第4章

"No，"saidSmith，"thatwillbeallrighttillwegethome."

Hespokeinaveryloud，offhandway，andIthoughtitveryunlikehimnottoseeabouttheshoe，ashewasgenerallywonderfullyparticularaboutloosenailsinourshoes.Hedidnotcomeatsixnorseven，noreight，anditwasnearlynineo’clockbeforehecalledforme，andthenitwaswithaloud，roughvoice.Heseemedinaverybadtemper，andabusedthehostler，thoughIcouldnottellwhatfor.

Thelandlordstoodatthedoorandsaid，"Haveacare，Mr.Smith！"

butheansweredangrilywithanoath;andalmostbeforehewasoutofthetownhebegantogallop，frequentlygivingmeasharpcutwithhiswhip，thoughIwasgoingatfullspeed.Themoonhadnotyetrisen，anditwasverydark.Theroadswerestony，havingbeenrecentlymended;

goingoverthematthispace，myshoebecamelooser，andaswenearedtheturnpikegateitcameoff.

IfSmithhadbeeninhisrightsenseshewouldhavebeensensibleofsomethingwronginmypace，buthewastoodrunktonotice.

Beyondtheturnpikewasalongpieceofroad，uponwhichfreshstoneshadjustbeenlaid——largesharpstones，overwhichnohorsecouldbedrivenquicklywithoutriskofdanger.Overthisroad，withoneshoegone，Iwasforcedtogallopatmyutmostspeed，myridermeanwhilecuttingintomewithhiswhip，andwithwildcursesurgingmetogostillfaster.

Ofcoursemyshoelessfootsuffereddreadfully;thehoofwasbrokenandsplitdowntotheveryquick，andtheinsidewasterriblycutbythesharpnessofthestones.

Thiscouldnotgoon;nohorsecouldkeephisfootingundersuchcircumstances;thepainwastoogreat.Istumbled，andfellwithviolenceonbothmyknees.Smithwasflungoffbymyfall，and，owingtothespeedIwasgoingat，hemusthavefallenwithgreatforce.

Isoonrecoveredmyfeetandlimpedtothesideoftheroad，whereitwasfreefromstones.Themoonhadjustrisenabovethehedge，andbyitslightIcouldseeSmithlyingafewyardsbeyondme.

Hedidnotrise;hemadeoneslightefforttodoso，andthentherewasaheavygroan.Icouldhavegroaned，too，forIwassufferingintensepainbothfrommyfootandknees;

buthorsesareusedtobeartheirpaininsilence.Iutterednosound，butIstoodthereandlistened.OnemoreheavygroanfromSmith;

butthoughhenowlayinthefullmoonlightIcouldseenomotion.

Icoulddonothingforhimnormyself，but，oh！howIlistenedforthesoundofhorse，orwheels，orfootsteps！Theroadwasnotmuchfrequented，andatthistimeofthenightwemightstayforhoursbeforehelpcametous.

Istoodwatchingandlistening.Itwasacalm，sweetAprilnight;

therewerenosoundsbutafewlownotesofanightingale，andnothingmovedbutthewhitecloudsnearthemoonandabrownowlthatflittedoverthehedge.Itmademethinkofthesummernightslongago，whenIusedtoliebesidemymotherinthegreenpleasantmeadowatFarmerGrey’s.

26HowitEndedItmusthavebeennearlymidnightwhenIheardatagreatdistancethesoundofahorse’sfeet.Sometimesthesounddiedaway，thenitgrewcleareragainandnearer.TheroadtoEarlshallledthroughwoodsthatbelongedtotheearl;thesoundcameinthatdirection，andIhopeditmightbesomeonecominginsearchofus.AsthesoundcamenearerandnearerIwasalmostsureIcoulddistinguishGinger’sstep;

alittlenearerstill，andIcouldtellshewasinthedog—cart.

Ineighedloudly，andwasoverjoyedtohearanansweringneighfromGinger，andmen’svoices.Theycameslowlyoverthestones，andstoppedatthedarkfigurethatlayupontheground.

Oneofthemenjumpedout，andstoopeddownoverit."ItisReuben，"

hesaid，"andhedoesnotstir！"

Theothermanfollowed，andbentoverhim."He’sdead，"hesaid;

"feelhowcoldhishandsare."

Theyraisedhimup，buttherewasnolife，andhishairwassoakedwithblood.Theylaidhimdownagain，andcameandlookedatme.

Theysoonsawmycutknees.

"Why，thehorsehasbeendownandthrownhim！Whowouldhavethoughttheblackhorsewouldhavedonethat？Nobodythoughthecouldfall.

Reubenmusthavebeenlyinghereforhours！Odd，too，thatthehorsehasnotmovedfromtheplace."

Robertthenattemptedtoleadmeforward.Imadeastep，butalmostfellagain.

"Halloo！he’sbadinhisfootaswellashisknees.Lookhere——

hishoofiscutalltopieces;hemightwellcomedown，poorfellow！

Itellyouwhat，Ned，I’mafraidithasn’tbeenallrightwithReuben.

Justthinkofhisridingahorseoverthesestoneswithoutashoe！

Why，ifhehadbeeninhisrightsenseshewouldjustassoonhavetriedtoridehimoverthemoon.I’mafraidithasbeentheoldthingoveragain.

PoorSusan！shelookedawfullypalewhenshecametomyhousetoaskifhehadnotcomehome.Shemadebelieveshewasnotabitanxious，andtalkedofalotofthingsthatmighthavekepthim.

Butforallthatshebeggedmetogoandmeethim.Butwhatmustwedo？

There’sthehorsetogethomeaswellasthebody，andthatwillbenoeasymatter."

Thenfollowedaconversationbetweenthem，tillitwasagreedthatRobert，asthegroom，shouldleadme，andthatNedmusttakethebody.

Itwasahardjobtogetitintothedog—cart，fortherewasnoonetoholdGinger;butsheknewaswellasIdidwhatwasgoingon，andstoodasstillasastone.Inoticedthat，because，ifshehadafault，itwasthatshewasimpatientinstanding.

Nedstartedoffveryslowlywithhissadload，andRobertcameandlookedatmyfootagain;thenhetookhishandkerchiefandbounditcloselyround，andsoheledmehome.Ishallneverforgetthatnightwalk;

itwasmorethanthreemiles.Robertledmeonveryslowly，andIlimpedandhobbledonaswellasIcouldwithgreatpain.

Iamsurehewassorryforme，forheoftenpattedandencouragedme，talkingtomeinapleasantvoice.

AtlastIreachedmyownbox，andhadsomecorn;andafterRoberthadwrappedupmykneesinwetcloths，hetiedupmyfootinabranpoultice，todrawouttheheatandcleanseitbeforethehorse—doctorsawitinthemorning，andImanagedtogetmyselfdownonthestraw，andsleptinspiteofthepain.

Thenextdayafterthefarrierhadexaminedmywounds，hesaidhehopedthejointwasnotinjured;andifso，Ishouldnotbespoiledforwork，butIshouldneverlosetheblemish.Ibelievetheydidthebesttomakeagoodcure，butitwasalongandpainfulone.Proudflesh，astheycalledit，cameupinmyknees，andwasburnedoutwithcaustic;

andwhenatlastitwashealed，theyputablisteringfluidoverthefrontofbothkneestobringallthehairoff;theyhadsomereasonforthis，andIsupposeitwasallright.

AsSmith’sdeathhadbeensosudden，andnoonewastheretoseeit，therewasaninquestheld.ThelandlordandhostlerattheWhiteLion，withseveralotherpeople，gaveevidencethathewasintoxicatedwhenhestartedfromtheinn.Thekeeperofthetoll—gatesaidherodeatahardgallopthroughthegate;andmyshoewaspickedupamongthestones，sothatthecasewasquiteplaintothem，andIwasclearedofallblame.

EverybodypitiedSusan.Shewasnearlyoutofhermind;

shekeptsayingoverandoveragain，"Oh！hewassogood——sogood！

Itwasallthatcurseddrink;whywilltheysellthatcurseddrink？

OhReuben，Reuben！"Soshewentontillafterhewasburied;andthen，asshehadnohomeorrelations，she，withhersixlittlechildren，wasobligedoncemoretoleavethepleasanthomebythetalloak—trees，andgointothatgreatgloomyUnionHouse.

27RuinedandGoingDownhillAssoonasmykneesweresufficientlyhealedIwasturnedintoasmallmeadowforamonthortwo;noothercreaturewasthere;andthoughIenjoyedthelibertyandthesweetgrass，yetIhadbeensolongusedtosocietythatIfeltverylonely.GingerandIhadbecomefastfriends，andnowImissedhercompanyextremely.IoftenneighedwhenIheardhorses’feetpassingintheroad，butIseldomgotananswer;

tillonemorningthegatewasopened，andwhoshouldcomeinbutdearoldGinger.Themanslippedoffherhalter，andleftherthere.

WithajoyfulwhinnyItrotteduptoher;wewerebothgladtomeet，butIsoonfoundthatitwasnotforourpleasurethatshewasbroughttobewithme.Herstorywouldbetoolongtotell，buttheendofitwasthatshehadbeenruinedbyhardriding，andwasnowturnedofftoseewhatrestwoulddo.

LordGeorgewasyoungandwouldtakenowarning;hewasahardrider，andwouldhuntwheneverhecouldgetthechance，quitecarelessofhishorse.

SoonafterIleftthestabletherewasasteeplechase，andhedeterminedtoride.Thoughthegroomtoldhimshewasalittlestrained，andwasnotfitfortherace，hedidnotbelieveit，andonthedayoftheraceurgedGingertokeepupwiththeforemostriders.

Withherhighspirit，shestrainedherselftotheutmost;

shecameinwiththefirstthreehorses，butherwindwastouched，besideswhichhewastooheavyforher，andherbackwasstrained.

"Andso，"shesaid，"hereweare，ruinedintheprimeofouryouthandstrength，youbyadrunkard，andIbyafool;itisveryhard."

Webothfeltinourselvesthatwewerenotwhatwehadbeen.However，thatdidnotspoilthepleasurewehadineachother’scompany;

wedidnotgallopaboutasweoncedid，butweusedtofeed，andliedowntogether，andstandforhoursunderoneoftheshadylime—treeswithourheadsclosetoeachother;andsowepassedourtimetillthefamilyreturnedfromtown.

Onedaywesawtheearlcomeintothemeadow，andYorkwaswithhim.

Seeingwhoitwas，westoodstillunderourlime—tree，andletthemcomeuptous.Theyexamineduscarefully.

Theearlseemedmuchannoyed.

"Thereisthreehundredpoundsflungawayfornoearthlyuse，"saidhe;

"butwhatIcaremostforisthatthesehorsesofmyoldfriend，whothoughttheywouldfindagoodhomewithme，areruined.

Themareshallhaveatwelve—month’srun，andweshallseewhatthatwilldoforher;buttheblackone，hemustbesold;

’tisagreatpity，butIcouldnothavekneesliketheseinmystables."

"No，mylord，ofcoursenot，"saidYork;"buthemightgetaplacewhereappearanceisnotofmuchconsequence，andstillbewelltreated.IknowamaninBath，themasterofsomeliverystables，whooftenwantsagoodhorseatalowfigure;

Iknowhelookswellafterhishorses.Theinquestclearedthehorse’scharacter，andyourlordship’srecommendation，ormine，wouldbesufficientwarrantforhim."

"Youhadbetterwritetohim，York.Ishouldbemoreparticularabouttheplacethanthemoneyhewouldfetch."

Afterthistheyleftus.

"They’llsoontakeyouaway，"saidGinger，"andIshalllosetheonlyfriendIhave，andmostlikelyweshallneverseeeachotheragain.

’Tisahardworld！"

AboutaweekafterthisRobertcameintothefieldwithahalter，whichheslippedovermyhead，andledmeaway.Therewasnoleave—takingofGinger;weneighedtoeachotherasIwasledoff，andshetrottedanxiouslyalongbythehedge，callingtomeaslongasshecouldhearthesoundofmyfeet.

ThroughtherecommendationofYork，Iwasboughtbythemasteroftheliverystables.Ihadtogobytrain，whichwasnewtome，andrequiredagooddealofcouragethefirsttime;

butasIfoundthepuffing，rushing，whistling，and，morethanall，thetremblingofthehorse—boxinwhichIstooddidmenorealharm，Isoontookitquietly.

WhenIreachedtheendofmyjourneyIfoundmyselfinatolerablycomfortablestable，andwellattendedto.

ThesestableswerenotsoairyandpleasantasthoseIhadbeenusedto.

Thestallswerelaidonaslopeinsteadofbeinglevel，andasmyheadwaskepttiedtothemanger，Iwasobligedalwaystostandontheslope，whichwasveryfatiguing.Mendonotseemtoknowyetthathorsescandomoreworkiftheycanstandcomfortablyandcanturnabout;

however，Iwaswellfedandwellcleaned，and，onthewhole，Ithinkourmastertookasmuchcareofusashecould.

Hekeptagoodmanyhorsesandcarriagesofdifferentkindsforhire.

Sometimeshisownmendrovethem;atothers，thehorseandchaisewerelettogentlemenorladieswhodrovethemselves.

28AJobHorseandHisDriversHithertoIhadalwaysbeendrivenbypeoplewhoatleastknewhowtodrive;

butinthisplaceIwastogetmyexperienceofallthedifferentkindsofbadandignorantdrivingtowhichwehorsesaresubjected;

forIwasa"jobhorse"，andwasletouttoallsortsofpeoplewhowishedtohireme;andasIwasgood—temperedandgentle，IthinkIwasoftenerletouttotheignorantdriversthansomeoftheotherhorses，becauseIcouldbedependedupon.ItwouldtakealongtimetotellofallthedifferentstylesinwhichIwasdriven，butIwillmentionafewofthem.

First，therewerethetight—reindrivers——menwhoseemedtothinkthatalldependedonholdingthereinsashardastheycould，neverrelaxingthepullonthehorse’smouth，orgivinghimtheleastlibertyofmovement.

Theyarealwaystalkingabout"keepingthehorsewellinhand"，and"holdingahorseup"，justasifahorsewasnotmadetoholdhimselfup.

Somepoor，broken—downhorses，whosemouthshavebeenmadehardandinsensiblebyjustsuchdriversasthese，may，perhaps，findsomesupportinit;butforahorsewhocandependuponhisownlegs，andwhohasatendermouthandiseasilyguided，itisnotonlytormenting，butitisstupid.

Thentherearetheloose—reindrivers，wholetthereinslieeasilyonourbacks，andtheirownhandrestlazilyontheirknees.Ofcourse，suchgentlemenhavenocontroloverahorse，ifanythinghappenssuddenly.

Ifahorseshies，orstarts，orstumbles，theyarenowhere，andcannothelpthehorseorthemselvestillthemischiefisdone.

Ofcourse，formyselfIhadnoobjectiontoit，asIwasnotinthehabiteitherofstartingorstumbling，andhadonlybeenusedtodependonmydriverforguidanceandencouragement.Still，onelikestofeelthereinalittleingoingdownhill，andlikestoknowthatone’sdriverisnotgonetosleep.

Besides，aslovenlywayofdrivinggetsahorseintobadandoftenlazyhabits，andwhenhechangeshandshehastobewhippedoutofthemwithmoreorlesspainandtrouble.

SquireGordonalwayskeptustoourbestpacesandourbestmanners.

Hesaidthatspoilingahorseandlettinghimgetintobadhabitswasjustascruelasspoilingachild，andbothhadtosufferforitafterward.

Besides，thesedriversareoftencarelessaltogether，andwillattendtoanythingelsemorethantheirhorses.

Iwentoutinthephaetononedaywithoneofthem;hehadaladyandtwochildrenbehind.Hefloppedthereinsaboutaswestarted，andofcoursegavemeseveralunmeaningcutswiththewhip，thoughIwasfairlyoff.Therehadbeenagooddealofroad—mendinggoingon，andevenwherethestoneswerenotfreshlylaiddowntherewereagreatmanylooseonesabout.Mydriverwaslaughingandjokingwiththeladyandthechildren，andtalkingaboutthecountrytotherightandtheleft;butheneverthoughtitworthwhiletokeepaneyeonhishorseortodriveonthesmoothestpartsoftheroad;

andsoiteasilyhappenedthatIgotastoneinoneofmyforefeet.

Now，ifMr.GordonorJohn，orinfactanygooddriver，hadbeenthere，hewouldhaveseenthatsomethingwaswrongbeforeIhadgonethreepaces.

Orevenifithadbeendarkapracticedhandwouldhavefeltbythereinthattherewassomethingwronginthestep，andtheywouldhavegotdownandpickedoutthestone.Butthismanwentonlaughingandtalking，whileateverystepthestonebecamemorefirmlywedgedbetweenmyshoeandthefrogofmyfoot.Thestonewassharpontheinsideandroundontheoutside，which，aseveryoneknows，isthemostdangerouskindthatahorsecanpickup，atthesametimecuttinghisfootandmakinghimmostliabletostumbleandfall.

WhetherthemanwaspartlyblindoronlyverycarelessIcan’tsay，buthedrovemewiththatstoneinmyfootforagoodhalf—milebeforehesawanything.BythattimeIwasgoingsolamewiththepainthatatlasthesawit，andcalledout，"Well，here’sago！Why，theyhavesentusoutwithalamehorse！Whatashame！"

Hethenchuckedthereinsandflippedaboutwiththewhip，saying，"Now，then，it’snouseplayingtheoldsoldierwithme;

there’sthejourneytogo，andit’snouseturninglameandlazy."

Justatthistimeafarmercameridinguponabrowncob.

Heliftedhishatandpulledup.

"Ibegyourpardon，sir，"hesaid，"butIthinkthereissomethingthematterwithyourhorse;hegoesverymuchasifhehadastoneinhisshoe.

IfyouwillallowmeIwilllookathisfeet;theseloosescatteredstonesareconfoundeddangerousthingsforthehorses."

"He’sahiredhorse，"saidmydriver."Idon’tknowwhat’sthematterwithhim，butitisagreatshametosendoutalamebeastlikethis."

Thefarmerdismounted，andslippinghisreinoverhisarmatoncetookupmynearfoot.

"Blessme，there’sastone！Lame！Ishouldthinkso！"

Atfirsthetriedtodislodgeitwithhishand，butasitwasnowverytightlywedgedhedrewastone—pickoutofhispocket，andverycarefullyandwithsometroublegotitout.Thenholdingituphesaid，"There，that’sthestoneyourhorsehadpickedup.

Itisawonderhedidnotfalldownandbreakhiskneesintothebargain！"

"Well，tobesure！"saidmydriver;"thatisaqueerthing！

Ineverknewthathorsespickedupstonesbefore."

"Didn’tyou？"saidthefarmerrathercontemptuously;"buttheydo，though，andthebestofthemwilldoit，andcan’thelpitsometimesonsuchroadsasthese.Andifyoudon’twanttolameyourhorseyoumustlooksharpandgetthemoutquickly.Thisfootisverymuchbruised，"hesaid，settingitgentlydownandpattingme."IfImightadvise，sir，youhadbetterdrivehimgentlyforawhile;thefootisagooddealhurt，andthelamenesswillnotgooffdirectly."

Thenmountinghiscobandraisinghishattotheladyhetrottedoff.

Whenhewasgonemydriverbegantoflopthereinsaboutandwhiptheharness，bywhichIunderstoodthatIwastogoon，whichofcourseIdid，gladthatthestonewasgone，butstillinagooddealofpain.

Thiswasthesortofexperiencewejobhorsesoftencameinfor.

29CockneysThenthereisthesteam—enginestyleofdriving;thesedriversweremostlypeoplefromtowns，whoneverhadahorseoftheirownandgenerallytraveledbyrail.

Theyalwaysseemedtothinkthatahorsewassomethinglikeasteam—engine，onlysmaller.Atanyrate，theythinkthatifonlytheypayforitahorseisboundtogojustasfarandjustasfastandwithjustasheavyaloadastheyplease.Andbetheroadsheavyandmuddy，ordryandgood;

betheystonyorsmooth，uphillordownhill，itisallthesame——on，on，on，onemustgo，atthesamepace，withnoreliefandnoconsideration.

Thesepeopleneverthinkofgettingouttowalkupasteephill.Oh，no，theyhavepaidtoride，andridetheywill！Thehorse？Oh，he’susedtoit！

Whatwerehorsesmadefor，ifnottodragpeopleuphill？Walk！

Agoodjokeindeed！Andsothewhipispliedandthereinischuckedandoftenarough，scoldingvoicecriesout，"Goalong，youlazybeast！"

Andthenanotherslashofthewhip，whenallthetimewearedoingourverybesttogetalong，uncomplainingandobedient，thoughoftensorelyharassedanddown—hearted.

Thissteam—enginestyleofdrivingwearsusupfasterthananyotherkind.

IwouldfarrathergotwentymileswithagoodconsideratedriverthanIwouldgotenwithsomeofthese;itwouldtakelessoutofme.

Anotherthing，theyscarcelyeverputonthebrake，howeversteepthedownhillmaybe，andthusbadaccidentssometimeshappen;

oriftheydoputiton，theyoftenforgettotakeitoffatthebottomofthehill，andmorethanonceIhavehadtopullhalfwayupthenexthill，withoneofthewheelsheldbythebrake，beforemydriverchosetothinkaboutit;andthatisaterriblestrainonahorse.

Thenthesecockneys，insteadofstartingataneasypace，asagentlemanwoulddo，generallysetoffatfullspeedfromtheverystable—yard;andwhentheywanttostop，theyfirstwhipus，andthenpullupsosuddenlythatwearenearlythrownonourhaunches，andourmouthsjaggedwiththebit——theycallthatpullingupwithadash;

andwhentheyturnacornertheydoitassharplyasiftherewerenorightsideorwrongsideoftheroad.

IwellrememberonespringeveningIandRoryhadbeenoutfortheday.

（Rorywasthehorsethatmostlywentwithmewhenapairwasordered，andagoodhonestfellowhewas.）Wehadourowndriver，andashewasalwaysconsiderateandgentlewithus，wehadaverypleasantday.

Wewerecominghomeatagoodsmartpace，abouttwilight.

Ourroadturnedsharptotheleft;butaswewereclosetothehedgeonourownside，andtherewasplentyofroomtopass，ourdriverdidnotpullusin.AswenearedthecornerIheardahorseandtwowheelscomingrapidlydownthehilltowardus.Thehedgewashigh，andIcouldseenothing，butthenextmomentwewereuponeachother.

Happilyforme，Iwasonthesidenextthehedge.Rorywasontheleftsideofthepole，andhadnotevenashafttoprotecthim.

Themanwhowasdrivingwasmakingstraightforthecorner，andwhenhecameinsightofushehadnotimetopullovertohisownside.

ThewholeshockcameuponRory.Thegigshaftranrightintothechest，makinghimstaggerbackwithacrythatIshallneverforget.

Theotherhorsewasthrownuponhishaunchesandoneshaftbroken.

Itturnedoutthatitwasahorsefromourownstables，withthehigh—wheeledgigthattheyoungmenweresofondof.

Thedriverwasoneofthoserandom，ignorantfellows，whodon’tevenknowwhichistheirownsideoftheroad，or，iftheyknow，don’tcare.

AndtherewaspoorRorywithhisfleshtornopenandbleeding，andthebloodstreamingdown.Theysaidifithadbeenalittlemoretoonesideitwouldhavekilledhim;andagoodthingforhim，poorfellow，ifithad.

Asitwas，itwasalongtimebeforethewoundhealed，andthenhewassoldforcoal—carting;andwhatthatis，upanddownthosesteephills，onlyhorsesknow.SomeofthesightsIsawthere，whereahorsehadtocomedownhillwithaheavilyloadedtwo—wheelcartbehindhim，onwhichnobrakecouldbeplaced，makemesadevennowtothinkof.

AfterRorywasdisabledIoftenwentinthecarriagewithamarenamedPeggy，whostoodinthenextstalltomine.Shewasastrong，well—madeanimal，ofabrightduncolor，beautifullydappled，andwithadark—brownmaneandtail.Therewasnohighbreedingabouther，butshewasveryprettyandremarkablysweet—temperedandwilling.

Still，therewasananxiouslookabouthereye，bywhichIknewthatshehadsometrouble.ThefirsttimewewentouttogetherIthoughtshehadaveryoddpace;sheseemedtogopartlyatrot，partlyacanter，threeorfourpaces，andthenalittlejumpforward.

Itwasveryunpleasantforanyhorsewhopulledwithher，andmademequitefidgety.WhenwegothomeIaskedherwhatmadehergointhatodd，awkwardway.

"Ah，"shesaidinatroubledmanner，"Iknowmypacesareverybad，butwhatcanIdo？Itreallyisnotmyfault;itisjustbecausemylegsaresoshort.Istandnearlyashighasyou，butyourlegsareagoodthreeincheslongeraboveyourkneethanmine，andofcourseyoucantakeamuchlongerstepandgomuchfaster.

YouseeIdidnotmakemyself.IwishIcouldhavedoneso;

Iwouldhavehadlonglegsthen.Allmytroublescomefrommyshortlegs，"

saidPeggy，inadespondingtone.

"Buthowisit，"Isaid，"whenyouaresostrongandgood—temperedandwilling？"

"Why，yousee，"saidshe，"menwillgosofast，andifonecan’tkeepuptootherhorsesitisnothingbutwhip，whip，whip，allthetime.

AndsoIhavehadtokeepupasIcould，andhavegotintothisuglyshufflingpace.Itwasnotalwaysso;whenIlivedwithmyfirstmasterIalwayswentagoodregulartrot，butthenhewasnotinsuchahurry.

Hewasayoungclergymaninthecountry，andagood，kindmasterhewas.

Hehadtwochurchesagoodwayapart，andagreatdealofwork，butheneverscoldedorwhippedmefornotgoingfaster.

Hewasveryfondofme.IonlywishIwaswithhimnow;

buthehadtoleaveandgotoalargetown，andthenIwassoldtoafarmer.

"Somefarmers，youknow，arecapitalmasters;butIthinkthisonewasalowsortofman.Hecarednothingaboutgoodhorsesorgooddriving;

heonlycaredforgoingfast.IwentasfastasIcould，butthatwouldnotdo，andhewasalwayswhipping;soIgotintothiswayofmakingaspringforwardtokeepup.Onmarketnightsheusedtostayverylateattheinn，andthendrivehomeatagallop.

"Onedarknighthewasgallopinghomeasusual，whenallofasuddenthewheelcameagainstsomegreatheavythingintheroad，andturnedthegigoverinaminute.Hewasthrownoutandhisarmbroken，andsomeofhisribs，Ithink.Atanyrate，itwastheendofmylivingwithhim，andIwasnotsorry.Butyouseeitwillbethesameeverywhereforme，ifmenmustgosofast.Iwishmylegswerelonger！"

PoorPeggy！Iwasverysorryforher，andIcouldnotcomforther，forIknewhowharditwasuponslow—pacedhorsestobeputwithfastones;

allthewhippingcomestotheirshare，andtheycan’thelpit.

Shewasoftenusedinthephaeton，andwasverymuchlikedbysomeoftheladies，becauseshewassogentle;andsometimeafterthisshewassoldtotwoladieswhodrovethemselves，andwantedasafe，goodhorse.

Imetherseveraltimesoutinthecountry，goingagoodsteadypace，andlookingasgayandcontentedasahorsecouldbe.Iwasverygladtoseeher，forshedeservedagoodplace.

Aftersheleftusanotherhorsecameinherstead.Hewasyoung，andhadabadnameforshyingandstarting，bywhichhehadlostagoodplace.Iaskedhimwhatmadehimshy.

"Well，Ihardlyknow，"hesaid."IwastimidwhenIwasyoung，andwasagooddealfrightenedseveraltimes，andifIsawanythingstrangeIusedtoturnandlookatit——yousee，withourblinkersonecan’tseeorunderstandwhatathingisunlessonelooksround——

andthenmymasteralwaysgavemeawhipping，whichofcoursemademestarton，anddidnotmakemelessafraid.Ithinkifhewouldhaveletmejustlookatthingsquietly，andseethattherewasnothingtohurtme，itwouldhavebeenallright，andIshouldhavegotusedtothem.

Onedayanoldgentlemanwasridingwithhim，andalargepieceofwhitepaperorragblewacrossjustononesideofme.

Ishiedandstartedforward.Mymasterasusualwhippedmesmartly，buttheoldmancriedout，`You’rewrong！you’rewrong！

Youshouldneverwhipahorseforshying;heshiesbecauseheisfrightened，andyouonlyfrightenhimmoreandmakethehabitworse.’

SoIsupposeallmendon’tdoso.IamsureIdon’twanttoshyforthesakeofit;buthowshouldoneknowwhatisdangerousandwhatisnot，ifoneisneverallowedtogetusedtoanything？

IamneverafraidofwhatIknow.NowIwasbroughtupinaparkwherethereweredeer;ofcourseIknewthemaswellasIdidasheeporacow，buttheyarenotcommon，andIknowmanysensiblehorseswhoarefrightenedatthem，andwhokickupquiteashindybeforetheywillpassapaddockwheretherearedeer."

Iknewwhatmycompanionsaidwastrue，andIwishedthateveryyounghorsehadasgoodmastersasFarmerGreyandSquireGordon.

Ofcoursewesometimescameinforgooddrivinghere.IrememberonemorningIwasputintothelightgig，andtakentoahouseinPulteneyStreet.

Twogentlemencameout;thetallerofthemcameroundtomyhead;

helookedatthebitandbridle，andjustshiftedthecollarwithhishand，toseeifitfittedcomfortably.

"Doyouconsiderthishorsewantsacurb？"hesaidtothehostler.

"Well，"saidtheman，"Ishouldsayhewouldgojustaswellwithout;

hehasanuncommongoodmouth，andthoughhehasafinespirithehasnovice;butwegenerallyfindpeoplelikethecurb."

"Idon’tlikeit，"saidthegentleman;"besogoodastotakeitoff，andputthereininatthecheek.Aneasymouthisagreatthingonalongjourney，isitnot，oldfellow？"hesaid，pattingmyneck.

Thenhetookthereins，andtheybothgotup.Icanremembernowhowquietlyheturnedmeround，andthenwithalightfeeloftherein，anddrawingthewhipgentlyacrossmyback，wewereoff.

Iarchedmyneckandsetoffatmybestpace.IfoundIhadsomeonebehindmewhoknewhowagoodhorseoughttobedriven.

Itseemedlikeoldtimesagain，andmademefeelquitegay.

Thisgentlemantookagreatlikingtome，andaftertryingmeseveraltimeswiththesaddleheprevaileduponmymastertosellmetoafriendofhis，whowantedasafe，pleasanthorseforriding.

AndsoitcametopassthatinthesummerIwassoldtoMr.Barry.

30AThiefMynewmasterwasanunmarriedman.HelivedatBath，andwasmuchengagedinbusiness.Hisdoctoradvisedhimtotakehorseexercise，andforthispurposeheboughtme.Hehiredastableashortdistancefromhislodgings，andengagedamannamedFilcherasgroom.

Mymasterknewverylittleabouthorses，buthetreatedmewell，andIshouldhavehadagoodandeasyplacebutforcircumstancesofwhichhewasignorant.Heorderedthebesthaywithplentyofoats，crushedbeans，andbran，withvetches，orryegrass，asthemanmightthinkneedful.Iheardthemastergivetheorder，soIknewtherewasplentyofgoodfood，andIthoughtIwaswelloff.

Forafewdaysallwentonwell.Ifoundthatmygroomunderstoodhisbusiness.Hekeptthestablecleanandairy，andhegroomedmethoroughly;andwasneverotherwisethangentle.

HehadbeenanhostlerinoneofthegreathotelsinBath.

Hehadgiventhatup，andnowcultivatedfruitandvegetablesforthemarket，andhiswifebredandfattenedpoultryandrabbitsforsale.

Afterawhileitseemedtomethatmyoatscameveryshort;Ihadthebeans，butbranwasmixedwiththeminsteadofoats，ofwhichtherewereveryfew;

certainlynotmorethanaquarterofwhatthereshouldhavebeen.

Intwoorthreeweeksthisbegantotelluponmystrengthandspirits.

Thegrassfood，thoughverygood，wasnotthethingtokeepupmyconditionwithoutcorn.However，Icouldnotcomplain，normakeknownmywants.

Soitwentonforabouttwomonths;andIwonderedthatmymasterdidnotseethatsomethingwasthematter.However，oneafternoonherodeoutintothecountrytoseeafriendofhis，agentlemanfarmer，wholivedontheroadtoWells.

Thisgentlemanhadaveryquickeyeforhorses;andafterhehadwelcomedhisfriendhesaid，castinghiseyeoverme：

"Itseemstome，Barry，thatyourhorsedoesnotlooksowellashedidwhenyoufirsthadhim;hashebeenwell？"

"Yes，Ibelieveso，"saidmymaster;"butheisnotnearlysolivelyashewas;mygroomtellsmethathorsesarealwaysdullandweakintheautumn，andthatImustexpectit."

"Autumn，fiddlesticks！"saidthefarmer."Why，thisisonlyAugust;

andwithyourlightworkandgoodfoodheoughtnottogodownlikethis，evenifitwasautumn.Howdoyoufeedhim？"

Mymastertoldhim.Theothershookhisheadslowly，andbegantofeelmeover.

"Ican’tsaywhoeatsyourcorn，mydearfellow，butIammuchmistakenifyourhorsegetsit.Haveyouriddenveryfast？"

"No，verygently."

"Thenjustputyourhandhere，"saidhe，passinghishandovermyneckandshoulder;"heisaswarmanddampasahorsejustcomeupfromgrass.

Iadviseyoutolookintoyourstablealittlemore.

Ihatetobesuspicious，and，thankheaven，Ihavenocausetobe，forIcantrustmymen，presentorabsent;buttherearemeanscoundrels，wickedenoughtorobadumbbeastofhisfood.Youmustlookintoit."

Andturningtohisman，whohadcometotakeme，"Givethishorsearightgoodfeedofbruisedoats，anddon’tstinthim."

"Dumbbeasts！"Yes，weare;butifIcouldhavespokenIcouldhavetoldmymasterwherehisoatswentto.Mygroomusedtocomeeverymorningaboutsixo’clock，andwithhimalittleboy，whoalwayshadacoveredbasketwithhim.Heusedtogowithhisfatherintotheharness—room，wherethecornwaskept，andIcouldseethem，whenthedoorstoodajar，fillalittlebagwithoatsoutofthebin，andthenheusedtobeoff.

Fiveorsixmorningsafterthis，justastheboyhadleftthestable，thedoorwaspushedopen，andapolicemanwalkedin，holdingthechildtightbythearm;anotherpolicemanfollowed，andlockedthedoorontheinside，saying，"Showmetheplacewhereyourfatherkeepshisrabbits’food."

Theboylookedveryfrightenedandbegantocry;buttherewasnoescape，andheledthewaytothecorn—bin.Herethepolicemanfoundanotheremptybaglikethatwhichwasfoundfullofoatsintheboy’sbasket.

Filcherwascleaningmyfeetatthetime，buttheysoonsawhim，andthoughheblusteredagooddealtheywalkedhimofftothe"lock—up"，andhisboywithhim.Iheardafterwardthattheboywasnotheldtobeguilty，butthemanwassentencedtoprisonfortwomonths.

31AHumbugMymasterwasnotimmediatelysuited，butinafewdaysmynewgroomcame.

Hewasatall，good—lookingfellowenough;butifevertherewasahumbugintheshapeofagroomAlfredSmirkwastheman.Hewasveryciviltome，andneverusedmeill;infact，hedidagreatdealofstrokingandpattingwhenhismasterwastheretoseeit.Healwaysbrushedmymaneandtailwithwaterandmyhoofswithoilbeforehebroughtmetothedoor，tomakemelooksmart;butastocleaningmyfeetorlookingtomyshoes，orgroomingmethoroughly，hethoughtnomoreofthatthanifIhadbeenacow.Heleftmybitrusty，mysaddledamp，andmycrupperstiff.

AlfredSmirkconsideredhimselfveryhandsome;hespentagreatdealoftimeabouthishair，whiskersandnecktie，beforealittlelooking—glassintheharness—room.Whenhismasterwasspeakingtohimitwasalways，"Yes，sir;yes，sir"——touchinghishatateveryword;

andeveryonethoughthewasaveryniceyoungmanandthatMr.Barrywasveryfortunatetomeetwithhim.Ishouldsayhewasthelaziest，mostconceitedfellowIevercamenear.Ofcourse，itwasagreatthingnottobeill—used，butthenahorsewantsmorethanthat.

Ihadaloosebox，andmighthavebeenverycomfortableifhehadnotbeentooindolenttocleanitout.Henevertookallthestrawaway，andthesmellfromwhatlayunderneathwasverybad;

whilethestrongvaporsthatrosemademyeyessmartandinflame，andIdidnotfeelthesameappetiteformyfood.

Onedayhismastercameinandsaid，"Alfred，thestablesmellsratherstrong;shouldnotyougivethatstallagoodscrubandthrowdownplentyofwater？"

"Well，sir，"hesaid，touchinghiscap，"I’lldosoifyouplease，sir;

butitisratherdangerous，sir，throwingdownwaterinahorse’sbox;

theyareveryapttotakecold，sir.Ishouldnotliketodohimaninjury，butI’lldoitifyouplease，sir."

"Well，"saidhismaster，"Ishouldnotlikehimtotakecold;

butIdon’tlikethesmellofthisstable.Doyouthinkthedrainsareallright？"

"Well，sir，nowyoumentionit，Ithinkthedraindoessometimessendbackasmell;theremaybesomethingwrong，sir."

"Thensendforthebricklayerandhaveitseento，"saidhismaster.

"Yes，sir，Iwill."

Thebricklayercameandpulledupagreatmanybricks，butfoundnothingamiss;soheputdownsomelimeandchargedthemasterfiveshillings，andthesmellinmyboxwasasbadasever.

Butthatwasnotall：standingasIdidonaquantityofmoiststrawmyfeetgrewunhealthyandtender，andthemasterusedtosay：

"Idon’tknowwhatisthematterwiththishorse;hegoesveryfumble—footed.

Iamsometimesafraidhewillstumble."

"Yes，sir，"saidAlfred，"Ihavenoticedthesamemyself，whenIhaveexercisedhim."

Nowthefactwasthathehardlyeverdidexerciseme，andwhenthemasterwasbusyIoftenstoodfordaystogetherwithoutstretchingmylegsatall，andyetbeingfedjustashighasifIwereathardwork.Thisoftendisorderedmyhealth，andmademesometimesheavyanddull，butmoreoftenrestlessandfeverish.

Heneverevengavemeamealofgreenfoodorabranmash，whichwouldhavecooledme，forhewasaltogetherasignorantashewasconceited;andthen，insteadofexerciseorchangeoffood，Ihadtotakehorseballsanddraughts;which，besidethenuisanceofhavingthempoureddownmythroat，usedtomakemefeelillanduncomfortable.

Onedaymyfeetweresotenderthat，trottingoversomefreshstoneswithmymasteronmyback，Imadetwosuchseriousstumblesthat，ashecamedownLansdownintothecity，hestoppedatthefarrier’s，andaskedhimtoseewhatwasthematterwithme.Themantookupmyfeetonebyoneandexaminedthem;thenstandingupanddustinghishandsoneagainsttheother，hesaid：

"Yourhorsehasgotthe`thrush’，andbadly，too;hisfeetareverytender;

itisfortunatethathehasnotbeendown.Iwonderyourgroomhasnotseentoitbefore.Thisisthesortofthingwefindinfoulstables，wherethelitterisneverproperlycleanedout.Ifyouwillsendhimhereto—morrowIwillattendtothehoof，andIwilldirectyourmanhowtoapplythelinimentwhichIwillgivehim."

ThenextdayIhadmyfeetthoroughlycleansedandstuffedwithtowsoakedinsomestronglotion;andanunpleasantbusinessitwas.

Thefarrierorderedallthelittertobetakenoutofmyboxdaybyday，andthefloorkeptveryclean.ThenIwastohavebranmashes，alittlegreenfood，andnotsomuchcorn，tillmyfeetwerewellagain.

WiththistreatmentIsoonregainedmyspirits;butMr.Barrywassomuchdisgustedatbeingtwicedeceivedbyhisgroomsthathedeterminedtogiveupkeepingahorse，andtohirewhenhewantedone.

Iwasthereforekepttillmyfeetwerequitesound，andwasthensoldagain.

PartIII

32AHorseFairNodoubtahorsefairisaveryamusingplacetothosewhohavenothingtolose;atanyrate，thereisplentytosee.

Longstringsofyounghorsesoutofthecountry，freshfromthemarshes;

anddrovesofshaggylittleWelshponies，nohigherthanMerrylegs;

andhundredsofcarthorsesofallsorts，someofthemwiththeirlongtailsbraidedupandtiedwithscarletcord;andagoodmanylikemyself，handsomeandhigh—bred，butfallenintothemiddleclass，throughsomeaccidentorblemish，unsoundnessofwind，orsomeothercomplaint.

Thereweresomesplendidanimalsquiteintheirprime，andfitforanything;

theywerethrowingouttheirlegsandshowingofftheirpacesinhighstyle，astheyweretrottedoutwithaleadingrein，thegroomrunningbytheside.

Butroundinthebackgroundtherewereanumberofpoorthings，sadlybrokendownwithhardwork，withtheirkneesknucklingoverandtheirhindlegsswingingoutateverystep，andthereweresomeverydejected—lookingoldhorses，withtheunderliphangingdownandtheearslyingbackheavily，asiftherewerenomorepleasureinlife，andnomorehope;thereweresomesothinyoumightseealltheirribs，andsomewitholdsoresontheirbacksandhips.Theseweresadsightsforahorsetolookupon，whoknowsnotbuthemaycometothesamestate.

Therewasagreatdealofbargaining，ofrunningupandbeatingdown;

andifahorsemayspeakhismindsofarasheunderstands，Ishouldsaythereweremoreliestoldandmoretrickeryatthathorsefairthanaclevermancouldgiveanaccountof.Iwasputwithtwoorthreeotherstrong，useful—lookinghorses，andagoodmanypeoplecametolookatus.Thegentlemenalwaysturnedfrommewhentheysawmybrokenknees;thoughthemanwhohadmesworeitwasonlyaslipinthestall.

Thefirstthingwastopullmymouthopen，thentolookatmyeyes，thenfeelallthewaydownmylegs，andgivemeahardfeeloftheskinandflesh，andthentrymypaces.Itwaswonderfulwhatadifferencetherewasinthewaythesethingsweredone.

Somediditinarough，offhandway，asifonewasonlyapieceofwood;

whileotherswouldtaketheirhandsgentlyoverone’sbody，withapatnowandthen，asmuchastosay，"Byyourleave."

OfcourseIjudgedagooddealofthebuyersbytheirmannerstomyself.

Therewasoneman，Ithought，ifhewouldbuyme，Ishouldbehappy.

Hewasnotagentleman，noryetoneoftheloud，flashysortthatcallthemselvesso.Hewasratherasmallman，butwellmade，andquickinallhismotions.Iknewinamomentbythewayhehandledme，thathewasusedtohorses;hespokegently，andhisgrayeyehadakindly，cheerylookinit.Itmayseemstrangetosay——butitistrueallthesame——thattheclean，freshsmelltherewasabouthimmademetaketohim;nosmellofoldbeerandtobacco，whichIhated，butafreshsmellasifhehadcomeoutofahayloft.

Heofferedtwenty—threepoundsforme，butthatwasrefused，andhewalkedaway.Ilookedafterhim，buthewasgone，andaveryhard—looking，loud—voicedmancame.Iwasdreadfullyafraidhewouldhaveme;buthewalkedoff.Oneortwomorecamewhodidnotmeanbusiness.Thenthehard—facedmancamebackagainandofferedtwenty—threepounds.Averyclosebargainwasbeingdriven，formysalesmanbegantothinkheshouldnotgetallheasked，andmustcomedown;butjustthenthegray—eyedmancamebackagain.

Icouldnothelpreachingoutmyheadtowardhim.Hestrokedmyfacekindly.

"Well，oldchap，"hesaid，"Ithinkweshouldsuiteachother.

I’llgivetwenty—fourforhim."

"Saytwenty—fiveandyoushallhavehim."

"Twenty—fourten，"saidmyfriend，inaverydecidedtone，"andnotanothersixpence——yesorno？"

"Done，"saidthesalesman;"andyoumaydependuponitthere’samonstrousdealofqualityinthathorse，andifyouwanthimforcabworkhe’sabargain."

Themoneywaspaidonthespot，andmynewmastertookmyhalter，andledmeoutofthefairtoaninn，wherehehadasaddleandbridleready.

HegavemeagoodfeedofoatsandstoodbywhileIateit，talkingtohimselfandtalkingtome.HalfanhourafterwewereonourwaytoLondon，throughpleasantlanesandcountryroads，untilwecameintothegreatLondonthoroughfare，onwhichwetraveledsteadily，tillinthetwilightwereachedthegreatcity.

Thegaslampswerealreadylighted;therewerestreetstotheright，andstreetstotheleft，andstreetscrossingeachother，formileuponmile.

Ithoughtweshouldnevercometotheendofthem.Atlast，inpassingthroughone，wecametoalongcabstand，whenmyridercalledoutinacheeryvoice，"Good—night，governor！"

"Halloo！"criedavoice."Haveyougotagoodone？"

"Ithinkso，"repliedmyowner.

"Iwishyouluckwithhim."

"Thankyou，governor，"andherodeon.Wesoonturneduponeofthesidestreets，andabouthalfwayupthatweturnedintoaverynarrowstreet，withratherpoor—lookinghousesononeside，andwhatseemedtobecoach—housesandstablesontheother.

Myownerpulledupatoneofthehousesandwhistled.Thedoorflewopen，andayoungwoman，followedbyalittlegirlandboy，ranout.

Therewasaverylivelygreetingasmyriderdismounted.

"Now，then，Harry，myboy，openthegates，andmotherwillbringusthelantern."

Thenextminutetheywereallstandingroundmeinasmallstable—yard.

"Ishegentle，father？"

"Yes，Dolly，asgentleasyourownkitten;comeandpathim."

Atoncethelittlehandwaspattingaboutallovermyshoulderwithoutfear.

Howgooditfelt！

"Letmegethimabranmashwhileyourubhimdown，"saidthemother.

"Do，Polly，it’sjustwhathewants;andIknowyou’vegotabeautifulmashreadyforme."

"Sausagedumplingandappleturnover！"shoutedtheboy，whichsetthemalllaughing.Iwasledintoacomfortable，clean—smellingstall，withplentyofdrystraw，andafteracapitalsupperIlaydown，thinkingIwasgoingtobehappy.

33ALondonCabHorseJeremiahBarkerwasmynewmaster’sname，butaseveryonecalledhimJerry，Ishalldothesame.Polly，hiswife，wasjustasgoodamatchasamancouldhave.Shewasaplump，trim，tidylittlewoman，withsmooth，darkhair，darkeyes，andamerrylittlemouth.

Theboywastwelveyearsold，atall，frank，good—temperedlad;

andlittleDorothy（Dollytheycalledher）washermotheroveragain，ateightyearsold.Theywereallwonderfullyfondofeachother;

Ineverknewsuchahappy，merryfamilybeforeorsince.Jerryhadacabofhisown，andtwohorses，whichhedroveandattendedtohimself.

Hisotherhorsewasatall，white，ratherlarge—bonedanimalcalled"Captain".Hewasoldnow，butwhenhewasyounghemusthavebeensplendid;hehadstillaproudwayofholdinghisheadandarchinghisneck;infact，hewasahigh—bred，fine—mannered，nobleoldhorse，everyinchofhim.HetoldmethatinhisearlyyouthhewenttotheCrimeanWar;hebelongedtoanofficerinthecavalry，andusedtoleadtheregiment.Iwilltellmoreofthathereafter.

Thenextmorning，whenIwaswell—groomed，PollyandDollycameintotheyardtoseemeandmakefriends.Harryhadbeenhelpinghisfathersincetheearlymorning，andhadstatedhisopinionthatIshouldturnouta"regularbrick".Pollybroughtmeasliceofapple，andDollyapieceofbread，andmadeasmuchofmeasifIhadbeenthe"BlackBeauty"ofoldentime.Itwasagreattreattobepettedagainandtalkedtoinagentlevoice，andIletthemseeaswellasIcouldthatIwishedtobefriendly.PollythoughtIwasveryhandsome，andagreatdealtoogoodforacab，ifitwasnotforthebrokenknees.

"Ofcoursethere’snoonetotelluswhosefaultthatwas，"saidJerry，"andaslongasIdon’tknowIshallgivehimthebenefitofthedoubt;

forafirmer，neaterstepperIneverrode.We’llcallhim`Jack’，aftertheoldone——shallwe，Polly？"

"Do，"shesaid，"forIliketokeepagoodnamegoing."

Captainwentoutinthecaballthemorning.Harrycameinafterschooltofeedmeandgivemewater.IntheafternoonIwasputintothecab.

JerrytookasmuchpainstoseeifthecollarandbridlefittedcomfortablyasifhehadbeenJohnManlyoveragain.Whenthecrupperwasletoutaholeortwoitallfittedwell.Therewasnocheck—rein，nocurb，nothingbutaplainringsnaffle.Whatablessingthatwas！

AfterdrivingthroughthesidestreetwecametothelargecabstandwhereJerryhadsaid"Good—night".Ononesideofthiswidestreetwerehighhouseswithwonderfulshopfronts，andontheotherwasanoldchurchandchurchyard，surroundedbyironpalisades.

Alongsidetheseironrailsanumberofcabsweredrawnup，waitingforpassengers;bitsofhaywerelyingaboutontheground;

someofthemenwerestandingtogethertalking;someweresittingontheirboxesreadingthenewspaper;andoneortwowerefeedingtheirhorseswithbitsofhay，andgivingthemadrinkofwater.

Wepulledupintherankatthebackofthelastcab.Twoorthreemencameroundandbegantolookatmeandpasstheirremarks.

"Verygoodforafuneral，"saidone.

"Toosmart—looking，"saidanother，shakinghisheadinaverywiseway;

"you’llfindoutsomethingwrongoneofthesefinemornings，ormynameisn’tJones."

"Well，"saidJerrypleasantly，"IsupposeIneednotfinditouttillitfindsmeout，eh？Andifso，I’llkeepupmyspiritsalittlelonger."

Thentherecameupabroad—facedman，dressedinagreatgraycoatwithgreatgraycapeandgreatwhitebuttons，agrayhat，andabluecomforterlooselytiedroundhisneck;hishairwasgray，too;

buthewasajolly—lookingfellow，andtheothermenmadewayforhim.

Helookedmeallover，asifhehadbeengoingtobuyme;

andthenstraighteninghimselfupwithagrunt，hesaid，"He’stherightsortforyou，Jerry;Idon’tcarewhatyougaveforhim，he’llbeworthit."Thusmycharacterwasestablishedonthestand.

Thisman’snamewasGrant，buthewascalled"GrayGrant"，or"GovernorGrant".Hehadbeenthelongestonthatstandofanyofthemen，andhetookituponhimselftosettlemattersandstopdisputes.Hewasgenerallyagood—humored，sensibleman;

butifhistemperwasalittleout，asitwassometimeswhenhehaddrunktoomuch，nobodylikedtocometoonearhisfist，forhecoulddealaveryheavyblow.

Thefirstweekofmylifeasacabhorsewasverytrying.

IhadneverbeenusedtoLondon，andthenoise，thehurry，thecrowdsofhorses，carts，andcarriagesthatIhadtomakemywaythroughmademefeelanxiousandharassed;butIsoonfoundthatIcouldperfectlytrustmydriver，andthenImademyselfeasyandgotusedtoit.