Jameslaughedatthis;buttherewasathicknessinhisvoicewhenhesaid，\"Youhavebeenmybestfriendexceptmymother;Ihopeyouwon’tforgetme.\"
\"No，lad，no！\"saidJohn，\"andifeverIcandoyouagoodturnIhopeyouwon’tforgetme.\"
ThenextdayJoecametothestablestolearnallhecouldbeforeJamesleft.
Helearnedtosweepthestable，tobringinthestrawandhay;
hebegantocleantheharness，andhelpedtowashthecarriage.
AshewasquitetooshorttodoanythinginthewayofgroomingGingerandme，JamestaughthimuponMerrylegs，forhewastohavefullchargeofhim，underJohn.Hewasanicelittlebrightfellow，andalwayscamewhistlingtohiswork.
Merrylegswasagooddealputoutatbeing\"mauledabout，\"ashesaid，\"byaboywhoknewnothing;\"buttowardtheendofthesecondweekhetoldmeconfidentiallythathethoughttheboywouldturnoutwell.
AtlastthedaycamewhenJameshadtoleaveus;cheerfulashealwayswas，helookedquitedown—heartedthatmorning.
\"Yousee，\"hesaidtoJohn，\"Iamleavingagreatdealbehind;
mymotherandBetsy，andyou，andagoodmasterandmistress，andthenthehorses，andmyoldMerrylegs.AtthenewplacetherewillnotbeasoulthatIshallknow.IfitwerenotthatIshallgetahigherplace，andbeabletohelpmymotherbetter，Idon’tthinkIshouldhavemadeupmymindtoit;itisarealpinch，John.\"
\"Ay，James，lad，soitis;butIshouldnotthinkmuchofyouifyoucouldleaveyourhomeforthefirsttimeandnotfeelit.Cheerup，you’llmakefriendsthere;andifyougetonwell，asIamsureyouwill，itwillbeafinethingforyourmother，andshewillbeproudenoughthatyouhavegotintosuchagoodplaceasthat.\"
SoJohncheeredhimup，buteveryonewassorrytoloseJames;
asforMerrylegs，hepinedafterhimforseveraldays，andwentquiteoffhisappetite.SoJohntookhimoutseveralmorningswithaleadingrein，whenheexercisedme，and，trottingandgallopingbymyside，gotupthelittlefellow’sspiritsagain，andhewassoonallright.
Joe’sfatherwouldoftencomeinandgivealittlehelp，asheunderstoodthework;andJoetookagreatdealofpainstolearn，andJohnwasquiteencouragedabouthim.
18GoingfortheDoctorOnenight，afewdaysafterJameshadleft，Ihadeatenmyhayandwaslyingdowninmystrawfastasleep，whenIwassuddenlyrousedbythestablebellringingveryloud.IheardthedoorofJohn’shouseopen，andhisfeetrunninguptothehall.Hewasbackagaininnotime;
heunlockedthestabledoor，andcamein，callingout，\"Wakeup，Beauty！
Youmustgowellnow，ifeveryoudid;\"andalmostbeforeIcouldthinkhehadgotthesaddleonmybackandthebridleonmyhead.
Hejustranroundforhiscoat，andthentookmeataquicktrotuptothehalldoor.Thesquirestoodthere，withalampinhishand.
\"Now，John，\"hesaid，\"rideforyourlife——thatis，foryourmistress’life;thereisnotamomenttolose.
GivethisnotetoDr.White;giveyourhorsearestattheinn，andbebackassoonasyoucan.\"
Johnsaid，\"Yes，sir，\"andwasonmybackinaminute.
Thegardenerwholivedatthelodgehadheardthebellring，andwasreadywiththegateopen，andawaywewentthroughthepark，andthroughthevillage，anddownthehilltillwecametothetoll—gate.
Johncalledveryloudandthumpeduponthedoor;themanwassoonoutandflungopenthegate.
\"Now，\"saidJohn，\"doyoukeepthegateopenforthedoctor;
here’sthemoney，\"andoffhewentagain.
Therewasbeforeusalongpieceoflevelroadbytheriverside;
Johnsaidtome，\"Now，Beauty，doyourbest，\"andsoIdid;
Iwantednowhipnorspur，andfortwomilesIgallopedasfastasIcouldlaymyfeettotheground;Idon’tbelievethatmyoldgrandfather，whowontheraceatNewmarket，couldhavegonefaster.WhenwecametothebridgeJohnpulledmeupalittleandpattedmyneck.\"Welldone，Beauty！goodoldfellow，\"hesaid.Hewouldhaveletmegoslower，butmyspiritwasup，andIwasoffagainasfastasbefore.
Theairwasfrosty，themoonwasbright;itwasverypleasant.
Wecamethroughavillage，thenthroughadarkwood，thenuphill，thendownhill，tillaftereightmiles’runwecametothetown，throughthestreetsandintothemarket—place.Itwasallquitestillexcepttheclatterofmyfeetonthestones——everybodywasasleep.
ThechurchclockstruckthreeaswedrewupatDr.White’sdoor.
Johnrangthebelltwice，andthenknockedatthedoorlikethunder.
Awindowwasthrownup，andDr.White，inhisnightcap，puthisheadoutandsaid，\"Whatdoyouwant？\"
\"Mrs.Gordonisveryill，sir;masterwantsyoutogoatonce;
hethinksshewilldieifyoucannotgetthere.Hereisanote.\"
\"Wait，\"hesaid，\"Iwillcome.\"
Heshutthewindow，andwassoonatthedoor.
\"Theworstofitis，\"hesaid，\"thatmyhorsehasbeenoutalldayandisquitedoneup;mysonhasjustbeensentfor，andhehastakentheother.Whatistobedone？CanIhaveyourhorse？\"
\"Hehascomeatagallopnearlyalltheway，sir，andIwastogivehimaresthere;butIthinkmymasterwouldnotbeagainstit，ifyouthinkfit，sir.\"
\"Allright，\"hesaid;\"Iwillsoonbeready.\"
Johnstoodbymeandstrokedmyneck;Iwasveryhot.Thedoctorcameoutwithhisriding—whip.
\"Youneednottakethat，sir，\"saidJohn;\"BlackBeautywillgotillhedrops.Takecareofhim，sir，ifyoucan;Ishouldnotlikeanyharmtocometohim.\"
\"No，no，John，\"saidthedoctor，\"Ihopenot，\"andinaminutewehadleftJohnfarbehind.
Iwillnottellaboutourwayback.ThedoctorwasaheaviermanthanJohn，andnotsogoodarider;however，Ididmyverybest.
Themanatthetoll—gatehaditopen.Whenwecametothehillthedoctordrewmeup.\"Now，mygoodfellow，\"hesaid，\"takesomebreath.\"
Iwasgladhedid，forIwasnearlyspent，butthatbreathinghelpedmeon，andsoonwewereinthepark.Joewasatthelodgegate;
mymasterwasatthehalldoor，forhehadhearduscoming.
Hespokenotaword;thedoctorwentintothehousewithhim，andJoeledmetothestable.Iwasgladtogethome;
mylegsshookunderme，andIcouldonlystandandpant.
Ihadnotadryhaironmybody，thewaterrandownmylegs，andIsteamedallover，Joeusedtosay，likeapotonthefire.
PoorJoe！hewasyoungandsmall，andasyetheknewverylittle，andhisfather，whowouldhavehelpedhim，hadbeensenttothenextvillage;
butIamsurehedidtheverybestheknew.Herubbedmylegsandmychest，buthedidnotputmywarmclothonme;hethoughtIwassohotIshouldnotlikeit.Thenhegavemeapailfulofwatertodrink;
itwascoldandverygood，andIdrankitall;thenhegavemesomehayandsomecorn，andthinkinghehaddoneright，hewentaway.
SoonIbegantoshakeandtremble，andturneddeadlycold;mylegsached，myloinsached，andmychestached，andIfeltsoreallover.
Oh！howIwishedformywarm，thickcloth，asIstoodandtrembled.
IwishedforJohn，buthehadeightmilestowalk，soIlaydowninmystrawandtriedtogotosleep.AfteralongwhileIheardJohnatthedoor;
Igavealowmoan，forIwasingreatpain.Hewasatmysideinamoment，stoopingdownbyme.IcouldnottellhimhowIfelt，butheseemedtoknowitall;hecoveredmeupwithtwoorthreewarmcloths，andthenrantothehouseforsomehotwater;hemademesomewarmgruel，whichIdrank，andthenIthinkIwenttosleep.
Johnseemedtobeverymuchputout.Iheardhimsaytohimselfoverandoveragain，\"Stupidboy！stupidboy！noclothputon，andIdaresaythewaterwascold，too;boysarenogood;\"
butJoewasagoodboy，afterall.
Iwasnowveryill;astronginflammationhadattackedmylungs，andIcouldnotdrawmybreathwithoutpain.Johnnursedmenightandday;
hewouldgetuptwoorthreetimesinthenighttocometome.
Mymaster，too，oftencametoseeme.\"MypoorBeauty，\"hesaidoneday，\"mygoodhorse，yousavedyourmistress’life，Beauty;
yes，yousavedherlife.\"Iwasverygladtohearthat，foritseemsthedoctorhadsaidifwehadbeenalittlelongeritwouldhavebeentoolate.Johntoldmymasterheneversawahorsegosofastinhislife.Itseemedasifthehorseknewwhatwasthematter.
OfcourseIdid，thoughJohnthoughtnot;atleastIknewasmuchasthis——
thatJohnandImustgoatthetopofourspeed，andthatitwasforthesakeofthemistress.
19OnlyIgnoranceIdonotknowhowlongIwasill.Mr.Bond，thehorse—doctor，cameeveryday.Onedayhebledme;Johnheldapailfortheblood.
IfeltveryfaintafteritandthoughtIshoulddie，andIbelievetheyallthoughtsotoo.
GingerandMerrylegshadbeenmovedintotheotherstable，sothatImightbequiet，forthefevermademeveryquickofhearing;
anylittlenoiseseemedquiteloud，andIcouldtelleveryone’sfootstepgoingtoandfromthehouse.Iknewallthatwasgoingon.
OnenightJohnhadtogivemeadraught;ThomasGreencameintohelphim.
AfterIhadtakenitandJohnhadmademeascomfortableashecould，hesaidheshouldstayhalfanhourtoseehowthemedicinesettled.
Thomassaidhewouldstaywithhim，sotheywentandsatdownonabenchthathadbeenbroughtintoMerrylegs’stall，andputdownthelanternattheirfeet，thatImightnotbedisturbedwiththelight.
Forawhilebothmensatsilent，andthenTomGreensaidinalowvoice：
\"Iwish，John，you’dsayabitofakindwordtoJoe.
Theboyisquitebroken—hearted;hecan’teathismeals，andhecan’tsmile.
Hesaysheknowsitwasallhisfault，thoughheissurehedidthebestheknew，andhesaysifBeautydiesnoonewilleverspeaktohimagain.
Itgoestomyhearttohearhim.Ithinkyoumightgivehimjustaword;
heisnotabadboy.\"
AfterashortpauseJohnsaidslowly，\"Youmustnotbetooharduponme，Tom.
Iknowhemeantnoharm，Ineversaidhedid;Iknowheisnotabadboy.
Butyousee，Iamsoremyself;thathorseistheprideofmyheart，tosaynothingofhisbeingsuchafavoritewiththemasterandmistress;
andtothinkthathislifemaybeflungawayinthismannerismorethanIcanbear.ButifyouthinkIamhardontheboyIwilltrytogivehimagoodwordto—morrow——thatis，ImeanifBeautyisbetter.\"
\"Well，John，thankyou.Iknewyoudidnotwishtobetoohard，andIamgladyouseeitwasonlyignorance.\"
John’svoicealmoststartledmeasheanswered：
\"Onlyignorance！onlyignorance！howcanyoutalkaboutonlyignorance？
Don’tyouknowthatitistheworstthingintheworld，nexttowickedness？
——andwhichdoesthemostmischiefheavenonlyknows.Ifpeoplecansay，`Oh！Ididnotknow，Ididnotmeananyharm，’theythinkitisallright.
IsupposeMarthaMulwashdidnotmeantokillthatbabywhenshedoseditwithDalbyandsoothingsyrups;butshedidkillit，andwastriedformanslaughter.\"
\"Andserveherright，too，\"saidTom.\"Awomanshouldnotundertaketonurseatenderlittlechildwithoutknowingwhatisgoodandwhatisbadforit.\"
\"BillStarkey，\"continuedJohn，\"didnotmeantofrightenhisbrotherintofitswhenhedresseduplikeaghostandranafterhiminthemoonlight;
buthedid;andthatbright，handsomelittlefellow，thatmighthavebeentheprideofanymother’sheartisjustnobetterthananidiot，andneverwillbe，ifhelivestobeeightyyearsold.
Youwereagooddealcutupyourself，Tom，twoweeksago，whenthoseyoungladiesleftyourhothousedooropen，withafrostyeastwindblowingrightin;yousaiditkilledagoodmanyofyourplants.\"
\"Agoodmany！\"saidTom;\"therewasnotoneofthetendercuttingsthatwasnotnippedoff.Ishallhavetostrikealloveragain，andtheworstofitisthatIdon’tknowwheretogotogetfreshones.
IwasnearlymadwhenIcameinandsawwhatwasdone.\"
\"Andyet，\"saidJohn，\"Iamsuretheyoungladiesdidnotmeanit;
itwasonlyignorance.\"
Iheardnomoreofthisconversation，forthemedicinedidwellandsentmetosleep，andinthemorningIfeltmuchbetter;
butIoftenthoughtofJohn’swordswhenIcametoknowmoreoftheworld.
20JoeGreenJoeGreenwentonverywell;helearnedquickly，andwassoattentiveandcarefulthatJohnbegantotrusthiminmanythings;
butasIhavesaid，hewassmallofhisage，anditwasseldomthathewasallowedtoexerciseeitherGingerorme;butitsohappenedonemorningthatJohnwasoutwithJusticeintheluggagecart，andthemasterwantedanotetobetakenimmediatelytoagentleman’shouse，aboutthreemilesdistant，andsenthisordersforJoetosaddlemeandtakeit，addingthecautionthathewastoridesteadily.
Thenotewasdelivered，andwewerequietlyreturningwhenwecametothebrick—field.Herewesawacartheavilyladenwithbricks;
thewheelshadstuckfastinthestiffmudofsomedeepruts，andthecarterwasshoutingandfloggingthetwohorsesunmercifully.
Joepulledup.Itwasasadsight.Therewerethetwohorsesstrainingandstrugglingwithalltheirmighttodragthecartout，buttheycouldnotmoveit;thesweatstreamedfromtheirlegsandflanks，theirsidesheaved，andeverymusclewasstrained，whiletheman，fiercelypullingattheheadoftheforehorse，sworeandlashedmostbrutally.
\"Holdhard，\"saidJoe;\"don’tgoonfloggingthehorseslikethat;
thewheelsaresostuckthattheycannotmovethecart.\"
Themantooknoheed，butwentonlashing.
\"Stop！praystop！\"saidJoe.\"I’llhelpyoutolightenthecart;
theycan’tmoveitnow.\"
\"Mindyourownbusiness，youimpudentyoungrascal，andI’llmindmine！\"
Themanwasinatoweringpassionandtheworsefordrink，andlaidonthewhipagain.Joeturnedmyhead，andthenextmomentweweregoingataroundgalloptowardthehouseofthemasterbrick—maker.
IcannotsayifJohnwouldhaveapprovedofourpace，butJoeandI
werebothofonemind，andsoangrythatwecouldnothavegoneslower.
Thehousestoodclosebytheroadside.Joeknockedatthedoor，andshouted，\"Halloo！IsMr.Clayathome？\"Thedoorwasopened，andMr.Clayhimselfcameout.
\"Halloo，youngman！Youseeminahurry;anyordersfromthesquirethismorning？\"
\"No，Mr.Clay，butthere’safellowinyourbrick—yardfloggingtwohorsestodeath.Itoldhimtostop，andhewouldn’t;
IsaidI’dhelphimtolightenthecart，andhewouldn’t;soIhavecometotellyou.Pray，sir，go.\"Joe’svoiceshookwithexcitement.
\"Thankye，mylad，\"saidtheman，runninginforhishat;
thenpausingforamoment，\"WillyougiveevidenceofwhatyousawifIshouldbringthefellowupbeforeamagistrate？\"
\"ThatIwill，\"saidJoe，\"andgladtoo.\"Themanwasgone，andwewereonourwayhomeatasmarttrot.
\"Why，what’sthematterwithyou，Joe？Youlookangryallover，\"saidJohn，astheboyflunghimselffromthesaddle.
\"Iamangryallover，Icantellyou，\"saidtheboy，andtheninhurried，excitedwordshetoldallthathadhappened.Joewasusuallysuchaquiet，gentlelittlefellowthatitwaswonderfultoseehimsoroused.
\"Right，Joe！youdidright，myboy，whetherthefellowgetsasummonsornot.
Manyfolkswouldhaveriddenbyandsaiditwasnottheirbusinesstointerfere.NowIsaythatwithcrueltyandoppressionitiseverybody’sbusinesstointerferewhentheyseeit;youdidright，myboy.\"
Joewasquitecalmbythistime，andproudthatJohnapprovedofhim，andcleanedoutmyfeetandrubbedmedownwithafirmerhandthanusual.
TheywerejustgoinghometodinnerwhenthefootmancamedowntothestabletosaythatJoewaswanteddirectlyinmaster’sprivateroom;
therewasamanbroughtupforill—usinghorses，andJoe’sevidencewaswanted.Theboyflusheduptohisforehead，andhiseyessparkled.
\"Theyshallhaveit，\"saidhe.
\"Putyourselfabitstraight，\"saidJohn.Joegaveapullathisnecktieandatwitchathisjacket，andwasoffinamoment.Ourmasterbeingoneofthecountymagistrates，caseswereoftenbroughttohimtosettle，orsaywhatshouldbedone.Inthestableweheardnomoreforsometime，asitwasthemen’sdinnerhour，butwhenJoecamenextintothestableIsawhewasinhighspirits;hegavemeagood—naturedslap，andsaid，\"Wewon’tseesuchthingsdone，willwe，oldfellow？\"Weheardafterwardthathehadgivenhisevidencesoclearly，andthehorseswereinsuchanexhaustedstate，bearingmarksofsuchbrutalusage，thatthecarterwascommittedtotakehistrial，andmightpossiblybesentencedtotwoorthreemonthsinprison.
ItwaswonderfulwhatachangehadcomeoverJoe.Johnlaughed，andsaidhehadgrownaninchtallerinthatweek，andIbelievehehad.
Hewasjustaskindandgentleasbefore，buttherewasmorepurposeanddeterminationinallthathedid——asifhehadjumpedatoncefromaboyintoaman.
21ThePartingNowIhadlivedinthishappyplacethreeyears，butsadchangeswereabouttocomeoverus.Weheardfromtimetotimethatourmistresswasill.
Thedoctorwasoftenatthehouse，andthemasterlookedgraveandanxious.
Thenweheardthatshemustleaveherhomeatonce，andgotoawarmcountryfortwoorthreeyears.Thenewsfelluponthehouseholdlikethetollingofadeathbell.Everybodywassorry;butthemasterbegandirectlytomakearrangementsforbreakinguphisestablishmentandleavingEngland.
Weusedtohearittalkedaboutinourstable;indeed，nothingelsewastalkedabout.
Johnwentabouthisworksilentandsad，andJoescarcelywhistled.
Therewasagreatdealofcomingandgoing;GingerandIhadfullwork.
ThefirstofthepartywhowentwereMissJessieandFlora，withtheirgoverness.Theycametobidusgood—by.
TheyhuggedpoorMerrylegslikeanoldfriend，andsoindeedhewas.
Thenweheardwhathadbeenarrangedforus.MasterhadsoldGingerandmetohisoldfriend，theEarlofW————，forhethoughtweshouldhaveagoodplacethere.Merrylegshehadgiventothevicar，whowaswantingaponyforMrs.Blomefield，butitwasontheconditionthatheshouldneverbesold，andthatwhenhewaspastworkheshouldbeshotandburied.
Joewasengagedtotakecareofhimandtohelpinthehouse，soIthoughtthatMerrylegswaswelloff.Johnhadtheofferofseveralgoodplaces，buthesaidheshouldwaitalittleandlookround.
Theeveningbeforetheyleftthemastercameintothestabletogivesomedirections，andtogivehishorsesthelastpat.
Heseemedverylow—spirited;Iknewthatbyhisvoice.
Ibelievewehorsescantellmorebythevoicethanmanymencan.
\"Haveyoudecidedwhattodo，John？\"hesaid.\"Ifindyouhavenotacceptedeitherofthoseoffers.\"
\"No，sir;IhavemadeupmymindthatifIcouldgetasituationwithsomefirst—ratecolt—breakerandhorse—trainer，itwouldbetherightthingforme.Manyyounganimalsarefrightenedandspoiledbywrongtreatment，whichneednotbeiftherightmantooktheminhand.
Ialwaysgetonwellwithhorses，andifIcouldhelpsomeofthemtoafairstartIshouldfeelasifIwasdoingsomegood.
Whatdoyouthinkofit，sir？\"
\"Idon’tknowamananywhere，\"saidmaster，\"thatIshouldthinksosuitableforitasyourself.Youunderstandhorses，andsomehowtheyunderstandyou，andintimeyoumightsetupforyourself;
Ithinkyoucouldnotdobetter.IfinanywayIcanhelpyou，writetome.
IshallspeaktomyagentinLondon，andleaveyourcharacterwithhim.\"
MastergaveJohnthenameandaddress，andthenhethankedhimforhislongandfaithfulservice;butthatwastoomuchforJohn.
\"Pray，don’t，sir，Ican’tbearit;youandmydearmistresshavedonesomuchformethatIcouldneverrepayit.Butweshallneverforgetyou，sir，andpleaseGod，wemaysomedayseemistressbackagainlikeherself;
wemustkeepuphope，sir.\"MastergaveJohnhishand，buthedidnotspeak，andtheybothleftthestable.
Thelastsaddayhadcome;thefootmanandtheheavyluggagehadgoneoffthedaybefore，andtherewereonlymasterandmistressandhermaid.
GingerandIbroughtthecarriageuptothehalldoorforthelasttime.
Theservantsbroughtoutcushionsandrugsandmanyotherthings;
andwhenallwerearrangedmastercamedownthestepscarryingthemistressinhisarms（Iwasonthesidenexttothehouse，andcouldseeallthatwenton）;heplacedhercarefullyinthecarriage，whilethehouseservantsstoodroundcrying.
\"Good—by，again，\"hesaid;\"weshallnotforgetanyofyou，\"andhegotin.
\"Driveon，John.\"
Joejumpedup，andwetrottedslowlythroughtheparkandthroughthevillage，wherethepeoplewerestandingattheirdoorstohavealastlookandtosay，\"Godblessthem.\"
WhenwereachedtherailwaystationIthinkmistresswalkedfromthecarriagetothewaiting—room.Iheardhersayinherownsweetvoice，\"Good—by，John.
Godblessyou.\"Ifeltthereintwitch，butJohnmadenoanswer;
perhapshecouldnotspeak.AssoonasJoehadtakenthethingsoutofthecarriageJohncalledhimtostandbythehorses，whilehewentontheplatform.PoorJoe！hestoodcloseuptoourheadstohidehistears.Verysoonthetraincamepuffingupintothestation;
thentwoorthreeminutes，andthedoorswereslammedto，theguardwhistled，andthetrainglidedaway，leavingbehinditonlycloudsofwhitesmokeandsomeveryheavyhearts.
WhenitwasquiteoutofsightJohncameback.
\"Weshallneverseeheragain，\"hesaid——\"never.\"Hetookthereins，mountedthebox，andwithJoedroveslowlyhome;butitwasnotourhomenow.
PartII
22EarlshallThenextmorningafterbreakfastJoeputMerrylegsintothemistress’lowchaisetotakehimtothevicarage;hecamefirstandsaidgood—bytous，andMerrylegsneighedtousfromtheyard.
ThenJohnputthesaddleonGingerandtheleadingreinonme，androdeusacrossthecountryaboutfifteenmilestoEarlshallPark，wheretheEarlofW————lived.Therewasaveryfinehouseandagreatdealofstabling.Wewentintotheyardthroughastonegateway，andJohnaskedforMr.York.Itwassometimebeforehecame.
Hewasafine—looking，middle—agedman，andhisvoicesaidatoncethatheexpectedtobeobeyed.HewasveryfriendlyandpolitetoJohn，andaftergivingusaslightlookhecalledagroomtotakeustoourboxes，andinvitedJohntotakesomerefreshment.
Weweretakentoalight，airystable，andplacedinboxesadjoiningeachother，wherewewererubbeddownandfed.
InabouthalfanhourJohnandMr.York，whowastobeournewcoachman，cameintoseeus.
\"Now，Mr.Manly，\"hesaid，aftercarefullylookingatusboth，\"Icanseenofaultinthesehorses;butweallknowthathorseshavetheirpeculiaritiesaswellasmen，andthatsometimestheyneeddifferenttreatment.Ishouldliketoknowifthereisanythingparticularineitherofthesethatyouwouldliketomention.\"
\"Well，\"saidJohn，\"Idon’tbelievethereisabetterpairofhorsesinthecountry，andrightgrievedIamtopartwiththem，buttheyarenotalike.TheblackoneisthemostperfecttemperIeverknew;Isupposehehasneverknownahardwordorablowsincehewasfoaled，andallhispleasureseemstobetodowhatyouwish;
butthechestnut，Ifancy，musthavehadbadtreatment;
weheardasmuchfromthedealer.Shecametoussnappishandsuspicious，butwhenshefoundwhatsortofplaceourswas，itallwentoffbydegrees;
forthreeyearsIhaveneverseenthesmallestsignoftemper，andifsheiswelltreatedthereisnotabetter，morewillinganimalthansheis.Butsheisnaturallyamoreirritableconstitutionthantheblackhorse;fliesteasehermore;anythingwrongintheharnessfretshermore;andifshewereill—usedorunfairlytreatedshewouldnotbeunlikelytogivetitfortat.Youknowthatmanyhigh—mettledhorseswilldoso.\"
\"Ofcourse，\"saidYork，\"Iquiteunderstand;butyouknowitisnoteasyinstableslikethesetohaveallthegroomsjustwhattheyshouldbe.
Idomybest，andthereImustleaveit.I’llrememberwhatyouhavesaidaboutthemare.\"
Theyweregoingoutofthestable，whenJohnstoppedandsaid，\"Ihadbettermentionthatwehaveneverusedthecheck—reinwitheitherofthem;theblackhorseneverhadoneon，andthedealersaiditwasthegag—bitthatspoiledtheother’stemper.\"
\"Well，\"saidYork，\"iftheycomeheretheymustwearthecheck—rein.
Ipreferaloosereinmyself，andhislordshipisalwaysveryreasonableabouthorses;butmylady——that’sanotherthing;shewillhavestyle，andifhercarriagehorsesarenotreineduptightshewouldn’tlookatthem.
Ialwaysstandoutagainstthegag—bit，andshalldoso，butitmustbetightupwhenmyladyrides！\"
\"Iamsorryforit，verysorry，\"saidJohn;\"butImustgonow，orIshalllosethetrain.\"
Hecameroundtoeachofustopatandspeaktousforthelasttime;
hisvoicesoundedverysad.
Iheldmyfaceclosetohim;thatwasallIcoulddotosaygood—by;
andthenhewasgone，andIhaveneverseenhimsince.
ThenextdayLordW————cametolookatus;heseemedpleasedwithourappearance.
\"Ihavegreatconfidenceinthesehorses，\"hesaid，\"fromthecharactermyfriendMr.Gordonhasgivenmeofthem.Ofcoursetheyarenotamatchincolor，butmyideaisthattheywilldoverywellforthecarriagewhileweareinthecountry.BeforewegotoLondonImusttrytomatchBaron;theblackhorse，Ibelieve，isperfectforriding.\"
YorkthentoldhimwhatJohnhadsaidaboutus.
\"Well，\"saidhe，\"youmustkeepaneyetothemare，andputthecheck—reineasy;Idaresaytheywilldoverywellwithalittlehumoringatfirst.I’llmentionittoyourlady.\"
Intheafternoonwewereharnessedandputinthecarriage，andasthestableclockstruckthreewewereledroundtothefrontofthehouse.Itwasallverygrand，andthreeorfourtimesaslargeastheoldhouseatBirtwick，butnothalfsopleasant，ifahorsemayhaveanopinion.Twofootmenwerestandingready，dressedindrablivery，withscarletbreechesandwhitestockings.
Presentlyweheardtherustlingsoundofsilkasmyladycamedowntheflightofstonesteps.Shesteppedroundtolookatus;shewasatall，proud—lookingwoman，anddidnotseempleasedaboutsomething，butshesaidnothing，andgotintothecarriage.Thiswasthefirsttimeofwearingacheck—rein，andImustsay，thoughitcertainlywasanuisancenottobeabletogetmyheaddownnowandthen，itdidnotpullmyheadhigherthanIwasaccustomedtocarryit.IfeltanxiousaboutGinger，butsheseemedtobequietandcontent.
Thenextdayatthreeo’clockwewereagainatthedoor，andthefootmenasbefore;weheardthesilkdressrustleandtheladycamedownthesteps，andinanimperiousvoiceshesaid，\"York，youmustputthosehorses’headshigher;theyarenotfittobeseen.\"
Yorkgotdown，andsaidveryrespectfully，\"Ibegyourpardon，mylady，butthesehorseshavenotbeenreinedupforthreeyears，andmylordsaiditwouldbesafertobringthemtoitbydegrees;
butifyourladyshippleasesIcantakethemupalittlemore.\"
\"Doso，\"shesaid.
Yorkcameroundtoourheadsandshortenedthereinhimself——onehole，Ithink;everylittlemakesadifference，beitforbetterorworse，andthatdaywehadasteephilltogoup.ThenIbegantounderstandwhatIhadheardof.Ofcourse，Iwantedtoputmyheadforwardandtakethecarriageupwithawill，aswehadbeenusedtodo;butno，Ihadtopullwithmyheadupnow，andthattookallthespiritoutofme，andthestraincameonmybackandlegs.WhenwecameinGingersaid，\"Nowyouseewhatitislike;butthisisnotbad，andifitdoesnotgetmuchworsethanthisIshallsaynothingaboutit，forweareverywelltreatedhere;butiftheystrainmeuptight，why，let’emlookout！Ican’tbearit，andIwon’t.\"
Daybyday，holebyhole，ourbearingreinswereshortened，andinsteadoflookingforwardwithpleasuretohavingmyharnessputon，asIusedtodo，Ibegantodreadit.Ginger，too，seemedrestless，thoughshesaidverylittle.AtlastIthoughttheworstwasover;
forseveraldaystherewasnomoreshortening，andIdeterminedtomakethebestofitanddomyduty，thoughitwasnowaconstantharassinsteadofapleasure;buttheworstwasnotcome.
23AStrikeforLibertyOnedaymyladycamedownlaterthanusual，andthesilkrustledmorethanever.
\"DrivetotheDuchessofB————’s，\"shesaid，andthenafterapause，\"Areyounevergoingtogetthosehorses’headsup，York？
Raisethematonceandletushavenomoreofthishumoringandnonsense.\"
Yorkcametomefirst，whilethegroomstoodatGinger’shead.
Hedrewmyheadbackandfixedthereinsotightthatitwasalmostintolerable;thenhewenttoGinger，whowasimpatientlyjerkingherheadupanddownagainstthebit，aswasherwaynow.
Shehadagoodideaofwhatwascoming，andthemomentYorktookthereinofftheterretinordertoshortenitshetookheropportunityandrearedupsosuddenlythatYorkhadhisnoseroughlyhitandhishatknockedoff;thegroomwasnearlythrownoffhislegs.
Atoncetheybothflewtoherhead;butshewasamatchforthem，andwentonplunging，rearing，andkickinginamostdesperatemanner.
Atlastshekickedrightoverthecarriagepoleandfelldown，aftergivingmeasevereblowonmynearquarter.ThereisnoknowingwhatfurthermischiefshemighthavedonehadnotYorkpromptlysathimselfdownflatonherheadtopreventherstruggling，atthesametimecallingout，\"Unbuckletheblackhorse！
Runforthewinchandunscrewthecarriagepole！Cutthetracehere，somebody，ifyoucan’tunhitchit！\"Oneofthefootmenranforthewinch，andanotherbroughtaknifefromthehouse.ThegroomsoonsetmefreefromGingerandthecarriage，andledmetomybox.HejustturnedmeinasIwasandranbacktoYork.Iwasmuchexcitedbywhathadhappened，andifIhadeverbeenusedtokickorrearIamsureIshouldhavedoneitthen;butIneverhad，andthereIstood，angry，soreinmyleg，myheadstillstraineduptotheterretonthesaddle，andnopowertogetitdown.Iwasverymiserableandfeltmuchinclinedtokickthefirstpersonwhocamenearme.
Beforelong，however，Gingerwasledinbytwogrooms，agooddealknockedaboutandbruised.Yorkcamewithherandgavehisorders，andthencametolookatme.Inamomentheletdownmyhead.
\"Confoundthesecheck—reins！\"hesaidtohimself;\"Ithoughtweshouldhavesomemischiefsoon.Masterwillbesorelyvexed.Butthere，ifawoman’shusbandcan’truleherofcourseaservantcan’t;
soIwashmyhandsofit，andifshecan’tgettotheduchess’gardenpartyIcan’thelpit.\"
Yorkdidnotsaythisbeforethemen;healwaysspokerespectfullywhentheywereby.Nowhefeltmeallover，andsoonfoundtheplaceabovemyhockwhereIhadbeenkicked.Itwasswelledandpainful;
heorderedittobespongedwithhotwater，andthensomelotionwasputon.
LordW————wasmuchputoutwhenhelearnedwhathadhappened;
heblamedYorkforgivingwaytohismistress，towhichherepliedthatinfuturehewouldmuchprefertoreceivehisordersonlyfromhislordship;butIthinknothingcameofit，forthingswentonthesameasbefore.IthoughtYorkmighthavestoodupbetterforhishorses，butperhapsIamnojudge.
Gingerwasneverputintothecarriageagain，butwhenshewaswellofherbruisesoneoftheLordW————’syoungersonssaidheshouldliketohaveher;hewassureshewouldmakeagoodhunter.
Asforme，Iwasobligedstilltogointhecarriage，andhadafreshpartnercalledMax;hehadalwaysbeenusedtothetightrein.
Iaskedhimhowitwasheboreit.
\"Well，\"hesaid，\"IbearitbecauseImust;butitisshorteningmylife，anditwillshortenyourstooifyouhavetosticktoit.\"
\"Doyouthink，\"Isaid，\"thatourmastersknowhowbaditisforus？\"
\"Ican’tsay，\"hereplied，\"butthedealersandthehorse—doctorsknowitverywell.Iwasatadealer’sonce，whowastrainingmeandanotherhorsetogoasapair;hewasgettingourheadsup，ashesaid，alittlehigherandalittlehighereveryday.Agentlemanwhowasthereaskedhimwhyhedidso.`Because，’saidhe，`peoplewon’tbuythemunlesswedo.TheLondonpeoplealwayswanttheirhorsestocarrytheirheadshighandtostephigh.Ofcourseitisverybadforthehorses，butthenitisgoodfortrade.Thehorsessoonwearup，orgetdiseased，andtheycomeforanotherpair.’That，\"saidMax，\"iswhathesaidinmyhearing，andyoucanjudgeforyourself.\"
WhatIsufferedwiththatreinforfourlongmonthsinmylady’scarriageitwouldbehardtodescribe;butIamquitesurethat，haditlastedmuchlonger，eithermyhealthormytemperwouldhavegivenway.
Beforethat，Ineverknewwhatitwastofoamatthemouth，butnowtheactionofthesharpbitonmytongueandjaw，andtheconstrainedpositionofmyheadandthroat，alwayscausedmetofrothatthemouthmoreorless.Somepeoplethinkitveryfinetoseethis，andsay，\"Whatfinespiritedcreatures！\"Butitisjustasunnaturalforhorsesasformentofoamatthemouth;itisasuresignofsomediscomfort，andshouldbeattendedto.Besidesthis，therewasapressureonmywindpipe，whichoftenmademybreathingveryuncomfortable;whenIreturnedfrommyworkmyneckandchestwerestrainedandpainful，mymouthandtonguetender，andIfeltwornanddepressed.
InmyoldhomeIalwaysknewthatJohnandmymasterweremyfriends;
buthere，althoughinmanywaysIwaswelltreated，Ihadnofriend.
Yorkmighthaveknown，andverylikelydidknow，howthatreinharassedme;
butIsupposehetookitasamatterofcoursethatitcouldnotbehelped;
atanyrate，nothingwasdonetorelieveme.
24TheLadyAnne，oraRunawayHorseEarlyinthespring，LordW————andpartofhisfamilywentuptoLondon，andtookYorkwiththem.IandGingerandsomeotherhorseswereleftathomeforuse，andtheheadgroomwasleftincharge.
TheLadyHarriet，whoremainedatthehall，wasagreatinvalid，andneverwentoutinthecarriage，andtheLadyAnnepreferredridingonhorsebackwithherbrotherorcousins.Shewasaperfecthorsewoman，andasgayandgentleasshewasbeautiful.
Shechosemeforherhorse，andnamedme\"BlackAuster\".
Ienjoyedtheseridesverymuchintheclearcoldair，sometimeswithGinger，sometimeswithLizzie.ThisLizziewasabrightbaymare，almostthoroughbred，andagreatfavoritewiththegentlemen，onaccountofherfineactionandlivelyspirit;butGinger，whoknewmoreofherthanIdid，toldmeshewasrathernervous.
TherewasagentlemanofthenameofBlantyrestayingatthehall;
healwaysrodeLizzie，andpraisedhersomuchthatonedayLadyAnneorderedtheside—saddletobeputonher，andtheothersaddleonme.
Whenwecametothedoorthegentlemanseemedveryuneasy.
\"Howisthis？\"hesaid.\"AreyoutiredofyourgoodBlackAuster？\"
\"Oh，no，notatall，\"shereplied，\"butIamamiableenoughtoletyouridehimforonce，andIwilltryyourcharmingLizzie.
Youmustconfessthatinsizeandappearancesheisfarmorelikealady’shorsethanmyownfavorite.\"
\"Doletmeadviseyounottomounther，\"hesaid;
\"sheisacharmingcreature，butsheistoonervousforalady.
Iassureyou，sheisnotperfectlysafe;letmebegyoutohavethesaddleschanged.\"
\"Mydearcousin，\"saidLadyAnne，laughing，\"praydonottroubleyourgoodcarefulheadaboutme.IhavebeenahorsewomaneversinceIwasababy，andIhavefollowedthehoundsagreatmanytimes，thoughIknowyoudonotapproveofladieshunting;
butstillthatisthefact，andIintendtotrythisLizziethatyougentlemenareallsofondof;sopleasehelpmetomount，likeagoodfriendasyouare.\"
Therewasnomoretobesaid;heplacedhercarefullyonthesaddle，lookedtothebitandcurb，gavethereinsgentlyintoherhand，andthenmountedme.JustasweweremovingoffafootmancameoutwithaslipofpaperandmessagefromtheLadyHarriet.
\"WouldtheyaskthisquestionforheratDr.Ashley’s，andbringtheanswer？\"
Thevillagewasaboutamileoff，andthedoctor’shousewasthelastinit.
Wewentalonggaylyenoughtillwecametohisgate.Therewasashortdriveuptothehousebetweentallevergreens.
Blantyrealightedatthegate，andwasgoingtoopenitforLadyAnne，butshesaid，\"Iwillwaitforyouhere，andyoucanhangAuster’sreinonthegate.\"
Helookedatherdoubtfully.\"Iwillnotbefiveminutes，\"hesaid.
\"Oh，donothurryyourself;LizzieandIshallnotrunawayfromyou.\"
Hehungmyreinononeoftheironspikes，andwassoonhiddenamongthetrees.Lizziewasstandingquietlybythesideoftheroadafewpacesoff，withherbacktome.Myyoungmistresswassittingeasilywithalooserein，hummingalittlesong.Ilistenedtomyrider’sfootstepsuntiltheyreachedthehouse，andheardhimknockatthedoor.
Therewasameadowontheoppositesideoftheroad，thegateofwhichstoodopen;justthensomecarthorsesandseveralyoungcoltscametrottingoutinaverydisorderlymanner，whileaboybehindwascrackingagreatwhip.Thecoltswerewildandfrolicsome，andoneofthemboltedacrosstheroadandblunderedupagainstLizzie’shindlegs，andwhetheritwasthestupidcolt，ortheloudcrackingofthewhip，orbothtogether，Icannotsay，butshegaveaviolentkick，anddashedoffintoaheadlonggallop.
ItwassosuddenthatLadyAnnewasnearlyunseated，butshesoonrecoveredherself.Igavealoud，shrillneighforhelp;
againandagainIneighed，pawingthegroundimpatiently，andtossingmyheadtogetthereinloose.Ihadnotlongtowait.
Blantyrecamerunningtothegate;helookedanxiouslyabout，andjustcaughtsightoftheflyingfigure，nowfarawayontheroad.
Inaninstanthesprangtothesaddle.Ineedednowhip，nospur，forIwasaseagerasmyrider;hesawit，andgivingmeafreerein，andleaningalittleforward，wedashedafterthem.
Foraboutamileandahalftheroadranstraight，andthenbenttotheright，afterwhichitdividedintotworoads.
Longbeforewecametothebendshewasoutofsight.
Whichwayhadsheturned？Awomanwasstandingathergardengate，shadinghereyeswithherhand，andlookingeagerlyuptheroad.
Scarcelydrawingtherein，Blantyreshouted，\"Whichway？\"
\"Totheright！\"criedthewoman，pointingwithherhand，andawaywewentuptheright—handroad;thenforamomentwecaughtsightofher;
anotherbendandshewashiddenagain.Severaltimeswecaughtglimpses，andthenlostthem.Wescarcelyseemedtogaingrounduponthematall.
Anoldroad—menderwasstandingnearaheapofstones，hisshoveldroppedandhishandsraised.Aswecamenearhemadeasigntospeak.
Blantyredrewthereinalittle.\"Tothecommon，tothecommon，sir;
shehasturnedoffthere.\"Iknewthiscommonverywell;
itwasforthemostpartveryunevenground，coveredwithheatheranddark—greenfurzebushes，withhereandthereascrubbyoldthorn—tree;
therewerealsoopenspacesoffineshortgrass，withant—hillsandmole—turnseverywhere;theworstplaceIeverknewforaheadlonggallop.
Wehadhardlyturnedonthecommon，whenwecaughtsightagainofthegreenhabitflyingonbeforeus.Mylady’shatwasgone，andherlongbrownhairwasstreamingbehindher.Herheadandbodywerethrownback，asifshewerepullingwithallherremainingstrength，andasifthatstrengthwerenearlyexhausted.ItwasclearthattheroughnessofthegroundhadverymuchlessenedLizzie’sspeed，andthereseemedachancethatwemightovertakeher.
Whilewewereonthehighroad，Blantyrehadgivenmemyhead;butnow，withalighthandandapracticedeye，heguidedmeoverthegroundinsuchamasterlymannerthatmypacewasscarcelyslackened，andweweredecidedlygainingonthem.
Abouthalfwayacrosstheheaththerehadbeenawidedikerecentlycut，andtheearthfromthecuttingwascastuproughlyontheotherside.
Surelythiswouldstopthem！Butno;withscarcelyapauseLizzietooktheleap，stumbledamongtheroughclodsandfell.
Blantyregroaned，\"Now，Auster，doyourbest！\"Hegavemeasteadyrein.
Igatheredmyselfwelltogetherandwithonedeterminedleapclearedbothdikeandbank.
Motionlessamongtheheather，withherfacetotheearth，laymypooryoungmistress.Blantyrekneeleddownandcalledhername：
therewasnosound.Gentlyheturnedherfaceupward：itwasghastlywhiteandtheeyeswereclosed.\"Annie，dearAnnie，dospeak！\"
Buttherewasnoanswer.Heunbuttonedherhabit，loosenedhercollar，feltherhandsandwrist，thenstartedupandlookedwildlyroundhimforhelp.
Atnogreatdistancethereweretwomencuttingturf，who，seeingLizzierunningwildwithoutarider，hadlefttheirworktocatchher.
Blantyre’shalloosoonbroughtthemtothespot.Theforemostmanseemedmuchtroubledatthesight，andaskedwhathecoulddo.
\"Canyouride？\"
\"Well，sir，Ibean’tmuchofahorseman，butI’driskmyneckfortheLadyAnne;shewasuncommongoodtomywifeinthewinter.\"
\"Thenmountthishorse，myfriend——yourneckwillbequitesafe——
andridetothedoctor’sandaskhimtocomeinstantly;thenontothehall;
tellthemallthatyouknow，andbidthemsendmethecarriage，withLadyAnne’smaidandhelp.Ishallstayhere.\"
\"Allright，sir，I’lldomybest，andIprayGodthedearyoungladymayopenhereyessoon.\"Then，seeingtheotherman，hecalledout，\"Here，Joe，runforsomewater，andtellmymissistocomeasquickasshecantotheLadyAnne.\"
Hethensomehowscrambledintothesaddle，andwitha\"Geeup\"
andaclaponmysideswithbothhislegs，hestartedonhisjourney，makingalittlecircuittoavoidthedike.Hehadnowhip，whichseemedtotroublehim;butmypacesooncuredthatdifficulty，andhefoundthebestthinghecoulddowastosticktothesaddleandholdmein，whichhedidmanfully.IshookhimaslittleasIcouldhelp，butonceortwiceontheroughgroundhecalledout，\"Steady！Woah！Steady！\"Onthehighroadwewereallright;
andatthedoctor’sandthehallhedidhiserrandlikeagoodmanandtrue.
Theyaskedhimintotakeadropofsomething.\"No，no，\"hesaid;
\"I’llbebackto’emagainbyashortcutthroughthefields，andbethereaforethecarriage.\"
Therewasagreatdealofhurryandexcitementafterthenewsbecameknown.
Iwasjustturnedintomybox;thesaddleandbridleweretakenoff，andacloththrownoverme.
GingerwassaddledandsentoffingreathasteforLordGeorge，andIsoonheardthecarriagerolloutoftheyard.
ItseemedalongtimebeforeGingercameback，andbeforewewereleftalone;
andthenshetoldmeallthatshehadseen.
\"Ican’ttellmuch，\"shesaid.\"Wewentagallopnearlyalltheway，andgottherejustasthedoctorrodeup.Therewasawomansittingonthegroundwiththelady’sheadinherlap.
Thedoctorpouredsomethingintohermouth，butallthatIheardwas，`Sheisnotdead.’ThenIwasledoffbyamantoalittledistance.
Afterawhileshewastakentothecarriage，andwecamehometogether.
Iheardmymastersaytoagentlemanwhostoppedhimtoinquire，thathehopednoboneswerebroken，butthatshehadnotspokenyet.\"
WhenLordGeorgetookGingerforhunting，Yorkshookhishead;
hesaiditoughttobeasteadyhandtotrainahorseforthefirstseason，andnotarandomriderlikeLordGeorge.
Gingerusedtolikeitverymuch，butsometimeswhenshecamebackIcouldseethatshehadbeenverymuchstrained，andnowandthenshegaveashortcough.Shehadtoomuchspirittocomplain，butIcouldnothelpfeelinganxiousabouther.
TwodaysaftertheaccidentBlantyrepaidmeavisit;
hepattedmeandpraisedmeverymuch;hetoldLordGeorgethathewassurethehorseknewofAnnie’sdangeraswellashedid.\"IcouldnothaveheldhiminifIwould，\"saidhe，\"sheoughtnevertorideanyotherhorse.\"
Ifoundbytheirconversationthatmyyoungmistresswasnowoutofdanger，andwouldsoonbeabletorideagain.ThiswasgoodnewstomeandIlookedforwardtoahappylife.
25ReubenSmithNowImustsayalittleaboutReubenSmith，whowasleftinchargeofthestableswhenYorkwenttoLondon.Noonemorethoroughlyunderstoodhisbusinessthanhedid，andwhenhewasallrighttherecouldnotbeamorefaithfulorvaluableman.
Hewasgentleandverycleverinhismanagementofhorses，andcoulddoctorthemalmostaswellasafarrier，forhehadlivedtwoyearswithaveterinarysurgeon.
Hewasafirst—ratedriver;hecouldtakeafour—in—handoratandemaseasilyasapair.Hewasahandsomeman，agoodscholar，andhadverypleasantmanners.Ibelieveeverybodylikedhim;
certainlythehorsesdid.TheonlywonderwasthatheshouldbeinanundersituationandnotintheplaceofaheadcoachmanlikeYork;
buthehadonegreatfaultandthatwastheloveofdrink.
Hewasnotlikesomemen，alwaysatit;heusedtokeepsteadyforweeksormonthstogether，andthenhewouldbreakoutandhavea\"bout\"ofit，asYorkcalledit，andbeadisgracetohimself，aterrortohiswife，andanuisancetoallthathadtodowithhim.Hewas，however，sousefulthattwoorthreetimesYorkhadhushedthematterupandkeptitfromtheearl’sknowledge;butonenight，whenReubenhadtodriveapartyhomefromaballhewassodrunkthathecouldnotholdthereins，andagentlemanofthepartyhadtomounttheboxanddrivetheladieshome.
Ofcourse，thiscouldnotbehidden，andReubenwasatoncedismissed;
hispoorwifeandlittlechildrenhadtoturnoutoftheprettycottagebytheparkgateandgowheretheycould.OldMaxtoldmeallthis，forithappenedagoodwhileago;butshortlybeforeGingerandIcameSmithhadbeentakenbackagain.Yorkhadintercededforhimwiththeearl，whoisverykind—hearted，andthemanhadpromisedfaithfullythathewouldnevertasteanotherdropaslongashelivedthere.
HehadkepthispromisesowellthatYorkthoughthemightbesafelytrustedtofillhisplacewhilehewasaway，andhewassocleverandhonestthatnooneelseseemedsowellfittedforit.
ItwasnowearlyinApril，andthefamilywasexpectedhomesometimeinMay.
Thelightbroughamwastobefreshdoneup，andasColonelBlantyrewasobligedtoreturntohisregimentitwasarrangedthatSmithshoulddrivehimtothetowninit，andrideback;forthispurposehetookthesaddlewithhim，andIwaschosenforthejourney.
AtthestationthecolonelputsomemoneyintoSmith’shandandbidhimgood—by，saying，\"Takecareofyouryoungmistress，Reuben，anddon’tletBlackAusterbehackedaboutbyanyrandomyoungprigthatwantstoridehim——keephimforthelady.\"
Weleftthecarriageatthemaker’s，andSmithrodemetotheWhiteLion，andorderedthehostlertofeedmewell，andhavemereadyforhimatfouro’clock.AnailinoneofmyfrontshoeshadstartedasIcamealong，butthehostlerdidnotnoticeittilljustaboutfouro’clock.
Smithdidnotcomeintotheyardtillfive，andthenhesaidheshouldnotleavetillsix，ashehadmetwithsomeoldfriends.Themanthentoldhimofthenail，andaskedifheshouldhavetheshoelookedto.