\"No，\"saidSmith，\"thatwillbeallrighttillwegethome.\"
Hespokeinaveryloud，offhandway，andIthoughtitveryunlikehimnottoseeabouttheshoe，ashewasgenerallywonderfullyparticularaboutloosenailsinourshoes.Hedidnotcomeatsixnorseven，noreight，anditwasnearlynineo’clockbeforehecalledforme，andthenitwaswithaloud，roughvoice.Heseemedinaverybadtemper，andabusedthehostler，thoughIcouldnottellwhatfor.
Thelandlordstoodatthedoorandsaid，\"Haveacare，Mr.Smith！\"
butheansweredangrilywithanoath;andalmostbeforehewasoutofthetownhebegantogallop，frequentlygivingmeasharpcutwithhiswhip，thoughIwasgoingatfullspeed.Themoonhadnotyetrisen，anditwasverydark.Theroadswerestony，havingbeenrecentlymended;
goingoverthematthispace，myshoebecamelooser，andaswenearedtheturnpikegateitcameoff.
IfSmithhadbeeninhisrightsenseshewouldhavebeensensibleofsomethingwronginmypace，buthewastoodrunktonotice.
Beyondtheturnpikewasalongpieceofroad，uponwhichfreshstoneshadjustbeenlaid——largesharpstones，overwhichnohorsecouldbedrivenquicklywithoutriskofdanger.Overthisroad，withoneshoegone，Iwasforcedtogallopatmyutmostspeed，myridermeanwhilecuttingintomewithhiswhip，andwithwildcursesurgingmetogostillfaster.
Ofcoursemyshoelessfootsuffereddreadfully;thehoofwasbrokenandsplitdowntotheveryquick，andtheinsidewasterriblycutbythesharpnessofthestones.
Thiscouldnotgoon;nohorsecouldkeephisfootingundersuchcircumstances;thepainwastoogreat.Istumbled，andfellwithviolenceonbothmyknees.Smithwasflungoffbymyfall，and，owingtothespeedIwasgoingat，hemusthavefallenwithgreatforce.
Isoonrecoveredmyfeetandlimpedtothesideoftheroad，whereitwasfreefromstones.Themoonhadjustrisenabovethehedge，andbyitslightIcouldseeSmithlyingafewyardsbeyondme.
Hedidnotrise;hemadeoneslightefforttodoso，andthentherewasaheavygroan.Icouldhavegroaned，too，forIwassufferingintensepainbothfrommyfootandknees;
buthorsesareusedtobeartheirpaininsilence.Iutterednosound，butIstoodthereandlistened.OnemoreheavygroanfromSmith;
butthoughhenowlayinthefullmoonlightIcouldseenomotion.
Icoulddonothingforhimnormyself，but，oh！howIlistenedforthesoundofhorse，orwheels，orfootsteps！Theroadwasnotmuchfrequented，andatthistimeofthenightwemightstayforhoursbeforehelpcametous.
Istoodwatchingandlistening.Itwasacalm，sweetAprilnight;
therewerenosoundsbutafewlownotesofanightingale，andnothingmovedbutthewhitecloudsnearthemoonandabrownowlthatflittedoverthehedge.Itmademethinkofthesummernightslongago，whenIusedtoliebesidemymotherinthegreenpleasantmeadowatFarmerGrey’s.
26HowitEndedItmusthavebeennearlymidnightwhenIheardatagreatdistancethesoundofahorse’sfeet.Sometimesthesounddiedaway，thenitgrewcleareragainandnearer.TheroadtoEarlshallledthroughwoodsthatbelongedtotheearl;thesoundcameinthatdirection，andIhopeditmightbesomeonecominginsearchofus.AsthesoundcamenearerandnearerIwasalmostsureIcoulddistinguishGinger’sstep;
alittlenearerstill，andIcouldtellshewasinthedog—cart.
Ineighedloudly，andwasoverjoyedtohearanansweringneighfromGinger，andmen’svoices.Theycameslowlyoverthestones，andstoppedatthedarkfigurethatlayupontheground.
Oneofthemenjumpedout，andstoopeddownoverit.\"ItisReuben，\"
hesaid，\"andhedoesnotstir！\"
Theothermanfollowed，andbentoverhim.\"He’sdead，\"hesaid;
\"feelhowcoldhishandsare.\"
Theyraisedhimup，buttherewasnolife，andhishairwassoakedwithblood.Theylaidhimdownagain，andcameandlookedatme.
Theysoonsawmycutknees.
\"Why，thehorsehasbeendownandthrownhim！Whowouldhavethoughttheblackhorsewouldhavedonethat？Nobodythoughthecouldfall.
Reubenmusthavebeenlyinghereforhours！Odd，too，thatthehorsehasnotmovedfromtheplace.\"
Robertthenattemptedtoleadmeforward.Imadeastep，butalmostfellagain.
\"Halloo！he’sbadinhisfootaswellashisknees.Lookhere——
hishoofiscutalltopieces;hemightwellcomedown，poorfellow！
Itellyouwhat，Ned，I’mafraidithasn’tbeenallrightwithReuben.
Justthinkofhisridingahorseoverthesestoneswithoutashoe！
Why，ifhehadbeeninhisrightsenseshewouldjustassoonhavetriedtoridehimoverthemoon.I’mafraidithasbeentheoldthingoveragain.
PoorSusan！shelookedawfullypalewhenshecametomyhousetoaskifhehadnotcomehome.Shemadebelieveshewasnotabitanxious，andtalkedofalotofthingsthatmighthavekepthim.
Butforallthatshebeggedmetogoandmeethim.Butwhatmustwedo？
There’sthehorsetogethomeaswellasthebody，andthatwillbenoeasymatter.\"
Thenfollowedaconversationbetweenthem，tillitwasagreedthatRobert，asthegroom，shouldleadme，andthatNedmusttakethebody.
Itwasahardjobtogetitintothedog—cart，fortherewasnoonetoholdGinger;butsheknewaswellasIdidwhatwasgoingon，andstoodasstillasastone.Inoticedthat，because，ifshehadafault，itwasthatshewasimpatientinstanding.
Nedstartedoffveryslowlywithhissadload，andRobertcameandlookedatmyfootagain;thenhetookhishandkerchiefandbounditcloselyround，andsoheledmehome.Ishallneverforgetthatnightwalk;
itwasmorethanthreemiles.Robertledmeonveryslowly，andIlimpedandhobbledonaswellasIcouldwithgreatpain.
Iamsurehewassorryforme，forheoftenpattedandencouragedme，talkingtomeinapleasantvoice.
AtlastIreachedmyownbox，andhadsomecorn;andafterRoberthadwrappedupmykneesinwetcloths，hetiedupmyfootinabranpoultice，todrawouttheheatandcleanseitbeforethehorse—doctorsawitinthemorning，andImanagedtogetmyselfdownonthestraw，andsleptinspiteofthepain.
Thenextdayafterthefarrierhadexaminedmywounds，hesaidhehopedthejointwasnotinjured;andifso，Ishouldnotbespoiledforwork，butIshouldneverlosetheblemish.Ibelievetheydidthebesttomakeagoodcure，butitwasalongandpainfulone.Proudflesh，astheycalledit，cameupinmyknees，andwasburnedoutwithcaustic;
andwhenatlastitwashealed，theyputablisteringfluidoverthefrontofbothkneestobringallthehairoff;theyhadsomereasonforthis，andIsupposeitwasallright.
AsSmith’sdeathhadbeensosudden，andnoonewastheretoseeit，therewasaninquestheld.ThelandlordandhostlerattheWhiteLion，withseveralotherpeople，gaveevidencethathewasintoxicatedwhenhestartedfromtheinn.Thekeeperofthetoll—gatesaidherodeatahardgallopthroughthegate;andmyshoewaspickedupamongthestones，sothatthecasewasquiteplaintothem，andIwasclearedofallblame.
EverybodypitiedSusan.Shewasnearlyoutofhermind;
shekeptsayingoverandoveragain，\"Oh！hewassogood——sogood！
Itwasallthatcurseddrink;whywilltheysellthatcurseddrink？
OhReuben，Reuben！\"Soshewentontillafterhewasburied;andthen，asshehadnohomeorrelations，she，withhersixlittlechildren，wasobligedoncemoretoleavethepleasanthomebythetalloak—trees，andgointothatgreatgloomyUnionHouse.
27RuinedandGoingDownhillAssoonasmykneesweresufficientlyhealedIwasturnedintoasmallmeadowforamonthortwo;noothercreaturewasthere;andthoughIenjoyedthelibertyandthesweetgrass，yetIhadbeensolongusedtosocietythatIfeltverylonely.GingerandIhadbecomefastfriends，andnowImissedhercompanyextremely.IoftenneighedwhenIheardhorses’feetpassingintheroad，butIseldomgotananswer;
tillonemorningthegatewasopened，andwhoshouldcomeinbutdearoldGinger.Themanslippedoffherhalter，andleftherthere.
WithajoyfulwhinnyItrotteduptoher;wewerebothgladtomeet，butIsoonfoundthatitwasnotforourpleasurethatshewasbroughttobewithme.Herstorywouldbetoolongtotell，buttheendofitwasthatshehadbeenruinedbyhardriding，andwasnowturnedofftoseewhatrestwoulddo.
LordGeorgewasyoungandwouldtakenowarning;hewasahardrider，andwouldhuntwheneverhecouldgetthechance，quitecarelessofhishorse.
SoonafterIleftthestabletherewasasteeplechase，andhedeterminedtoride.Thoughthegroomtoldhimshewasalittlestrained，andwasnotfitfortherace，hedidnotbelieveit，andonthedayoftheraceurgedGingertokeepupwiththeforemostriders.
Withherhighspirit，shestrainedherselftotheutmost;
shecameinwiththefirstthreehorses，butherwindwastouched，besideswhichhewastooheavyforher，andherbackwasstrained.
\"Andso，\"shesaid，\"hereweare，ruinedintheprimeofouryouthandstrength，youbyadrunkard，andIbyafool;itisveryhard.\"
Webothfeltinourselvesthatwewerenotwhatwehadbeen.However，thatdidnotspoilthepleasurewehadineachother’scompany;
wedidnotgallopaboutasweoncedid，butweusedtofeed，andliedowntogether，andstandforhoursunderoneoftheshadylime—treeswithourheadsclosetoeachother;andsowepassedourtimetillthefamilyreturnedfromtown.
Onedaywesawtheearlcomeintothemeadow，andYorkwaswithhim.
Seeingwhoitwas，westoodstillunderourlime—tree，andletthemcomeuptous.Theyexamineduscarefully.
Theearlseemedmuchannoyed.
\"Thereisthreehundredpoundsflungawayfornoearthlyuse，\"saidhe;
\"butwhatIcaremostforisthatthesehorsesofmyoldfriend，whothoughttheywouldfindagoodhomewithme，areruined.
Themareshallhaveatwelve—month’srun，andweshallseewhatthatwilldoforher;buttheblackone，hemustbesold;
’tisagreatpity，butIcouldnothavekneesliketheseinmystables.\"
\"No，mylord，ofcoursenot，\"saidYork;\"buthemightgetaplacewhereappearanceisnotofmuchconsequence，andstillbewelltreated.IknowamaninBath，themasterofsomeliverystables，whooftenwantsagoodhorseatalowfigure;
Iknowhelookswellafterhishorses.Theinquestclearedthehorse’scharacter，andyourlordship’srecommendation，ormine，wouldbesufficientwarrantforhim.\"
\"Youhadbetterwritetohim，York.Ishouldbemoreparticularabouttheplacethanthemoneyhewouldfetch.\"
Afterthistheyleftus.
\"They’llsoontakeyouaway，\"saidGinger，\"andIshalllosetheonlyfriendIhave，andmostlikelyweshallneverseeeachotheragain.
’Tisahardworld！\"
AboutaweekafterthisRobertcameintothefieldwithahalter，whichheslippedovermyhead，andledmeaway.Therewasnoleave—takingofGinger;weneighedtoeachotherasIwasledoff，andshetrottedanxiouslyalongbythehedge，callingtomeaslongasshecouldhearthesoundofmyfeet.
ThroughtherecommendationofYork，Iwasboughtbythemasteroftheliverystables.Ihadtogobytrain，whichwasnewtome，andrequiredagooddealofcouragethefirsttime;
butasIfoundthepuffing，rushing，whistling，and，morethanall，thetremblingofthehorse—boxinwhichIstooddidmenorealharm，Isoontookitquietly.
WhenIreachedtheendofmyjourneyIfoundmyselfinatolerablycomfortablestable，andwellattendedto.
ThesestableswerenotsoairyandpleasantasthoseIhadbeenusedto.
Thestallswerelaidonaslopeinsteadofbeinglevel，andasmyheadwaskepttiedtothemanger，Iwasobligedalwaystostandontheslope，whichwasveryfatiguing.Mendonotseemtoknowyetthathorsescandomoreworkiftheycanstandcomfortablyandcanturnabout;
however，Iwaswellfedandwellcleaned，and，onthewhole，Ithinkourmastertookasmuchcareofusashecould.
Hekeptagoodmanyhorsesandcarriagesofdifferentkindsforhire.
Sometimeshisownmendrovethem;atothers，thehorseandchaisewerelettogentlemenorladieswhodrovethemselves.
28AJobHorseandHisDriversHithertoIhadalwaysbeendrivenbypeoplewhoatleastknewhowtodrive;
butinthisplaceIwastogetmyexperienceofallthedifferentkindsofbadandignorantdrivingtowhichwehorsesaresubjected;
forIwasa\"jobhorse\"，andwasletouttoallsortsofpeoplewhowishedtohireme;andasIwasgood—temperedandgentle，IthinkIwasoftenerletouttotheignorantdriversthansomeoftheotherhorses，becauseIcouldbedependedupon.ItwouldtakealongtimetotellofallthedifferentstylesinwhichIwasdriven，butIwillmentionafewofthem.
First，therewerethetight—reindrivers——menwhoseemedtothinkthatalldependedonholdingthereinsashardastheycould，neverrelaxingthepullonthehorse’smouth，orgivinghimtheleastlibertyofmovement.
Theyarealwaystalkingabout\"keepingthehorsewellinhand\"，and\"holdingahorseup\"，justasifahorsewasnotmadetoholdhimselfup.
Somepoor，broken—downhorses，whosemouthshavebeenmadehardandinsensiblebyjustsuchdriversasthese，may，perhaps，findsomesupportinit;butforahorsewhocandependuponhisownlegs，andwhohasatendermouthandiseasilyguided，itisnotonlytormenting，butitisstupid.
Thentherearetheloose—reindrivers，wholetthereinslieeasilyonourbacks，andtheirownhandrestlazilyontheirknees.Ofcourse，suchgentlemenhavenocontroloverahorse，ifanythinghappenssuddenly.
Ifahorseshies，orstarts，orstumbles，theyarenowhere，andcannothelpthehorseorthemselvestillthemischiefisdone.
Ofcourse，formyselfIhadnoobjectiontoit，asIwasnotinthehabiteitherofstartingorstumbling，andhadonlybeenusedtodependonmydriverforguidanceandencouragement.Still，onelikestofeelthereinalittleingoingdownhill，andlikestoknowthatone’sdriverisnotgonetosleep.
Besides，aslovenlywayofdrivinggetsahorseintobadandoftenlazyhabits，andwhenhechangeshandshehastobewhippedoutofthemwithmoreorlesspainandtrouble.
SquireGordonalwayskeptustoourbestpacesandourbestmanners.
Hesaidthatspoilingahorseandlettinghimgetintobadhabitswasjustascruelasspoilingachild，andbothhadtosufferforitafterward.
Besides，thesedriversareoftencarelessaltogether，andwillattendtoanythingelsemorethantheirhorses.
Iwentoutinthephaetononedaywithoneofthem;hehadaladyandtwochildrenbehind.Hefloppedthereinsaboutaswestarted，andofcoursegavemeseveralunmeaningcutswiththewhip，thoughIwasfairlyoff.Therehadbeenagooddealofroad—mendinggoingon，andevenwherethestoneswerenotfreshlylaiddowntherewereagreatmanylooseonesabout.Mydriverwaslaughingandjokingwiththeladyandthechildren，andtalkingaboutthecountrytotherightandtheleft;butheneverthoughtitworthwhiletokeepaneyeonhishorseortodriveonthesmoothestpartsoftheroad;
andsoiteasilyhappenedthatIgotastoneinoneofmyforefeet.
Now，ifMr.GordonorJohn，orinfactanygooddriver，hadbeenthere，hewouldhaveseenthatsomethingwaswrongbeforeIhadgonethreepaces.
Orevenifithadbeendarkapracticedhandwouldhavefeltbythereinthattherewassomethingwronginthestep，andtheywouldhavegotdownandpickedoutthestone.Butthismanwentonlaughingandtalking，whileateverystepthestonebecamemorefirmlywedgedbetweenmyshoeandthefrogofmyfoot.Thestonewassharpontheinsideandroundontheoutside，which，aseveryoneknows，isthemostdangerouskindthatahorsecanpickup，atthesametimecuttinghisfootandmakinghimmostliabletostumbleandfall.
WhetherthemanwaspartlyblindoronlyverycarelessIcan’tsay，buthedrovemewiththatstoneinmyfootforagoodhalf—milebeforehesawanything.BythattimeIwasgoingsolamewiththepainthatatlasthesawit，andcalledout，\"Well，here’sago！Why，theyhavesentusoutwithalamehorse！Whatashame！\"
Hethenchuckedthereinsandflippedaboutwiththewhip，saying，\"Now，then，it’snouseplayingtheoldsoldierwithme;
there’sthejourneytogo，andit’snouseturninglameandlazy.\"
Justatthistimeafarmercameridinguponabrowncob.
Heliftedhishatandpulledup.
\"Ibegyourpardon，sir，\"hesaid，\"butIthinkthereissomethingthematterwithyourhorse;hegoesverymuchasifhehadastoneinhisshoe.
IfyouwillallowmeIwilllookathisfeet;theseloosescatteredstonesareconfoundeddangerousthingsforthehorses.\"
\"He’sahiredhorse，\"saidmydriver.\"Idon’tknowwhat’sthematterwithhim，butitisagreatshametosendoutalamebeastlikethis.\"
Thefarmerdismounted，andslippinghisreinoverhisarmatoncetookupmynearfoot.
\"Blessme，there’sastone！Lame！Ishouldthinkso！\"
Atfirsthetriedtodislodgeitwithhishand，butasitwasnowverytightlywedgedhedrewastone—pickoutofhispocket，andverycarefullyandwithsometroublegotitout.Thenholdingituphesaid，\"There，that’sthestoneyourhorsehadpickedup.
Itisawonderhedidnotfalldownandbreakhiskneesintothebargain！\"
\"Well，tobesure！\"saidmydriver;\"thatisaqueerthing！
Ineverknewthathorsespickedupstonesbefore.\"
\"Didn’tyou？\"saidthefarmerrathercontemptuously;\"buttheydo，though，andthebestofthemwilldoit，andcan’thelpitsometimesonsuchroadsasthese.Andifyoudon’twanttolameyourhorseyoumustlooksharpandgetthemoutquickly.Thisfootisverymuchbruised，\"hesaid，settingitgentlydownandpattingme.\"IfImightadvise，sir，youhadbetterdrivehimgentlyforawhile;thefootisagooddealhurt，andthelamenesswillnotgooffdirectly.\"
Thenmountinghiscobandraisinghishattotheladyhetrottedoff.
Whenhewasgonemydriverbegantoflopthereinsaboutandwhiptheharness，bywhichIunderstoodthatIwastogoon，whichofcourseIdid，gladthatthestonewasgone，butstillinagooddealofpain.
Thiswasthesortofexperiencewejobhorsesoftencameinfor.
29CockneysThenthereisthesteam—enginestyleofdriving;thesedriversweremostlypeoplefromtowns，whoneverhadahorseoftheirownandgenerallytraveledbyrail.
Theyalwaysseemedtothinkthatahorsewassomethinglikeasteam—engine，onlysmaller.Atanyrate，theythinkthatifonlytheypayforitahorseisboundtogojustasfarandjustasfastandwithjustasheavyaloadastheyplease.Andbetheroadsheavyandmuddy，ordryandgood;
betheystonyorsmooth，uphillordownhill，itisallthesame——on，on，on，onemustgo，atthesamepace，withnoreliefandnoconsideration.
Thesepeopleneverthinkofgettingouttowalkupasteephill.Oh，no，theyhavepaidtoride，andridetheywill！Thehorse？Oh，he’susedtoit！
Whatwerehorsesmadefor，ifnottodragpeopleuphill？Walk！
Agoodjokeindeed！Andsothewhipispliedandthereinischuckedandoftenarough，scoldingvoicecriesout，\"Goalong，youlazybeast！\"
Andthenanotherslashofthewhip，whenallthetimewearedoingourverybesttogetalong，uncomplainingandobedient，thoughoftensorelyharassedanddown—hearted.
Thissteam—enginestyleofdrivingwearsusupfasterthananyotherkind.
IwouldfarrathergotwentymileswithagoodconsideratedriverthanIwouldgotenwithsomeofthese;itwouldtakelessoutofme.
Anotherthing，theyscarcelyeverputonthebrake，howeversteepthedownhillmaybe，andthusbadaccidentssometimeshappen;
oriftheydoputiton，theyoftenforgettotakeitoffatthebottomofthehill，andmorethanonceIhavehadtopullhalfwayupthenexthill，withoneofthewheelsheldbythebrake，beforemydriverchosetothinkaboutit;andthatisaterriblestrainonahorse.
Thenthesecockneys，insteadofstartingataneasypace，asagentlemanwoulddo，generallysetoffatfullspeedfromtheverystable—yard;andwhentheywanttostop，theyfirstwhipus，andthenpullupsosuddenlythatwearenearlythrownonourhaunches，andourmouthsjaggedwiththebit——theycallthatpullingupwithadash;
andwhentheyturnacornertheydoitassharplyasiftherewerenorightsideorwrongsideoftheroad.
IwellrememberonespringeveningIandRoryhadbeenoutfortheday.
（Rorywasthehorsethatmostlywentwithmewhenapairwasordered，andagoodhonestfellowhewas.）Wehadourowndriver，andashewasalwaysconsiderateandgentlewithus，wehadaverypleasantday.
Wewerecominghomeatagoodsmartpace，abouttwilight.
Ourroadturnedsharptotheleft;butaswewereclosetothehedgeonourownside，andtherewasplentyofroomtopass，ourdriverdidnotpullusin.AswenearedthecornerIheardahorseandtwowheelscomingrapidlydownthehilltowardus.Thehedgewashigh，andIcouldseenothing，butthenextmomentwewereuponeachother.
Happilyforme，Iwasonthesidenextthehedge.Rorywasontheleftsideofthepole，andhadnotevenashafttoprotecthim.
Themanwhowasdrivingwasmakingstraightforthecorner，andwhenhecameinsightofushehadnotimetopullovertohisownside.
ThewholeshockcameuponRory.Thegigshaftranrightintothechest，makinghimstaggerbackwithacrythatIshallneverforget.
Theotherhorsewasthrownuponhishaunchesandoneshaftbroken.
Itturnedoutthatitwasahorsefromourownstables，withthehigh—wheeledgigthattheyoungmenweresofondof.
Thedriverwasoneofthoserandom，ignorantfellows，whodon’tevenknowwhichistheirownsideoftheroad，or，iftheyknow，don’tcare.
AndtherewaspoorRorywithhisfleshtornopenandbleeding，andthebloodstreamingdown.Theysaidifithadbeenalittlemoretoonesideitwouldhavekilledhim;andagoodthingforhim，poorfellow，ifithad.
Asitwas，itwasalongtimebeforethewoundhealed，andthenhewassoldforcoal—carting;andwhatthatis，upanddownthosesteephills，onlyhorsesknow.SomeofthesightsIsawthere，whereahorsehadtocomedownhillwithaheavilyloadedtwo—wheelcartbehindhim，onwhichnobrakecouldbeplaced，makemesadevennowtothinkof.
AfterRorywasdisabledIoftenwentinthecarriagewithamarenamedPeggy，whostoodinthenextstalltomine.Shewasastrong，well—madeanimal，ofabrightduncolor，beautifullydappled，andwithadark—brownmaneandtail.Therewasnohighbreedingabouther，butshewasveryprettyandremarkablysweet—temperedandwilling.
Still，therewasananxiouslookabouthereye，bywhichIknewthatshehadsometrouble.ThefirsttimewewentouttogetherIthoughtshehadaveryoddpace;sheseemedtogopartlyatrot，partlyacanter，threeorfourpaces，andthenalittlejumpforward.
Itwasveryunpleasantforanyhorsewhopulledwithher，andmademequitefidgety.WhenwegothomeIaskedherwhatmadehergointhatodd，awkwardway.
\"Ah，\"shesaidinatroubledmanner，\"Iknowmypacesareverybad，butwhatcanIdo？Itreallyisnotmyfault;itisjustbecausemylegsaresoshort.Istandnearlyashighasyou，butyourlegsareagoodthreeincheslongeraboveyourkneethanmine，andofcourseyoucantakeamuchlongerstepandgomuchfaster.
YouseeIdidnotmakemyself.IwishIcouldhavedoneso;
Iwouldhavehadlonglegsthen.Allmytroublescomefrommyshortlegs，\"
saidPeggy，inadespondingtone.
\"Buthowisit，\"Isaid，\"whenyouaresostrongandgood—temperedandwilling？\"
\"Why，yousee，\"saidshe，\"menwillgosofast，andifonecan’tkeepuptootherhorsesitisnothingbutwhip，whip，whip，allthetime.
AndsoIhavehadtokeepupasIcould，andhavegotintothisuglyshufflingpace.Itwasnotalwaysso;whenIlivedwithmyfirstmasterIalwayswentagoodregulartrot，butthenhewasnotinsuchahurry.
Hewasayoungclergymaninthecountry，andagood，kindmasterhewas.
Hehadtwochurchesagoodwayapart，andagreatdealofwork，butheneverscoldedorwhippedmefornotgoingfaster.
Hewasveryfondofme.IonlywishIwaswithhimnow;
buthehadtoleaveandgotoalargetown，andthenIwassoldtoafarmer.
\"Somefarmers，youknow，arecapitalmasters;butIthinkthisonewasalowsortofman.Hecarednothingaboutgoodhorsesorgooddriving;
heonlycaredforgoingfast.IwentasfastasIcould，butthatwouldnotdo，andhewasalwayswhipping;soIgotintothiswayofmakingaspringforwardtokeepup.Onmarketnightsheusedtostayverylateattheinn，andthendrivehomeatagallop.
\"Onedarknighthewasgallopinghomeasusual，whenallofasuddenthewheelcameagainstsomegreatheavythingintheroad，andturnedthegigoverinaminute.Hewasthrownoutandhisarmbroken，andsomeofhisribs，Ithink.Atanyrate，itwastheendofmylivingwithhim，andIwasnotsorry.Butyouseeitwillbethesameeverywhereforme，ifmenmustgosofast.Iwishmylegswerelonger！\"
PoorPeggy！Iwasverysorryforher，andIcouldnotcomforther，forIknewhowharditwasuponslow—pacedhorsestobeputwithfastones;
allthewhippingcomestotheirshare，andtheycan’thelpit.
Shewasoftenusedinthephaeton，andwasverymuchlikedbysomeoftheladies，becauseshewassogentle;andsometimeafterthisshewassoldtotwoladieswhodrovethemselves，andwantedasafe，goodhorse.
Imetherseveraltimesoutinthecountry，goingagoodsteadypace，andlookingasgayandcontentedasahorsecouldbe.Iwasverygladtoseeher，forshedeservedagoodplace.
Aftersheleftusanotherhorsecameinherstead.Hewasyoung，andhadabadnameforshyingandstarting，bywhichhehadlostagoodplace.Iaskedhimwhatmadehimshy.
\"Well，Ihardlyknow，\"hesaid.\"IwastimidwhenIwasyoung，andwasagooddealfrightenedseveraltimes，andifIsawanythingstrangeIusedtoturnandlookatit——yousee，withourblinkersonecan’tseeorunderstandwhatathingisunlessonelooksround——
andthenmymasteralwaysgavemeawhipping，whichofcoursemademestarton，anddidnotmakemelessafraid.Ithinkifhewouldhaveletmejustlookatthingsquietly，andseethattherewasnothingtohurtme，itwouldhavebeenallright，andIshouldhavegotusedtothem.
Onedayanoldgentlemanwasridingwithhim，andalargepieceofwhitepaperorragblewacrossjustononesideofme.
Ishiedandstartedforward.Mymasterasusualwhippedmesmartly，buttheoldmancriedout，`You’rewrong！you’rewrong！
Youshouldneverwhipahorseforshying;heshiesbecauseheisfrightened，andyouonlyfrightenhimmoreandmakethehabitworse.’
SoIsupposeallmendon’tdoso.IamsureIdon’twanttoshyforthesakeofit;buthowshouldoneknowwhatisdangerousandwhatisnot，ifoneisneverallowedtogetusedtoanything？
IamneverafraidofwhatIknow.NowIwasbroughtupinaparkwherethereweredeer;ofcourseIknewthemaswellasIdidasheeporacow，buttheyarenotcommon，andIknowmanysensiblehorseswhoarefrightenedatthem，andwhokickupquiteashindybeforetheywillpassapaddockwheretherearedeer.\"
Iknewwhatmycompanionsaidwastrue，andIwishedthateveryyounghorsehadasgoodmastersasFarmerGreyandSquireGordon.
Ofcoursewesometimescameinforgooddrivinghere.IrememberonemorningIwasputintothelightgig，andtakentoahouseinPulteneyStreet.
Twogentlemencameout;thetallerofthemcameroundtomyhead;
helookedatthebitandbridle，andjustshiftedthecollarwithhishand，toseeifitfittedcomfortably.
\"Doyouconsiderthishorsewantsacurb？\"hesaidtothehostler.
\"Well，\"saidtheman，\"Ishouldsayhewouldgojustaswellwithout;
hehasanuncommongoodmouth，andthoughhehasafinespirithehasnovice;butwegenerallyfindpeoplelikethecurb.\"
\"Idon’tlikeit，\"saidthegentleman;\"besogoodastotakeitoff，andputthereininatthecheek.Aneasymouthisagreatthingonalongjourney，isitnot，oldfellow？\"hesaid，pattingmyneck.
Thenhetookthereins，andtheybothgotup.Icanremembernowhowquietlyheturnedmeround，andthenwithalightfeeloftherein，anddrawingthewhipgentlyacrossmyback，wewereoff.
Iarchedmyneckandsetoffatmybestpace.IfoundIhadsomeonebehindmewhoknewhowagoodhorseoughttobedriven.
Itseemedlikeoldtimesagain，andmademefeelquitegay.
Thisgentlemantookagreatlikingtome，andaftertryingmeseveraltimeswiththesaddleheprevaileduponmymastertosellmetoafriendofhis，whowantedasafe，pleasanthorseforriding.
AndsoitcametopassthatinthesummerIwassoldtoMr.Barry.
30AThiefMynewmasterwasanunmarriedman.HelivedatBath，andwasmuchengagedinbusiness.Hisdoctoradvisedhimtotakehorseexercise，andforthispurposeheboughtme.Hehiredastableashortdistancefromhislodgings，andengagedamannamedFilcherasgroom.
Mymasterknewverylittleabouthorses，buthetreatedmewell，andIshouldhavehadagoodandeasyplacebutforcircumstancesofwhichhewasignorant.Heorderedthebesthaywithplentyofoats，crushedbeans，andbran，withvetches，orryegrass，asthemanmightthinkneedful.Iheardthemastergivetheorder，soIknewtherewasplentyofgoodfood，andIthoughtIwaswelloff.
Forafewdaysallwentonwell.Ifoundthatmygroomunderstoodhisbusiness.Hekeptthestablecleanandairy，andhegroomedmethoroughly;andwasneverotherwisethangentle.
HehadbeenanhostlerinoneofthegreathotelsinBath.
Hehadgiventhatup，andnowcultivatedfruitandvegetablesforthemarket，andhiswifebredandfattenedpoultryandrabbitsforsale.
Afterawhileitseemedtomethatmyoatscameveryshort;Ihadthebeans，butbranwasmixedwiththeminsteadofoats，ofwhichtherewereveryfew;
certainlynotmorethanaquarterofwhatthereshouldhavebeen.
Intwoorthreeweeksthisbegantotelluponmystrengthandspirits.
Thegrassfood，thoughverygood，wasnotthethingtokeepupmyconditionwithoutcorn.However，Icouldnotcomplain，normakeknownmywants.
Soitwentonforabouttwomonths;andIwonderedthatmymasterdidnotseethatsomethingwasthematter.However，oneafternoonherodeoutintothecountrytoseeafriendofhis，agentlemanfarmer，wholivedontheroadtoWells.
Thisgentlemanhadaveryquickeyeforhorses;andafterhehadwelcomedhisfriendhesaid，castinghiseyeoverme：
\"Itseemstome，Barry，thatyourhorsedoesnotlooksowellashedidwhenyoufirsthadhim;hashebeenwell？\"
\"Yes，Ibelieveso，\"saidmymaster;\"butheisnotnearlysolivelyashewas;mygroomtellsmethathorsesarealwaysdullandweakintheautumn，andthatImustexpectit.\"
\"Autumn，fiddlesticks！\"saidthefarmer.\"Why，thisisonlyAugust;
andwithyourlightworkandgoodfoodheoughtnottogodownlikethis，evenifitwasautumn.Howdoyoufeedhim？\"
Mymastertoldhim.Theothershookhisheadslowly，andbegantofeelmeover.
\"Ican’tsaywhoeatsyourcorn，mydearfellow，butIammuchmistakenifyourhorsegetsit.Haveyouriddenveryfast？\"
\"No，verygently.\"
\"Thenjustputyourhandhere，\"saidhe，passinghishandovermyneckandshoulder;\"heisaswarmanddampasahorsejustcomeupfromgrass.
Iadviseyoutolookintoyourstablealittlemore.
Ihatetobesuspicious，and，thankheaven，Ihavenocausetobe，forIcantrustmymen，presentorabsent;buttherearemeanscoundrels，wickedenoughtorobadumbbeastofhisfood.Youmustlookintoit.\"
Andturningtohisman，whohadcometotakeme，\"Givethishorsearightgoodfeedofbruisedoats，anddon’tstinthim.\"
\"Dumbbeasts！\"Yes，weare;butifIcouldhavespokenIcouldhavetoldmymasterwherehisoatswentto.Mygroomusedtocomeeverymorningaboutsixo’clock，andwithhimalittleboy，whoalwayshadacoveredbasketwithhim.Heusedtogowithhisfatherintotheharness—room，wherethecornwaskept，andIcouldseethem，whenthedoorstoodajar，fillalittlebagwithoatsoutofthebin，andthenheusedtobeoff.
Fiveorsixmorningsafterthis，justastheboyhadleftthestable，thedoorwaspushedopen，andapolicemanwalkedin，holdingthechildtightbythearm;anotherpolicemanfollowed，andlockedthedoorontheinside，saying，\"Showmetheplacewhereyourfatherkeepshisrabbits’food.\"
Theboylookedveryfrightenedandbegantocry;buttherewasnoescape，andheledthewaytothecorn—bin.Herethepolicemanfoundanotheremptybaglikethatwhichwasfoundfullofoatsintheboy’sbasket.
Filcherwascleaningmyfeetatthetime，buttheysoonsawhim，andthoughheblusteredagooddealtheywalkedhimofftothe\"lock—up\"，andhisboywithhim.Iheardafterwardthattheboywasnotheldtobeguilty，butthemanwassentencedtoprisonfortwomonths.
31AHumbugMymasterwasnotimmediatelysuited，butinafewdaysmynewgroomcame.
Hewasatall，good—lookingfellowenough;butifevertherewasahumbugintheshapeofagroomAlfredSmirkwastheman.Hewasveryciviltome，andneverusedmeill;infact，hedidagreatdealofstrokingandpattingwhenhismasterwastheretoseeit.Healwaysbrushedmymaneandtailwithwaterandmyhoofswithoilbeforehebroughtmetothedoor，tomakemelooksmart;butastocleaningmyfeetorlookingtomyshoes，orgroomingmethoroughly，hethoughtnomoreofthatthanifIhadbeenacow.Heleftmybitrusty，mysaddledamp，andmycrupperstiff.
AlfredSmirkconsideredhimselfveryhandsome;hespentagreatdealoftimeabouthishair，whiskersandnecktie，beforealittlelooking—glassintheharness—room.Whenhismasterwasspeakingtohimitwasalways，\"Yes，sir;yes，sir\"——touchinghishatateveryword;
andeveryonethoughthewasaveryniceyoungmanandthatMr.Barrywasveryfortunatetomeetwithhim.Ishouldsayhewasthelaziest，mostconceitedfellowIevercamenear.Ofcourse，itwasagreatthingnottobeill—used，butthenahorsewantsmorethanthat.
Ihadaloosebox，andmighthavebeenverycomfortableifhehadnotbeentooindolenttocleanitout.Henevertookallthestrawaway，andthesmellfromwhatlayunderneathwasverybad;
whilethestrongvaporsthatrosemademyeyessmartandinflame，andIdidnotfeelthesameappetiteformyfood.
Onedayhismastercameinandsaid，\"Alfred，thestablesmellsratherstrong;shouldnotyougivethatstallagoodscrubandthrowdownplentyofwater？\"
\"Well，sir，\"hesaid，touchinghiscap，\"I’lldosoifyouplease，sir;
butitisratherdangerous，sir，throwingdownwaterinahorse’sbox;
theyareveryapttotakecold，sir.Ishouldnotliketodohimaninjury，butI’lldoitifyouplease，sir.\"
\"Well，\"saidhismaster，\"Ishouldnotlikehimtotakecold;
butIdon’tlikethesmellofthisstable.Doyouthinkthedrainsareallright？\"
\"Well，sir，nowyoumentionit，Ithinkthedraindoessometimessendbackasmell;theremaybesomethingwrong，sir.\"
\"Thensendforthebricklayerandhaveitseento，\"saidhismaster.
\"Yes，sir，Iwill.\"
Thebricklayercameandpulledupagreatmanybricks，butfoundnothingamiss;soheputdownsomelimeandchargedthemasterfiveshillings，andthesmellinmyboxwasasbadasever.
Butthatwasnotall：standingasIdidonaquantityofmoiststrawmyfeetgrewunhealthyandtender，andthemasterusedtosay：
\"Idon’tknowwhatisthematterwiththishorse;hegoesveryfumble—footed.
Iamsometimesafraidhewillstumble.\"
\"Yes，sir，\"saidAlfred，\"Ihavenoticedthesamemyself，whenIhaveexercisedhim.\"
Nowthefactwasthathehardlyeverdidexerciseme，andwhenthemasterwasbusyIoftenstoodfordaystogetherwithoutstretchingmylegsatall，andyetbeingfedjustashighasifIwereathardwork.Thisoftendisorderedmyhealth，andmademesometimesheavyanddull，butmoreoftenrestlessandfeverish.
Heneverevengavemeamealofgreenfoodorabranmash，whichwouldhavecooledme，forhewasaltogetherasignorantashewasconceited;andthen，insteadofexerciseorchangeoffood，Ihadtotakehorseballsanddraughts;which，besidethenuisanceofhavingthempoureddownmythroat，usedtomakemefeelillanduncomfortable.
Onedaymyfeetweresotenderthat，trottingoversomefreshstoneswithmymasteronmyback，Imadetwosuchseriousstumblesthat，ashecamedownLansdownintothecity，hestoppedatthefarrier’s，andaskedhimtoseewhatwasthematterwithme.Themantookupmyfeetonebyoneandexaminedthem;thenstandingupanddustinghishandsoneagainsttheother，hesaid：
\"Yourhorsehasgotthe`thrush’，andbadly，too;hisfeetareverytender;
itisfortunatethathehasnotbeendown.Iwonderyourgroomhasnotseentoitbefore.Thisisthesortofthingwefindinfoulstables，wherethelitterisneverproperlycleanedout.Ifyouwillsendhimhereto—morrowIwillattendtothehoof，andIwilldirectyourmanhowtoapplythelinimentwhichIwillgivehim.\"
ThenextdayIhadmyfeetthoroughlycleansedandstuffedwithtowsoakedinsomestronglotion;andanunpleasantbusinessitwas.
Thefarrierorderedallthelittertobetakenoutofmyboxdaybyday，andthefloorkeptveryclean.ThenIwastohavebranmashes，alittlegreenfood，andnotsomuchcorn，tillmyfeetwerewellagain.
WiththistreatmentIsoonregainedmyspirits;butMr.Barrywassomuchdisgustedatbeingtwicedeceivedbyhisgroomsthathedeterminedtogiveupkeepingahorse，andtohirewhenhewantedone.
Iwasthereforekepttillmyfeetwerequitesound，andwasthensoldagain.
PartIII
32AHorseFairNodoubtahorsefairisaveryamusingplacetothosewhohavenothingtolose;atanyrate，thereisplentytosee.
Longstringsofyounghorsesoutofthecountry，freshfromthemarshes;
anddrovesofshaggylittleWelshponies，nohigherthanMerrylegs;
andhundredsofcarthorsesofallsorts，someofthemwiththeirlongtailsbraidedupandtiedwithscarletcord;andagoodmanylikemyself，handsomeandhigh—bred，butfallenintothemiddleclass，throughsomeaccidentorblemish，unsoundnessofwind，orsomeothercomplaint.
Thereweresomesplendidanimalsquiteintheirprime，andfitforanything;
theywerethrowingouttheirlegsandshowingofftheirpacesinhighstyle，astheyweretrottedoutwithaleadingrein，thegroomrunningbytheside.
Butroundinthebackgroundtherewereanumberofpoorthings，sadlybrokendownwithhardwork，withtheirkneesknucklingoverandtheirhindlegsswingingoutateverystep，andthereweresomeverydejected—lookingoldhorses，withtheunderliphangingdownandtheearslyingbackheavily，asiftherewerenomorepleasureinlife，andnomorehope;thereweresomesothinyoumightseealltheirribs，andsomewitholdsoresontheirbacksandhips.Theseweresadsightsforahorsetolookupon，whoknowsnotbuthemaycometothesamestate.
Therewasagreatdealofbargaining，ofrunningupandbeatingdown;
andifahorsemayspeakhismindsofarasheunderstands，Ishouldsaythereweremoreliestoldandmoretrickeryatthathorsefairthanaclevermancouldgiveanaccountof.Iwasputwithtwoorthreeotherstrong，useful—lookinghorses，andagoodmanypeoplecametolookatus.Thegentlemenalwaysturnedfrommewhentheysawmybrokenknees;thoughthemanwhohadmesworeitwasonlyaslipinthestall.
Thefirstthingwastopullmymouthopen，thentolookatmyeyes，thenfeelallthewaydownmylegs，andgivemeahardfeeloftheskinandflesh，andthentrymypaces.Itwaswonderfulwhatadifferencetherewasinthewaythesethingsweredone.
Somediditinarough，offhandway，asifonewasonlyapieceofwood;
whileotherswouldtaketheirhandsgentlyoverone’sbody，withapatnowandthen，asmuchastosay，\"Byyourleave.\"
OfcourseIjudgedagooddealofthebuyersbytheirmannerstomyself.
Therewasoneman，Ithought，ifhewouldbuyme，Ishouldbehappy.
Hewasnotagentleman，noryetoneoftheloud，flashysortthatcallthemselvesso.Hewasratherasmallman，butwellmade，andquickinallhismotions.Iknewinamomentbythewayhehandledme，thathewasusedtohorses;hespokegently，andhisgrayeyehadakindly，cheerylookinit.Itmayseemstrangetosay——butitistrueallthesame——thattheclean，freshsmelltherewasabouthimmademetaketohim;nosmellofoldbeerandtobacco，whichIhated，butafreshsmellasifhehadcomeoutofahayloft.
Heofferedtwenty—threepoundsforme，butthatwasrefused，andhewalkedaway.Ilookedafterhim，buthewasgone，andaveryhard—looking，loud—voicedmancame.Iwasdreadfullyafraidhewouldhaveme;buthewalkedoff.Oneortwomorecamewhodidnotmeanbusiness.Thenthehard—facedmancamebackagainandofferedtwenty—threepounds.Averyclosebargainwasbeingdriven，formysalesmanbegantothinkheshouldnotgetallheasked，andmustcomedown;butjustthenthegray—eyedmancamebackagain.
Icouldnothelpreachingoutmyheadtowardhim.Hestrokedmyfacekindly.
\"Well，oldchap，\"hesaid，\"Ithinkweshouldsuiteachother.
I’llgivetwenty—fourforhim.\"
\"Saytwenty—fiveandyoushallhavehim.\"
\"Twenty—fourten，\"saidmyfriend，inaverydecidedtone，\"andnotanothersixpence——yesorno？\"
\"Done，\"saidthesalesman;\"andyoumaydependuponitthere’samonstrousdealofqualityinthathorse，andifyouwanthimforcabworkhe’sabargain.\"
Themoneywaspaidonthespot，andmynewmastertookmyhalter，andledmeoutofthefairtoaninn，wherehehadasaddleandbridleready.
HegavemeagoodfeedofoatsandstoodbywhileIateit，talkingtohimselfandtalkingtome.HalfanhourafterwewereonourwaytoLondon，throughpleasantlanesandcountryroads，untilwecameintothegreatLondonthoroughfare，onwhichwetraveledsteadily，tillinthetwilightwereachedthegreatcity.
Thegaslampswerealreadylighted;therewerestreetstotheright，andstreetstotheleft，andstreetscrossingeachother，formileuponmile.
Ithoughtweshouldnevercometotheendofthem.Atlast，inpassingthroughone，wecametoalongcabstand，whenmyridercalledoutinacheeryvoice，\"Good—night，governor！\"
\"Halloo！\"criedavoice.\"Haveyougotagoodone？\"
\"Ithinkso，\"repliedmyowner.
\"Iwishyouluckwithhim.\"
\"Thankyou，governor，\"andherodeon.Wesoonturneduponeofthesidestreets，andabouthalfwayupthatweturnedintoaverynarrowstreet，withratherpoor—lookinghousesononeside，andwhatseemedtobecoach—housesandstablesontheother.
Myownerpulledupatoneofthehousesandwhistled.Thedoorflewopen，andayoungwoman，followedbyalittlegirlandboy，ranout.
Therewasaverylivelygreetingasmyriderdismounted.
\"Now，then，Harry，myboy，openthegates，andmotherwillbringusthelantern.\"
Thenextminutetheywereallstandingroundmeinasmallstable—yard.
\"Ishegentle，father？\"
\"Yes，Dolly，asgentleasyourownkitten;comeandpathim.\"
Atoncethelittlehandwaspattingaboutallovermyshoulderwithoutfear.
Howgooditfelt！
\"Letmegethimabranmashwhileyourubhimdown，\"saidthemother.
\"Do，Polly，it’sjustwhathewants;andIknowyou’vegotabeautifulmashreadyforme.\"
\"Sausagedumplingandappleturnover！\"shoutedtheboy，whichsetthemalllaughing.Iwasledintoacomfortable，clean—smellingstall，withplentyofdrystraw，andafteracapitalsupperIlaydown，thinkingIwasgoingtobehappy.
33ALondonCabHorseJeremiahBarkerwasmynewmaster’sname，butaseveryonecalledhimJerry，Ishalldothesame.Polly，hiswife，wasjustasgoodamatchasamancouldhave.Shewasaplump，trim，tidylittlewoman，withsmooth，darkhair，darkeyes，andamerrylittlemouth.
Theboywastwelveyearsold，atall，frank，good—temperedlad;
andlittleDorothy（Dollytheycalledher）washermotheroveragain，ateightyearsold.Theywereallwonderfullyfondofeachother;
Ineverknewsuchahappy，merryfamilybeforeorsince.Jerryhadacabofhisown，andtwohorses，whichhedroveandattendedtohimself.
Hisotherhorsewasatall，white，ratherlarge—bonedanimalcalled\"Captain\".Hewasoldnow，butwhenhewasyounghemusthavebeensplendid;hehadstillaproudwayofholdinghisheadandarchinghisneck;infact，hewasahigh—bred，fine—mannered，nobleoldhorse，everyinchofhim.HetoldmethatinhisearlyyouthhewenttotheCrimeanWar;hebelongedtoanofficerinthecavalry，andusedtoleadtheregiment.Iwilltellmoreofthathereafter.
Thenextmorning，whenIwaswell—groomed，PollyandDollycameintotheyardtoseemeandmakefriends.Harryhadbeenhelpinghisfathersincetheearlymorning，andhadstatedhisopinionthatIshouldturnouta\"regularbrick\".Pollybroughtmeasliceofapple，andDollyapieceofbread，andmadeasmuchofmeasifIhadbeenthe\"BlackBeauty\"ofoldentime.Itwasagreattreattobepettedagainandtalkedtoinagentlevoice，andIletthemseeaswellasIcouldthatIwishedtobefriendly.PollythoughtIwasveryhandsome，andagreatdealtoogoodforacab，ifitwasnotforthebrokenknees.
\"Ofcoursethere’snoonetotelluswhosefaultthatwas，\"saidJerry，\"andaslongasIdon’tknowIshallgivehimthebenefitofthedoubt;
forafirmer，neaterstepperIneverrode.We’llcallhim`Jack’，aftertheoldone——shallwe，Polly？\"
\"Do，\"shesaid，\"forIliketokeepagoodnamegoing.\"
Captainwentoutinthecaballthemorning.Harrycameinafterschooltofeedmeandgivemewater.IntheafternoonIwasputintothecab.
JerrytookasmuchpainstoseeifthecollarandbridlefittedcomfortablyasifhehadbeenJohnManlyoveragain.Whenthecrupperwasletoutaholeortwoitallfittedwell.Therewasnocheck—rein，nocurb，nothingbutaplainringsnaffle.Whatablessingthatwas！
AfterdrivingthroughthesidestreetwecametothelargecabstandwhereJerryhadsaid\"Good—night\".Ononesideofthiswidestreetwerehighhouseswithwonderfulshopfronts，andontheotherwasanoldchurchandchurchyard，surroundedbyironpalisades.
Alongsidetheseironrailsanumberofcabsweredrawnup，waitingforpassengers;bitsofhaywerelyingaboutontheground;
someofthemenwerestandingtogethertalking;someweresittingontheirboxesreadingthenewspaper;andoneortwowerefeedingtheirhorseswithbitsofhay，andgivingthemadrinkofwater.
Wepulledupintherankatthebackofthelastcab.Twoorthreemencameroundandbegantolookatmeandpasstheirremarks.
\"Verygoodforafuneral，\"saidone.
\"Toosmart—looking，\"saidanother，shakinghisheadinaverywiseway;
\"you’llfindoutsomethingwrongoneofthesefinemornings，ormynameisn’tJones.\"
\"Well，\"saidJerrypleasantly，\"IsupposeIneednotfinditouttillitfindsmeout，eh？Andifso，I’llkeepupmyspiritsalittlelonger.\"
Thentherecameupabroad—facedman，dressedinagreatgraycoatwithgreatgraycapeandgreatwhitebuttons，agrayhat，andabluecomforterlooselytiedroundhisneck;hishairwasgray，too;
buthewasajolly—lookingfellow，andtheothermenmadewayforhim.
Helookedmeallover，asifhehadbeengoingtobuyme;
andthenstraighteninghimselfupwithagrunt，hesaid，\"He’stherightsortforyou，Jerry;Idon’tcarewhatyougaveforhim，he’llbeworthit.\"Thusmycharacterwasestablishedonthestand.
Thisman’snamewasGrant，buthewascalled\"GrayGrant\"，or\"GovernorGrant\".Hehadbeenthelongestonthatstandofanyofthemen，andhetookituponhimselftosettlemattersandstopdisputes.Hewasgenerallyagood—humored，sensibleman;
butifhistemperwasalittleout，asitwassometimeswhenhehaddrunktoomuch，nobodylikedtocometoonearhisfist，forhecoulddealaveryheavyblow.
Thefirstweekofmylifeasacabhorsewasverytrying.
IhadneverbeenusedtoLondon，andthenoise，thehurry，thecrowdsofhorses，carts，andcarriagesthatIhadtomakemywaythroughmademefeelanxiousandharassed;butIsoonfoundthatIcouldperfectlytrustmydriver，andthenImademyselfeasyandgotusedtoit.