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 MCLOUGHLIN BROS. Inc. 
 
 
 SPRINGFIELD, MASS. 
 
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BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 The Autobiography of a Horse 
 
 BY ANNA SEWELL 
 
 ILLUSTRATED 
 
 McLOUGHLIN BRO'S., Inc. 
 
 SPRINGFIELD . MASSACHUSETTS 
 Made in U. S. A. 
 
"->• S. A. 
 
 PUBLISHERS 
 
BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 CHAPTER I 
 
 MY EARLY HOME 
 
 The first place that I can well remember was a pleasant meadow with a 
 pond of clear water in it. Some shady trees leaned over it, and rushes 
 and water-lilies grew at the deep end. Over the hedge on one side we 
 looked into a plowed field, and on the other we looked over a gate at our 
 master's house, which stood by the roadside; at the top of the meadow 
 was a grove of fir trees, and at the bottom a running brook, overhung by 
 a steep bank. 
 
 While I was young I lived upon my mother's milk, as I could not eat 
 grass. In the daytime I ran by her side, and at night I lay down close 
 by her. When it was hoT; we used to stay by the pond in the shade of the 
 trees, and when it was cold we had a warm shed near the grove. 
 
 There were six young colts in the meadow beside me; they were older 
 than I was. I used to run with them, and had great fun. We used to 
 gallop all together round the field, as hard as we could go, and some- 
 times we had rather rough play, for they would bite and kick, as well as 
 gallop. 
 
 One day when there was a good deal of kicking, my mother whinnied 
 to me to come to her, and then she said: "I wish you to pay attention to 
 what I am going to say. The colts who live here are very good colts, but 
 they are cart-horse- colts, and they have not learned manners. You have 
 been well-born and well-bred; your father has a great name in these 
 parts, and your grandfather won the cup at the races; your grandmother 
 had the sweetest temper of any horse I ever knew, and I think you have 
 never seen me kick or bite. I hope you will grow up gentle and good, 
 and never learn bad ways; do your work with a good will, lift your feet 
 Up well when you trot, and never bite or kick even in play. " 
 
 I have never forgotten my mother's advice. I knew she was a wise old 
 horse, and our master thought a great deal of her. Her name was Duch- 
 ess, but he called her Pet. 
 
BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 
 
 
 
 'In the daytime I ran by her side." — Page 3 
 
 Our master was a kind good, man. He gave us good food, good lodg- 
 ing and kind words; he spoke as kindly to us as he did to his little child- 
 ren. We were all fond of him, and my mother loved him very much. 
 When she saw him at the gate she would neigh with joy, and trot up to 
 him. He would pat and stroke her and say, " Well, old Pet, and how is 
 your little Darkle ? " I was a dull black, so he called me Darkie; then he 
 would give me a piece of bread, which was very good, and sometimes he 
 brought a carrot for my mother. All the horses would come to him, but I 
 
BLACK BEAUTY 5 
 
 think we were his favorites. My mother always took him to town on a 
 market-day in a light gig. 
 
 We had a plowboy, Dick, who used sometimes to come into our field 
 to pluck blackberries from the hedge. When he had eaten all he wanted 
 he would have what he called fun with the colts, throwing stones and 
 sticks at them to make them gallop. We did not much mind him, for we 
 could gallop off; but sometimes a stone would hit and hurt us. 
 
 One day he was at this game, and did not know that the master was 
 in the next field, watching what was going on; over the hedge he jumped 
 in a snap, and, catching Dick by the arm, he gave him such a box on the 
 ear as made him roar with pain and surprise. As soon as we saw the 
 master we trotted up nearer to see what went on. 
 
 "Bad boy!" he said, "bad boy! to chase the colts. This is not the 
 first time, but it shall be the last. There — take your money and go home; 
 I shall not want you on my farm any longer." So we never saw Dick 
 any more. Old Daniel, the man who looked after the horses, was just 
 as gentle as our master; so we were well off. 
 
 CHAPTER II 
 
 THE HUNT 
 
 Before I was two years old a circumstance happened which I have 
 never forgotten. It was early in the spring; there had been a little frost 
 in the night, and a light mist still hung over the woods and meadows. 
 The other colts and I were feeding at the lower part of the field when we 
 heard what sounded like the cry of dogs. The oldest of the colts raised 
 his head and pricked up his ears, and said, " There are the hounds ! " and 
 cantered off, followed by the rest of us, to the upper part of the field, 
 where we could look over the hedge and see several fields beyond. My 
 mother and an old riding horse of our master's were also standing near, 
 and they seemed to know all about it. "They have found a hare," said 
 my mother, " and if they come this way we shall see the hunt. " 
 
 Soon all the dogs were tearing down the field of young wheat next to 
 ours. I never heard such a noise as they made. They did not bark, nor 
 howl, nor whine, but kept on a "yo! yo, o, o! yo, 0,0!" at the top of their 
 voices. After them came a number of men on horseback, all galloping 
 
6 BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 as fast as they could. The old horses snorted and looked eagerly after 
 them, and we young colts wanted to be galloping with them, but they 
 were soon away into the fields lower down. Here it seemed as if they had 
 come to a stand ; the dogs left off barking and ran about every way with 
 their noses to the ground. 
 
 "They have lost the scent," said the old horse, "perhaps the hare will 
 get off. " 
 
 "What hare?" said I. 
 
 " Oh, I don't know what hare; likely enough it may be one of our own 
 hares out of the woods. Any hare they can find will do for the dogs and 
 men to run after." Before long the dogs began their "yo; yo, o, o!" 
 again; and back they all came at full speed, making straight for our mea- 
 dow at the part where the high bank and hedge overhung the brook. 
 
 "Now we shall see the hare," said my mother; and just then a hare, 
 wild with fright, rushed by and made for the woods. On came the dogs; 
 they burst over the bank, leaped the stream and came dashing across the 
 field, followed by the huntsmen. Several men leaped their horses clean 
 over, close upon the dogs. The hare tried to get through the fence, but it 
 was too thick, and she turned sharp around to make for the road. But it 
 was too late; the dogs were upon her with their wild cries; we heard one 
 shriek, and that was the end of her. One of the huntsmen rode up and 
 whipped off the dogs, who would soon have torn her to pieces. He held 
 her up by one leg, torn and bleeding, and all the gentlemen seemed well- 
 pleased. 
 
 As for me, I was so astonished that I did not at first see what was going 
 on by the brook; but when I did look, there was a sad sight; two fine 
 horses were down; one was struggling in the stream, and another was 
 groaning on the grass. One of the riders was getting out of the water, 
 the other lay quite still. 
 
 "His neck is broken," said my mother. 
 
 "It serves him right, too," said one of the colts. 
 
 I thought so too, but my mother did not join us in this opinion. 
 
 " Well, no, " she said, " you must not say that; but, though I am an old 
 horse, and have seen and heard a great deal, I never yet could make out 
 why men are so fond of this sport. They o!ten hurt themselves, often 
 spoil good horses, and tear up fields, and all for a hare or a fox or a stag, 
 that they could get more easily some other way; but we are only horses 
 and don't know." 
 
BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 "Several men leaped their horses over." — Page 6 
 
 While my mother was saying this, we stood and looked on. Many of 
 of the riders had gone to the young man; but my master was the first to 
 raise him. His head fell back and his arms hung down, and every one 
 looked very serious. There was no noise now; even the dogs were quiet, 
 
10 BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 Every one may not know what breaking in is, therefore I will describe 
 it. It means to teach a horse to wear a saddle and bridle, and to carry 
 on his back a man, woman, or child; to go just the way they wish, and to 
 go quietly. Besides this, he has to learn to wear a collar, a crupper, and 
 a breeching, and to stand still while they are being put on ; then to have a 
 v;art or chaise fixed behind, so that he cannot walk or trot without drag- 
 ging it after him; and he must go fast or slow, just as his driver wishes. 
 He must never start at what he sees, nor speak to other horses, nor bite, 
 nor kick, nor have any will of his own, but always do his master's will, 
 even though he may be very tired or hungry; but worst of all is, when his 
 harness is once on, he may neither jump for joy nor lie down for weari- 
 ness. So you see this breaking in is a great thing. 
 
 I had, of course, been long used to halter and head-stall, and to being 
 led about the fields and lanes quietly; but now I was to have a bit and a 
 bridle. My master gave me some oats as usual, and after a good deal of 
 coaxing he got the bit into my mouth and the bridle fixed, but it was a 
 nasty thing! Those who have never had a bit in their mouths can not 
 think how bad it feels; a great piece of cold hard steel as thick as a man's 
 finger to be pushed into one's mouth, between one's teeth, and over one's 
 tongue, with the ends coming out at the corner of your mouth, and held 
 fast there by three straps over your head, under your throat, round your 
 nose and under your chin so that no way in the world can you get rid of 
 the nasty hard thing; it is very hard to bear, at least I thought so. Btit 
 I knew my mother always wore one when she went out, and all horses did 
 when they were grown up; and so, what with the nice oats, and what 
 with my master's pats and kind words, and gentle ways, I got to wear 
 my bit and bridle. 
 
 Next came the saddle, but that was not half so bad; my master put it 
 on my back very gently while old Daniel held my head ; he then made 
 the girths fast under my body, patting and talking to me all the time. I 
 then had a few oats, then a little leading about; and this he did every day 
 till I began to look for the oats and the saddle. At length, one morning, 
 my master got on my back and rode me around the meadow on the soft 
 grass. It certainly did feel queer; but I must say I felt rather proud to 
 carry my master, and as he continued to ride me a little every day, I soon 
 became accustomed to it. 
 
 The next unpleasant business was putting on the iron shoes ; that, too 
 was very hard at first. My master went with me to the smith's forge, to 
 
BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 11 
 
 "There I stood snorting with astonishment and fear." — Page 12 
 
 see that I was not hurt or frightened. The blacksmith took my feet in 
 his hand, one after another, and cut away some of the hoof. It did not 
 pain me at all. Then he took a piece of iron the shape of my foot, and 
 clapped it on, and drove some nails through the shoe quite into my hoof, 
 
12 BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 so that the shoe was firmly on. My feet felt very stiff and heavy, but in 
 time I got used to the shoes, too. 
 
 And now, having got so far, my master went on to break me to harness. 
 There were now more new things to wear. First, a stiff, heavy collar 
 just on my neck, and a bridle with great side-pieces against my eyes, 
 called blinkers, and blinkers indeed they were, for I could not see on 
 either side, but only straight in front of me; next there was a small sad- 
 dle with a nasty stiff strap that went right under my tail; that was the 
 crupper. 
 
 I must not forget to mention one part of my training, which I have 
 always considered a great advantage. My master sent me for a fort- 
 night to a neighboring farmer's, who had a meadow which was skirted 
 on one side by the railway. Here were some sheep and cows, and I was 
 turned in among them. 
 
 I shall never forget the first train that went by. I was feeding quietly 
 near the pales which separated the meadow from the railway, when I 
 heard a strange sound at a distance, and before I knew whence it came — 
 with a rush and a clatter, and a puffing out of smoke — a long black train 
 of something flew by, and was gone almost before I could draw my 
 breath. I galloped to the further side of the meadow, and there I stood 
 snorting with astonishment and fear. In the course of the day many 
 other trains went by, some more slowly. These drew up at the station 
 close by, and sometimes made an awful shriek and groan before they 
 stopped. I thought it very dreadful, but the cows went on eating very 
 quietly, and hardly raised their heads as the black frightful thing came 
 puffing and grinding past. For the first few days I could not feed in any 
 peace; but as I found that this terrible creature never came into the field 
 or never did me any any harm, I began to disregard it, and very soon I 
 cared as little about the passing of a train as the cows and sheep did. 
 
 My master often drove me in double harness with my mother, because 
 she was steady and could teach me how to go better than a strange horse. 
 She told me the better I behaved the better I should be treated, and that 
 it was wisest always to do my best to please my master. " I hope you will 
 fall into good hands, but a horse never knows who may buy him, or who 
 may drive him. It's all a chance for us; but still I say, do your best wher- 
 ever it is, and keep your good name." 
 
BLACK BEAUTY IS 
 
 CHAPTER IV 
 
 MY NEW HOME 
 
 It was early in May, when there came a man from Gordon's who took 
 me away to the Hall. My master said, "Good-bye, Darkie; be a good 
 horse, and always do your best." I could not say "good-bye," so I put 
 my nose in his hand, he patted me kindly, and I left my first home. 
 
 Gordon's park skirted the village of Birtwick. It was entered by a 
 large iron gate, and then you trotted along on a smooth road between 
 clumps of large old trees; then another gate, which brought you to the 
 house and the gardens. 
 
 The stable into which I was taken was very roomy, with four good 
 stalls. The first stall was a large square one, shut in behind with a wood- 
 en gate. The others were common stalls, not nearly so large. It had a 
 low rack for hay and a low manger for corn ; it was called a box stall, and 
 the horse that was put into it was not tied, but left loose, to do as he 
 liked. 
 
 Into this fine stall the groom put me. It was clean and sweet and very 
 airy. I never was in a better stall than that, and the sides were not so 
 high but I could see all that went on through the iron rails that were at 
 the top. 
 
 He gave me some very nice oats, patted me, spoke kindly, and then 
 went away. 
 
 When I had eaten my oats I looked around. In the stall next to mine 
 stood a little fat gray pony, with a thick mane and tail, a very pretty head, 
 and a pert little nose. I put my head up to the iron rails at the top of my 
 box, and said, " How do you do ? What is your name ? " 
 
 He turned around as far as his halter would allow, held up his head, 
 and said, " My name is Merrylegs. I am very handsome. I carry the 
 young ladies on my back, and sometimes I take our mistress out in the 
 low chaise. They think a great deal of me, and so does James. Are you 
 going to live next door to me in that box ?" 
 
 I said, "yes." 
 
 "Well, then," he said, "I hope you are good-tempered. I do not like 
 any one next door who bites." 
 
12 BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 so that the shoe was firmly on. My feet felt very stiff and heavy, but in 
 time I got used to the shoes, too. 
 
 And now, having got so far, my master went on to break me to harness. 
 There were now more new things to wear. First, a stiff, heavy collar 
 just on my neck, and a bridle with great side-pieces against my eyes, 
 called blinkers, and blinkers indeed they were, for I could not see on 
 either side, but only straight in front of me; next there was a small sad- 
 dle with a nasty stiff strap that went right under my tail; that was the 
 crupper. 
 
 I must not forget to mention one part of my training, which I have 
 always considered a great advantage. My master sent me for a fort- 
 night to a neighboring farmer's, who had a meadow which was skirted 
 on one side by the railway. Here were some sheep and cows, and I was 
 turned in among them. 
 
 I shall never forget the first train that went by. I was feeding quietly 
 near the pales which separated the meadow from the railway, when I 
 heard a strange sound at a distance, and before I knew whence it came — 
 with a rush and a clatter, and a puffing out of smoke — a long black train 
 of something flew by, and was gone almost before I could draw my 
 breath. I galloped to the further side of the meadow, and there I stood 
 snorting with astonishment and fear. In the course of the day many 
 other trains went by, some more slowly. These drew up at the station 
 close by, and sometimes made an awful shriek and groan before they 
 stopped. I thought it very dreadful, but the cows went on eating very 
 quietly, and hardly raised their heads as the black frightful thing came 
 puffing and grinding past. For the first few days I could not feed in any 
 peace; but as I found that this terrible creature never came into the field 
 or never did me any any harm, I began to disregard it, and very soon I 
 cared as little about the passing of a train as the cows and sheep did. 
 
 My master often drove me in double harness with my mother, because 
 she was steady and could teach me how to go better than a strange horse. 
 She told me the better I behaved the better I should be treated, and that 
 it was wisest always to do my best to please my master. " I hope you will 
 fall into good hands, but a horse never knows who may buy him, or who 
 may drive him. It's all a chance for us ; but still I say, do your best wher- 
 ever it is, and keep your good name." 
 
BLACK BEAUTY IS 
 
 CHAPTER IV 
 
 MY NEW HOME 
 
 It was early in May, when there came a man from Gordon's who took 
 me away to the Hall. My master said, "Good-bye, Darkie; be a good 
 horse, and always do your best." I could not say "good-bye," so I put 
 my nose in his hand, he patted me kindly, and I left my first home. 
 
 Gordon's park skirted the village of Birtwick. It was entered by a 
 large iron gate, and then you trotted along on a smooth road between 
 clumps of large old trees; then another gate, which brought you to the 
 house and the gardens. 
 
 The stable into which I was taken was very roomy, with four good 
 stalls. The first stall was a large square one, shut in behind with a wood- 
 en gate. The others were common stalls, not nearly so large. It had a 
 low rack for hay and a low manger for corn ; it was called a box stall, and 
 the horse that was put into it was not tied, but left loose, to do as he 
 liked. 
 
 Into this fine stall the groom put me. It was clean and sweet and very 
 airy. I never was in a better stall than that, and the sides were not so 
 high but I could see all that went on through the iron rails that were at 
 the top. 
 
 He gave me some very nice oats, patted me, spoke kindly, and then 
 went away. 
 
 When I had eaten my oats I looked around. In the stall next to mine 
 stood a little fat gray pony, with a thick mane and tail, a very pretty head, 
 and a pert little nose. I put my head up to the iron rails at the top of my 
 box, and said, " How do you do ? What is your name ? " 
 
 He turned around as far as his halter would allow, held up his head, 
 and said, "My name is Merrylegs. I am very handsome. I carry the 
 young ladies on my back, and sometimes I take our mistress out in the 
 low chaise. They think a great deal of me, and so does James. Are you 
 going to live next door to me in that box ?" 
 
 I said, "yes." 
 
 " Well, then, " he said, " I hope you are good-tempered. I do not like 
 any one next door who bites. " 
 
14 BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 Just then a horse's head looked over from the stall beyond; the ears 
 were laid back, and the eye looked rather ill-tempered. This was a tall 
 chestnut mare, with a long handsome neck. She looked across to me 
 and said, " So it is you have turned me out of my box. It is very strange 
 for a colt like you to come and turn a lady out of her home. " 
 
 "I beg your pardon," I said, "I have turned no one out. The man 
 who brought me here put me in here and I had nothing to do with it. I 
 never had words with a horse or mare, and it is my wish to live in peace. " 
 
 "Well," she said, "we shall see; of course, I do not want to have any 
 words with a young thing like you. " 
 
 I said no more. In the afternoon, when she went out, Merrylegs told 
 me all about it. 
 
 "The thing is this," said Merrylegs. "Ginger has a habit of biting 
 and snapping. That is why they call her Ginger, and when she was in 
 the box stall she used to snap very much. One day she bit James in the 
 arm and made it bleed, and so Miss Flora and Miss Jessie, who are very 
 fond of me, were afraid to come into the stable. They used to bring me 
 nice things to eat, an apple, or a carrot, or a piece of bread; but after 
 Ginger stood in that box, they dared not come, and I missed the\n very 
 much. I hope they will come again now, if you do not bite or snap." I 
 told him I never bit anything but grass, hay, and corn, and could not 
 think what pleasure Ginger found it. 
 
 "Well, I don't think she does find pleasure," said Merrylegs; "it is 
 just a bad habit. She says no one was ever kind to her, and why should 
 she not bite ? Of course, it is a very bad habit; but I am sure, if all she 
 says be true, she must have been ill used before she came here. John 
 does all he can to please her; so I think she might be good-tempered here. 
 You see, " he said, with a wise look, " I am twelve years old. I know a 
 great deal, and I can tell you there is not a better place for a horse all 
 round the country than this. John is the best groom that ever was. He 
 has been here fourteen years, and you never saw such a kind boy as 
 James is, so that it is all Ginger's own fault that she did not stay in the 
 box stall." 
 
 The name of the coachman was John Manly. He had a wife and one 
 child, and they lived in the coachman's cottage, near the stables. 
 
 The next morning he took me out into the yard and gave me a good 
 grooming, and just as I was going into my box, with my coat soft and 
 bright, the squire came to me and looked me over. He seemed pleased, 
 
BLACK BEAUTY 15 
 
 v_X n \ \\\ \ , \ \ \ L-L-JJ 1 ! 
 
 
 "I had a tight, airy stable and the best of food."— Page 18 
 
16 BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 and said, " John, I meant to have tried the new horse this morning, but I 
 have other business. You may as well take him around after breakfast; 
 go by the common and the Highwood, and back by the water-mill and 
 the river; that will show his paces." 
 
 "I will, sir," said John. After breakfast he came and fitted me with a 
 bridle. He was very particular in letting out and taking in the straps to 
 fit my head comfortably. He rode me first slowly, then a trot, then a can- 
 ter, and when we were on the common, we had a splendid gallop. 
 
 As we came back through the woods we met the Squire and Mrs. Gor- 
 don out walking. They stopped, and John jumped off. "Well, John, 
 how does he go?" 
 
 "First rate, sir," answered John. "He's as fleet as a deer, and has a 
 fine spirit, too; but the lightest touch of the rein will guide him." 
 
 "That's well," said the squire, "I will try him myself to-morrow." 
 
 The next day I was brought up for my master. I remembered my 
 mother's counsel and my good p\d master's, and I tried to do exactly 
 what my new master wanted me to do. 1 found he was a very good rider, 
 and thoughtful for his horse, too. When he came home, the lady was at 
 the hall door as he rode up. "Well, my dear," she said, "how do you 
 like him?" 
 
 "He is exactly what John said," he replied; "a pleasanter creature I 
 never wish to mount. What shall we call him ?" 
 
 She said: " He is really quite a beauty, and he has such a sweet, good- 
 tempered face and such a fine intelligent eye — what do you say to calling 
 him 'Black Beauty'?" 
 
 " Black Beauty — why, yes, 1 think that is a very good name. If you 
 like it, it shall be his name;" and so it was. 
 
 John seemed very proud of me; he used to make my mane and tail 
 almost as smooth as a lady's hair, and he would talk to me a great deal. 
 Of course, I did not understand all he said, but I learned more and more 
 to know what he meant and what he wanted me to do. James Howard, 
 the stable boy, was just as gentle and pleasant in his way, so I thought 
 myself well off. 
 
 A few days after this I had to go out with Ginger in the carriage. I 
 wondered how we should get on together; but except laying back her ears 
 when I was led up to her, she behaved very well. She did not shirk her 
 work, but did her share full honestly and I never wish to have a better 
 partner in double harness. 
 
Slack beauty 
 
 17 
 
 "Liberty!"— Page 18 
 
 As for Merrylegs, he and I soon became great friends. He was such a 
 cheerful, plucky, good-tempered little fellow, that he was a favorite with 
 every one, and especially with Miss Flora and Miss Jessie, who used to 
 
18 BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 ride him about the orchard, and have fine games with him and their lit- 
 tle dog Frisky. 
 
 I was quite happy in my new home, and if there was one thing I missed 
 it must not be thought I was discontented. All who had to do with me 
 were good, and I had a light, airy stable and the best of food. What 
 more could I want ? Why, liberty ! For three years I had had all the lib- 
 erty I could wish for; but now, week after week, month after month, and 
 no doubt year after year, I must stand up in a stable night and day except 
 when I was wanted, and then I must be just as steady and quiet as any 
 old horse who had worked twenty years. Now I am not complaining, 
 for I know it must be so. I only mean to say that for a young horse full 
 of strength and spirit, who has been used to some large field or plain, 
 where he can fling up his head and toss up his tail and gallop away at full 
 speed, then round and back again with a snort to his companions — I say 
 it is hard never to have a bit more liberty to do as you like. 
 
 CHAPTER V 
 
 MERRYLEGB 
 
 Mr. Bloomfield, the vicar, had a large family of boys and girls, and 
 sometimes they used to come and play with Miss Jessie and Miss Flora. 
 When they came, there was plenty of work for Merrylegs, for nothing 
 pleased them so much as getting on him by turns and riding him all 
 about the orchard and the home paddock. 
 
 One afternoon he had been out with them a long time, and when James 
 brought him in and put on his halter, he said: "There, you rogue, mind 
 how you behave yourself, or we shall get into trouble. " 
 
 "What have you been doing, Merrylegs?" I asked him. 
 
 "Oh!" said he, tossing his little head, "I have only been giving these 
 young people a lesson. They did not know when they had enough, so I 
 just pitched them off backwards; that was the only way to make them 
 understand. " 
 
 "What?" said I, "you threw the children off? I thought you did 
 know better than that ! Did you throw Miss Jessie or Miss Flora ? " < 
 
 He looked very much offended and said; " Of course not. I would not 
 do such a thing for the best oats that ever came into the stable. Why, I 
 
BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 19 
 
 £^ 
 
 
 "1 just rose up on my .hind legs and let hiin slip off." — Page 20 
 
 am as careful of our young ladies as the master could be, and as for the 
 little ones, it is I who teach them to ride. When they seem frightened or a 
 little unsteady on my back, I go as smooth and as quiet as old pussy goes 
 
20 BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 when she is after a bird, and when they are all right I go on again taster, 
 you see, just to use them to it; so don't you trouble yourself preaching to 
 me; I am the best friend and the best riding master those children have. 
 It is not them, it is the boys; boys," he said, shaking his mane, "are 
 quite different; they must be broken in, as we are broken in when we are 
 colts, and just be taught what's what. The other children had ridden 
 me about for nearly two hours, and then the boys thought it was their 
 turn, and so it was, and I was quite agreeable. They rode me by turns, 
 and I galloped them about, up and down the fields and all about the 
 orchard, for a good hour. They had each cut a great hazel stick for a 
 riding whip, and laid it on a little too hard: but I took it in good part, 
 till at last I thought we had had enough, so I stopped two or three times 
 by way of a hint. Boys think a horse or pony is like a steam engine, and 
 can go as long and as fast as they please. They never think that a pony 
 can get tired or have any feelings; so as the one who was whipping me 
 could not understand, I just rose up on my hind legs and let him slip off 
 behind — that was all. He mounted again, and I did the same. Then the 
 other boy got up, and as soon as he began to use the stick, I laid him on 
 the grass, and so on, till they were able to understand — that was all. 
 They are not bad boys; they don't wish to be cruel. I like them very 
 well, but, you see, I had to give them a lesson. When they brought me 
 to James and told him, I think he was very angry to see such big sticks. 
 He said they were not for young gentlemen. " 
 
 "If I had been you," said Ginger, "I would have given those boys a 
 good kick, and that would have given them a lesson. " 
 
 "No doubt you would," said Merrylegs; "but then I am not quite 
 such a fool as to anger our master or make James ashamed of me; then, 
 besides, those children are under my charge when they are riding. I tell 
 you they are entrusted to me. Why, only the other day I heard our mas- 
 ter say to Mrs. Bloomfield, 'My dear madam, you needn't be anxious 
 about the children; my old Merrylegs will take as much care of them as 
 you or I could. I assure you I would not sell that pony for any money, he 
 is so perfectly good-tempered and trust- worthy. ' Do you think I am 
 such an ungrateful brute as to forget all the kind treatment I have had 
 here for five years, and all the trust they place in me, and turn vicious, 
 because a couple of ignorant boys use me badly ? No, no! you never had 
 a good place where they were kind to you, and so you don't know, and I 
 am sorry for you; but I can tell you good places make good horses. I 
 
BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 21 
 
 .« "V. 
 
 jf\ 
 
 <"S<* 
 
 
 
 .•-v.', 
 
 
 
 jv»y;, *™ s? 1 - 
 
 
 
 'Sawyer," he cried in a stem voice, "is that pony made of flesh and blood?" — Page a .1 
 
22 BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 wouldn't vex our people for anything; I love them, I do," said Merry- 
 legs, and he gave a low "ho, ho, ho," through his nose, as he used to do 
 'ia. the morning when he heard James' foosteps at the door. 
 
 The longer I lived at Birtwick, the prouder and happier I felt at 
 having such a home. Our master and mistress were beloved by all 
 who knew them. They were good and kind to everybody and every- 
 thing. There was no oppressed or ill-used creature that had not a true 
 friend in them, and their servants took the same tone. 
 
 I remember my master was riding me toward home one morning, 
 when he saw a powerful man driving toward us in a light pony chaise, 
 with a beautiful little bay pony. Just as he came to the park gates, 
 the little thing turned toward them; the man, without a word of warn- 
 ing, wrenched the creature's head round with such force and sudden- 
 ness that he nearly threw it on its haunches. Recovering itself, it was 
 going on, when he began to lash it furiously. The pony plunged for- 
 ward, but the strong, heavy hand held the pretty creature back with 
 force almost enough to break its jaw, while the whip still cut into him. 
 It was a dreadful sight to me, for I knew what fearful pain it gave that 
 delicate little mouth; but master gave me the word, and we were up 
 with him in a second. 
 
 "Sawyer," he cried in a stern voice, "is that pony made of flesh 
 and blood ?" 
 
 "Flesh and blood and temper," he said; "he's too fond of his own 
 will, and that don't suit me. " 
 
 "And do you think," said master sternly, "that treatment like this 
 will make him fond of your will ?" 
 
 "He had no business to make that turn; his road was straight on!" 
 said the man roughly. 
 
 "You have often driven that pony up to my place," said master; "it 
 only shows the creature's memory and intelligence; how did he know 
 that you were not going there again ? But that has little to do with 
 it. I must say, Sawyer, that more brutal treatment of a little pony, 
 it was never my painful lot to witness. " Master rode me home slowly, 
 and I could tell by his voice how the thing had grieved him. 
 
BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 'Now, John," he said, "ride for your life."— 
 
24 BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 CHAPTER VI 
 
 GOING FOR THE DOCTOR 
 
 One night I was lying down in my straw fast asleep, when I was sud- 
 denly roused by the stable bell ringing very loud. I heard the door of 
 John's house open, and the sound of his feet running up to the Hall. He 
 was back again in no time. He unlocked the stable door, and came in, 
 calling out, "Wake up, Black Beauty! You must go well now, if ever 
 you did;" and almost before I could think, he had got the saddle on my 
 back and the bridle on my head. He just ran around for his coat, and 
 then took me at a quick trot up to the Hall door. The squire stood there, 
 with a lighted lamp in his hand. "Now, John," he said, "ride for you 
 life — that is for your mistress' life; there is not a moment to lose. Give 
 this note to Doctor White; give your horse a rest at the inn, and be back 
 as soon as vou can." 
 
 John said, " Yes, sir, " and was on my back in a minute. The garden- 
 er who lived at the lodge was ready with the gate open, for he had heard 
 the bell, and out we went and away through the park and through the 
 village and down the hill. 
 
 There was before us a long piece of level road by the side of the river. 
 John said to me, "Now, Beauty, do your best," and so I did. I wanted 
 no whip nor spur, and for two miles I galloped as fast as I could lay my 
 feet to the ground. I don't believe my old grandfather, who won the 
 race at Newmarket, could have gone any faster. When we drew up at 
 Doctor White's door, the church clock was just striking three. John 
 rang the bell twice, and then knocked at the door like thunder. A win- 
 dow was thrown up, and the doctor put his head out and asked, "What 
 do you want?" 
 
 " Mrs. Gordon is very ill, sir, and master wants you to come at once. 
 He thinks she will die if you can not get there. Here is a note. " 
 
 "Wait," he said, "I will come down," 
 
 He shut the window and was soon at the door. "The worst of it is," 
 he said, "that my horse has been out all day, and is quite done up; my 
 son has just been sent for, and he has taken the other. What shall we do ? 
 Can I have your horse ? " 
 
BLACK BEAUTY 25 
 
 " He has come at a gallop nearly all the way, sir, and I was to give him 
 a rest here; but I think my master would not be against it, if you think 
 fit, sir. " 
 
 "All right, I will soon be ready." 
 
 John stood by me and stroked my neck. I was very hot. The doctor 
 came out with his riding whip. "You need not take that, sir," said 
 John. " Black Beauty will go till he drops. Take care of him, sir, if you 
 can, I should not like any harm to come to him. " 
 
 "No, no, John," said the doctor, "I hope not," and in a minute we 
 had left John far behind. 
 
 I will not tell about our way back. The doctor was a heavier man than 
 John and not so good a rider; however, I did my very best. When we 
 came to the hill, the doctor drew me in. "Now, my good fellow," he 
 said, "take some breath. " I was glad he did this, for I was nearly spent, 
 but that breathing helped me, and we were soon in the park. Joe Green, 
 who was now the stable boy, James Howard having obtained another 
 situation, was at the lodge gate; my master was at the Hall door, for he 
 had heard us coming. He spoke not a word, and the doctor went into 
 the house with him, while Joe led me to the stable. I was glad to get 
 home; my legs shook under me, and I could only stand and pant. I had 
 not a dry hair on my body, the water ran down my legs, and I steamed 
 all over — Joe used to say, like a pot on fire. Poor Joe! he was young and 
 small, and as yet, he knew very little, and his father, who would have 
 helped him, had been sent to the next village; but I am sure he did the 
 very best he knew how. He rubbed my legs and chest, but he did not 
 put my warm blanket on me; he thought I was so hot I would not like it. 
 Then he gave me a pailful of water to drink. It was cold and very good, 
 and I drank it all. Then he gave me some hay and corn, and, thinking 
 he had done right, he went away. Soon I began to shake and tremble 
 and turned deadly cold. My legs ached, my loins ached, and my chest 
 ached, and I felt sore all over. This developed into a strong inflamma- 
 tion, and I could not draw a breath without pain. John nursed me day 
 and night. My master, too, often came to see me. " My poor Beauty, " 
 he said one day, "my good horse, you saved your mistress' life, Beauty; 
 yes, you saved her life. " I was very glad to hear that, for it seems the 
 doctor had said if we had been a little longer it would have been too late. 
 John told my master he never saw a horse go so fast in all his life " It 
 seems as if the horse really knew what was the matter," he said. Of 
 
26 BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 course I did, though John thought not; at least I knew as much as this — 
 that John and I must go at the top of our speed, and that it was for the 
 sake of our mistress. 
 
 CHAPTER VII 
 
 THE PARTING 
 
 I had lived in this happy place three years, but sad changes were about 
 to come over us. We heard that our mistress was ill. The doctor was 
 often at the house, and the master looked grave and anxious. Then we 
 heard that she must go to a warm country for two or three years. The 
 news fell upon the household like the tolling of a death-bell. Everybody 
 was sorry. The master arranged for the breaking up of his establish- 
 ment. We used to hear it talked about in our stable; indeed, nothing else 
 was talked about. John went about his work, silent and sad, and Joe 
 scarcely ever whistled. There was a great deal of coming and going; 
 Ginger and I had full work. 
 
 The first of the family to go were Miss Flora and Miss Jessie and their 
 governess. They came to bid us good-bye. They hugged Merry-legs 
 like an old friend, and so indeed he was. Then we heard what had 
 been arranged for us. Master had sold Ginger and me to an old friend, 
 
 the Earl of W , for he thought we should have a good home there. 
 
 Merrylegs he had given to the vicar, who was needing a pony for- Mrs. 
 Bloomfield, but it was on condition that he should never be sold and that 
 when he was past work he should be shot and buried. Joe Green was 
 engaged to take care of him and to help them in the house, so I thought 
 that Merrylegs was well off. 
 
 " Have you decided what to do, John ?" asked the master. 
 
 "No, sir, but I think if I could get a situation with some first-rate 
 colt-breaker and horse-trainer, it would be the right thing for me. A 
 great many young animals are frightened and spoiled by wrong treat- 
 ment, which need not be if the right man took them in hand. I always 
 get on well with horses, and if I could help some of them to a fair start I 
 should feel as if I was doing some good. What do you think of it, 
 sir? 
 
 "I don't think I know a man anywhere," said master, "that I should 
 
BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 27 
 
 'Ginger and I brought the carriage up to the Hall door for the last time."— Page 28 
 
28 BLACK BEAUTS 
 
 think so suitable for it as yourself. You understand horses, and some- 
 how they understand you, and I think you could not do better. " 
 
 The last sad day had come; the footman and the heavy luggage had 
 gone off the day before, and there were only master and mistress, and her 
 maid. Ginger and I brought the carriage up to the Hall door for the last 
 time. The servants brought out cushions and rugs and when all were 
 arranged, master came down the steps carrying the mistress in his arms. 
 (I was on the side next the house, and could see all that went on) ; he put 
 her carefully in the carriage, while the house servants stood round crying. 
 
 "Good-bye, again," he said; "we shall not forget any of you," and he 
 got in. "Drive on, John." Joe jumped up, and we trotted slowly 
 through the park and through the village, where the people were standing 
 at their doors to have a last look and to say, " God bless them. " 
 
 AVhen we reached the railway station, I think mistress walked from 
 the carriage to the waiting room. I heard her say in her own sweet voice, 
 " Good-bye, John. God bless you. " I felt the rein twitch, but John 
 made no answer; perhaps he could not speak. As soon as Joe had taken 
 the things out of the carriage, John called him to stand by the horses, 
 while he went on the platform. Poor Joe! he stood close up to our heads 
 to hide his tears. Very soon the train came puffing up into the station; 
 then two or three minutes, and the doors were slammed to; the guard 
 whistled, and the train glided away, leaving behind it only clouds of 
 white smoke and some very heavy hearts. 
 
 When it was quite out of sight, John came back. " We shall never see 
 her again, " he said — " never. " He took the reins, mounted the box, and 
 with Joe drove slowly home; but it was not our home now. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII 
 
 A STRIKE FOR LIBERTY 
 
 The next morning after breakfast, Joe put Merrylegs into the mis- 
 tress' low chaise to take him to the vicarage. He came first and said 
 good-bye to me and to Ginger, and Merrylegs neighed from the yard. 
 Then John put the saddle on Ginger and the leading rein on me, and 
 
 took us across the country to Earlshall Park, where the Earl of W 
 
 lived. There was a very fine house and a great deal of stabling. We 
 
BLACK BEAUTY 29 
 
 Went into the yard through a stone gateway, and John asked for Mr. 
 York. It was sometime before he came. He was a fine looking, middle- 
 aged man, and his voice said at once that he expected to be obeyed. He 
 was very friendly and polite to John, and after giving us a slight look, he 
 called a groom to take us to our boxes, and invited John to take some 
 refreshment. 
 
 We were taken to a light, airy stable, and placed in boxes adjoining 
 each other, where we were rubbed down and fed. In about half an hour 
 John and York, who was to be our new coachman, came in to see us. 
 
 "Now, Manly," he said, after carefully looking at us both, "I can't 
 see any fault in these horses; but we all know that horses have their pecu- 
 liarities as well as men, and that sometimes they need different treat- 
 ment. I should like to know if there is anything particular in either of 
 these that you would like to mention." 
 
 " Well, " said John, " I don't believe there is a bef ter pair of horses in 
 the country, and right grieved I am to part with them, but they are not 
 alike. The black one is the most perfect temper I ever knew; but the 
 chestnut, I fancy, must have had bad treatment. She came to us snappish 
 and suspicious, but when she found what sort of a place ours was, it all 
 went off by degrees. But she has naturally a more irritable constitution 
 than the black horse, and if she were ill-used or unfairly treated she 
 would not be unlikely to give tit for tat. You know that high-mettled 
 horses will do that." 
 
 "Of course," said York, "I quite understand; but you know it is not 
 easy in stables like these to have all the grooms just what they should be. 
 I do my best, and there I must leave it. I'll remember what you have 
 said about the mare." 
 
 -They were going out of the stable, when John stopped and said, "I 
 had better mention that we have never used the check-rein with either of 
 them; the black horse never had one on, and the dealer said it was the 
 gag-bit that spoiled the other's temper." 
 
 "Well," said York, "if they come here, they must wear the check- 
 rein. I prefer a loose rein myself, and his lordship is always very reason- 
 able about horses; but my lady — that's another thing; she will have style, 
 and if her carriage horses are not reined up tight she wouldn't look at 
 them. I always stand out against the gag-bit, and shall do so, but it 
 must be tight up when my lady rides. " 
 
 The next day Lord W came to look at us. He seemed to be much 
 
30 BLACK BEADTY 
 
 pleased with our appearance. " I have great confidence in these horses, " 
 he said, "from the character my friend Gordon has given me of them. Of 
 course, they are not a match in color, but my idea is that they will do 
 very well for the carriage while we are in the country. Before we go to 
 London I must try to match Baron; the black horse, I believe, is perfect 
 for riding." 
 
 York then told him what John had said about us. 
 
 " Well, " said he, "you must keep an eye to the mare, and put the check 
 rein easy. I dare say they will do very well with a little humoring at 
 first. I'll mention it to your lady." 
 
 In the afternoon we were harnessed and put in the carriage and led 
 round to the front of the house. It was all very grand, and three times 
 as large as the old house at Birtwick, but not half so pleasant, if a horse 
 may have an opinion. Presently we heard the rustling sound of silk as 
 my lady came down the flight of stone steps. She stepped round to look 
 at us. She was a tall, proud looking woman, and did not seem pleased 
 about something, but she said nothing, and got into the carriage. 
 
 The next day we were again at the door. We heard the silk dress rus- 
 tle, and the lady came down the steps, and in an imperious voice, said, 
 " York, you must put those horses' heads higher; they are not fit to be 
 seen. " 
 
 York got down, and said very respectfully, "I beg your pardon, my 
 lady, but these horses have not been reined up for three years, and my 
 lord said it would be safer to bring them to it by degrees; but, if your 
 ladyship pleases, I can take them up a little more. " 
 
 "Do so," she said. 
 
 Day by day, hole by hole, our bearing reins were shortened, and soon, 
 instead of looking forward with pleasure to having my harness put on, as 
 I used to do, I began to dread it. Ginger, too, seemed restless, though 
 she said very little. 
 
 One day my lady came down later than usual, and the silk rustled 
 
 more than ever. " Drive to the Duchess of B 's, " she said, and then, 
 
 after a pause, " Are you never going to get those horses' heads up, York ? 
 Raise then at once, and let us have no more of this humoring nonsense. " 
 
 York came to me first. He drew back my head and fixed the rein so 
 tight that it was almost intolerable; then he went to Ginger. The min- 
 ute York took the rein in order to shorten it, she took her opportunity, 
 and reared so suddenly that York had his nose roughly hit and his hat 
 
BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 31 
 
 ^■ f . y**~ 
 
 V-?fS r . 
 
 ' My young mistress was sitting easily with a loose rein." — Page 33 
 
32 BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 knocked off, while the groom was nearly thrown off his legs. At once 
 they both flew to her head, but she was a match for them, and went on 
 plunging and rearing and kicking in a most desperate manner. At last 
 she kicked right over the carriage pole and fell down, after giving me a 
 severe blow on my near quarter. There is no knowing what further mis- 
 chief she might have done, had not York sat himself down flat on her 
 head to prevent her struggles. The groom soon set me free from Ginger 
 and the carriage, and led me to my box. 
 
 Before long, Ginger was led in by two grooms, a good deal knocked 
 about and bruised. York came with her and gave his orders, and then 
 came to look at me. He felt me all over, and soon found the place above 
 my hock where I had been kicked. It was swollen and painful. He 
 ordered it to be sponged with hot water, and then a lotion was put on. 
 
 Ginger was never put into the carriage again, but when she was well of 
 
 her bruises one of Lord W 's sons said he should like to have her; he 
 
 was sure she would make a good hunter. As for me, I was obliged still 
 to go in the carriage, and had a fresh partner called Max, who had always 
 been used to a tight rein. 
 
 What I suffered with that rein for four long months in my lady's car- 
 riage would be hard to describe; but I am quite sure that, had it lasted 
 much longer, either my health or my temper would have given way. 
 Before that I never knew what it was to foam at the mouth, but now the 
 action of the sharp bit on my tongue and jaw and the constrained posi- 
 tion of my head and throat always caused me to froth at the mouth more 
 or less. 
 
 CHAPTER IX 
 
 A RUNAWAY HORSE 
 
 Early in the spring, Lord W and part of his family went up to 
 
 London, and took York with them. Ginger and I and some other horses 
 were left at home for use, and the head groom was left in charge. 
 
 The Lady Harriet, who remained at the Hall, was a great invalid, and 
 never went out in the carriage, and the Lady Anne preferred riding on 
 horseback with her brother or cousins. She was a perfect horsewoman, 
 and as gay and gentle as she was beautiful. She chose me for her horse, 
 and named me Black Auster. I enjoyed these rides very much. 
 
BLACK BEAUT* 33 
 
 There was a gentleman of the name of Blantyre staying at the Hall. 
 He always rode a bright bay mare named Lizzie, and praised her so 
 much that one day Lady Anne ordered the side-saddle put on her and 
 the other on me. When we came to the door, the gentleman seemed very 
 uneasy. "How is this?" he said. "Are you tired of your good Black 
 Auster?" 
 
 "Oh, no, not at all," she replied, "but I am amiable enough to let 
 you ride him for once, and I will try your charming Lizzie. You must 
 confess that in size and appearance she is far more like a lady's horse 
 than my own favorite. " 
 
 "Do let me advise you not to moimt her," he said; "she is a charming 
 creature, but she is too nervous for a lady. I assure you, she is not per- 
 fectly safe; let me beg of you to have the saddles changed. " 
 
 "My dear cousin," said Lady Anne, laughing, "pray do not trouble 
 your good careful head about me. I have been a horsewoman ever since 
 I was a baby, and have followed the hounds a great many times, and I 
 intend to try this Lizzie that you are so fond of; so please help me to 
 mount. " 
 
 There was nothing more to be said. Just as we were moving off a 
 footman came out with a slip of paper and a message from the lady Har- 
 riet. "Would they ask this question for her at Doctor Ashley's^ and 
 bring the answer?" 
 
 We went gayly along till we came to Doctor Ashley's gate. There 
 Blantyre alighted and was going to open the gate for Lady Anne, but she 
 said, "I will wait for you here, and you can hang Auster's rein on the 
 gate. " 
 
 He hung my rein on one of the iron spikes, and was soon hidden 
 among the trees. Lizzie was standing quietly by the side of the road a 
 few paces off, with her back to me. My young mistress was sitting easily 
 with a loose rein. There was a meadow on the opposite side of the road, 
 the gate of which stood open. Just then, some cart horses and several 
 young colts came trotting out in a very disorderly manner, while a boy 
 behind was cracking a great whip. The colts were wild and frolicsome, 
 and one of them bolted across the road and blundered up against Liz- 
 zie's hind legs, and she gave a violent kick and dashed off into a head- 
 long gallop. It was so sudden that Lady Anne was nearly unseated, but 
 she soon recovered herself. Blantyre came running to the gate. He 
 looked anxiously about, and just caught sight of the flying figure, now 
 
34 BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 far away on the road. In an instant he sprang to the saddle, and, giving 
 me free rein dashed after them. 
 
 For about a mile the road ran straight, and then bent to the right, 
 after which it divided into two roads. Long before we came to the bend, 
 she was out of sight. Which way had she turned ? A woman was stand- 
 ing at her garden gate, and looking eagerly up the road. Blantyre 
 shouted, "Which way? 1 " "To the right!" cried the woman, and away 
 we went up the right-hand road; then for a moment we caught sight of 
 her; another bend and she was hidden again. Several times we caught 
 glimpses and then lost them. An old road mender was standing near 
 a heap of stones. As we came near he made a sign to speak. Blantyre 
 drew the rein a little. "To the common, to the common, sir; she has 
 turned off there." 
 
 We had hardly turned on to the common, when we caught sight of the 
 green habit flying on before us. My lady's hat was gone, and her long 
 brown hair was streaming behind her. The roughness of the ground had 
 very much lessened Lizzie's speed, and there seemed a chance that we 
 might overtake her. 
 
 About half-way across the heath there had been a wide dike recently 
 cut, and the earth from the cutting was cast up roughly on the other side. 
 Surely this would stop them ! But no, with scarcely a pause, Lizzie took 
 the leap, stumbled among the rough clods, and fell. Blantyre groaned. 
 "Now, Auster, do your best," he cried. He gave me a steady rein. I 
 gathered myself well together, and with one leap cleared both dike and 
 bank. 
 
 Motionless among the heather, with her face to the earth, lay my poor 
 young mistress. Blantyre kneeled down and called her name; there was 
 no sound. Gently he turned her face upward; it was ghastly white and 
 the eyes were closed. He unbuttoned her habit, loosened her collar, felt 
 her hand and wrist, then started up and looked wildly round him for 
 help. 
 
 At no great distance there were two men cutting turf, who, seeing Liz- 
 zie running wild without a rider, had left their work to catch her. Blan- 
 tyre's hallo soon brought them to the spot. The foremost man asked 
 what he could do. 
 "Can you ride?" 
 
 " Well, sir, I bean't much of a horseman, but I'd risk my neck for Lady 
 Anne; she was uncommon good to my wife in the winter. " 
 
BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 35 
 
 "Away we went up the right-hand road." — Page! 
 
 " Then mount this horse, my friend — your neck will be perfectly safe — 
 and ride to the doctor's, and ask him to come instantly. Then on to the 
 Hall. Tell them all that you know, and bid them send me the carriage 
 with Lady Anne's maid and help. I shall stay here." 
 
36 BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 " All right, sir, Tli do my best, and pray God the dear young lady may 
 open her eyes soon. " 
 
 With these words he scrambled somehow into the saddle, and with a 
 "Gee up," and a clap on my sides with both his legs, he started on his 
 journey. I shook him as little as I could, but once or twice on the rough 
 ground he called out, "Steady, Woah! Steady!" 
 
 There was a great deal of hurry and excitenent after the news became 
 known. Ginger was saddled and sent off in great haste for Lord George. 
 It seemed a long time before Ginger came back, and we were left alone 
 She then told me all that she had seen. 
 
 " We went at a gallop nearly all the way," she said, "and got there just 
 as the doctor rode up. There was a woman sitting on the ground with 
 Lady Anne's head in her lap. The doctor poured something into her 
 mouth, but all that I heard was, 'She is not dead. ' After a while she was 
 taken to the carriage, and we came home together. I heard my master 
 tell a gentleman who stopped him to inquire, that he hoped no bones 
 were broken, but she had not spoken yet. " 
 
 Two days after the accident, Blantyre paid me a visit. He patted and 
 praised me very much, and told Lord George that he was sure I knew of 
 Anne's danger as well as he did. "I could not have held him in if I 
 would, " he said. " She ought never to ride any other horse. " I found out 
 by their conversation that my young mistress was now out of danger and 
 would soon be able to ride again. This was good news to me, and I 
 looked forward to a happy life. 
 
 CHAPTER X 
 
 REUBEN SMITH 
 
 I must now say a little about Reuben Smith, who was left in charge of 
 the stables when York went to London. No one more thoroughly under- 
 stood his business than he did, and when he was all right there could not 
 be a more faithful or valuable man. I believe everybody liked him; 
 certainly the horses did. The only wonder was that he should be in a 
 under situation, and not in the place of a head coachman like York; but 
 he had one great fault, and that was love of drink. 
 
 Colonel Blantyre was obliged to return to his regiment, and it was 
 
BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 3? 
 
 'With scarcely a pause, Lizzie took the leap."— Page 34 
 
38 BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 arranged that Smith should drive him to town and ride back. For this 
 purpose he took a saddle with him, and I was chosen for the journey. At 
 the station the Colonel put some money into Smith's hand and bade him 
 good-bye, saying, "Take care of your young mistress, Reuben, and do 
 not let Black Auster be hacked about by any ramdon young prig that 
 wants to ride him — keep him for the lady. " 
 
 We left the carriage at the maker's, and Smith rode me to the White 
 Lion, and ordered the ostler to feed me well, and have me ready for him 
 at four o'clock. A nail in one of my front shoes had started as I came 
 along, but the ostler did not notice it till just about four o'clock. Smith 
 came into the yard at five, and said he should not leave till six, as he had 
 met some old friends. The man told him of the nail, and asked if he 
 should have the shoe looked to. "No," said Smith, "that will be all 
 right till we get home. " 
 
 He did not come at six. It was nearly nine o'clock before he called for 
 me, and then it was in a very loud, rough voice. Almost before he was 
 out of the town he began to gallop. The roads were stony and going 
 over them at this pace, my shoe came loose, and when we were near the 
 turnpike gate, it came off. 
 
 Beyond the turnpike gate was a long piece of road upon which fresh 
 stones had just been laid — large, sharp stones, over which no horse 
 could be driven quickly without risk of danger. Over this road, with 
 one shoe gone, I was forced to gallop at my utmost speed. This could 
 not go on; no horse could keep his footing under such circumstances; the 
 pain was too great. I stumbled and fell with violence on both my knees. 
 Smith was flung off by my fall, and, owing to the speed at which I was 
 going, he must have fallen with great force. I soon recovered my feet 
 and limped to the side of the road, where it was free from stones. The 
 moon had just risen above the hedge, and by its light I could see Smith 
 lying a few yards beyond me. He did not rise; he made one slight effort 
 to do so, and then there was a heavy groan. I uttered no sound, but I 
 stood there and listened. One more heavy groan from Smith, but though 
 he now lay in the moonlight, I could see no motion. The road was not 
 much frequented, and at this time of the night we might stay for hours 
 before help came to us. It must have been nearly midnight when I at 
 last heard the sound of horses's feet. As the sound came nearer I was 
 sure I could distinguish Ginger's step. I neighed loudly, and was over- 
 joyed to hear an answering neigh from Ginger and men's voices. They 
 
BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 39 
 
 ''■■\ t': 
 
 "I stood there and listened." — Page 38 
 
 came slowly over the stones and stopped at the dark figure that lay on 
 the ground. One of the men jumped out and stooped down over it. 
 "It is Reuben," he said, "and he does not stir." 
 
 They raised him up, but there was no life, and his hair was soaked 
 with blood. They laid him down again, and came and looked at me. 
 They soon saw my cut knees. 
 
 Robert then attempted to lead me forward. I made a step, but almost 
 fell again. " Hallo ! he's bad in his foot as well as his knees. Look here — ■ 
 
40 BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 his hoof is all cut to pieces; he might well come down, poor fellow! I 
 tell you what, Ned, I'm afraid it hasn't been all right with Reuben. " 
 
 The next day, after the farrier had examined my wounds, he said he 
 hoped the joint was not injured; and, if so, I should not be spoiled for 
 work, but I should never lose the blemish. I believe they did their best 
 to make a good cure, but it was a long and painful one. 
 
 As soon as my knees- were sufficiently healed I was turned into a small 
 meadow for a month or two. No other creatures were there and though 
 I enjoyed the liberty and the sweet grass, yet I had been so long used to 
 society that I felt lonely. Ginger and I had become fast friends, and now 
 I missed her company extremely. I often neighed when I heard horses 
 passing in the road, but I seldom got an answer; till one morning the 
 gate was opened, and who should I see coming in but dear old Ginger. 
 The man slipped off her halter and left her there. With a joyful whinny 
 I trotted up to her; we were both glad to meet, but I soon found that it 
 was not for our pleasure that she was brought to be with me. Her story 
 would be too long to tell, but the end of it was that she had been ruined 
 by hard riding, and was now turned off to see what rest would do. 
 
 One day we saw the earl come into the meadow, and York was with 
 him. They examined us both carefully. The earl seemed much annoyed 
 at the result. 
 
 "There is three hundred pounds flung away for no earthly use," he 
 said; "but what I care most for is that these horses of my old friend, who 
 thought they would find a good home with me, are ruined. The mare 
 shall have a twelvemonths' run, and we shall see what that will do for 
 her; but the black one must be sold. 'Tis a great pity, but I could not 
 have knees like these in my stable." 
 
 "No, my lord, of course not." said York; "but he might get a place 
 where appearance is not of much consequence, and still be well treated. " 
 
 "They'll soon take you away," said Ginger, "and I shall lose the only 
 friend I have, and most likely we shall never see each other again. 'Tis 
 a hard world!" 
 
 About a week after this, Robert came into the field with a halter, 
 which he slipped over my head, and then led me away. 
 
BLACK BEAUTY 41 
 
 CHAPTER XI 
 
 A HORSE FAIR 
 
 No doubt a horse fair is a very amusing place to those who have noth- 
 ing to lose; at any rate, there is plenty to see. 
 
 Long strings of young horses out of the country, fresh from the marshes 
 and droves of shaggy Welsh ponies, no higher than Merrylegs; and hun- 
 dreds of cart horses of all sorts, some of them with their long tails braided 
 up and tied with a scarlet cord; and a good many like myself, handsome 
 and high-bred, but fallen into the middle class, through some accident or 
 blemish, unsoundness of wind, or some other complaint. There were 
 some splendid animals quite in their prime, and fit for anything. They 
 were throwing out their legs and showing off their paces in high style, as 
 they were trotted out with a leading rein, the groom running by their 
 side. But round in the background there were a number of poor things, 
 sadly broken down with hard work, with their knees knuckling over and 
 their hind legs swinging out at every step; and there were some very 
 dejected looking old horses, with the under lip hanging down and the ears 
 lying back heavily, as if there was no more pleasure in life and no more 
 hope. There were some so thin you might see all their ribs and some s» 
 covered with sores on their backs and hips, that they were dreadful to 
 look at. These were sad sights for a horse to look upon, for who knows 
 but he may some time come to the same state. 
 
 I was put with some useful looking horses, and a good many people 
 came to look at us. The gentlemen always turned from me when the 
 saw my broken knee; though the man who had me swore it was only a 
 slip in the stall. 
 
 The first thing was to pull my mouth open, then to look at my eyes, 
 then feel all the way down my legs and give me a hard feel of the skin 
 and flesh, and then try my paces. It was wonderful what a dif- 
 ference there was in the way this was done. Some did it in a rough, off- 
 hand way, as if one were a only piece of wood; while others would take 
 their hands gently over one's body, with a pat now and then, as much as 
 to say, "By yoUr leave. " Of course, I judged a good deal of the buyers 
 by their manners to myself." 
 
42 BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 There was one man, I thought if he would buy me, I should be happy. 
 He was not a rich gentleman. He was rather a small man, but well- 
 made, and quick in all his motions. I knew in a moment, by the way he 
 handled me, that he was used to horses. He spoke gently and his gray 
 eye had a kindly, cheery look in it. It may seem strange to say — but it is 
 true all the same — that the clean, fresh smell there was about him made 
 me take to him. There was no smell of old beer and tobacco, which I 
 hated, but a fresh smell as if he had come out of a hayloft. He offered 
 twenty-three pounds for me, but that was refused, and he walked away. 
 I looked after him, but he was gone, and a very hard-looking, loud-voiced 
 man came. I was dreadfully afraid he would have me, but he walked off. 
 One or two more, who did not mean business came and looked at me. 
 Then the hard-faced man came back again and offered twenty-three 
 pounds. A close bargain was being driven, for my salesman began to 
 think he should not get all he asked, and must come down; but just then 
 the gray-eyed man came back again. I could not help reaching out my 
 head toward him. He stroked my face kindly. "Well, old chap," he 
 said, "I think we should suit each other. I'll give twenty-four pounds 
 for him. " 
 
 " Say twenty-five, and you shall have him. " 
 
 "Twenty-four," said my friend, in a very decided tone, "and not 
 another sixpence— is it yes or no ?" 
 
 "Done," said the salesman; "and you may depend upon it there's a 
 monstrous deal of quality in that horse, and if you want him for cab 
 work he's a bargain." 
 
 The money was paid on the spot, and my new master took my halter, 
 and led me out of the fair to an inn, where he had a saddle and bridle 
 ready. He gave me a good feed of oats, and stood by while I ate it, talk- 
 ing to himself and talking to me. Half an hour after, we were on our 
 way to London, through pleasant lanes and country roads, until we 
 came into the great thoroughfare, on which we traveled steadily, till in 
 the twilight we reached the great city. The gas lamps were already 
 lighted; there were streets and streets crossing each other, for mile upon 
 mile. I thought we should never come to the end of them. At last, in 
 .passing through one, we came to a long cab stand, when my rider called 
 out in a cheery voice, "Good night, Governor!" 
 
 "Hallo!" cried a voice. "Have you got a good one?" 
 
 "I think so," replied my owner. 
 
BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 43 
 
 c-{"? 
 
 Z-<<.^^^x^^-" ' 
 
 "They were showing off their paces in high style."— Page 41 
 
44 BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 "I wish you luck with him." 
 
 " Thank you, Governor, " and he rode on. We soon turned up one 
 of the side-streets, and about half-way up that we turned into a very nar- 
 row street, with rather poor-looking houses on one side, and what seemed 
 to be coach-houses and stables on the other. 
 
 My owner pulled up at one of the houses and whistled. The door was 
 opened, and a young woman, followed by a little girl and boy, ran out. 
 There was a very lively greeting as my rider dismounted. "Now, then, 
 Harry, my boy, open the gates, and mother will bring us the lantern. " 
 
 The next minute they were all around me in the stable yard. "Is he 
 gentle, father?" "Yes, Dolly, as gentle as your own kitten; come and 
 pat him. " At once the little hand was patting about all over my shoulder 
 without fear. How good it felt! 
 
 "Let me get him a bran mash while you rub him down," said the 
 mother. "Do, Polly, it's just what he wants; and I know you've got a 
 beautiful mash ready for me. " . 
 
 I was led into a comfortable, clean-smelling stall with plenty of dry 
 straw, and after a capital supper, I lay down, thinking I was going to 
 be happy. 
 
 CHAPTER XII 
 
 A LONDON CAB HORSE 
 
 My new master's name was Jeremiah Barker, but as every one called 
 him Jerry, I shall have to do the same. Polly, his wife, was just as good 
 a match as a man could have. She was a plump, tidy little body, with 
 smooth, dark hair, dark eyes, and a merry little mouth. The boy was 
 nearly twelve years old, a tall, frank, good-tempered lad; and little Doro- 
 thy (Dolly they called her) was her mother over again, at eight years old. 
 They were all wonderfully fond of one another. I never knew such a 
 happy, merry family before or since. Jerry had a cab of his own, and two 
 horses, which he drove and attended to himself. His other horse was a 
 tall, white, rather large-boned animal, called Captain. He was old now, 
 but when he was young he must have been splendid; he had still a proud 
 way of holding his head and arching his neck; in fact he was a high-bred, 
 fine mannered, noble old horse, every inch of him. He told me that in 
 
BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 45 
 
 "Half an hour after we were on our way to London" — Page 42 
 
 his early youth he went to the Crimean War; he belonged to an officer in 
 the cavalry, and used to lead a regiment. 
 
 The next morning, when I was well groomed, Polly and Dolly came 
 into the yard to see me and make friends. Harry had been helping his 
 father since the early morning, and had stated his opinion that I should 
 turn out " a regular brick. " Polly brought me a slice of apple, and Dolly 
 a piece of bread, and made as much of me as if I had been the Black 
 Beauty of olden time. It was a great treat to be petted again and talked 
 
46 BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 to in a gentle voice, and I let them see as well as I could that I wished to 
 be friendly. Polly thought I was very handsome, and a great deal too 
 good for a cab, if it was not for the broken knees. 
 
 "Of course, there's no one to tell us whose fault that was," said Jerry, 
 "and as long as I don't know, I shall give him the benefit of the doubt; 
 for a firmer, neater stepper I never rode. We'll call him Jack, after the 
 old one — shall we, Polly ? " 
 
 "Do, " she said, " for I like to keep a good name going. " 
 
 Captain went out in the cab all the monring. Harry came in after 
 school to feed me and give me water. In the afternoon I was put into the 
 cab. Jerry took as much pains to see if the collar and bridle fitted com- 
 fortably as if he had been John Manly over again. When the crupper 
 was let out a hole or two, it fitted well. There was no check rein, no 
 curb rein, nothing but a plain ring snaffle. What a blessing that was! 
 
 After driving through the side-street we came to the large cab stand 
 where Jerry had said "Good-night." On one side of this wide street 
 were high houses with wonderful shops, and on the other was an old 
 church and churchyard, surrounded by iron palisades. Alongside these 
 iron rails a number of cabs were drawn up, waiting for passengers. Bits 
 of hay were lying about on the ground; some of the men were standing 
 together talking; some were sitting on their boxes reading the newspaper; 
 and one or two were feeding their horses with bits of hay, and giving 
 them a drink of water. We pulled up in the rank at the back of the last 
 cab. Two or three men came round and began to look at me and pass 
 remarks. 
 
 "Very good for a funeral," said one. 
 
 "Too smart looking," said another, shaking his head in a very wise 
 way. "You'll find out something wrong one of these fine mornings, or 
 my name isn't Jones. " 
 
 "Well," said Jerry, pleasantly, "I suppose I need not find it out till it 
 finds me out, eh ? And if so, I'll keep up my spirits a little longer. " 
 
 Then there came up a broad-faced man, dressed in a great gray coat 
 with great gray capes and great white buttons, a gray hat, and a blue 
 muffler loosely tied around his neck. His hair was gray, too; but he was 
 a jolly-looking fellow, and the other men made way for him. He looked 
 me all over, as if he had been going to buy me; and then, straightening 
 himself up with a grunt, he said, "He's the right sort for you, Jerry; I 
 don't care what you gave for him, he'll be worth it. " Thus my character 
 
BLACK BEAUTY 47 
 
 was established on the stand. This man's name was Grant, but he was 
 called "Gray Grant," or "Governor Grant." He had been the longest 
 on the stand of any of the men, and he took it upon himself to settle mat- 
 ters and stop disputes. 
 
 The first week of my life as a cab horse was very trying. I had never 
 been used to London, and the noise and smoke, the crowds of horses, 
 carts, and carriages that I had to make my way through, made me feel 
 anxious arid harassed; but I soon found that I could perfectly trust my 
 driver, and then I made myself easy, and got used to it. 
 
 Jerry was as good a driver as I had ever know r n; and what was better, 
 he took as much thought for his horses as he did for himself He soon 
 found out that I was willing to work and do my best, and he never laid 
 the whip on me, unless it w r as gently drawing the end of it over my back, 
 when I was to go on ; but generally I knew this quite well by the way in 
 which he took up the reins, and I believe his whip was **iore frequently 
 stuck up by his side than in his hand. 
 
 In a short "time my master and I understood each other, as well as 
 horse and man can do. In the stable, too, he did all he could for our com- 
 fort. The stalls w r ere the old-fashioned style, too much on the slope; but 
 he had two movable bars fixed across the back of our stalls, so that at 
 night, wber we were resting, he just took off our halters and put up the 
 bars, and thus we could turn about and stand whichever way we wished. 
 
 Jerry kept us very clean, and gave us as much change of food as he 
 could, and always plenty of it; and not only that, but he always gave us 
 plenty of clean fresh water, which he allowed to stand by us both day 
 and night, except, of course, when we came in warm. Some people say 
 a horse ought not to drink all he likes; but I know if we are allowed to 
 drink when we want it, we drink only a little at a time, and it does us a 
 great deal more good than swallowing down half a bucketful at a time, 
 because we have been left without it till we are thirsty and miserable. 
 Some grooms will go home to their beer and leave us for hours with our 
 dry hay and oats and nothing to moisten them. Then, of course, we 
 gulp down too much at once, which helps to spoil our breathing and 
 sometimes chills our stomachs. But the best thing that we had here was 
 our Sunday rest; for we worked so hard in the week that I do not think 
 we could have kept up to it, but for that day; besides, we had then time 
 to enjoy each other's company. 
 
48 BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 CHAPTER XIII 
 
 DOLLY AND A REAL GENTLEMAN 
 
 The winter came early, with a great deal of cold and wet. There was 
 snow, sleet, or rain, almost every day for weeks, changing only for keen, 
 driving winds or sharp frosts. The horses all felt it very much. When 
 it is a dry cold, a couple of good thick rugs will keep the warmth in us, but 
 when it is a soaking rain, they soon get wet through and are no good. 
 Some of the drivers had a waterproof cover to throw over, which was a 
 fine thing; but some of the men were so poor that they could not protect 
 either themselves or their horses, and many of them suffered very much 
 that winter. When we horses had worked half a day we went to our dry 
 stable and could rest; while they had to sit on their boxes, sometimes 
 staying out as late as one or two o'clock in the morning, if they had a pary 
 to wait for. 
 
 When the streets were slippery with frost or snow, that was the worst 
 of all for us horses. One mile of such traveling with a weight to draw 
 and no firm footing, would take more out of us than four on a good road ; 
 every nerve and muscle of our bodies is on the strain to keep our balance; 
 and, added to this, the fear of falling is more exhausting than anything 
 else. If the roads are very bad indeed, our shoes are roughed, but that 
 makes us feel nervous at first. 
 
 One cold windy day, Dolly brought Jerry a basin of something hot, 
 and was standing by him while he ate it. He had scarcely begun, when 
 a gentleman, walking toward us very fast, held up his umbrella. Jerry 
 touched his hat in return, gave the basin to Dolly, and was taking off my 
 cloth, when the gentleman, hastening up, cried out, " No, no, finish you^ 
 soup, my friend : I have not much time to spare, but I can wait till you 
 have done, and have set your little girl safe on the pavement. " 
 
 So saying, he seated himself in the cab. Jerry thanked him kindly, 
 and came back to Dolly. "There, Dolly, that's a gentleman; that's a 
 real gentleman, Dolly; he has got time and thought for the comfort of a 
 poor cabman and his little girl." 
 
 Jerry finished his soup, set the child across, and then took his orders 
 to drive to Clapham Rise. Several times after that, the same gentleman 
 
BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 49 
 
 "With rein and whip he punished them brutally." — Page SO 
 
 took our cab. I think he was very fond of dogs and horses, for whenever 
 we took him to his own door, two or three dogs would come bounding 
 out to meet him. Sometimes he came round and patted me, saying in 
 his quiet, pleasant way: "This horse has got a good master and he 
 
50 BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 deserves it. " It was a very rare thing for any one to notice the horse that 
 had been working for him. I have known ladies to do so now and then, 
 and this gentleman, and one or two others have given me a pat and a 
 kind word; but ninety-nine out of a hundred would as soon think of pat- 
 ting the steam engine that drew the train. 
 
 One day, he and another gentleman took our cab. They stopped at a 
 
 shop in R Street, and while his friend went in, he stood at the door. 
 
 A little ahead of. us on the other side of the street, a cart with two very 
 fine horses was standing before some wine vaults; the carter was not 
 with them, and I can not tell how long they had been standing; but they 
 seemed to think that they had waited long enough and began to move off. 
 
 Before they had gone many paces, the carter came running out and 
 caught them. He seemed furious at their having moved, and with rein 
 and whip punished them brutally, even beating them about the head. 
 Our gentleman saw it all, and stepping quickly across the street, said 
 in a decided voice: "If you don't stop that directly, I'll have you arrested 
 for leaving your horses, and for brutal conduct. " 
 
 The man, who had clearly been drinking, poured forth some abusive 
 language, but he left off knocking the horses about, and taking the reins, 
 got into his cart, while our friend, meantime, had taken a notebook from 
 his pocket, and looking at the name and address painted on the cart, he 
 wrote down something." 
 
 " What do you want with that ? " growled the carter, as he was mov- 
 ing on. A nod and a grim smile was the only answer he got. 
 
 On returning to the cab, our friend was joined by his companion, who 
 said laughingly, " I should have thought, Wright, you had enough busi- 
 ness of your own to look after, without troubling yourself about other 
 people's horses and servants." 
 
 Our friend stood still for a moment, and throwing his head a little 
 back, said, " Do you know why this world is as bad as it is ? " 
 
 "No," said the other. 
 
 "Then I'll tell you. It is because people think only about their own 
 business, and won't trouble themselves to stand up for the oppressed, nor 
 bring the wrong-doer to light. I never see a wicked thing like this with- 
 out doing what I can, and many a master has thanked me for letting him 
 know how his horses have been used." 
 
 "I wish there were more gentlemen like you, sir," said Jerry, "for 
 they are wanted badly enough in this city. " 
 
BLACK BEAUTY 51 
 
 CHAPTER XIV 
 
 POOR GINGER 
 
 One day, while our cab and many others were waiting outside one of 
 the parks where music was playing, a shabby old cab drove up beside 
 ours. The horse was an old worn-out chestnut, with an ill-kept coat, 
 and bones that showed plainly through it, the knees knuckled over, and 
 the fore legs were very unsteady. I had been eating some hay and the 
 wind rolled a little lock of it that way, and the poor creature put out her 
 long thin neck and picked it up, and then turned round and looked for 
 more. There was a hopeless look in the dull eye that I could not help 
 noticing, and then, as I was thinking where I had seen that horse before, 
 she looked me full in the face, and said, " Black Beauty, is that you ? " 
 
 It was Ginger, but how changed! The beautifully arched and glossy 
 neck was now straight, and lank, and fallen in; the clean, straight legs 
 and delicate fetlocks were swelled; the joints were grown out of shape 
 with hard work ; the face, that was once so full of spirit and life, was now 
 full of suffering, and I could tell by the heaving of her sides and her fre- 
 quent cough how bad her breath was. 
 
 Our drivers were standing together a little way off, so I sidled up to her 
 a step or two that we might have a quiet little talk. It was a sad tale she 
 had to tell. 
 
 After a twelve months' run off at Earlshall, she was considered to be 
 fit for work again, and was sold to a gentleman. For a little while she 
 got on very well, but after a longer gallop than usual, the old strain came 
 back, and after being rested and doctored she was again sold. In this 
 way she changed hands several times, but always getting lower down. 
 
 "And so, at last," said she, "I was bought by a man who keeps a lot 
 of cabs ancT horses, and lets th«m out. You look well off, and I am glad 
 of it, but I could not tell you what my life has been. When they found 
 out my weakness, they said I was not worth what they gave for me, and 
 that I must go into one of the low cabs, and just be used up; that is what 
 they are doing, whipping and working with never a thought of what I 
 suffer — they paid for me, and must get it out of me, they say. The man 
 who lures me now pays a deal of money to my owner every day, and so 
 
52 BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 he has to get it out of me, too, and so it's all the week round and round, 
 with never a Sunday to rest." 
 
 "I said, "You used to stand up for yourself if you were ill-used." 
 
 "Ah!" she said, "I did once, but it's no use; men are strongest, and 
 if they are cruel and have no feeling, there is nothing that we can do but 
 just bear it on and on to the end. I wish the end was come, I wish I was 
 dead. I have seen dead horses, and I am sure they do not suffer pain. " 
 
 I was very much troubled, and put my nose up to hers, but I could 
 say nothing to comfort her. I think she was pleased to see me, for she 
 said, "You are the only friend I ever had." 
 
 Just then her driver came up, and with a tug at her mouth, backed her 
 out of the line and drove off, leaving me very sad indeed. 
 
 A short time after this, a cart with a dead horse in it passed our cab 
 stand. The head hung out of the cart tail, the lifeless tongue was slowly 
 dropping with blood; and the sunken eyes! but I can't speak of them, 
 the sight was too dreadful! It was a chestnut horse, with a long, thin 
 neck. I saw a white streak down the forehead. I believe it was Ginger; 
 I hoped it was, for then her troubles would be over. Oh, if men were 
 more merciful, they would shoot us before we came to such misery. 
 
 CHAPTER XV 
 
 jerry's new year 
 
 Christmas and the New Year are very merry times for some people; 
 but for cabmen and cabmen's horses it is no holiday, though it may be a 
 harvest. There are so many parties, balls, and places of amusement 
 open that the work is hard and often late. Sometimes driver and horse 
 have to wait for hours in the rain or frost, shivering with cold, while the 
 merry people within are dancing away to the music. 
 
 On the evening of the New Year, Jerry and I were kept waiting in a 
 sharp, driving sleet for two gentlemen, at a house in one of the West End 
 squares, from eleven until a quarter past one. 
 
 It was late the next morning before any one came into the stable, and 
 then it was only Harry. At noon he came again; this time Dolly was 
 with him. She was crying, and I could gather from what they said 
 that Jerry was dangerously ill. 
 
BLACK BEAUTY 53 
 
 Jerry got better, but the doctor said he must never go back to the cab 
 work again if he wished to be an old man. It was settled that as soon as 
 he was well enough, they should remove to the country, and that the 
 cab and horses should be sold as soon as possible. 
 
 I was sold to a corn dealer and baker, whom Jerry knew, and with 
 him he thought I should have good food and fair work. In the first he 
 was quite right, and if my master had always been on the premises, I do 
 not think I should have been overloaded, but there was a foreman who 
 was always hurrying and driving every one, and frequently when I had 
 quite a full load, he would order something else to be taken on. My 
 carter, whose name was Jakes, like the other carters, always had the 
 check-rein up, which prevented me from drawing easily, and by the 
 time I had been there three or four months, I found the work telling 
 very much on my strength. 
 
 One day, I was loaded more than usual, and part of the road was a 
 steep uphill. I used all my strength, but I could not get on, and was 
 obliged continually to stop. This did not please my driver, and he was 
 flogging me cruelly when a lady stepped quickly up to him, and said in 
 a sweet, earnest voice: 
 
 "Oh, pray do not whip your good horse any more; I am sure he is 
 doing all he can, and the road is very steep. I am sure he is doing his 
 best." 
 
 "If doing his best won't get this load up, he must do something more 
 than his best; that's all I know, ma'am, said Jakes." 
 
 He was just raising his whip again, when the lady said: 
 
 "Pray, stop; I think I can help you if you will let me. You see you 
 do not give him a fair chance; he cannot use all his power with his head 
 held back as it is with that check-rein; if you would take it off, I am 
 sure he would do better — do try it," she said, persuasively. 
 
 "Well, well," said Jakes, with a short laugh, "anything to please a 
 lady, of course." 
 
 The rein was taken off, and in a moment I put my head down to my 
 very knees. What a comfort it was! Then I tossed it up and down 
 several times to get the aching stiffness out of my neck. 
 
 "Poor fellow; that is what you wanted," she said, patting and strok- 
 ing me with her gentle hand; "and now if you will speak kindly to him 
 and lead him on, I believe he will be able to do better." 
 
 Jakes took the reins. " Come on, Blackie, " he said. I put down my 
 
54 BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 head, and threw my whole weight against the collar. I spared no 
 strength; the load moved on, and I pulled it steadily up the hill, and 
 then stopped to take breath. 
 
 The lady had walked along the footpath, and now came across into 
 the road. She stroked and patted my neck, as I had not been patted 
 for many a long day. 
 
 "You see he was quite willing when you gave him a chance; I am sure 
 he is a fine-tempered creature, and I dare say has known better days. I 
 thank you for trying my plan with your good horse, and I am sure you 
 will find it far better than the whip. Good-day," and with another 
 soft pat on my neck she stepped lightly across the path, and I saw her 
 no more. 
 
 "That was a real lady, I'll be bound for it," said Jakes to himself; 
 "she spoke just as polite as if I was a gentleman, and I'll try her plan, 
 uphill, at any rate. " I must do him the justice to say, that he let my 
 rein out several holes, and going uphill after that, he always gave me 
 my head, but the heavy loads went on. 
 
 I may as well mention here what I suffered at this time from another 
 cause. This was a badly lighted stable. There was only one very 
 small window at the end, and the consequence was that the stalls were 
 almost dark. Besides the depressing effect this had on my spirits, it 
 very much weakened my sight, and when I was suddenly brought out 
 of the darkness into the glare of daylight, it was very painful to my eyes. 
 I believe, had I stayed there long, I should have become purblind, and 
 that would have been a great misfortune, for I have heard men say 
 that a stoneblind horse was safer to drive than one which had imperfect 
 sight, as it generally makes them very timid. However, I escaped with- 
 out any permanent injury to my sight, and was sold to a large cab 
 owner. 
 
BLACK BEAUTY 55 
 
 CHAPTER XVI 
 
 HARD TIMES 
 
 I shall never forget my new master; he had black eyes and a hooked 
 nose; his mouth was as full of teeth as a bull dog's, and his voice was as 
 harsh as the grinding of cart wheels over gravel stones. His name was 
 Nicholas Skinner. 
 
 Skinner had a low set of cabs and a low set of drivers ; he was hard on 
 the men, and the men were hard on the horses. In this place we had 
 no Sunday rest, and it was in the heat of summer. 
 
 My life was now so utterly wretched that I wished I might, like Gin- 
 ger, drop down dead at iny work, and be out of my misery, and one day 
 my wish very nearly came to pass. 
 
 I wenx on the stands at eight in the morning, and had done a good 
 share of work, when we had to take a fare to the railway. A long train 
 wa& just in. As all the cabs were soon engaged, ours was called for. 
 Inhere was a party of four; a noisy, blustering man with a lady, a little 
 boy, a young girl, and a great deal of luggage. The lady and boy got 
 into the cab, and while the man ordered about the luggage, the young 
 girl came and looked at me. 
 
 "Papa," she said, "I am sure this poor horse can not take us and all 
 our luggage so far, he is so very weak and worn out; do look at him. " 
 
 "Nonsense, Grace, get in at once, and don't make all this fuss; a pret- 
 ty thing it would be if a man of business had to examine every cab 
 horse before he hired it. There get in and hold your tongue." 
 
 My gentle friend had to obey; and box after box was dragged up and 
 lodged on the top of the cab, or settled by the side of the driver. At 
 last all was ready and he drove out of the station. 
 
 I got along fairly well till we came to Ludgate Hill, but there the 
 heavy load and my own exhaustion were too much. I was struggling 
 to keep on, goaded by constant chucks of the rein and use of the whip, 
 when, in a single moment — I can not tell how — my feet slipped from 
 under me, and I fell heavily to the ground on my side; the suddenness 
 and the force with which I fell seemed to beat all the breath out of my 
 body. I heard a sort of confusion round me, loud, angry voices, and 
 
56 BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 the getting down of the luggage, but it was all a dream. I can not tell 
 how long I lay there, but I found my life coming back, and after one or 
 two attempts, I staggered to my feet, and was gently led to some stables 
 which were close by. In the evening I was sufficiently recovered to be 
 led back to Skinner's stables. In the morning Skinner came with a 
 farrier to look at me. He examined me closely, and said: 
 
 "This is a case of overwork more than disease. If you rest him and 
 feed him up, he may pick up, and you may get more than his skin is 
 worth, at any rate." 
 
 Upon this advice, Skinner gave orders that I should be well fed and 
 cared for. Ten days of perfect rest, plenty of good oats, hay, bran 
 mashes with boiled linseed mixed in them, did more to get up my con- 
 dition than anything else could have done. When the twelfth day 
 after the accident came, I was taken to a sale, a few miles out of London. 
 
 At the sale I found myself in company with a lot of horses — some old, 
 some lame, some broken-winded. 
 
 The buyers and sellers, too, many of them, looked not much better off 
 than the poor beasts they were bargaining about. But there were 
 others, and among them I noticed a man who looked like a gentleman 
 farmer, with a young boy by his side ; he had a kind ruddy face, and he 
 wore a broad-brimmed hat. When he came up I saw his eye rest on me. 
 I still had a good mane and tail, which did something for my appearance. 
 
 "There's a horse, Willie, that has known better days." 
 
 "Poor fellow !" said the boy. " Do you think, grandpa, he was ever 
 a carriage horse?" 
 
 "Certainly, my boy," said the farmer, coming closer, "he might have 
 been anything when he was young. Look at his nostrils and his ears, 
 the shape of his neck and shoulder ." He gave me a pat on the neck. 
 I put out my nose in answer to his kindness ; the boy stroked my face. 
 
 " See grandpa, how well he understands kindness. Could you not buy 
 him and make him young again as you did Ladybird?" 
 
 "My dear boy, I can't make all old horses young; besides Ladybird 
 was not so very old, as she was run down and badly used. " 
 
 " Well, grandpa, I don't believe that this one is old ; I want you to look 
 at his mane and tail, and I wish you would look into his mouth." The 
 old gentleman laughed. "Bless the boy! he is as horsey as his old 
 grandfather." 
 "But do look at his mouth, grandpa, and ask the price." 
 
BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 57 
 
 
 -, «. 
 
 
 •j — 
 
 'I was gently led to some stables which were close by." — Page 56 
 
58 BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 The man who had brought me for sale now put in his word. "The 
 young gentleman's a real knowing one, sir. Now, the fact is, this 'ere 
 horse is just pulled down with over-work in , the cabs ; and I heard 
 as how the vetenary said that a six months' run off would set him right 
 up. I've had the tending of him the past ten days, and a gratefuller, 
 pleasanter animal I never met with, and 'twould be worth a gentleman's 
 while to give a five-pound note for him, and let him have a chance." 
 
 The farmer slowly felt my legs, which were much swollen and strained; 
 then he looked at my mouth. " What is the lowest you will take for 
 him?" he asked. "Five pounds, sir; that was the lowest my master 
 told me to take." 
 
 " 'Tis a speculation," said the old man, shaking his head, but at the 
 same time slowly drawing out his purse, "quite a speculation! Have 
 you any more business here ? " he said, counting the money into his hand. 
 
 "No, sir, I can take him to the inn for you, if you wish." 
 
 "Do so, I am going there now." 
 
 They walked forward and I was led behind. I had a good feed at 
 the inn, and was then ridden home by one of my new master's servants. 
 
 Mr. Thoroughgood, for that was the name of my benefactor, gave 
 orders that I should have hay and oats every night and morning, and 
 the run of the meadow during the day, and "you, Willie," said he, 
 "must take the oversight of him; I give him in charge to you." 
 
 The boy was proud of his charge and undertook it in all seriousness. 
 
 There was not a day when he did not pay me a visit, often giving me 
 a bit of carrot, or something good. Sometimes he brought his grand- 
 father, who always looked closely at my legs. 
 
 "This is our point, Willie," he would say; "but he is improving so 
 steadily that I think we shall see a change for the better in the spring." 
 
 The perfect rest, the good food, and the gentle exercise soon began to 
 tell on my condition. During the winter my legs improved so much 
 that I began to feel quite young again. The spring came, and one day 
 Mr. Thoroughgood determined that he would try me in the phaeton, and 
 he and Willie drove me a few miles. I did my work with perfect ease. 
 
 "He's growing young, Willie; we must give him a little exercise and 
 light work now, and by midsummer he will be as good as Ladybird." 
 
 "O, grandpa, how glad I am that you bought him." 
 
 "So am I, my boy, but he has to thank you more than me; we must 
 now be looking for a quiet, genteel place for him, where he will be valued." 
 
BLACK BEAUTY 59 
 
 CHAPTER XVII 
 
 MY LAST HOME 
 
 One day, during this summer, the groom cleaned and dressed me with 
 such extraordinary care that I thought some new change must be at 
 hand. Willie seemed half-anxious, half-merry, as he got into the chaise 
 with his grandfather. "If the ladies take to him," said the old gentle- 
 man, "they'll be suited and he'll be suited; we can but try." 
 
 At the distance of a mile or two from the village, we came to a pretty, 
 low house, with a lawn and shrubbery at the front, and a drive up to the 
 door. Willie rang the bell and asked if Miss Bloomfield or Miss Ellen 
 was at home. Yes, they were. So, while Willie stayed with me, Mr. 
 Thoroughgood went into the house. In about ten minutes he returned, 
 followed by three ladies; one tall, pale lady wrapped in a white shawl, 
 leaned on a younger lady, with dark eyes and a merry face; the other, a 
 very stately looking person, was Miss Bloomfield. They all came and 
 looked at me and asked questions. The youngest lady — that was Miss 
 Ellen — took to me very much. The tall lady said she should always be 
 nervous riding behind a horse that had been down once, as I might fall 
 down again, and if I did she should never get over the fright." 
 
 "You see, ladies," said Mr. Thoroughgood, " many firstrate-horses 
 have had their knees broken through the carlessness of their drivers, 
 without any fault of their own, and from what I see of this horse, I am 
 quite sure this was so in his case; but, of course, I do not wish to influ- 
 ence you. If you incline, you can have him on trial, and then your 
 coachman can see what he thinks of him." 
 
 "You have always been such a good adviser to us about our horses," 
 said the stately lady, "that your recommendation would go a long way 
 with me, and if my sister Lavinia sees no objection, we will accept your 
 offer of a trial with thanks." 
 
 It was then arranged that I should be sent for the next day. In the 
 morning a smart-looking young man came for me. At first he looked 
 pleased, but when he saw my knees, he said: "I didn't think, sir, you 
 would have recommended a blemished horse like that." 
 
 "Handsome is that handsome does," said my master, "you are only 
 
60 BLACK BEAUTY 
 
 taking him on trial, and I am sure you will do fairly by him, young man; 
 if he is not as safe a horse as any you ever drove, send him back." 
 
 I was led to my new home, placed in a comfortable stall, fed, and left 
 to myself. The next day, when my groom was cleaning my face, he 
 said: "That is just like the star that Black Beauty had, he is much the 
 same height, too; I wonder where he is now." 
 
 A little further on, he came to the place in my neck where I was bled, 
 and where a little knot was left in the skin. He almost started, and 
 began to look me over carefully, talking to himself. "White star in the 
 forehead, one white foot on the off side, this little knot just in that 
 place." Then, looking at the middle of my back — "and, as I am alive, 
 there is that little patch of white hair that John used to call 'Beauty's 
 threepenny bit.' It must be Black Beauty ! Why, Beauty ! Beauty ! do 
 you know me? little Joe Green?" And he began patting and patting 
 me as if he was quite overjoyed. 
 
 I could not say that I remembered him, but I put my nose up to him 
 and tried to say that we were friends. I never saw a man so pleased. 
 
 "Give you a fair trial ! I should think so, indeed ! I wonder who the 
 rascal was that broke your knees, my old Beauty ! You must have been 
 badly served out somewhere; well, well, it won't be my fault if you don't 
 have good times now. I wish John Manly was here to see you." 
 
 In the afternoon I was put into a low Park chair, and brought to the 
 door. Miss Ellen was going to try me, and Green went with her. I 
 soon found that she was a good driver and she seemed pleased with my 
 paces. I heard Joe telling her about me, and that he was sure I was 
 Squire Gordon's old "Black Beauty." 
 
 When we returned, the other sisters came out to hear how I had 
 behaved myself. She told them what she had just heard, and said: "I 
 shall certainly write to Mrs. Gordon, and tell her that her favorite horse 
 has come to us. How pleased she will be!" 
 
 After this I was driven every day for a week or so, and as I appeared 
 to be quite safe, Miss Lavinia at last ventured out in the small close 
 carriage. After this it was quite decided to keep me, and call me by 
 my old name of Black Beauty. 
 
 I have now lived happily in this place a whole year." 
 
 THE END 
 
1X6 
 
 A DESPERATE ERRAND 
 
 THE ADVENTURE OF GRIZEL COCHRANE. 
 
 ||T Edinburgh, almost under the shadow of the spire of St. Giles's, in 
 the pavement between that old cathedral church and the County 
 Hall, the passer-by will mark the figure of a heart let into the 
 causeway, and know that he is standing on the " Heart of Mid- 
 lothian," the site of the old Tolbooth. That gloomy pile vanished in the 
 autumn of 1817 ; as Mr. Stevenson says, "the walls are now down in the dust ; 
 there is no more squalor carceris for merry debtors, no more cage for the old 
 acknowledged prison-breaker ; but the sun and the wind play freely over the 
 foundations of the gaol ;" this place, "old in story and name-father to a noble 
 book." The author of that same "noble book" possessed himself of some 
 memorials of the keep he had rendered so famous, securing the stones of the 
 gateway, and the door with its ponderous fastenings to decorate the entrance of 
 his kitchen-court at Abbotsford. And this is all that is left. 
 
 But in the summer and autumn of 1685 the Tolbooth held prisoners enough, 
 notwithstanding the many gloomy processions that were from time to time 
 walking to the axe and halter in the Grassmarket ; and in a narrow cell, late 
 one August evening, two persons were sitting of whom this story shall treat. 
 These two were Sir John Cochrane, of Ochiltree, and his daughter Grizel — here 
 on the saddest of errands, to visit her father in prison and help in his prepara- 
 tions for death. 
 
 For Sir John, a stout Whig, had been one of the leaders of Argyles 
 insurrection ; had been beaten with his troops by Lord Ross at Muirdykes ; 
 had disbanded his handful of men, and fled for hiding to the house of his 
 uncle, Mr. Gavin Cochrane, of Craigmuir ; had been informed against by his 
 uncle's wife, seized, taken to Edinburgh ; had been paraded, bound and bare- 
 headed, through the streets by the common executioner ; and then on the 3d 
 of July flung into the Tolbooth to await his trial for high treason. And now 
 the trial, too, was over, and Sir John was condemned to die. 
 
 As he now sat, with bowed head, on the bench of his cell, it was not the 
 stroke of death that terrified him — for Sir John was a brave man — but tha 
 parting with his children, who would through his rashness be left both orphaned 
 and penniless (for the Crown would seize his goods), and chiefly the parting 
 with'his daughter, who had been his one comfort in the dark days of waiting 
 for the King's warrant of execution to arrive. 
 
 Between his apprehension and his trial no friend or kinsman had been 
 
A DESPERATE ERRAND. 117 
 
 allowed to visit him ; but now that his death was assured, greater license had 
 been granted. But, anxious to deprive his enemies of a chance to accuse his 
 sons, he had sent them his earnest entreaties and commands that they should 
 abstain from using this permisson until the night before his execution. They 
 had obeyed ; but obedience of this sort did not satisfy the conscience of his 
 daughter Grizel. On the very night of his condemnation he heard the key 
 turn in his door ; thinking it could only be the gaoler, he scarcely lifted his 
 eyes But next moment a pair of soft arms were flung round his neck, and 
 his daughter weeping on his breast. From that day she had continued to visit 
 him ; and now as she sat beside him, staring at the light already fading in 
 the narrow pane, both father and daughter knew that it was almost the last time. 
 
 Presently she spoke — 
 
 " And this message — tell me truly, have you any hope from it ? " 
 
 It was an appeal made by Sir John's father, the Earl of Dundonald, to 
 Father Peters, the King's confessor, who often dictated to him, as was well 
 known, on matters of State. But in the short time left, would there be time 
 to press this appeal, and exert that influence in London which alone could stay 
 the death-warrant ? 
 
 " There is no hope in that quarter," said Sir John. 
 
 Grizel knew that he spoke only what was her own conviction, and her 
 despair. 
 
 " Argyle is dead these three days," pursued her father, "and with him men 
 of less consequence than I. Are they likely to spare me — a head of the rising ? 
 Would they spare any man now, in the heat of their revenge ?" 
 
 "Father," said Grizel suddenly, "could you spare me from your side for a 
 few days ? " 
 
 Sir John looked up. He knew by her manner that she had formed some 
 plan in her mind ; he knew, too, from her heart, that nothing but a chance of 
 winning his safety could take her from him now, of all times. 
 
 " My child," he said, " you are going to attempt something." 
 
 She nodded, with a brighter face than she had worn for many days. 
 
 "And what you would attempt," he went on, "is an impossibility." 
 
 " Nothing is impossible to a true heart," she said. 
 
 " And who will help you ? " 
 
 "No one." She was standing before him now, and in the twilight he could 
 see her eyes lit up with hope, her figure upright, and as if full of a man's 
 strength. 
 
 " My girl, you will run into danger — into blame. They will not spare you, 
 and — do you know the characters of those men whom you would have to sue ?'' 
 
 She bent and kissed him. 
 
 " I am a Cochrane, my father." 
 
 Early next morning, before the world was up, Grizel Cochrane was mounted 
 
n8 
 
 A DESPERATE ERRAND. 
 
 on horseback and riding towards the border. She had dressed herself — this girl 
 
 of eighteen — as a young serving-woman, and when she drew rein at a wayside 
 
 cottage, for food and drink, professed herself journeying on a borrowed horse to 
 
 visit her mother's house, across the Tweed. 
 
 By noon Edinburgh was some leagues behind, but she pressed on through 
 
 that day and most of the 
 
 following night. On the 
 
 second day after leaving 
 
 Edinburgh she crossed the 
 
 Tweed, and came in safety 
 
 to the home of an old 
 
 nurse, on the English side, 
 
 four miles beyond the 
 
 town of Berwick. 
 
 " Gude sakes ! " cried 
 
 the old woman, who was 
 
 standing at her cottage 
 
 door and was rather 
 
 astonished to find the 
 
 horsewoman draw rein, 
 
 leap to the ground, and 
 
 plant a kiss on either cheek 
 
 — " Gude sakes ! if it isna 
 
 Miss Grizel ! " 
 
 " Quickly, into the 
 
 house!" commanded her 
 
 young mistress ; "I have 
 
 somewhat to tell that 
 
 will not wait an hour." 
 
 She knew the old nurse was to be trusted, and therefore told her story and 
 
 her secret. "Even now," she said at the end of her story, "the postman is 
 
 riding from London with the warrant in his bag. I must stop him and make 
 
 him give it up to me, or my father's head is the penalty." 
 
 " But what use to talk o' this, when the postman is a stout rider, and 
 
 armed to boot ? How is a mere girl, saving your presence, to do this at all ? " 
 
 " Look here." 
 
 Grizel uurolled a bundle which she had brought on her saddle-crutch from 
 
 Edinburgh ; it held a horseman's cloak and a brace of pistols. 
 
 " Now," said she, " where are the clothes of Donald, my foster-brother ? He 
 
 was a slight lad in times syne, and little doubt they'll fit me." 
 
 For this was indeed the brave girl's plan : — In those times the mail from 
 
 London took eight days on its journey to Edinburgh ; by possessing herself of 
 
 the warrant for her father's death and detaining it, she could count on the 
 I 
 
 "SHE PULLED OUT THE JUSTOLS " (p. I20). 
 
A DESPERATE ERRAND. 119 
 
 delay of sixteen or seventeen days at least before application could be made 
 for a second, and that signed and sent to the Scotch capital. By this delay, 
 time enough would be won for her friends in London to use all their influence 
 to quash the sentence. 
 
 It was a mad scheme ; but, as she had said, nothing is impossible to a true 
 heart. She had possessed herself, too, of the minutest information with regard 
 to the places where the postmen rested on their journey. One of these places, 
 she knew, was a small inn kept by a widow on the outskirts of the little town 
 of Belford. There the man who received the bag at Durham was accustomed 
 to arrive at about six in the morning, and take a few hours' sleep before 
 going on with his journey. And at Belford, Grizel Cochrane had determined 
 to meet him. 
 
 Taking leave of her faithful niirse, she rode southwards again, and, timing 
 her pace, drew up before the inn at Belford just an hour after the postman 
 had come in from the south and disposed himself to sleep. 
 
 The mistress of the inn had no ostler, so Grizel stabled her horse with her 
 own hands, and striding into the inn-parlor, demanded food and drink. 
 
 " Sit ye down, then," answered the old woman, "at the end of yon table, 
 for the best I have to give you is there already. And be pleased, my bonny 
 man, to make as little noise as may be ; for there's one asleep in that bed that 
 I like ill to disturb." 
 
 She pointed to the victuals on the board, which were indeed the remains 
 of the sleeping man's meal. Grizel sat down before them, considered to herself 
 while she played with a- mouthful or two, and then asked — 
 
 " Can I have a drink of water ?" 
 
 " 'Deed," answered the hostess, "and are ye a water-drinker? 'Tis but an 
 ill-custom for a change-house." 
 
 " Why, that I know ; and so, when I put up at an inn, 'tis my custom always 
 to pay for it the price of stronger drink, which I cannot take." 
 
 "Indeed — well, that's fairly spoken ; and, come to think of it, 'tis but just.' 
 The landlady brought a jug of water and set it on the board. 
 
 " Is the well where you got this water near at hand ? " said Grizel, pouring 
 out a glass and sipping at it ; "for if 'tis no trouble to fetch some fresh for 
 me, I will tell you this is rather over-warm and flat. Your trouble shall be 
 considered in the lawing," added she. 
 
 " 'Tis a good step off," answered the dame ; " but I cannot refuse to fetch 
 for so civil, discreet a lad- — and a well-favored one, besides. So bide ye here, 
 and I'll be as quick as I maun. But for any sake take care and don't meddle 
 with the man's pistols there, for they are loaded, the both ; and every time I 
 set eyes on them they scare me out of my senses, almost." 
 
 She took up a pitcher and went out to draw the water. No sooner was 
 Grizel left alone than, starting up, she waited for a moment, listening to the 
 footsteps as they died away in the distance, and then crept swiftly across the 
 
120 A DESPERATE ERRAND. 
 
 floor to the place where the postman lay asleep. He lay in one of those close 
 wooden bedsteads, like cupboards, which were then common in the houses of 
 the poor, and to this day may be seen in many a house in Brittany. The door 
 of it was left half-open, to give the sleeper air, and from this aperture the noise 
 of his snoring issued in a way that shook the house. 
 
 Nevertheless, it seemed to the girl that he must be awakened by the 
 creaking of the floor under her light footfall. With heart in mouth she stole 
 up to the bedstead, and gently pulling the door still wider ajar, peeped in, in 
 the hope of seeing the mail-bag and being able to pounce upon it. 
 
 She saw it, indeed ; but to her dismay, it lay beneath the shaggy head of 
 its guardian — a giant in size. The postman used his charge as a pillow, and 
 had flung himself so heavily across it as to give not the faintest hope that 
 any one could pull it away without disturbing its keeper from his nap. Nothing 
 could be done now. In those few bitter moments, during which she stood 
 helplessly looking from the bag which contained the fatal warrant to the 
 unconscious face of the man before her, Grizel made up her mind to 
 another plan. 
 
 She turned to the table, caught up the postman's holsters, and pulled out 
 the pistols of which the old woman had professed herself in such terror. 
 Quickly drawing and secreting the charges, she returned them to their cases, 
 with many an anxious look over her shoulder towards the bedstead, and took 
 her seat again at the foot of the table. 
 
 Hardly had she done so when she heard the old woman returning with the 
 pitcher. Grizel took a draught, for her throat felt like a lime-kiln, and having 
 settled her bill, much to the landlady's satisfaction, by paying for the water the 
 price of a pot of beer, prepared to set off. She carelessly asked and ascertained 
 how much longer the other guest was likely to sleep. 
 
 " By the noise he makes he intends sleeping till Doomsday," she said, 
 laughing. 
 
 " Ay, poor man ! his is a hard life," said the hostess; "and little more than 
 half an hour more before he must be on the highway again," 
 
 Grizel laughed once more, and, mounting her horse, set off at a trot along 
 the road southward, as if continuing her journey in that direction. 
 
 Hardly had she got beyond the town, however, when turning the horse's 
 head she galloped back, making a circuit around Belford and striking into the 
 high road again between that place and Berwick. Having gained it, she walked 
 the horse gently on, awaiting the coming up of the postman. 
 
 Though all her mind was now set on the enterprise before her, she could 
 not help a shiver of terror as she thought on the chance of her tampering 
 with the pistols being discovered, and their loading replaced. But she had 
 chosen her course, and now she must go through with it. She was a woman, 
 after all ; and it cannot be wondered that her heart began to beat quickly as 
 her ear caught the sound of hoofs on the road behind her, and, turning, she saw 
 
A DESPERATE ERRAND. 121 
 
 ihe man on whose face she had been gazing not an hour before, trotting briskly 
 towards her — the mail-bags ( there were two — one containing the letters direct 
 
 "•THAT MAIL I MUST AND WILL HAVE. CHOOSE, THEN'" ( p. 122). 
 
 from London, the other those taken up at the different post-offices on the 
 road) strapped one on each side of his saddle in front, close to the holsters. 
 At the last moment her nerve came back, and as he drew near she saluted 
 
122 A DESPERATE ERRAND. 
 
 him civilly and with perfect calmness, put her horse into the same pace with 
 his, and rode on for some way in his company. 
 
 The postman was a burly, thick-set man, with a good-humored face. You 
 may be sure that Miss Cochrane inspected it anxiously enough, and was relieved 
 to find that it did not contain any vast amount of hardy courage. 
 
 The man was well enough inclined for conversation, too, and as they rode 
 had a heap of chat, which it seemed a pity to interrupt. At length, however, 
 when they were about half-way between Belford and Berwick, Grizel judged 
 now or never was the time. Pulling her horse's rein gently so as to bring 
 her close to her company, she said in a low but perfectly determined voice — 
 
 " Friend, I have taken a fancy for those mail-bags of yours, and I must 
 have them ; therefore take my advice, and deliver them up quietly, for I am 
 provided for all hazards. I am mounted, as you see, on a fleet horse ; I carry 
 fire-arms ; and, moreover, I am allied with those who are stronger, though not 
 bolder, than I. You see that wood, yonder?" she continued, pointing to one 
 about a mile off, with an accent and air meant to corroborate her bold words. 
 " Then take my advice : give me up your bags, and speed back the road you 
 came for the present, nor dare to approach that wood for at least two or three 
 hours to come." 
 
 The postman, whose eyes had been growing rounder and rounder during 
 this speech from the stripling beside him, pulled up and looked at her in dumb 
 amazement for some moments. 
 
 " If," said he, as soon as he found his tongue, "you mean, young master, to 
 make yourself merry at my expense, you are heartily welcome. I can see a 
 joke, I trust, as well as another man ; so have your laugh out, and don't 
 think I'm one to take offence at'the words of a foolish boy. But if," and here 
 he whipped a pistol from his holster and turned the muzzle on her face — 
 "if y'are mad enough to think seriously of such a business, then I am ready 
 for you." 
 
 They had come to a stand now, in the middle of the road ; and Grizel felt 
 an ugly sinking at the heart as she looked at the mouth of the pistol, now 
 not a yard from her cheek. Nevertheless she answered, very quietly and 
 coolly — 
 
 " If you have a doubt, dismiss it ; I am quite in earnest." 
 
 The postman, with his hand on the trigger, hesitated. 
 
 " Methinks, my lad, you seem of an age when robbing a garden or an old 
 woman's fruit-stall would befit you better, if so be you must turn thief, than 
 taking His Majesty's mails upon his highway from a stout and grown man. 
 So be thankful, then, you have met with one who will not shed blood if he 
 can help it, and go your way before I am provoked to fire.'' 
 
 "Sir," said Grizel, "you are a worthy man ; nor am I fonder of bloodshed 
 than you ; but if you will not be persuaded, what shall I do ? For I have 
 said — and it is truth — that mail I must and will have. Choose, then ;'' and 
 
A DESPERATE ERRAND 123 
 
 with this she puiied out a pistol from under her cloak, and, cocking it, presented 
 it in his face. 
 
 " Nay, then, your blood be on your own head," cried the postman, and 
 raising his pistol again he pulled the trigger ; it flashed in the pan. Dashing 
 the weapon to the ground, he pulled out the other in a moment, and aiming 
 it in Grizel's face, fired — with the same result. In a furious passion he flung 
 down this pistol, too, sprang from his horse, and dashed forward to seize her. 
 She dug her spurs into her horse's flank and just eluded his grasp. Meanwhile 
 the postman's horse, frightened at the noise and the struggle, had moved 
 forward a pace or two. The girl saw her opportunity, and seized it in the same 
 instant. Another dig with the spurs, and her own horse was level with the 
 other ; leaning forward she caught at the bridle, and calling to the pair, in 
 an instant was galloping off along the highway, leaving the postman helplessly 
 .staring. 
 
 She had gone about a hundred yards with her prize, when she pulled up 
 to look back. Her discomfited antagonist was still standing in the middle of 
 the road, apparently stupefied with amazement at the unlooked-for turn which 
 affairs had taken. Shouting to him to remember her advice about the wood, 
 she put both the horses to their speed, and on looking back once more was 
 gratified to find that the postman, impressed with the truth of her mysterious 
 threat, had turned and was making the best of his way back to Belford. 
 
 On gaining the wood to which she had pointed, Grizel tied the postman's 
 horse to a tree, at a safe distance from the road, and set about unfastening the 
 straps of the mail-bags. With a sharp penknife she ripped them open, and 
 searched for the Government despatches among their contents. To find these 
 was not difficult, owing to their address to the Council in Edinburgh, and 
 of the imposing weight of their seals. Here she discovered, not only the 
 warrant for her father's death but also many other sentences inflicting punish- 
 ment in varying degrees on the unhappy men who had been taken in the 
 late rising. Time was pressing ; she could not stop to examine the warrants, 
 but, quickly tearing them in small pieces, placed them carefully in her bosom. 
 
 This done, and having arranged all the private papers as far as possible as 
 she had found them, Grizel mounted her horse again and rode off. The 
 postman's horse and the mail-bags, she imagined, would soon be found, from 
 the hints which she had given to the man about the wood — and this after- 
 wards proved to be the case. She now set her horse at a gallop again, and 
 did not spare whip or spur until she reached the cottage of her nurse, where 
 her first care was to burn, not only the warrant for her father's death, but 
 the remainder of the sentences on his fellow-prisoners. Having satisfied herself 
 Xhat all trace of the obnoxious papers was now consumed, she put on again 
 her female garments, and was once more the gentle and unassuming Miss 
 Grizel Cochrane. 
 
 It was high time, however, to be making her way northwards again ; ac- 
 
124 A DESPERATE ERRAND 
 
 cordingly she left her pistols and cloak to be concealed by the nurse, and again 
 set forward on her journey. By avoiding the high-road, resting only at the 
 most sequestered cottages — and then but for an hour or so — and riding all 
 the while as hard as she might, she reached Edinburgh in safety early next 
 morning. 
 
 It remains only to say that the time thus won by this devoted girl was 
 enough to gain the end for which she strove. Instigated by a bribe of ,£5,000 
 from Lord Dundonald, Father Peters plied the ear of King James so importu- 
 nately that at length the order was signed for Sir John Cochrane's pardon. 
 
 The state of public affairs rendered it prudent for many years that this 
 action of Grizel Cochrane's should be kept secret ; but after the Revolution, 
 when men could speak more freely, her heroism was known and applauded. 
 She lived to marry Mr. Ker, of Morriston, in Berwickshire, and doubtless was 
 as good a wife as she had proved herself a daughter. 
 
'25 
 
 A TIGER HUNT IN INDIA 
 
 "GOOTUL, April 31st. 
 NOTORIOUS old man-eating tigress, with four cubs, that has been 
 the terror of the neighbourhood for some months back, was marked 
 down this morning, and almost the whole population of the village 
 turned out to assist in her destruction. As she had the character 
 of extreme ferocity, unusual precautions were taken in beating her up, and 
 volleys of blank cartridge, with flights of rockets, were thrown into every thick 
 place, far in advance of the beaters. 
 
 " The tigress was soon afoot, and our assistant mahout, who was posted on 
 a tree to look out, held up five fingers to telegraph, while he shook with 
 agitation on beholding the whole family passing close under him. On 
 reaching the edge of the cover where we were posted, the tigress left her cubs 
 behind, walked out into the plain, and boldly looked the elephant in the face, 
 laying her ears back, growling savagely, and curling up her whiskered lips with 
 a look of indescribable ferocity. Every hair on her back stood erect, her long 
 tail switched from side to side like that of an enraged cat, and her glowing 
 eyes were fixed upon us with a look of fiendish malignity. I never saw a more 
 perfect representation of an incarnate fiend ; and I remained for some seconds, 
 with my rifle poised, studying the magnificent picture which the scene presented, 
 and feeling a sort of reluctance to put an end to it by firing the first shot. 
 
 " Every tree and rock was crowded with spectators, watching with anxious 
 looks and beating hearts the issue of our contest with their deadly foe. The 
 wild yells of the beaters, the hissing of the rockets, and the rattle of fire-arms, 
 had given place to an ominous silence, like that which precedes the outbreak 
 of a hurricane ; and no sound was heard save an occasional low, deep growl, 
 which might well be compared to distant thunder that heralds the approaching 
 tempest. The tigress, in the attitude I have described, and our noble elephant 
 with his trunk carefully coiled up between his tusks, stood face to face, like two 
 combatants who have just entered the lists and scan each other with jealous 
 looks before venturing to engage in mortal combat. 
 
 "The elephant took one step forward, and the tigress, uttering a hoarse 
 growl, drew herself together as if about to spring. It was now time to act, 
 and the report of our rifles was answered by an exulting shout from the 
 spectators, as the tigress, hit in the point of the shoulder, rolled over, tearing 
 up the earth with her claws in many a fruitless effort to regain her footing. 
 She at last succeeded in doing so, and slunk back into cover. This shot 
 decided her fate ; and to prevent any accident occurring to mar the sport 
 
126 A TIGER HUNT IN INDIA. , 
 
 we anticipated when she was brought to close quarters, we ordered the spec- 
 tators and beaters to betake themselves to trees, where they would be fairly out 
 of reach. 
 
 " ' Anak* was now walked into the thicket, but we had hardly proceeded 
 twenty yards, when that harsh grating roar that makes the blood curdle, 
 followed by a despairing shriek, gave us dread warning that some unfortunate 
 beater had disregarded our caution, and fallen a victim to his temerity. A wild 
 cry of rage and execration arose from the assembled multitude, many of whom, 
 from their elevated positions, were enabled to witness the tragedy. But so far 
 from being awed by the fate of their companion, it was with some difficulty 
 that we prevented them from rushing in, sword in hand, and hewing the 
 tigress in pieces, although they well knew in so doing many lives must have 
 been sacrificed. 
 
 " Every exertion was now made to hurry the elephant to the spot. The 
 maliout plied his iron goad, and the sagacious brute crashed his way through 
 the tangled brushwood to the scene of blood. The tigress, enraged by the pain 
 of her wounds, and roused to madness by the taste of blood, rushed out 
 and charged the elephant with determined bravery. Our large friend with the 
 trunk did not like it, and wheeling round with a scream of alarm, he shuffled 
 off at his best trot, jolting the howdah to such a degree that we found it im- 
 possible to fire, although the tigress was giving chase, open-mouthed, and close 
 at his haunches. 
 
 "The maliout at last succeeded in checking his .pace to a certain degree, 
 and just as the tigress was about to spring on his croup, I took a snap shot, and 
 hit her. This made the savage old beast rather faint, and she lay down to 
 recover her breath. After some trouble, we succeeded in stopping the elephant, 
 and coaxed him into returning to stand another charge. 
 
 "The tigress lay perfectly still till we were within ten yards, when she 
 started up with a loud roar and made at us more savagely than ever. She 
 had hardly got upon her legs, however, when she was knocked over by a volley 
 from four barrels and completely doubled up. 
 
 " The elephant, whose nerves appeared to have been shaken by the first 
 charge, again turned tail. On returning, after having reloaded, we found the 
 tigress lying with her head between her paws, ready to receive us. We fired 
 at her as she was in the act of springing on the elephant's trunk, and a 
 lucky shot between the eyes rolled her over, dead. 
 
 " The fall of this noted tigress was hailed with shouts of triumph by the 
 amateurs who had watched the whole proceeding from their perches ; and a poor 
 little herd-boy, whose brother had been devoured a few days before by the tigress 
 and her cubs, was the first to descend and exult over the prostrate man-eater. 
 
 "As the cubs were described as not being larger than a pointer dog, we 
 commenced a hunt for them on foot, armed with swords ; but the little brutes 
 had concealed themselves so effectually that we could not find them. 
 
A TIGER HUNT IN INDIA. 127 
 
 " The poor little herd-boy whose brother had been killed was twice before 
 attacked by this same tigress ; but a herd of fine large buffaloes which he 
 tended, headed by a sagacious old bull, came at his call and drove her off. He 
 was close to his brother when she seized him, and actually saw the tigress with 
 her four cubs feeding off the body. Unfortunately, on this occasion, the 
 buffaloes were grazing at some distance ; had they heard the boy's cries, or 
 seen the tigress, they would probably have charged, and beaten her back, for 
 they had been seen to attack her in a body several times when she ventured 
 into the open plain ; and the boy said he never feared a tiger so long as his 
 cattle were near him. 
 
 " The natives begged to be allowed to carry home the tigress after their 
 own fashion, and she was accordingly handed over to them to be dealt with as 
 they saw fit. 
 
 " Having carefully singed off the whiskers, with various superstitious cere- 
 monies, they placed the body of the tigress, ornamented with garlands of 
 flowers, upright on a cart, drawn by eight bullocks, and in this state dragged 
 her in procession through the village, preceded by a band of native musicians 
 and followed by a crowd of men, women, and children, exulting over the 
 remains of a deadly foe, and invoking blessings on our heads for having rid them 
 of her dreaded presence. 
 
 " Killing a tiger is at all times a satisfactory exploit. But the death of a 
 brute like this, such a pest while living, so game in her last moments, is 
 indeed a glorious victory. Were it not for the melancholy fate of the unfortunate 
 beater, I should say this is the most satisfactory day's sport I have yet seen in 
 India. An acccident of this sort is always a sad damper to one's feelings of 
 triumph ; but we have at least the satisfaction of thinking that it was 
 occasioned entirely by the poor fellow's own imprudence ; and that by ridding 
 the country of this dreadful scourge, we have probably been the means of 
 saving many human lives at the expense of one." 
 
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