CHAPTER V
A FAIR START
The name of the coachman was John Manly; he had a wife and one child,and lived in the coachman's cottage, near the stables.
The next morning he took me into the yard and gave me a good grooming,and just as I was going into my box, with my coat soft and bright, thesquire came in to look at me, and seemed pleased. "John," he said, "Imeant to have tried the new horse this morning, but I have otherbusiness. You may as well take him around after breakfast; go by thecommon and the Highwood, and back by the water-mill and the river; thatwill show his paces."
"I will, sir," said John. After breakfast he came and fitted me with abridle. He was very particular in letting out and taking in the straps,to fit my head comfortably; then he brought a saddle, but it was notbroad enough for my back; he saw it in a minute, and went for another,which fitted nicely. He rode me first slowly, then a trot, then acanter, and when we were on the common, he gave me a light touch withhis whip, and we had a splendid gallop.
"Ho, ho! my boy," he said, as he pulled me up, "you would like to followthe hounds, I think."
As we came back through the park we met the squire and Mrs. Gordonwalking; they stopped, and John jumped off. "Well, John, how does hego?"
"First rate, sir," answered John; "he is as fleet as a deer, and has afine spirit, too; but the lightest touch of the rein will guide him.Down at the end of the common we met one of those traveling carts hungall over with baskets, rugs, and such like; you know, sir, many horseswill not pass those carts quietly; he just took a good look at it, andthen went on as quiet and pleasant as could be. They were shootingrabbits near the Highwood, and a gun went off close by; he pulled up alittle and looked, but he did not stir a step to right or left. I justheld the rein steady and did not hurry him, and it's my opinion he hasnot been frightened or ill-used while he was young."
"That's well," said the squire, "I will try him myself to-morrow."
The next day I was brought up for my master. I remembered my mother'scounsel and my good old master's, and I tried to do exactly what hewanted me to do. I found he was a very good rider, and thoughtful forhis horse, too. When he came home, the lady was at the hall door as herode up. "Well, my dear," she said, "how do you like him?"
"He is exactly what John said," he replied; "a pleasanter creature Inever 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 tocalling him 'Black Beauty'?"
"Black Beauty--why, yes, I think that is a very good name. If you like,it shall be his name"; and so it was.
When John went into the stable, he told James that the master andmistress had chosen a good sensible name for me, that meant something.They both laughed, and James said, "If it was not for bringing back thepast, I should have named him Rob Roy, for I never saw two horses morealike." "That's no wonder," said John; "didn't you know that FarmerGrey's old Duchess was the mother of them both?"
I had never heard that before; and so poor Rob Roy who was killed atthat hunt was my brother! I did not wonder that my mother was sotroubled. It seems that horses have no relations; at least they neverknow each other after they are sold.
John seemed very proud of me; he used to make my mane and tail almost assmooth as a lady's hair, and he would talk to me a great deal; ofcourse, I did not understand all he said, but I learned more and more toknow what he meant, and what he wanted me to do. I grew very fond ofhim, he was so gentle and kind; he seemed to know just how a horsefeels, and when he cleaned me he knew the tender places and the ticklishplaces; when he brushed my head, he went as carefully over my eyes as ifthey were his own, and never stirred up any ill-temper.
James Howard, the stable boy, was just as gentle and pleasant in hisway, so I thought myself well off. There was another man who helped inthe yard, but he had very little to do with Ginger and me.
A few days after this I had to go out with Ginger in the carriage. Iwondered how we should get on together; but except laying her ears backwhen I was led up to her, she behaved very well. She did her workhonestly, and did her full share, and I never wish to have a betterpartner in double harness. When we came to a hill, instead of slackeningher pace, she would throw her weight right into the collar, and pullaway straight up. We had both the same sort of courage at our work, andJohn had oftener to hold us in than to urge us forward; he never had touse the whip with either of us; then our paces were much the same, and Ifound it very easy to keep step with her when trotting, which made itpleasant, and master always liked it when we kept step well, and so didJohn. After we had been out two or three times together we grew quitefriendly and sociable, which made me feel very much at home.
As for Merrylegs, he and I soon became great friends; he was such acheerful, plucky, good-tempered little fellow, that he was a favoritewith every one, and especially with Miss Jessie and Flora, who used toride him about in the orchard, and have fine games with him and theirlittle dog Frisky.
CHAPTER VI
MERRYLEGS
Mr. Blomefield, the vicar, had a large family of boys and girls;sometimes they used to come and play with Miss Jessie and Flora. One ofthe girls was as old as Miss Jessie; two of the boys were older, andthere were several little ones. When they came, there was plenty of workfor Merrylegs, for nothing pleased them so much as getting on him byturns and riding him all about the orchard and the home paddock, andthis they would do by the hour together.
One afternoon he had been sent out with them a long time, and when Jamesbrought him in and put on his halter, he said: "There, you rogue, mindhow you behave yourself, or we shall get into trouble."
"What have you been doing, Merrylegs?" I asked.
"Oh!" said he, tossing his little head, "I have only been giving thoseyoung people a lesson; they did not know when they had enough, so I justpitched them off backwards; that was the only thing they couldunderstand."
"What?" said I, "you threw the children off? I thought you did knowbetter than that! Did you throw Miss Jessie or Miss Flora?"
He looked very much offended, and said: "Of course not; I would not dosuch a thing for the best oats that ever came into the stable; why, I amas careful of our young ladies as the master could be, and as for thelittle ones, it is I who teach them to ride. When they seem frightenedor a little unsteady on my back, I go as smooth and as quiet as oldpussy when she is after a bird; and when they are all right I go onagain faster, you see, just to use them to it; so don't you troubleyourself preaching to me; I am the best friend and the bestriding-master those children have. It is not them, it is the boys;boys," said he, shaking his mane, "are quite different, they must bebroken in, as we were broken in when we were colts, and just be taughtwhat's what. The other children had ridden me about for nearly twohours, and then the boys thought it was their turn, and so it was, and Iwas 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. Theyhad each cut a great hazel stick for a riding whip, and laid it on alittle too hard; but I took it in good part, till at last I thought wehad had enough, so I stopped two or three times by way of a hint. Boysthink a horse or pony is like a steam engine, and can go as long and asfast as they please; they never think that a pony can get tired, or haveany feelings; so as the one who was whipping me could not understand, Ijust rose up on my hind legs and let him slip off behind--that was all;he mounted me again, and I did the same. Then the other boy got up, andas soon as he began to use his stick, I laid him on the grass, and soon, till they were able to understand, that was all. They were not badboys; they don't wish to be cruel. I like them very well; but you see Ihad to give them a lesson. When they brought me to James and told him, Ithink he was very angry to see such big sticks. He said they were notfor young gentlemen."
"If I had been you," said Ginger, "I would have given those boys a goodkick, and that would have given them a lesson."
"No doubt you
would," said Merrylegs; "but then I am not quite such afool as to anger our master or make James ashamed of me; besides, thosechildren are under my charge when they are riding; I tell you they areentrusted to me. Why, only the other day I heard our master say to Mrs.Blomefield, 'My dear madam, you need not be anxious about the children;my old Merrylegs will take as much care of them as you or I could; Iassure you I would not sell that pony for any money, he is so perfectlygood-tempered and trustworthy'; and do you think I am such an ungratefulbrute as to forget all the kind treatment I have had here for fiveyears, and all the trust they place in me, and turn vicious, because acouple of ignorant boys used me badly? No, no! you never had a goodplace where they were kind to you, and so you don't know, and I am sorryfor you; but I can tell you good places make good horses. I wouldn'tvex our people for anything; I love them, I do," said Merrylegs, and hegave a low "ho, ho, ho," through his nose, as he used to do in themorning when he heard James' footstep at the door.
CHAPTER VII
GOING FOR THE DOCTOR
One night I was lying down in my straw fast asleep, when I was suddenlyroused by the stable bell ringing very loud. I heard the door of John'shouse open, and his feet running up to the Hall. He was back again in notime; he unlocked the stable door, and came in, calling out, "Wake up,Beauty! you must go well now, if ever you did"; and almost before Icould 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 tothe Hall door. The Squire stood there, with a lamp in his hand. "Now,John," he said, "ride for your life--that is, for your mistress' life;there is not a moment to lose. Give this note to Dr. White; give yourhorse a rest at the inn, and be back as soon as you can."
John said, "Yes, sir," and was on my back in a minute. The gardener wholived at the lodge had heard the bell ring, and was ready with the gateopen, and away we went through the park, and through the village, anddown the hill till we came to the toll-gate. John called very loud andthumped upon the door; the man was soon out and flung open the gate.
"Now," said John, "do you keep the gate open for the doctor; here's themoney," and off we went again.
There was before us a long piece of level road by the river-side; Johnsaid to me, "Now, Beauty, do your best," and so I did; I wanted no whipnor spur, and for two miles I galloped as fast I could lay my feet tothe ground; I don't believe that my old grandfather, who won the race atNewmarket, could have gone faster. When we came to the bridge, Johnpulled me up a little and patted my neck. "Well done, Beauty! good oldfellow," he said. He would have let me go slower, but my spirit was up,and I was off again as fast as before. The air was frosty, the moon wasbright; it was very pleasant. We came through a village, then through adark wood, then uphill, then downhill, till after an eight miles' run,we came to the town, through the streets and into the market-place. Itwas all quite still except the clatter of my feet on thestones--everybody was asleep. The church clock struck three as we drewup at Dr. White's door. John rang the bell twice, and then knocked atthe door like thunder. A window was thrown up, and the doctor, in hisnight-cap, put his head out and said, "What do you want?"
"Mrs. Gordon is very ill, sir; master wants you to go at once; he thinksshe will die if you cannot get there. Here is a note."
"Wait," he said, "I will come."
He shut the window and was soon at the door. "The worst of it is," hesaid, "that my horse has been out all day, and is quite done up; my sonhas just been sent for, and he has taken the other. What is to be done?Can I have your horse?"
"He has come at a gallop nearly all the way, sir, and I was to give hima rest here; but I think my master would not be against it, if you thinkfit, sir."
"All right," he said; "I will soon be ready."
John stood by me and stroked my neck. I was very hot. The doctor cameout 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 hadleft John far behind.
I will not tell about our way back. The doctor was a heavier man thanJohn, and not so good a rider; however, I did my very best. The man atthe toll-gate had it open. When we came to the hill, the doctor drew meup. "Now, my good fellow," he said, "take some breath." I was glad hedid, for I was nearly spent, but that breathing helped me on, and soonwe were in the park. Joe was at the lodge gate; my master was at theHall door, for he had heard us coming. He spoke not a word; the doctorwent into the house with him, and Joe led me to the stable. I was gladto get home; my legs shook under me, and I could only stand and pant. Ihad not a dry hair on my body, the water ran down my legs, and I steamedall over--Joe used to say, like a pot on the fire. Poor Joe! he wasyoung and small, and as yet he knew very little, and his father, whowould have helped him, had been sent to the next village; but I am surehe did the very best he knew. He rubbed my legs and my chest, but he didnot put my warm cloth on me; he thought I was so hot I should not likeit. Then he gave me a pail full of water to drink; it was cold and verygood, and I drank it all; then he gave me some hay and some corn, and,thinking he had done right, he went away. Soon I began to shake andtremble, and turned deadly cold; my legs ached, my loins ached, and mychest ached, and I felt sore all over. This developed into a stronginflammation, and I could not draw my breath without pain. John nursedme night and day. My master, too, often came to see me. "My poorBeauty," 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 itseems the doctor had said if we had been a little longer it would havebeen too late. John told my master he never saw a horse go so fast inhis life. It seems as if the horse knew what was the matter. Of course Idid, though John thought not; at least I knew as much as this--that Johnand I must go at the top of our speed, and that it was for the sake ofthe mistress.
CHAPTER VIII
THE PARTING
I had lived in this happy place three years, but sad changes were aboutto come over us. We heard that our mistress was ill. The doctor wasoften at the house, and the master looked grave and anxious. Then weheard that she must go to a warm country for two or three years. Thenews fell upon the household like the tolling of a death-bell. Everybodywas sorry. The master arranged for breaking up his establishment andleaving England. We used to hear it talked about in our stable; indeed,nothing else was talked about. John went about his work silent and sad,and Joe scarcely whistled. There was a great deal of coming and going;Ginger and I had full work.
The first of the party who went were Miss Jessie and Flora with theirgoverness. They came to bid us good-bye. They hugged poor Merrylegslike an old friend, and so indeed he was. Then we heard what had beenarranged for us. Master had sold Ginger and me to an old friend.Merrylegs he had given to the vicar, who was wanting a pony for Mrs.Blomefield, but it was on the condition that he should never be sold,and that when he was past work he should be shot and buried. Joe wasengaged to take care of him and to help in the house, so I thought thatMerrylegs was well off.
"Have you decided what to do, John?" he said.
"No, sir; I have made up my mind that if I could get a situation withsome first-rate colt-breaker and horse-trainer, it would be the rightthing for me. Many young animals are frightened and spoiled by wrongtreatment, which need not be if the right man took them in hand. Ialways get on well with horses, and if I could help some of them to afair start I should feel as if I was doing some good. What do you thinkof it, sir?"
"I don't know a man anywhere," said master, "that I should think sosuitable for it as yourself. You understand horses, and somehow theyunderstand you, and I think you could not do better."
The last sad day had come; the footman and the heavy luggage had goneoff the day before, and there were only master and mistress, and hermaid. Ginger and I brought the carriage up to the Hall door, for thelast time. The servants brought out cushions and rugs, and when all werearran
ged, 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); heplaced her carefully in the carriage, while the house servants stoodround crying.
"Good-bye, again," he said; "we shall not forget any of you," and he gotin. "Drive on, John." Joe jumped up and we trotted slowly through thepark and through the village, where the people were standing at theirdoors to have a last look and to say, "God bless them."
When we reached the railway station, I think mistress walked from thecarriage 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 madeno answer; perhaps he could not speak. As soon as Joe had taken thethings 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 headsto hide his tears. Very soon the train came puffing into the station;then two or three minutes, and the doors were slammed to; the guardwhistled and the train glided away, leaving behind it only clouds ofwhite smoke and some very heavy hearts.