Black Beauty by Anna Sewell Page B

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.

Chapter 4 Reuben Smith
    Now I must say a little about Reuben Smith, who was left in
charge of the stables when York went to London. No one more
thoroughly understood his business than he did, and when he was all
right there could not be a more faithful or valuable man. He was
gentle and very clever in his management of horses, and could
doctor them almost as well as a farrier, for he had lived two years
with a veterinary surgeon. He was a first-rate driver; he could
take a four-in-hand or a tandem as easily as a pair. He was a
handsome man, a good scholar, and had very pleasant manners. I
believe everybody liked him; certainly the horses did. The only
wonder was that he should be in an under situation and not in the
place of a head coachman like York; but he had one great fault and
that was the love of drink. He was not like some men, always at it;
he used to keep steady for weeks or months together, and then he
would break out and have a "bout" of it, as York called it, and be
a disgrace to himself, a terror to his wife, and a nuisance to all
that had to do with him. He was, however, so useful that two or
three times York had hushed the matter up and kept it from the
earl's knowledge; but one night, when Reuben had to drive a party
home from a ball he was so drunk that he could not hold the reins,
and a gentleman of the party had to mount the box and drive the
ladies home. Of course, this could not be hidden, and Reuben was at
once dismissed; his poor wife and little children had to turn out
of the pretty cottage by the park gate and go where they could. Old
Max told me all this, for it happened a good while ago; but shortly
before Ginger and I came Smith had been taken back again. York had
interceded for him with the earl, who is very kind-hearted, and the
man had promised faithfully that he would never taste another drop
as long as he lived there. He had kept his promise so well that
York thought he might be safely trusted to fill his place while he
was away, and he was so clever and honest that no one else seemed
so well fitted for it.
    It was now early in April, and the family was expected home some
time in May. The light brougham was to be fresh done up, and as
Colonel Blantyre was obliged to return to his regiment it was
arranged that Smith should drive him to the town in it, and ride
back; for this purpose he took the saddle with him, and I was
chosen for the journey. At the station the colonel put some money
into Smith's hand and bid him good-by, saying, "Take care of your
young mistress, Reuben, and don't let Black Auster be hacked about
by any random young prig that wants to ride him—keep him for the
lady."
    We left the carriage at the maker's, and Smith rode me to the
White Lion, and ordered the hostler to feed me well, and have me
ready for him at four o'clock. A nail in one of my front shoes had
started as I came along, but the hostler did not notice it till
just about four o'clock. Smith did not come into the yard till
five, and then he said he should not leave till six, as he had