyardtillfive，andthenhesaidheshouldnotleavetillsix，ashehadmetwithsomeoldfriends.Themanthentoldhimofthenail，andaskedifheshouldhavetheshoelookedto.