Black Beauty (9 page)

One day my lady came down later than usual, and the silk rustled
more than ever.

"Drive to the Duchess of B——'s," she said, and then after a
pause, "Are you never going to get those horses' heads up, York?
Raise them at once and let us have no more of this humoring and
nonsense."

York came to me first, while the groom stood at Ginger's head.
He drew my head back and fixed the rein so tight that it was almost
intolerable; then he went to Ginger, who was impatiently jerking
her head up and down against the bit, as was her way now. She had a
good idea of what was coming, and the moment York took the rein off
the terret in order to shorten it she took her opportunity and
reared up so suddenly that York had his nose roughly hit and his
hat knocked off; the groom was nearly thrown off his legs. At once
they both flew to her head; but she was a match for them, and went
on plunging, rearing, and kicking in a most desperate manner. At
last she kicked right over the carriage pole and fell down, after
giving me a severe blow on my near quarter. There is no knowing
what further mischief she might have done had not York promptly sat
himself down flat on her head to prevent her struggling, at the
same time calling out, "Unbuckle the black horse! Run for the winch
and unscrew the carriage pole! Cut the trace here, somebody, if you
can't unhitch it!" One of the footmen ran for the winch, and
another brought a knife from the house. The groom soon set me free
from Ginger and the carriage, and led me to my box. He just turned
me in as I was and ran back to York. I was much excited by what had
happened, and if I had ever been used to kick or rear I am sure I
should have done it then; but I never had, and there I stood,
angry, sore in my leg, my head still strained up to the terret on
the saddle, and no power to get it down. I was very miserable and
felt much inclined to kick the first person who came near me.

Before long, however, Ginger was led in by two grooms, a good
deal knocked about and bruised. York came with her and gave his
orders, and then came to look at me. In a moment he let down my
head.

"Confound these check-reins!" he said to himself; "I thought we
should have some mischief soon. Master will be sorely vexed. But
there, if a woman's husband can't rule her of course a servant
can't; so I wash my hands of it, and if she can't get to the
duchess' garden party I can't help it."

York did not say this before the men; he always spoke
respectfully when they were by. Now he felt me all over, and soon
found the place above my hock where I had been kicked. It was
swelled and painful; he ordered it to be sponged with hot water,
and then some lotion was put on.

Lord W—— was much put out when he learned what had happened; he
blamed York for giving way to his mistress, to which he replied
that in future he would much prefer to receive his orders only from
his lordship; but I think nothing came of it, for things went on
the same as before. I thought York might have stood up better for
his horses, but perhaps I am no judge.

Ginger was never put into the carriage again, but when she was
well of her bruises one of the Lord W——'s younger sons said he
should like to have her; he was sure she would make a good hunter.
As for me, I was obliged still to go in the carriage, and had a
fresh partner called Max; he had always been used to the tight
rein. I asked him how it was he bore it.

"Well," he said, "I bear it because I must; but it is shortening
my life, and it will shorten yours too if you have to stick to
it."

"Do you think," I said, "that our masters know how bad it is for
us?"

"I can't say," he replied, "but the dealers and the
horse-doctors know it very well. I was at a dealer's once, who was
training me and another horse to go as a pair; he was getting our
heads up, as he said, a little higher and a little higher every
day. A gentleman who was there asked him why he did so. 'Because,'
said he, 'people won't buy them unless we do. The London people
always want their horses to carry their heads high and to step
high. Of course it is very bad for the horses, but then it is good
for trade. The horses soon wear up, or get diseased, and they come
for another pair.' That," said Max, "is what he said in my hearing,
and you can judge for yourself."

What I suffered with that rein for four long months in my lady's
carriage it would be hard to describe; but I am quite sure that,
had it lasted much longer, either my health or my temper would have
given way. Before that, I never knew what it was to foam at the
mouth, but now the action of the sharp bit on my tongue and jaw,
and the constrained position of my head and throat, always caused
me to froth at the mouth more or less. Some people think it very
fine to see this, and say, "What fine spirited creatures!" But it
is just as unnatural for horses as for men to foam at the mouth; it
is a sure sign of some discomfort, and should be attended to.
Besides this, there was a pressure on my windpipe, which often made
my breathing very uncomfortable; when I returned from my work my
neck and chest were strained and painful, my mouth and tongue
tender, and I felt worn and depressed.

In my old home I always knew that John and my master were my
friends; but here, although in many ways I was well treated, I had
no friend. York might have known, and very likely did know, how
that rein harassed me; but I suppose he took it as a matter of
course that it could not be helped; at any rate, nothing was done
to relieve me.

Early in the spring, Lord W—— and part of his family went up to
London, and took York with them. I and Ginger and some other horses
were left at home for use, and the head groom was left in
charge.

The Lady Harriet, who remained at the hall, was a great invalid,
and never went out in the carriage, and the Lady Anne preferred
riding on horseback with her brother or cousins. She was a perfect
horsewoman, and as gay and gentle as she was beautiful. She chose
me for her horse, and named me "Black Auster". I enjoyed these
rides very much in the clear cold air, sometimes with Ginger,
sometimes with Lizzie. This Lizzie was a bright bay mare, almost
thoroughbred, and a great favorite with the gentlemen, on account
of her fine action and lively spirit; but Ginger, who knew more of
her than I did, told me she was rather nervous.

There was a gentleman of the name of Blantyre staying at the
hall; he always rode Lizzie, and praised her so much that one day
Lady Anne ordered the side-saddle to be put on her, and the other
saddle on me. When we came to the door the gentleman seemed very
uneasy.

"How is this?" he said. "Are you tired of your good Black
Auster?"

"Oh, no, not at all," she replied, "but I am amiable enough to
let you ride him for once, and I will try your charming Lizzie. You
must confess that in size and appearance she is far more like a
lady's horse than my own favorite."

"Do let me advise you not to mount her," he said; "she is a
charming creature, but she is too nervous for a lady. I assure you,
she is not perfectly safe; let me beg you to have the saddles
changed."

"My dear cousin," said Lady Anne, laughing, "pray do not trouble
your good careful head about me. I have been a horsewoman ever
since I was a baby, and I have followed the hounds a great many
times, though I know you do not approve of ladies hunting; but
still that is the fact, and I intend to try this Lizzie that you
gentlemen are all so fond of; so please help me to mount, like a
good friend as you are."

There was no more to be said; he placed her carefully on the
saddle, looked to the bit and curb, gave the reins gently into her
hand, and then mounted me. Just as we were moving off a footman
came out with a slip of paper and message from the Lady Harriet.
"Would they ask this question for her at Dr. Ashley's, and bring
the answer?"

The village was about a mile off, and the doctor's house was the
last in it. We went along gayly enough till we came to his gate.
There was a short drive up to the house between tall
evergreens.

Blantyre alighted at the gate, and was going to open it for Lady
Anne, but she said, "I will wait for you here, and you can hang
Auster's rein on the gate."

He looked at her doubtfully. "I will not be five minutes," he
said.

"Oh, do not hurry yourself; Lizzie and I shall not run away from
you."

He hung my rein on one of the iron spikes, and was soon hidden
among the trees. Lizzie was standing quietly by the side of the
road a few paces off, with her back to me. My young mistress was
sitting easily with a loose rein, humming a little song. I listened
to my rider's footsteps until they reached the house, and heard him
knock at the door. There was a meadow on the opposite side of the
road, the gate of which stood open; just then some cart horses and
several young colts came trotting out in a very disorderly manner,
while a boy behind was cracking a great whip. The colts were wild
and frolicsome, and one of them bolted across the road and
blundered up against Lizzie's hind legs, and whether it was the
stupid colt, or the loud cracking of the whip, or both together, I
cannot say, but she gave a violent kick, and dashed off into a
headlong gallop. It was so sudden that Lady Anne was nearly
unseated, but she soon recovered herself. I gave a loud, shrill
neigh for help; again and again I neighed, pawing the ground
impatiently, and tossing my head to get the rein loose. I had not
long to wait. Blantyre came running to the gate; he looked
anxiously about, and just caught sight of the flying figure, now
far away on the road. In an instant he sprang to the saddle. I
needed no whip, no spur, for I was as eager as my rider; he saw it,
and giving me a free rein, and leaning a little forward, we dashed
after them.

For about a mile and a half the road ran straight, and then bent
to the right, after which it divided into two roads. Long before we
came to the bend she was out of sight. Which way had she turned? A
woman was standing at her garden gate, shading her eyes with her
hand, and looking eagerly up the road. Scarcely drawing the rein,
Blantyre shouted, "Which way?" "To the right!" cried the woman,
pointing with her hand, and away we went up the right-hand road;
then for a moment we caught sight of her; another bend and she was
hidden again. Several times we caught glimpses, and then lost them.
We scarcely seemed to gain ground upon them at all. An old
road-mender was standing near a heap of stones, his shovel dropped
and his hands raised. As we came near he made a sign to speak.
Blantyre drew the rein a little. "To the common, to the common,
sir; she has turned off there." I knew this common very well; it
was for the most part very uneven ground, covered with heather and
dark-green furze bushes, with here and there a scrubby old
thorn-tree; there were also open spaces of fine short grass, with
ant-hills and mole-turns everywhere; the worst place I ever knew
for a headlong gallop.

We had hardly turned on the common, when we caught sight again
of the green habit flying on before us. My lady's hat was gone, and
her long brown hair was streaming behind her. Her head and body
were thrown back, as if she were pulling with all her remaining
strength, and as if that strength were nearly exhausted. It was
clear that the roughness of the ground had very much lessened
Lizzie's speed, and there seemed a chance that we might overtake
her.

While we were on the highroad, Blantyre had given me my head;
but now, with a light hand and a practiced eye, he guided me over
the ground in such a masterly manner that my pace was scarcely
slackened, and we were decidedly gaining on them.

About halfway across the heath there had been a wide dike
recently cut, and the earth from the cutting was cast up roughly on
the other side. Surely this would stop them! But no; with scarcely
a pause Lizzie took the leap, stumbled among the rough clods and
fell. Blantyre groaned, "Now, Auster, do your best!" He gave me a
steady rein. I gathered myself well together and with one
determined leap cleared both dike and bank.

Motionless among the heather, with her face to the earth, lay my
poor young mistress. Blantyre kneeled down and called her name:
there was no sound. Gently he turned her face upward: it was
ghastly white and the eyes were closed. "Annie, dear Annie, do
speak!" But there was no answer. He unbuttoned her habit, loosened
her collar, felt her hands and wrist, then started up and looked
wildly round him for help.

At no great distance there were two men cutting turf, who,
seeing Lizzie running wild without a rider, had left their work to
catch her.

Blantyre's halloo soon brought them to the spot. The foremost
man seemed much troubled at the sight, and asked what he could
do.

"Can you ride?"

"Well, sir, I bean't much of a horseman, but I'd risk my neck
for the Lady Anne; she was uncommon good to my wife in the
winter."

"Then mount this horse, my friend—your neck will be quite
safe—and ride to the doctor's and ask him to come instantly; then
on to the hall; tell them all that you know, and bid them send me
the carriage, with Lady Anne's maid and help. I shall stay
here."

"All right, sir, I'll do my best, and I pray God the dear young
lady may open her eyes soon." Then, seeing the other man, he called
out, "Here, Joe, run for some water, and tell my missis to come as
quick as she can to the Lady Anne."

He then somehow scrambled into the saddle, and with a "Gee up"
and a clap on my sides with both his legs, he started on his
journey, making a little circuit to avoid the dike. He had no whip,
which seemed to trouble him; but my pace soon cured that
difficulty, and he found the best thing he could do was to stick to
the saddle and hold me in, which he did manfully. I shook him as
little as I could help, but once or twice on the rough ground he
called out, "Steady! Woah! Steady!" On the highroad we were all
right; and at the doctor's and the hall he did his errand like a
good man and true. They asked him in to take a drop of something.
"No, no," he said; "I'll be back to 'em again by a short cut
through the fields, and be there afore the carriage."

There was a great deal of hurry and excitement after the news
became known. I was just turned into my box; the saddle and bridle
were taken off, and a cloth thrown over me.

Ginger was saddled and sent off in great haste for Lord George,
and I soon heard the carriage roll out of the yard.

It seemed a long time before Ginger came back, and before we
were left alone; and then she told me all that she had seen.

"I can't tell much," she said. "We went a gallop nearly all the
way, and got there just as the doctor rode up. There was a woman
sitting on the ground with the lady's head in her lap. The doctor
poured something into her mouth, but all that I heard was, 'She is
not dead.' Then I was led off by a man to a little distance. After
awhile she was taken to the carriage, and we came home together. I
heard my master say to a gentleman who stopped him to inquire, that
he hoped no bones were broken, but that she had not spoken
yet."

When Lord George took Ginger for hunting, York shook his head;
he said it ought to be a steady hand to train a horse for the first
season, and not a random rider like Lord George.

Ginger used to like it very much, but sometimes when she came
back I could see that she had been very much strained, and now and
then she gave a short cough. She had too much spirit to complain,
but I could not help feeling anxious about her.

Two days after the accident Blantyre paid me a visit; he patted
me and praised me very much; he told Lord George that he was sure
the horse knew of Annie's danger as well as he did. "I could not
have held him in if I would," said he, "she ought never to ride any
other horse." I found by their conversation that my young mistress
was now out of danger, and would soon be able to ride again. This
was good news to me and I looked forward to a happy life.