Dramatis Personae of Black Beauty by Anna Sewell. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Black Beauty, read by Ariel Lipschott. Squire Gordon, Old Roadmender, The Butcher, The Ferrier, read by Larry Wilson. James Howard, shy. Colonial Blanter, Second Young Man, read by Nolan Foutt. John Manley, The Captain, Porter, Robert, read by Oxenhandler. Jeremiah Barker, Thomas Green, Tollgate Owner, Ned, Dick Towler, read by Todd. Farmer Gray, Mr. York. Hossler, Jones. Farmer Therragut, Second Gentleman, read by Nick Bulka. Lord W., The First Cabbie, Jakes, Second Driver, Third Young Man, read by Zames Curran. Joe Green, Turf Cutter, Second Cabbie, Boy, Max, read by Lydia. Mr. Berry, Captain Langley, Mr. Bushby, Gentleman, First Driver, Big Man, Mr. Clay, First Gentleman, read by Ricky of Kokiri. Larry, read by Frequency. CD Sam, Coachman, Farmer, Governor, Sawyer, Truman, Landlord, read by Adrian Strowett. Justice, Nicholas Skinner, Alfred Smirk, Carter, First Young Man, Footman, read by Joseph Tabler. Ruben Smith, Mr. Briggs, Policeman, Salesman, and Undergroom, read by Marianne. Sir Oliver, Oldest Horse, Grant, Dr. White, and Gentleman Farmer, read by Twinkle. Ginger, Miss Bloomfield, Dog, read by Beth Thomas. Mary Legs, Bill Bushby, Harry Baca, Willie, read by Dalda Pinurelle. Duchess, Old Lady, Miss Ellen, read by Elizabeth Travers. Polly's Mistress, Servant, Mrs. Bushby, Seller, Susan, read by Maggie Travers. Dorothy Barker, Oldest Colt. Man, Admirer, read by Rachel. Mrs. Gordon, Peggy, Lady Ann, First Young Woman, read by Esteban Simonides. Polly Barker, Lady W, Grace, read by Christine G. End of Dramatas Personae. Black Beauty, read by Ariel Lipshaw. Chapter 1 of Black Beauty. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Black Beauty by Anna Sewell. Chapter 1, My Early Home. The first place that I can well remember was a large pleasant meadow with a pond of clear water in it. Some shady trees leaned over it, and rushes and waterlilies grew at the deep end. Over the hedge on one side we looked into a plowed field, and on the other we looked over a gate at our master's house, which stood by the roadside. At the top of the meadow was a grove of fir trees, and at the bottom a running brook overhung by a steep bank. While I was young I lived upon my mother's milk, as I could not eat grass. In the daytime I ran by her side, and at night I lay down close by her. When it was hot we used to stand by the pond in the shade of the trees, and when it was cold we had a nice warm shed near the grove. As soon as I was old enough to eat grass, my mother used to go out to work in the daytime and come back in the evening. There were six young colts in the meadow besides me. They were older than I was. Some were nearly as large as grown-up horses. I used to run with them, and had great fun. We used to gallop altogether round and round the field as hard as we could go. Sometimes we had rather rough play, for they would frequently bite and kick as well as gallop. One day, when there was a good deal of kicking, my mother whinnied to me to come to her, and then she said, I wish you to pay attention to what I am going to say to you. The colts who live here are very good colts, but they are cart horse colts, and of course they have not learned manners. You have been well bred and well born. Your father has a great name in these parts, and your grandfather won the cup two years at the new market races. Your grandmother had the sweetest temper of any horse I ever knew, and I think you have never seen me kick or bite. I hope you will grow up gentle and good and never learn bad ways. Do your work with a good will, lift your feet up well when you trot, and never bite or kick, even in clay. I have never forgotten my mother's advice. I knew she was a wise old horse, and our master thought a great deal of her. Her name was Duchess, but he often called her pet. Our master was a good, kind man. He gave us good food, good lodging, and kind words.  We were all fond of him, and my mother loved him very much. When she saw him at the gate she would neigh with joy and trot up to him. He would pat and stroke her and say, Well old pet, how was your little Darkie? I was a dull black, so he called me Darkie. Then he would give me a piece of bread, which was very good, and sometimes he brought a carrot for my mother. All the horses would come to him, but I think we were his favourites. My mother always took him to the town on a market day in a light gig. There was a plow-boy, Dick, who sometimes came into our field to pluck blackberries from the hedge. When he had eaten all he wanted he would have what he called fun with the colts, throwing stones and sticks at them to make them gallop. We did not much mind him, for we could gallop off, but sometimes a stone would hit and hurt us. One day he was at this game, and did not know that the master was in the next field, but he was there watching what was going on.  As soon as we saw the master we trotted up nearer to see what went on. Bad boy! he said. Bad boy to chase the colts! This is not the first time, nor the second, but it shall be the last. There, take your money and go home. I shall not want you on my farm again. So we never saw Dick any more. Old Daniel, the man who looked after the horses, was just as gentle as our master, so we were well off. End of Chapter 1 Chapter 2 of Black Beauty This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Black Beauty by Anna Sewell Chapter 2 The Hunt Before I was two years old a circumstance happened which I have never forgotten. It was early in the spring. There had been a little frost in the night, and a light mist still hung over the woods in meadows. I and the other colts were feeding at the lower part of the field when we heard, quite in the distance, what sounded like the cry of dogs. The oldest of the colts raised his head, pricked his ears, and said, There are the hens. And immediately cantored off, followed by the rest of us to the upper part of the field where we could look over the hedge and see several fields beyond. My mother and an old riding-horse of our masters were also standing near and seemed to know all about it. They have found a hare. Said my mother. And if they come this way we shall see the hut. And soon the dogs were all tearing down the field of young wheat next to ours. I never heard such a noise as they made. They did not bark, nor howl, nor whine, but kept on a Yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, ho, ho. At the top of their voices. After them came a number of men on horseback, some of them in green coats, all galloping as fast as they could. The old horse snorted and looked eagerly after them, and we young colts wanted to be galloping with them, but they were soon away into the fields lower down. Here it seemed as if they had come to a stand. The dogs left off barking and ran about every way with their noses to the ground. They have lost the scent, said the old horse. Perhaps the hare will get off. What hare, I said. Oh, I don't know what hare. Likely enough it may be one of our own hares out of the woods. Any hare they can ride will do for the dogs and men to run after. And before long the dogs began there. Yo, yo, yo, yo, ho. Again, and back they came all together at full speed, making straight for our meadow at the part where the high bank and hedge overhang the brook. Now we shall see the hare. Said my mother, and just then a hare wild with fright rushed by and made for the woods. On came the dogs, they burst over the bank, leaped to the stream, and came dashing across the field followed by the huntsmen. Six or eight men leaped their horses clean over close upon the dogs. The hare tried to get through the fence. It was too thick, and she turned sharp round to make for the road, but it was too late. The dogs were upon her with their wild cries. We heard one shriek, and that was the end of her. One of the huntsmen rode up and whipped off the dogs, who would soon have torn her to pieces. He held her up by the leg, torn and bleeding, and all the gentlemen seemed well pleased. As for me, I was so astonished that I did not at first see what was going on by the brook, but when I did look there was a sad sight. Two fine horses were down. One was struggling in the stream, and the other was groaning on the grass. One of the riders was getting out of the water covered with mud. The other lay quite still. His neck is brook, said my mother, and serve him right too, said one of the colts. I thought the same, but my mother did not join with us. Well, no, she said, you must not say that. But though I am an old horse and have seen and heard a great deal, I never yet could make out why men are so fond of this sport. They often hurt themselves, often spoil good horses and tear up the fields and all for a hair or a fox or a stag. They could get more easily some other way. But we are only horses and don't know. While my mother was saying this we stood and looked on. Many of the riders had gone to the young man, but my master, who had been watching what was going on, was the first to raise him. His head fell back and his arms hung down and everyone looked very serious. There was no noise now. Even the dogs were quiet and seemed to know that something was wrong. They carried him to our master's house. I heard afterward that it was young George Gordon, the squire's only son, a fine, tall young man, and the pride of his family. There was now riding off in all directions to the doctors, to the ferriers, and no doubt to squire Gordon's to let him know about his son. When Mr. Bond, the ferrier, came to look at the black horse that lay groaning on the grass, he felt him all over and shook his head. One of his legs was broken. Then someone ran to our master's house and came back with a gun. Presently there was a loud bang and a dreadful shriek, and then all was still. The black horse moved no more. My mother seemed much troubled. She said she had known that horse for years and that his name was Rob Roy. He was a good horse, and there was no vice in him. She never would go to that part of the field afterward. Not many days after we heard the church bell tolling for a long time, and looking over the gate we saw a long, strange black coach that was covered with black cloth and was drawn by black horses. After that came another and another and another, and all were black, while the bell kept tolling, tolling. They were carrying young Gordon to the churchyard to bury him. He would never ride again. What they did with Rob Roy I never knew, but was all for one little hair. I was now beginning to grow handsome. My coat had grown fine and soft, and was bright black.  I was thought very handsome. My master would not sell me till I was four years old. He said lads ought not to work like men, and colts ought not to work like horses till they were quite grown up. When I was four years old Squire Gordon came to look at me. He examined my eyes, my mouth, and my legs. He felt them all down, and then I had to walk and trot and gallop before him. He seemed to like me, and said, When he has been well broken in, he will do very well. My master said he would break me in himself, as he should not like me to be frightened or hurt, and he lost no time about it, for the next day he began. Everyone may not know what breaking in is, therefore I will describe it. It means to teach a horse to wear a saddle and bridle, and to carry on his back a man, woman, or child, to go just the way they wish, and to go quietly. Besides this he has to learn to wear a collar, a crepper, and a breaching, and to stand still while they are put on, then to have a cart or a shez fixed behind, so that he cannot walk or trot without dragging it after him, and he must go fast or slow, just as his driver wishes. He must never start at what he sees, nor speak to other horses, nor bite, nor kick, nor have any will of his own, but always do his master's will, even though he may be very tired or hungry, but the worst of all is, when his harness is once on, he may neither jump for joy nor lie down for weariness, so you see this breaking in is a great thing. I had of course long been used to a halter and a headstall, and to be let about in the fields and lanes quietly, but now I was to have a bit and bridle. My master gave me some oats as usual, and after a good deal of coaxing he got the bit into my mouth and the bridle fixed, but it was a nasty thing. Those who have never had a bit in their mouths cannot think how bad it feels. A great piece of cold hard steel is thick as a man's finger to be pushed into one's mouth, between one's teeth and over one's tongue, with the ends coming out at the corner of your mouth, and held fast there by straps over your head, under your throat, round your nose and under your chin, so that no way in the world can you get rid of the nasty hard thing. It is very bad, yes very bad, at least I thought so, but I knew my mother always wore one when she went out, and all horses did when they were grown up, and so what with the nice oats and what with my master's pats, kind words and gentle ways, I got to wear my bit and bridle. Next came the saddle, but that was not half so bad. My master put it on my back very gently while old Daniel held my head. He then made the girths fast under my body, patting and talking to me all the time. Then I had a few oats, then a little leading about, and this he did every day till I began to look for the oats in the saddle. At length, one morning, my master got on my back and rode me round the meadow on the soft grass. It certainly did feel queer, but I must say I felt rather proud to carry my master, and as he continued to ride me a little every day, I soon became accustomed to it. The next unpleasant business was putting on the iron shoes, that too was very hard at first. My master went with me to the Smith's Forge to see that I was not hurt or got any fright. The blacksmith took my feet in his hand, one after the other, and cut away some of the hoof. It did not pain me, so I stood still on three legs till he had done them all.  My feet felt very stiff and heavy, but in time I got used to it.  There were more new things to wear. First a stiff heavy collar just on my neck, and a bridle with great side pieces against my eyes called blinkers, and blinkers indeed they were, for I could not see on either side but only straight in front of me. Next there was a small saddle with a nasty stiff strap that went right under my tail. That was the cupper. I hated the cupper. To have my long tail doubled up and poked through that strap was almost as bad as the bit. I never felt more like kicking, but of course I could not kick such a good master, and so in time I got used to everything and could do my work as well as my mother. I must not forget to mention one part of my training, which I have always considered a very great advantage. My master sent me for a fortnight to a neighbouring farmers who had a meadow which was skirted on one side by the railway. Here were some sheep and cows, and I was turned in among them. I shall never forget the first train that ran by. I was feeding quietly near the pails which separated the meadow from the railway when I heard a strange sound at a distance, and before I knew whence it came with a rush and a clatter and a puffing out of smoke a long black train of something flew by and was gone almost before I could draw my breath. I turned and galloped to the further side of the meadow as fast as I could go and there I stood snorting with astonishment and fear. In the course of the day many other trains went by, some more slowly. These drew up at the station close by and sometimes made an awful shriek and groan before they stopped. I thought it very dreadful, but the cows went on eating very quietly and hardly raised their heads as the black frightful thing came puffing and grinding past. For the first few days I could not feed in peace, but as I found that this terrible creature never came into the field or did me any harm I began to disregard it and very soon I cared as little about the passing of a train as the cows and sheep did. Since then I have seen many horses much alarmed and restive at the sight or sound of a steam engine but thanks to my good master's care I am as fearless at railway stations as in my own stable. Now if anyone wants to break in a young horse well, that is the way. My master often drove me in double harness with my mother because she was steady and could teach me how to go better than a strange horse. She told me the better I behaved the better I should be treated and that it was wisest always to do my best to please my master. But, said she, there are great many kinds of men. There are good thoughtful men like our master that any horse may be proud to serve and there are bad, cruel men who never ought to have a horse or dog to call their own. Besides there are great many foolish men, vain, ignorant and careless, who never trouble themselves to think. These spoil more horses than all just for want of sense. They don't mean it, but they do it for all that. I hope you will fall into good hands, but a horse never knows who may buy him or who may drive him. It is all a chance for us, but still I say do your best wherever it is and keep up your good name. Black Beauty by Anna Sewell Chapter 4 Burtwick Park At this time I used to stand in the stable and my coat was brushed every day till it shone like a rook's wing. It was early in May when there came a man from Squire Gordon's who took me away to the hall. My master said, Good-bye, Darkie. Be a good horse and always do your best. I could not say good-bye, so I put my nose into his hand. He patted me kindly and I left my first home. As I lived some years with Squire Gordon, I may as well tell something about the place. Squire Gordon's park skirted the village of Burtwick. It was entered by a large iron gate at which stood the first lodge and then you trotted along on a smooth road between clumps of large old trees, then another lodge and another gate which brought you to the house in the gardens. Beyond this lay the home paddock, the old orchard and the stables. There was accommodation for many horses and carriages, but I need only describe the stable into which I was taken. This was very roomy with four good stalls. A large swinging window opened into the yard which made it pleasant and airy. The first stall was a large square one, shut in behind with a wooden gate. The others were common stalls, good stalls, but not nearly so large. It had a low rack for hay and a low manger for corn. It was called a loose box because the horse that was put into it was not tied up, but left loose to do as he liked. It is a great thing to have a loose box. Into this fine box the groom put me. It was clean, sweet and airy. I never was in a better box than that and the sides were not so high but that I could see all that went on through the iron rails that were at the top. He gave me some very nice oats, he patted me, spoke kindly and then went away. When I had eaten my corn I looked round.  I put my head up to the iron rails at the top of my box and said, How do you do? What is your name?  I am very handsome. I carry the young ladies on my back and sometimes I take our mistress out in the low chair. They think a great deal of me and so does James. Are you going to live next door to me in the box? I said yes. Well then, he said, I hope you are good tempered. I do not like anyone next door who bites. Just then a horse's head looked over from the stall beyond. The ears were laid back and the eye looked rather ill tempered. This was a tall chestnut mare with a long, handsome neck. She looked across to me and said, So it is you who have turned me out of my box. It is a very strange thing for a cult like you to come and turn a lady out of her own home. I beg your pardon, I said. I have turned no one out. The man who brought me put me here and I had nothing to do with it. And as to my being a cult, I am turned four years old and am a grown-up horse. I never had words yet with horse or mare and it is my wish to live at peace. Well, she said, We shall see. Of course, I do not want to have words with a young thing like you. I said no more. In the afternoon, when she went out, Mary Legs told me all about it. The thing is this, said Mary Legs, Ginger has a bad habit of biting and snapping. That is why they call her Ginger. And when she was in the loose box she used to snap very much. One day she bit James in the arm and made a bleed. And so Miss Flora and Miss Jessie, who are very fond of me, were afraid to come into the stable. They used to bring me nice things to eat, an apple or a carrot or a piece of bread. But after Ginger stood in that box they did not come and I miss them very much. I hope they will not come again if you do not bite or snap. I told him I never bit anything but grass, hay, and corn and could not think what pleasure Ginger found it. Well, I don't think she does find pleasure, says Mary Legs. It is just a bad habit. She says no one was ever kind to her and why should she not bite? Of course it is a very bad habit but I am sure if all she says is to be true she must have been very ill used before she came here. John does all he can to place her and James does all he can and our master never uses a whip if a horse acts right. So I think she might be good tempered here. You see. He said with a wise look. I am twelve years old. I know a good deal and I can tell you there is not a better place for a horse all around the country than this. John is the best groom that ever was. He has been here fourteen years and you never saw such a kind boy as James is. So that it is all Ginger's own fault she did not stay in that box. End of Chapter 4 Chapter 5 of Black Beauty This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Black Beauty by Anna Sewell Chapter 5 of Fair Start The name of the coachman was John Manley. He had a wife and one little child and they lived in the coachman's cottage very near the stables. The next morning he took me into the yard and gave me a good grooming and just as I was going into my box with my coat soft and bright the squire came in to look at me and seemed pleased. John, he said, I meant to have tried the new horse this morning, but I have other business. You may as well take him around after breakfast. Go by the common and the high wood and back by the water mill and the river. That will show his paces. I will, sir, said John. After breakfast he came and fitted me with a bridle. He was very particular in letting out and taking in the straps to fit my head comfortably. Then he brought a saddle, but it was not broad enough for my back. He sawed in a minute and went for another, which fitted nicely. He rode me first slowly, then a trot, then a canter, and when we were on the common he gave me a light touch with his whip and we had a splendid gallop. Ho-ho, my boy! He said as he pulled me up. You would like to follow the hounds, I think. As we came back through the park we met the squire and Mrs. Gordon walking.  Well, John, how does he go? First rate, sir. Answered John. He is as fleet as a deer and has a fine spirit too, but the lightest touch of the rain will guide him. Down at the end of the common we met one of those travelling carts, hung all over with baskets, rugs, and such like, you know. Sir, many horses will not pass those carts quietly. He just took a good look at it and then went on as quiet and pleasant as could be. They were shooting rabbits near the high wood and a gun went off, close by. He pulled up a little and looked, but did not stir a step to right or left. I just held the rain steady and did not hurry him and it's my opinion he has not been frightened or ill-used while he was young. That's well, said the squire. I will try here myself tomorrow. The next day I was brought up for my master. I remembered my mother's counsel and my good old masters and I tried to do exactly what he wanted me to do. I found he was a very good rider and thoughtful for his horse too. When he came home the lady was at the hall door as he rode up. Well, my dear, she said, how do you like him? He is exactly what John said. He replied, a pleasanter creature I never wished to mount. What shall we call him? Would you like Ebony? said she. He is as black as Ebony. No, not Ebony. Will you call him Blackbird like your uncle's old horse? No. He is far handsomer than old Blackbird ever was. Yes, she said.  What do you say to calling him Black Beauty? Black Beauty. Why, yes, I think that is a very good name. If you like it shall be his name. And so it was. When John went into the stable he told James that master and mistress had chosen a good sensible English name for me that meant something, not like Marengo or Pegasus or Abdallah. They both laughed, and James said, If it was not for bringing back the past I should have named him Rob Roy, for I never saw two horses more alike. That's no wonder, said John. Didn't you know that Farmer Grey's old Duchess was the mother of them both? I had never heard that before, and so poor Rob Roy who was killed at that hunt was my brother. I did not wonder that my mother was so troubled. It seems that horses have no relations, at least they never know each other after they are sold. John seemed very proud of me. He used to make my mane and tail almost as smooth as a lady's hair, and he would talk to me a great deal. Of course, I did not understand all he said, but I learned more and more to know what he meant and what he wanted me to do. I grew very fond of him. He was so gentle and kind. He seemed to know just how a horse feels, and when he cleaned me he knew the tender places in the ticklish places.  James Howard, the stable boy, was just as gentle and pleasant in his way, so I thought myself well off. There was another man who helped in the yard, but he had very little to do with ginger in me. A few days after this I had to go out with ginger in the carriage. I wondered how we should get on together, but except laying her ears back when I was led up to her, she saved very well. She did her work honestly and did her full share, and I never wished to have a better partner in double harness. When we came to a hill, instead of slackening her pace, she would throw her weight right into the collar and pull away straight up. We had both the same sort of courage at our work, and John had oftener to hold us in than to urge us forward. He never had to use the whip with either of us. Then our paces were much the same, and I found it very easy to keep step with her when trotting, but it wasn't pleasant, and Master always liked it when we kept step well, and so did John. After we had been out two or three times together, we grew quite friendly and sociable, which made me feel very much at home. As for Marylegs, he and I soon became great friends. He was such a cheerful, plucky, good-tempered little fellow that he was a favourite with everyone, and especially with Miss Jessie and Flora, who used to ride him about in the orchard and have fine games with him and their little dog Frisky. Our Master had two other horses that stood in another stable. One was Justice, a Rhone Cobb, used for riding or for the luggage cart. The other was an old brown hunter named Sir Oliver. He was past work now, but was a great favourite with the Master, who gave him the run of the park. He sometimes did a little light carting on the estate, or carried one of the young ladies when they rode out with their father, for he was very gentle and could be trusted with a child as well as Marylegs. The Cobb was a strong, well-made, good-tempered horse, and we sometimes had a little chat in the paddock, but of course I could not be so intimate with him as with Ginger, who stood in the same stable. End of Chapter 5 Chapter 6 of Black Beauty This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Black Beauty by Anna Sewell Chapter 6 Liberty I was quite happy in my new place, and if there was one thing that I missed, it must not be thought I was discontented. All who had to do with me were good, and I had a light, airy stable and the best of food. What more could I want? Why, Liberty? For three years and a half of my life I had had all the liberty I could wish for, but now, week after week, month after month, and no doubt year after year, I must stand up in a stable night and day except when I am wanted, and then I must be just as steady and quiet as any old horse who has worked twenty years. Straps here and straps there, a bit in my mouth and blinkers over my eyes. Now, I am not complaining, for I know it must be so. I only mean to say that for a young horse full of strength and spirits, who has been used to some large field or plane where he can fling up his head and toss up his tail and gallop away at full speed, then round and back again with a snort to his companions, I say it is hard never to have a bit more liberty to do as you like. Sometimes, when I have had less exercise than usual, I have felt so full of life in spring that when John has taken me out to exercise I really could not keep quiet. Do what I would it seemed as if I must jump or dance or prance, and many a good shake I know I must have given him, especially at the first, but he was always good and patient. Steady, steady, my boy. He would say, Wait a bit and we will have a good swing, and soon get the tickle out of your feet. Then as soon as we were out of the village he would give me a few miles at a spanking trot and then bring me back as fresh as before, only clear of the fidgets as he called them. Spirited horses, when not enough exercised, are often called skittish when it is only play and some grooms will punish them, but our John did not, he knew it was only high spirits. Still he had his own ways of making me understand by the tone of his voice or the touch of the rain. If he was very serious and quite determined I always knew it by his voice and that had more power with me than anything else for I was very fond of him. I ought to say that sometimes we had our liberty for a few hours. This used to be on fine Sundays in the summer time. The carriage never went out on Sundays because the church was not far off. It was a great treat to us to be turned out into the home paddock or the old orchard. The grass was so cool and soft to our feet, the air so sweet, and the freedom to do as we liked was so pleasant, to gallop, to lie down and roll over on our backs or to nibble the sweet grass. Then it was a very good time for talking as we stood together under the shade of the large chestnut tree. End of Chapter 6 Chapter 7 of Black Beauty This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Black Beauty by Anna Sewell. Chapter 7. Ginger One day when Ginger and I were standing alone in the shade, we had a great deal of talk. She wanted to know all about my bringing up and breaking in, and I told her. Well, said she. If I had had your bringing up, I might have had as good a temper as you. But now I don't believe I ever shall. Why not, I said. Because it has all been so different with me. She replied. I never had anyone horse or man that was kind to me or that I cared to please. For in the first place I was taken from my mother as soon as I was weaned and put with a lot of other young colts. None of them cared for me and I cared for none of them. There was no kind master like yours to look after me and talk to me and bring me nice things to eat. The man that had the care of us never gave me a kind word in my life. I do not mean that he ill used me, but he did not care for us one bit further than to see we had plenty to eat and shelter in the winter. A footpath ran through our field, and very often the great boys passing through would fling stones at us to make us gallop. I was never hit, but one fine young colt was badly cut in the face, and I should think it would be a scar for life. We did not care for them, but of course it made us more wild and we settled it in our minds that boys were our enemies. We had very good fun in the free meadows, galloping up and down and chasing each other round and round the field, then standing still under the shade of the trees. But when it came to breaking in, that was a bad time for me. Several men came to catch me, and when at last they closed me in at one corner of the field, one caught me by the forelock, another caught me by the nose and held it so tight I could hardly draw my breath. Then another took my under jaw in his hard hand and wrenched my mouth open, and so by force they got on the halter and the bar into my mouth. Then one dragged me along by the halter, another flogging behind, and this was the first experience I had of men's kindness. It was all force. They did not give me a chance to know what they wanted. I was highbred and had a great deal of spirit and was very wild, no doubt, and gave them, I dare say, plenty of trouble. But then it was dreadful to be shut up in a stall day after day instead of having my liberty, and I fretted and pined and wanted to get loose. You know yourself it's bad enough when you have a kind master and plenty of coaxing, but there was nothing of that sort for me. There was one, the old master, Mr. Ryder, who I think could soon have brought me round and could have done anything with me, but he had given up all the hard part of the trade to his son and to another experienced man, and he only came at times to oversee. His son was a strong, tall, bold man, they called him Samson, and he used to boast that he had never found a horse that could throw him. There was no gentleness in him as there was in his father, but only hardness, a hard voice, a hard eye, a hard hand. And I felt from the first that what he wanted was to wear all the spirit out of me and just make me into a quiet, humble, obedient piece of horse flesh. Horse flesh, yes, that is all he thought about. And Ginger stamped her foot as if the very thought of him made her angry, then she went on. If I did not do exactly what he wanted he would get put out and make me run round with that long reign in the training field till he had tired me out. I think he drank a good deal, and I'm quite sure that the oftener he drank the worse it was for me. One day he had worked me hard in every way he could, and when I laid down I was tired and miserable and angry. It all seemed so hard. The next morning he came for me early and ran me round again for a long time. I had scarcely an hour's rest when he came again for me with a saddle and a bridle and a new kind of bit. I could never quite tell how it came about. He had only just mounted me on the training ground and the thing I did put him out of temper and he chucked me hard with that reign. The new bit was very painful and I reared up suddenly which angered him still more and he began to flog me. I felt my whole spirit set against him and I began to kick and plunge and rear as I had never done before and we had a regular fight. For a long time he stuck to the saddle and punished me cruelly with his whip and spurs but my blood was thoroughly up and I cared for nothing he could do if only I could get him off.  I heard him fall heavily on the turf and without looking behind me I galloped off to the other end of the field. There I turned round and saw my persecutor slowly rising from the ground and going into the stable. I stood under an oak tree and watched but no one came to catch me. The time went on and the sun was very hot and the flies swarmed round me and settled on my bleeding flanks with a spur to dug in. I felt hungry for I had not eaten since the early morning but there was not enough grass in that meadow for a goose to live on. I wanted to lie down and rest but with the saddle strapped tightly on there was no comfort and there was not a drop of water to drink. The afternoon wore on and the sun got low. I saw the other colts let in I knew they were having a good feed.  He was a very fine old gentleman with quite white hair but his voice was what I should know him by among a thousand. It was not high nor yet low but full and clear and kind. And when he gave orders it was so steady and decided that everyone knew both horses and men that he expected to be obeyed. He came quietly along now and then shaking the oats about that he had in the sieve and speaking cheerfully and gently to me come along lassie, come along lassie, come along, come along. I stood still and let him come up. He held the oats to me and I began to eat without fear. His voice took all my fear away. He stood by patting and stroking me while I was eating and seeing the clots of blood on my side he seemed very vexed. Poor lassie it was a bad business, bad business. Then he quietly took the rain and led me to the stable. Just at the door stood Samson. I laid my ears back and snapped at him. Stand back said the master and keep out of her way. You've done a bad day's work for this filly. He growled out something about a vicious brute. Hark ye said the father. A bad tempered man will never make a good tempered horse. You've not learned your trade yet Samson. Then he led me into my box, took off the saddle and bridle with his own hands and tied me up. Then he called for a pail of warm water and a sponge, took off his coat and while the stable man held the pail he sponged my sides a good while so tenderly that I was sure he knew how sore and bruised they were. Oh my pretty one. He said, stand still, stand still. His very voice did me good and the bathing was very comfortable. The skin was so broken at the corners of my mouth that I could not eat the hay, the stalks hurt me. He looked closely at it, shook his head and told the man to fetch a good brand mash and put some meal into it. How good that mash was and so soft and healing to my mouth. He stood by all the time I was eating, stroking me and talking to the man. If a high-metalled creature like this, said he, can't be broken by fair means she will never be good for anything. After that he often came to see me and when my mouth was healed the other breaker, Job they called him, went on training me. He was steady and thoughtful and I soon learned what he wanted. End of chapter 7 Chapter 8 of Black Beauty This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Black Beauty by Anna Sewell Chapter 8 Ginger's Story Continued The next time that Ginger and I were together in the paddock, she told me about her first place. After my breaking in, she said, I was bought by a dealer to match another chestnut horse. For some weeks he drove us together and then we were sold to a fashionable gentleman and were sent up to London. I had been driven with a checkrain by the dealer and I hated it worse than anything else. But in this place we were reigned far tighter. The coachman and his master thinking we looked more stylish so. We were often driven about in the park and other fashionable places. You who never had a checkrain on don't know what it is, but I can tell you it is dreadful. I like to toss my head about and hold it as high as any horse. But fancy now yourself, if you tossed your head up high and were obliged to hold it there and that for hours together not able to move it at all except with a jerk still higher your neck aching till you did not know how to bear it. Beside that, to have two bits instead of one and mine was a sharp one. It hurt my tongue and my jaw and the blood from my tongue coloured the froth that kept flying from my lips as I chafed and fretted at the bits and rain. It was worst when we had to stand by the hour waiting for our mistress at some grand party or entertainment and if I fretted or stamped with impatience the whip was laid on. It was enough to drive one mad. Did not your master take any thought for you, I said. No, said she. He only cared to have a stylish turnout, as they call it. I think he knew very little about horses. He left that to the coachman, and I had an irritable temper that I had not been well broken to the check-rain but I should soon get used to it. But he was not the man to do it, for when I was in the stable, miserable and angry instead of being smoothed and quieted by kindness I only got a surly word or a blow. If he had been civil I would have tried to bear it. I was willing to work and ready to work hard too but to be tormented for nothing but their fancies angered me. What right had they to make me suffer like that? Besides the soreness in my mouth and the pain in my neck it always made my windpipe feel bad and if I had stopped there long I know it would have spoiled my breathing. But I grew more and more restless and irritable I could not help it and I began to snap and kick when anyone came to harness me. For this the groom beat me and one day as they had buckled us into the carriage and restraining my head up with that rain I began to plunge and kick with all my might. I soon broke a lot of the harness and kicked myself clear so that was an end of that place. After this I was sent to Tattersles to be sold of course I could not be warranted free from vice so nothing was said about that. My handsome appearance and good paces soon brought a gentleman to bid for me and I was bought by another dealer. He tried me in all kinds of ways and with different bids and he soon found out what I could not bear. At last he drove me quite without a check rain and then sold me as a perfectly quiet horse to a gentleman in the country. He was a good master and I was getting on very well but his old groom left him and a new one came. This man was as hard tempered and hard handed as Samson. He always spoken a rough impatient voice and if I did not move in the stall the moment he wanted me he would hit me above the hocks with his stable broom or the fork whatever he might have in his hand.  After that he never dared to come into my stall again either my heels or my teeth were ready for him and he knew it. I was quite quiet with my master but of course he listened to what the man said and so I was sold again. The same dealer heard of me and said he thought he knew one place where I should do well. It was a pity he said that such a fine horse should go to the bad for want of a real good chance and the end of it was that I came here not long before you did but I had then made up my mind that men were my natural enemies and that I must defend myself of course it is very different here but who knows how long it will last I wish I could think about things as you do but I can't after all that I've gone through Well I said I think it would be a real shame if you were to bite or kick John or James I don't mean to she said Well they're good to me I did bite James once pretty sharp but John said try her with kindness and instead of punishing me as I expected James came to me with his arm bound up and brought me a brand mash and stroked me and I've never snapped at him since and I won't either I was sorry for Ginger but of course I knew very little then and I thought most likely she made the worst of it however I found that as the weeks went on she grew much more gentle and cheerful and had lost the watchful defiant look that she used to turn on any strange person who came near her and one day James said Did you believe that Mary's getting fond of me she quite winnied after me this morning when I had been rubbing her forehead Aye aye Jim, it is the Bertwick Balls said John She'll be as good as black beauty by and by kindness is all the physics she wants poor thing Master noticed the change too and one day when he got out of the carriage and came to speak to us as he often did he stroked her beautiful neck Well my pity one well, how do things go with you now you are a good bit happier than when you came to us I think She put her nose up to him in a friendly, trustful way while he rubbed it gently We shall make a cure of her John He said Yes sir, she's wonderfully improved she's not the same creature that she was It's the Bertwick Balls sir said John laughing this was a little joke of John's he used to say that a regular course of the Bertwick horse balls would cure almost any vicious horse these balls he said were made up of patience and gentleness firmness and petting one pound of each to be mixed up with half a pint of common sense and given to the horse every day End of Chapter 8 Chapter 9 of Black Beauty This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Black Beauty by Anna Sewell Chapter 9 Mary Legs Mr. Bloomfield, the vicar had a large family of boys and girls sometimes they used to come and play with Miss Jessie in Flora One of the girls was as old as Miss Jessie two of the boys were older and there were several little ones When they came there was plenty of work for Mary Legs for nothing pleased them so much as getting on him by turns and riding him all about the orchard in the home paddock and this they would do by the hour together One afternoon he had been out with them a long time and when James brought him in and put on his halter he said There you rogue mind how you behave yourself or we shall get in trouble What have you been doing Mary Legs?  He looked very much offended and said Of course not I would not do such a thing for the best oats that ever came into the stable why I am as careful of our young ladies as the master could be and as for the little ones it is I who teach them to ride when they seem frightened or a little unsteady on my back I go as smooth and as quiet as old pussy when she is after a bird and when they are all right I go on again faster you see just to use them to it so don't you trouble yourself preaching to me I am the best friend and the best riding master those children have it is not them it is the boys Boys said he shaking his mane are quite different they must be broken in as we were broken in when we were colds and just be taught what's what the other children had ridden me for about nearly two hours and then the boys thought it was their turn and so it was and I was quite agreeable they rode me by turns and I galloped them about up and down the fields and all about the orchard for a good hour they had each cut a great hazel steak for a riding whip and laid it on a little too hard but I took it in good part till at last I thought we had had enough so I stopped two or three times away of a hint boys you see think a horse or pony is like a steam engine or thrashing machine and can go on just as long as fast as they please they never think that a pony could get tired or have any feelings so as the one who was whipping me could not understand I just rose up on my hind legs and let them slip off behind that was all he mounted me again and I did the same then the other boy got up and as soon as he began to use a stick I laid him on the grass and so on till they were able to understand that was all they are not bad boys they used to be cruel I like them very well but you see I had to give them a lesson when they brought me to James and told him I think he was very angry to see such big sticks he said they were only fit for drovers and gypsies and not for young gentlemen if I had been you said ginger I would have given those boys a good kick and that would have given them a lesson no doubt you would said merry legs but then I am not quite such a fool begging your pardon as to anger our master or make James ashamed of me besides those children are under my charge when they are writing I tell you they are entrusted to me why only the other day I heard our master say to Mrs. Blomfield my dear madam you need not be anxious about the children my old merry legs will take as much care of them as you or I could I assure you I would not sell that pony for any money he is so perfectly good tempered and trustworthy and do you think I am such an ungrateful brute as to forget all the kind treatment I have had here for five years and all the trust they place in me and turn vicious because a couple of ignorant boys use me badly no no you never had a good place where they were kind to you and so you don't know and I am sorry for you but I can tell you good places make good horses I wouldn't vex our people for anything I love them I do said merry legs and he gave a low ho ho ho through his nose as he used to do in the morning when he heard James' footstep at the door besides he went on if I took to kicking where should I be why sold off in a jiffy and no character and I might find myself slaved about under a butcher's boy or worked to death at some seaside place where no one cared for me except to find out how fast I could go or be flogged along in some cart with three or four great men in it going out for a Sunday spree as I have often seen in the place I lived in before I came here no said he shaking his head I hope I shall never come to that End of Chapter 9 Chapter 10 of Black Beauty This is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Black Beauty by Anna Sewell Chapter 10 A Talk in the Orchard Ginger and I were not of the regular tall carriage horse breed we had more of the racing blood in us we stood about fifteen and a half hands high we were therefore just as good for riding as we were for driving and our master used to say that he disliked either horse or man that could do but one thing and as he did not want to show off in London parks he preferred a more active and useful kind of horse as for us our greatest pleasure was when we were saddled for a riding party the master on ginger, the mistress on me and the young ladies on Sir Oliver and Mary Legs it was so cheerful to be trotting and cantering altogether that it always put us in high spirits I had the best of it for I always carried the mistress her weight was little, her voice was sweet and her hand was so light on the rain that I was guided almost without feeling it oh if people knew what a comfort to horses a light hand is and how it keeps a good mouth and a good temper they surely would not chuck and drag and pull it the rain as they often do our mouths are so tender that where they have not been spoiled or hardened with bad or ignorant treatment they feel the slightest movement of the driver's hand and we know in an instant what is required of us my mouth has never been spoiled and I believe that was why the mistress preferred me to ginger although her paces were certainly quite as good she used often to envy me and said it was all the fault of breaking in and the gag bit in London that her mouth was not so perfect as mine and then old Sir Oliver would say there there don't fix yourself you have the greatest honour a mare that can carry a tall man of our master's weight with all your spring and spridely action does not need to hold her head down because she does not carry the lady we horses must take things as they come and always be contented and willing so long as we are kindly used I had often wondered how it was that Sir Oliver had such a very short tail it really was only six or seven inches long a castle of hair hanging from it and on one of our holidays in the orchard I ventured to ask him by what accident it was that he had lost his tail accident he snorted with a fierce look it was no accident it was a cruel, shameful, cold, blunted act when I was young I was taken to a place where these cruel things were done I was tied up and made fast so that I could not stir and then they came and cut off my long and beautiful tail through the flesh and through the bone and took it away how dreadful I exclaimed dreadful ah it was dreadful but it was not only the pain though that was terrible and lasting a long time it was not only the indignity of having my best ornament taken from me though that was bad but it was this how could I ever brush the flies off my sides and my high legs anymore you have tails just whisk the flies off without thinking about it and you can't tell what an ornament it is to have them settle upon you and sting and sting and have nothing in the world to lash them off I tell you it is a life long rung and a life long loss but thank heaven they don't do it now what did they do it for then said ginger for fashion said the old horse with a stamp of his foot for fashion if you know what that means there is not a well-brand young horse in my time that had not his tail docked in that shameful way just as if the good god that made us did not know what we wanted and what looked best I suppose it is fashion that makes them strap our heads up with those horrid bits that I was tortured with in London said ginger of course it is said he to my mind fashion is one of the wickedest things in the world now look for instance at the way they serve dogs cutting their tails to make them look plucky and shearing out their pretty little ears to a point to make them both look sharp or sooth I had a dear friend once a brown carrier sky they called her she was so fond of me she never would sleep out of my stall she made her bed under the manger and there she had a litter of five as pretty little puppies as need be none were drowned for they were a valuable kind and how pleased she was with them and when they got their eyes open and crawled about it was a pretty sight but one day the man came and took them all away I thought he might be afraid I should tread upon them but it was not so in the evening poor sky brought them back one by one in her mouth not the happy little things that they were but bleeding and crying pitifully they had all had a piece of their tails cut off and the soft flap of their pretty little ears was quite cut off how their mother licked them and how troubled she was poor thing I never forgot it they healed in time and they forgot the pain but the nice soft flap that of course was intended to protect the delicate part of their ears from dust and injury was gone forever why don't they cut their own children's ears into pricks to make them look sharp why don't they cut the end of their noses to make them look plucky one would be just as sensible as the other what right have they to torment and disfigure God's creatures Sir Oliver though he was so gentle was a fiery old fellow and what he said was also new to me and so dreadful that I found a bitter feeling toward men rise up in my mind that I never had before of course Ginger was very much excited she flung up her head with flashing eyes and distended nostrils declaring that men were both brutes and blockheads who talks about blockheads said Mary Legs who just came up from the old apple tree where he had been rubbing himself against the low branch who talks about blockheads I believe that is a bad word bad words were made for bad things said Ginger and she told him what Sir Oliver had said it is all true said Mary Legs sadly and I've seen that about the dogs over and over again where I lived first but we won't talk about it here you know that Master and John and James are always good to us and talking against men in such a place as this doesn't seem fair or grateful and you know there are good Masters and good grooms besides ours though of course ours is the best this wise speech of good little Mary Legs which we knew was quite true cooled us all down especially Sir Oliver who was dearly fond of his Master and to turn the subject I said can anyone tell me the use of blinkers? no said Sir Oliver shortly because they are no use they are supposed said Justice the Roan Cobb in his calm way to prevent horses from shying and starting and getting so frightened as to cause accidents then what is the reason they do not put them on riding horses especially on ladies horses said I there is no reason at all said he quietly except the fashion they say that a horse would be frightened to see the wheels of his own cart or carriage coming behind him that he would be sure to run away although of course when he is ridden he sees them all about him if the streets are crowded I admit they do sometimes come too close to be pleasant but we don't run away we are used to it and understand it and if we never had blinkers put on we should never want them we should see what was there know what was what and be less frightened than by only seeing bits of things that we can't understand of course there may be some nervous horses who have been hurt or frightened when they were young who may be the better for them but as I never was nervous I can't judge I consider said Sir Oliver that blinkers are dangerous things in the night we horses can see much better in the dark than men can and many an accident would never have happened if horses might have had the full use in their eyes some years ago I remember there was a hearse with two horses returning one dark night and just by Farmer Sparrow's house where the pond is close to the road and the wheels went too near the edge and the hearse was overturned into the water both the horses were drowned and the driver hardly escaped of course after this accident a stout white rail was put up that might be easily seen but if those horses had not been partly blinded they would have themselves and get through them from the edge and no accident would have happened when our master's carriage was overturned before you came here it was said that if the lamp on the left side had not gone out Don would have seen the great hold of the road makers had left and so he might but if Old Collins had not had blinkers on he would have seen it lamp or no lamp for he was too far knowing an old horse to run into danger as it was he was very much hurt the carriage was broken and how Don escaped nobody knew I should say said Ginger curling her nostril that these men who are so wise had better give orders that in future all foals should be born with their eyes set just in the middle of their foreheads instead of on the side they always think they can improve upon nature and mend what God has made things were getting rather sore again when Mary Legs held up his knowing little face and said I'll tell you a secret I believe John does not approve of blinkers he thought about it one day the master said that if horses had been used to them it might be dangerous in some cases to leave them off and John said he thought it would be a good thing if all colts were broken in without blinkers as was the case in some foreign countries so let us cheer up and have a run to the other end of the orchard I believe the wind has blown down some apples and we might just as well eat them as the slugs Mary Legs could not be resisted so we broke off our long conversation and got up our spirits by munching we ate apples which lay scattered on the grass End of Chapter 10 Chapter 11 of Black Beauty This is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Black Beauty by Anna Sewell Chapter 11 Plain Speaking The longer I lived at Birtwick the more proud and happy I felt at having such a place our master and mistress were respected and beloved by all who knew them they were good and kind to everybody and everything not only men and women but horses and donkeys, dogs and cats cattle and birds there was no oppressed or ill-used creature that had not a friend in them and their servants took the same tone if any of the village children were known to treat any creature cruelly they soon heard about it from the hall the squire and farmer Grey had worked together as they said for more than twenty years to get check-rains on the cart-horses done away with and in our parts you seldom saw them and sometimes if mistress met a heavily laden horse with his head strained up she would stop the carriage and get out and reason with the driver in her sweet serious voice and try to show him how foolish and cruel it was I don't think any man could withstand our mistress I wish all ladies were like her our master too used to come down very heavy sometimes I remember he was riding me toward home one morning when we saw a powerful man driving toward us in a light pony shez with a beautiful little bay pony with slender legs and a high-bred sensitive head and face just as he came to the park gates the little thing turned toward them the man, without word or warning wrenched the creature's head round with such a force and suddenness that he nearly threw it on its haunches recovering itself it was going on when he began to lash it furiously the pony plunged forward but the strong heavy hand held the pretty creature back with force almost enough to break its jaw while the whip still cut into him it was a dreadful sight to me for I knew what fearful pain it gave that delicate little mouth but master gave me the word and we were up with him in a second he cried in a stern voice is that pony made of flesh and blood? flesh and blood and temper he said he's too fond of his own will and that won't suit me he spoke as if he was in a strong passion he was a builder who had often been to the park on business and do you think said master sternly that treatment like this will make him fond of your will he had no business to make that turn his road was straight on man roughly you have often driven that pony up to my place said master it only shows the creature's memory and intelligence how did he know that you were not going there again but that has little to do with it I must say Mr. Sawyer that a more unmanly brutal treatment of a little pony it was never my painful lot to witness and by giving way to such passion you injure your own character as much nay more than you injure your horse and remember we shall all have to be judged according to our works whether they be toward man or toward beast master rode me home slowly and I could tell by his voice how the thing had grieved him he was just as free to speak to gentlemen of his own rank as to those below him for another day when we were out we met a captain Langley he was driving a splendid pair of graze in a kind of break after a little conversation the captain said what do you think of my new team Mr. Douglas you know you are the judge of horses in these parts and I should like your opinion the master backed me a little so as to get a good view of them they are an uncommonly handsome pair he said and if they are as good as they look I am sure you need not wish for anything better but I see you still hold that pet scheme of yours for raring your horses and lessening their power what do you mean? said the other the check reins oh ah I know that's a hobby of yours well the fact is I like to see my horses hold their heads up so do I said master as well as any man but I don't like to see them held up that takes all the shine out of it now you are a military man Langley I no doubt like to see your regiment look well on parade heads up and all that but you would not take much credit for your drill if all your men had their heads tied to a backboard it might not be much harm on parade except to worry and fatigue them but how would it be in obeying that charge against the enemy not the free use of every muscle and all their strength thrown forward I would not give much for their chance of victory and it is just the same with horses you fret and worry their tempers and decrease their power you will not let them throw their weight against their work and so they have to do too much with their joints and muscles and of course it wears them up faster you may depend upon it horses were intended to have their heads free as free as men's are and if we could act a little more according to common sense and a good deal less according to fashion we should find many things work easier besides you know as well as I that if a horse makes a false step he has much less chance of recovering himself if his head and neck are fastened back and now said the master laughing I have given my father a good trot out can't you make up your mind to mount him too captain your example would go a long way I believe you are right in theory said the other and that's rather a hard hit about the soldiers but well I'll think about it and so they parted End of Chapter 11 Chapter 12 of Black Beauty This is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Black Beauty by Anna Sewell Chapter 12 A Stormy Day One day late in the autumn my master had a long journey to go on business I was put into the dog cart and John went with his master I always liked to go in the dog cart it was so light and the high wheels ran along so pleasantly there had been a great deal of rain and now the wind was very high and blew the dry leaves across the road in a shower we went along merrily till we came to the toll bar and the low wooden bridge the river banks were rather high and the bridge, instead of rising went across just level so that in the middle, if the river was full the water would be nearly up to the woodwork in planks but as there were good substantial rails on each side people did not mind it the man at the gate said the river was rising fast and he feared it would be a bad night many of the meadows were under water and in one low part of the road the water was half way up to my knees the bottom was good and master drove gently so it was no matter when we got to the town of course I had a good bait but as the master's business engaged him a long time we did not stop for home till rather late in the afternoon the wind was then much higher and I heard the master say to John he was not in such a storm and so I thought as we went along the skirts of a wood where the great branches were swaying about like twigs and the rushing sound was terrible I wish we were well out of this wood said my master yes sir said John it would be awkward if one of these branches came down upon us the words were scarcely out of his mouth when there was a groan and a crack and a splitting sound and tearing crashing down among the other trees came an oak torn up by the roots and it fell right across the road just before us I will never say I was not frightened for I was I stopped still and I believe I trembled of course I did not turn round or run away I was not brought up to that John jumped out and was in a moment at my head that was a very near touch said my master what's to be done now well sir we can't drive over that tree nor yet get around it there will be nothing for it but to go back to the four crossways and that will be a good six miles before we get round to the wooden bridge again it will make us late but the horse is fresh so back we went and round by the crossroads but by the time we got to the bridge it was very nearly dark we could just see that the water was over the middle of it but as that happened sometimes when the floods were out master did not stop we were going along in a good pace when we reached the first part of the bridge I felt sure there was something wrong I dare not go forward and I made a dead stop go on beauty said my master and he gave me a touch with the whip but I dare not stir he gave me a sharp cut I jumped but I dare not go forward there's something wrong sir said John and he sprang out of the dog cart and came to my head and looked all about he tried to lead me forward come on beauty what's the matter but I knew very well that the bridge was not safe just then the man at the toll gate on the other side ran out of the house tossing a torch about like one mad oy oy oy hello stop he cried what's the matter shouted my master the bridge is broken in the middle and part of it is carried away if you come on you'll be into the river thank god said my master and took the bridle and gently turned me round to the right hand road by the riverside the sun had set some time the wind seemed to have lulled off after that furious blast which tore up the tree it grew darker and darker stiller and stiller I trotted quietly along the wheels hardly making a sound on the soft road for a good while neither master nor John spoke and then master began in a serious voice I could not understand much of what they said I found they thought if I had gone on as the master wanted me most likely the bridge would have given way under us and horse, shez, master and man would have fallen into the river and as the current was flowing very strongly and there was no light and no help at hand it was more than likely we should all have been drowned master said god had given men reason by which they could find out things for themselves but he had given animals knowledge which did not depend on reason and which was much more prompt and perfect way and by which they had often saved the lives of men John had many stories to tell of dogs and horses and the wonderful things they had done he thought people did not value their animals half enough nor make friends of them as they ought to do I am sure he makes friends of them if ever a man did at last we came to the park gates and found the gardener looking out for us he said that mistress had been in a dreadful way ever since dark fearing some accident had happened and that she had sent James off on justice the Roan Cob toward the wooden bridge to make inquiry after us we saw a light at the hall door and at the upper windows and as we came up mistress ran out saying are you really safe my dear oh I've been so anxious fancying all sorts of things have you had no accident no my dear but if your black beauty had not been wiser than we were we should all have been carried down the river at the wooden bridge I heard no more as they went into the house and John took me to the stable oh what a good supper he gave me that night a good brand mash and some crushed beans with my oats and such a thick bed of straw and I was glad of it for I was tired End of Chapter 12 Chapter 13 of Black Beauty This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Black Beauty by Anna Sewell Chapter 13 The Devil's Trademark One day when John and I had been out on some business of our masters and were returning gently on a long straight road at some distance we saw a boy trying to leap a pony over a gate the pony would not take the leap and the boy cut him with the whip but he only turned off on one side he whipped him again he turned off on the other side then the boy got off and gave him a hard thrashing and knocked him about the head then he got up again and tried to make him leap the gate kicking him all the time shamefully but still the pony refused when we were nearly at the spot the pony put down his head and threw up his heels and sent the boy neatly over into a broad quickset hedge and with the rain dangling from his head he set off home at a full gallop John laughed out quite loud ha ha served him right he said oh oh oh cried the boy as he struggled about among the thorns I say come and help me out thank ye I think you are quite in the right place and maybe a little scratching will teach you not to leap a pony over a gate that is too high for him and so with that John rode off it may be said he to himself this fellow is a liar as well as a cruel one we'll just go home by Farmer Bushby's beauty and then if anybody wants to know you and I can tell him yes see so we turned off to the right and soon came up to the stackyard and with inside of the house the farmer was hurrying out into the road and his wife was standing at the gate looking very frightened have you seen my boy said Mr. Bushby as we came up he went out an hour ago on my black pony and the creature has just come back without a rider I should think sir said John he had better be without a rider unless he can be ridden properly what do you mean? said the farmer well sir I saw your son whipping and kicking and knocking that good little pony about shamefully because he would not leap a gate that was too high for him the pony behaved well sir and showed no vice but at last he just threw up his heels and tipped the young gentleman into the thorn hedge he wanted me to help him out but I hope you will excuse me sir I did not feel inclined to do so there's no bones broken sir he'll only get a few scratches I love horses and it riles me to see them badly used it is a bad plan to aggravate an animal till he uses his heels the first time is not always the last during this time the mother began to cry oh my poor Bill I must go and meet him he must be hurt you had better go into the house wife said the farmer Bill wants a lesson about this and I must see that he gets it this is not the first time nor the second that he has ill used that pony and I shall stop it I am much obliged to you manly good evening so we went on John chuckling all the way home then he told James about it he laughed and said serve him right I knew that boy at school he took great airs on himself because he was a farmer's son he used to swagger about and bully the little boys of course we older ones would not have any of that nonsense and let him know that in school in the playground farmer's sons and laborer's sons were all alike I well remember one day just before afternoon school I found him at the large window catching flies and pulling off their wings and gave him a box on the ears that laid him sprawling on the floor well, angry as I was I was almost frightened he roared and bellied in such a style the boys rushed in from the playground and the master ran in from the road to see who was being murdered of course I said fair and square at once what I had done and why then I showed the master the flies and some crushed and some crawling about helpless and I showed him the wings on the window sill I never saw him so angry before but as Bill was still hailing and whining like the coward that he was did not give him any more punishment of that kind but set him up on a stool for the rest of the afternoon and said that he should not go out to play for that week then he talked to all the boys very seriously about cruelty and said how hard heartedly and cowardly it was to hurt the weak and the helpless but what stuck in my mind was this he said that cruelty was the devil's own trademark and if we saw anyone who took pleasure in cruelty we might know who he belonged to for the devil was a murderer from the beginning and a tormentor to the end on the other hand where we saw people who loved their neighbors and were kind to man and beast we might know that was God's mark your master never taught you a truer thing said John there is no religion without love and people may talk as much as they like there is no religion but if it does not teach them to be good and kind to man and beast it is all a sham all a sham James and it won't stand when things come to be turned inside out Chapter 14 James Howard Early one morning in December John had just led me into my box after my daily exercise and was strapping my cloth on and James was coming in from the corn chamber with some oats when the master came into the stable he looked rather serious and held an open letter in his hand John fastened the door of my box touched his cap and waited for orders Good morning John Master I want to know if you have any complaint to make of James Complaint sir? No sir Is he industrious at his work and respectful to you? Yes sir always You never find he slights his work when your back is turned Never sir That's well but I must put another question Have you no reason to suspect when he goes out with the horses to advise them or take a message that he stops about talking to his acquaintances or goes into houses where he has no business leaving the horses outside? No sir certainly not and if anybody has been saying that about James I don't believe it and I don't mean to believe it unless I have it fairly proved before witnesses It's not for me to say who has been trying to take away James's character but I will say this sir that a steadier pleasanter honester, smarter young fellow I never had in this stable I can trust his word and I can trust his work He is gentle and clever with the horses and I would rather have them in charge with him than with half the young fellows I know of in lace tats and liveries and whoever wants a character of James Howard said John with a decided jerk of his head can come to John manly The master stood all this time grave and attentive but as John finished his speech a broad smile spread over his face and looking kindly across at James who all this time had stood still at the door he said James my lad sit down the oats and come here I am very glad to find that John's opinion of your character agrees so exactly with my own John is a cautious man he said with a droll smile and it is not always easy to get his opinion about people so I thought if I beat the bush on this side the birds would fly out and I should learn what I wanted to know quickly so now we will come to business I have a letter from my brother-in-law Sir Clifford Williams of Clifford Hall he wants me to find him a trustworthy young groom about 20 or 21 who knows his business his old coachman who has lived with him 30 years is getting feeble and he wants a man to work with him and get into his ways who would be able when the old man was pinching off to step into his place he would have 18 shillings a week at first a stable suit, a driving suit a bedroom over the coach house and a boy under him Sir Clifford is a good master and if you could get the place it would be a good start for you I don't want to part with you and if you left us I know John would lose his right hand that I should sir but I would not stand in his light for the world how old are you James said master 19 next May sir that's young what do you think John well sir it is young but he is as steady as a man and as strong and well grown and though he has not had much experience in driving he has a light firm hand and a quick eye and he is very careful and I am quite sure no horse of his will be ruined for want of having his feet and shoes looked after your word will go the furthest John said the master for sir Clifford adds in a post script if I could find a man trained by your John I should like him better than any other so James Ladd think it over talk to your mother at dinner time and then let me know what you wish in a few days after this conversation it was fully settled that James should go to Clifford Hall in a month or six weeks as it suited his master and in the meantime he was to get all the practice in driving that could be given to him I never knew the carriage to go out so often before when the mistress did not go out the master drove himself in the two wheeled shez but now whether it was master or the young ladies or only an errand ginger and I were put in the carriage and James drove us at the first John rode with him on the box telling him this and that and after that James drove alone then it was wonderful what a number of places the master would go to in the city on Saturday and what queer streets we were driven through he was sure to go to the railway station just as the train was coming in and cabs and carriages carts and omnibuses were all trying to get over the bridge together that bridge wanted good horses and good drivers when the railway bell was ringing for it was narrow and there was a very sharp turn up to the station where it would not have been at all difficult for people to run into each other if they did not look sharp and keep their wits about them End of Chapter 14 Chapter 15 of Black Beauty this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Black Beauty by Anna Sewell Chapter 15 The Old Hostler after this it was decided by my master and mistress to pay a visit to some friends who lived about 46 miles from our home and James was to drive them the first day we traveled 32 miles there were some long heavy hills but James drove so carefully and thoughtfully that we were not at all harassed he never forgot to put on the brake as we went downhill nor to take it off to the right place he kept our feet on the smoothest part of the road and if the uphill was very long he set the carriage wheels a little across the road so as not to run back and gave us a breathing all these little things help a horse very much particularly if he gets kind words into the bargain we stopped once or twice on the road and just as the sun was going down we reached the town where we were to spend the night we stopped at the principal hotel which was in the marketplace it was a very large one we drove under an archway into a long yard at the further end of which were the stables and coach houses two hustlers came to take us out the head hustler was a pleasant active little man with a crooked leg and a yellow striped waistcoat I never saw a man unbuckle harnesses so quickly as he did and with a pat and a good word he led me to a long stable with six or eight stalls in it horses the other man brought ginger James stood by while we were rubbed down and cleaned I never was cleaned so lightly and quickly as by that little old man when he had done James stepped up and felt me over as if he thought I could not be thoroughly done but he found my coat as clean and smooth as silk well he said I thought I was pretty quick and our John quicker still but you do be it all ever so for being quick and thorough at the same time practice makes perfect said the crooked little hustler ain't you be pity if it didn't 40 years practice and not perfect haha that would be a pity that has to be in quick why bless you that is only a matter of habit if you get into the habit of being quick it is just as easy as being slow easier I should say in fact it don't agree with my health to be hulking about over a job twice as long as it need take bless you I couldn't whistle if I crawled over my work as some folks do you see I have been about horses ever since I was 12 years old and hunting stables and racing stables and being small you see I was jockey for several years but at the Goodwood you see the turf was very slippery and my poor Locksburg got a fall and I broke my knee and so of course I was no more use there but I could not live without horses of course I couldn't so I took to the hotels and I can tell you it is a downright pleasure to handle an animal like this well bred well mattered well cared for bless you I can tell how a horse is treated give me the handling of a horse for 20 minutes and I'll tell you what sort of a groom he has had look at this one pleasant quiet turns about just as you want him holds up his feet to be cleaned out or anything else you please to wish then you'll find another fidgety Freddy won't move the right way or starts across the stall tosses up his head as soon as you come near him lays his ears and seems afraid of you or else squares about at you with his heels poor things I know what sort of treatment they have had if they are tended it makes them start or shy if they are high well it makes them vicious or dangerous their temper is mostly made when they are a elf bless you they are like children train them up in the way they should go as a good book says and when they are old they will not depart from it if they have a chance I like to hear you talk said James that's the way we lay it down at home and at our masters who is your master young man if it be a proper question he is a good one from what I see he is Squire Gordon of Burtwick Park the other side of Beacon Hills said James ah so so I have heard tell him fine judge of horses ain't he the best writer in the county I believe he is said James but he rides very little now since the poor young master was killed ah poor gentleman I read all about it in the paper at the time a fine horse killed too wasn't there yes said James he was a splendid creature brother to this one and just like him pity pity said the old man it was a bad place to leap if I remember a thin fence at top a steep bank down to the stream wasn't it no chance for a horse to see where he is going now I am for bold riding as much as any man but still there are some leaps that only a very knowing old huntsman has any right to take a man's life and a horse's life are worth more than a fox's tale at least I should say they ought to be during this time the other man had finished ginger and had brought our corn and James and the old man left the stable together End of Chapter 15 Chapter 16 of Black Beauty this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Black Beauty by Anna Sewell Chapter 16 The Fire Later on in the evening a traveller's horse was brought in by the second hustler and while he was cleaning him a young man with a pipe in his mouth lounged into the stable to gossip I say tell her said the hustler just run up the ladder into the loft and put some hay down into this horse's rack will ya or lay down your pipe all right said the other and went up through the trap door and I heard him step across the floor overhead and put down the hay James came in to look at us the last thing and then the door was locked I cannot say how long I had slept nor what time in the night it was but I woke up very uncomfortable though I hardly knew why I got up the air seemed all thick and choking I heard ginger coughing and one of the other horses seemed very restless it was quite dark and I could see nothing but the stable seemed full of smoke and I hardly knew how to breathe the trap door had been left open and I thought that was the place it came through I listened and heard a soft rushing sort of noise and a low crackling and snapping I did not know what it was but there was something in the sound so strange that it made me tremble all over the other horses were all awake some were pulling at their halters others stamping at last I heard steps outside and the hustler who had put up the traveller's horse burst into the stable with a lantern and began to untie the horses and try to leave them out but he seemed in such a hurry and so frightened himself that he frightened me still more the first horse would not go with him he tried the second and third and they too would not stir he came to me next and tried to drag me out of the stall by force but that was no use he tried us all by turns and then left the stable no doubt we were very foolish but danger seemed to be all round and there was nobody we knew to trust in and all was strange and uncertain the fresh air that had come in through the open door made it easier to breathe but the rushing sound overhead grew louder and as I looked upward through the bars of my empty rack I saw a red light flickering on the wall then I heard a cry of FIRE he filled hostler quietly and quickly came in he got one horse out and went to another but the flames were playing round the trap door and the roaring overhead was dreadful the next thing I heard was James' voice quiet and cheery as it always was come along my beauties it's time for us to be off so wake up and come along I stood near us the door so he came to me first patting me as he came in come beauty on with your bridle my boy we'll soon be out of this smother it was on in no time then he took the scarf off his neck and tied it lightly over my eyes and patting and coaxing he led me out of the stable safe in the yard he slipped the scarf off my eyes and shouted here somebody take this horse while I go back for the other a tall broad man stepped forward and took me and James darted back into the stable I set up a shrill Winnie as I saw him go Ginger told me afterward that Winnie was the best thing I could have done for her for had she not heard me outside she would never have had courage to come out there was much confusion in the yard the horses being got out of other stables and the carriages and gigs being pulled out of houses and sheds lest the flame should spread further on the other side the yard windows were thrown up and people were shouting all sorts of things but I kept my eye fixed on the stable door where the smoke poured out thicker than ever and I could see flashes of red light presently I heard above all the stir and din a loud clear voice which I knew was Masters James Howard James Howard are you there there was no answer but I heard a crash of something falling in the stable and the next moment I gave a loud joyful nay for I saw James coming through the smoke leading Ginger with him she was coughing violently and he was not able to speak oh my brave lad said master laying his hand on his shoulder James shook his head for he could not yet speak I said the big man who held me he is a brave lad as no mistake I know said master when you have got your breath James we'll get out of this place as quickly as we can and we were moving toward the entry when from the marketplace there came a sound of galloping feet and loud rumbling wheels tis the fire engine the fire engine shouted two or three voices stand back make way and clattering and thundering over the stones two horses dashed into the yard with a heavy engine behind them the firemen leaped to the ground there was no need to ask where the fire was it was rolling up in a great blaze from the roof we got out as fast as we could into the broad quiet marketplace the stars were shining and except the noise behind us all was still master led the way to a large hotel on the other side and as soon as the hustler came he said James I must now hasten to your mistress I trust the horses entirely to you order whatever you think is needed and with that he was gone the master did not run but I never saw mortal man walk so fast as he did that night there was a dreadful sound before we got into our stalls the shrieks of those poor horses that were left burning to death in the stable it was very terrible and made both ginger and me feel very bad we however were taken in and well done by the next morning the master came to see how we were and to speak to James I did not hear much for the hustler was rubbing me down but I could see that James looked very happy and I thought the master was proud of him our mistress had been so much alarmed in the night that the journey was put off till the afternoon so James had the morning on hand and went first to the inn to see about our harness in the carriage and to hear more about the fire when he came back we heard him tell the hustler about it at first no one could guess how the fire had been caused but at last a man said he saw Dick Towler go into the stable with a pipe in his mouth and when he came out he had not one and went to the tap for another then the under-hustler said he had asked Dick to go up the ladder to put down some hay but told him to lay down his pipe first Dick denied taking the pipe with him but no one believed him I remember our John Manley's rule never to allow a pipe in the stable and thought it ought to be the rule everywhere James said the roof and floor had all fallen in and that only the black walls were standing the two poor horses that could not be got out were buried under the burnt rafters and tiles End of Chapter 16 Chapter 17 of Black Beauty This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org Black Beauty by Anna Sewell Chapter 17 John Manley's Talk The rest of our journey was very easy and the little after sunset we reached the house of my master's friend we were taken into a clean, snug stable there was a kind coachman who made us very comfortable and who seemed to think a good deal of James when he heard about the fire There's one thing quite clear young man he said your horses know who they can trust it's one of the hardest things in the world to get horses out of a stable when there is either fire or flood I don't know why they won't come out but they won't not one and twenty We stopped two or three days at this place and then returned home all went well on the journey we were glad to be in our own stable again and John was equally glad to see us Before he and James left us for the night James said I wonder who is coming in my place Little Joe Green at the lodge said John Little Joe Green why he's a child he is fourteen and a half said John he is such a little chap yes he is small but he is quick and willing and conhearted too and then he wishes very much to come and his father would like it and I know the master would like to give him the chance he said if I thought he would not do he would look out for a bigger boy but I said I was quite agreeable to try him for six weeks six weeks said James well it'll be six months before he can be of much use it'll make you a deal of work John well said John with a laugh work and I are very good friends I never was afraid of work yet you are a very good man said James I wish I may never be like you I don't often speak of myself said John but as you are going away from us out into the world to shift for yourself I'll just tell you how I look on these things I was just as old as Joseph when my father and mother died of the fever within ten days of each other and left me and my crippled sister Nellie alone in the world without a relation that we could look for help I was a farmer's boy not earning enough to keep myself much less both of us and she must have gone to the work house but for our mistress Nellie calls her her angel and she has a good right to do so she went and hired a room for her with old widow mallet and she gave her knitting and needle work when she was able to do it and when she was ill she sent her dinners and many nice comfortable things and was like a mother to her then the master took me into the stable under old Norman the coachman that was then I had my food at the house and my bed in the loft and a suit of clothes and three shillings a week so that I could help Nellie then there was Norman he might have turned around and said at his age he could not be troubled with a raw boy from the plow tale but he was like a father to me and took no end of pains with me when the old man died some years later I stepped into his place and now of course I have top wages and can lay by for a rainy day or a sunny day as it may happen and Nellie is as happy as a bird so you see James I am not the man that should turn up his nose at a little boy and vex a good kind master no no I shall miss you very much James but we shall pull through and there's nothing like doing a kindness when tis put in your way and I am glad I can do it then said James you don't hold with that saying everybody looks after himself and take care of number one no indeed where should I and Nellie have been if master and mistress and old Norman had only taken care of number one by she in the workhouse and I hoeing turnips where would black beauty and ginger have been if you had only thought of number one why roast it to death no Jim no that is a selfish heath in his saying whoever uses it and any man who thinks he has nothing to do but take care of number one why it's a pity but what he had been drowned like a puppy or a kitten he got his eyes open that's what I think said John with a very decided jerk of his head James laughed at this but there was a thickness in his voice when he said you've been my best friend except my mother I hope you won't forget me no lad no and if ever I can do you a good turn I hope you won't forget me the next day Joe came to the stables to learn all he could before James left he learned to sweep the stable he began to clean the harness and help to wash the carriage as he was quite too short to do anything in the way of grooming ginger and me James taught him upon Marylegs for he was to have full charge of him under John he was a nice little bright fellow and always came whistling to his work Marylegs was a good deal put out at being mauled about as he said but toward the end of the second week he told me confidentially that he thought the boy would turn out well at last the day came when James had to leave us cheerful as he always was he looked quite downhearted that morning you see he said to John I'm leaving a great deal behind my mother and Betsy and you and a good master and mistress and then the horses and my old Marylegs at the new place there will be not a soul I shall know if it were not I shall get a higher place and be able to help my mother better I don't think I should be able to make my mind up at all it is a real pinch John aye James lad so it is but I should not think much of you if you could leave your home for the first time and not feel it cheer up you'll make friends there and if you get on well as I am sure you will it will be a fine thing for your mother and she will be proud enough that you have gotten to such a good place as that so John cheered him up but everyone was sorry to lose James as for Marylegs he pined after him for several days and went quite off his appetite so John took him out several mornings with the leading reign when he exercised me and trotting and galloping by my side got up the little fellow's spirits again and he was soon all right Joe's father would often come in and give a little help as he understood the work and Joe took a great deal of pains to learn and John was quite encouraged about him End of Chapter 17 Chapter 18 of Black Beauty This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Black Beauty by Anna Sewell Chapter 18 Going for the Doctor One night a few days after James had left I had eaten my hay and was lying down in my straw fast asleep when I was suddenly roused by the stable bell ringing very loud I heard the door of John's house open and his feet running up to the hall he was back again in no time he unlocked the stable door and came in calling out Wake up beauty you must go well now if ever you did and almost before I could think he had got the saddle on my back and the bridle on my head he just ran round for his coat then took me at a quick trot up to the hall door there with a lamp in his hand Now John he said Right for your life that is for your mistress's life there's not a moment to lose give this note to Dr. White give your horse a rest at the inn and be back as soon as you can John said Yes sir and was on my back in a minute the gardener who lived at the lodge had heard the bell ring and was ready with the gate open and away we went through the park and through the village and down the hill we entered the toll gate John called very loud and thumped upon the door the man was soon out and flung open the gate Now said John Do you keep the gate open for the doctor here's the money and off he went again there was before us a long piece of level road by the riverside John said to me Now beauty do your best and so I did I wanted no whip nor spur and for two miles I galloped as fast as I could lay my feet to the ground I don't believe that my old grandfather who won the race at Newmarket could have gone faster when we came to the bridge John pulled me up a little and patted my neck Well done beauty good old fellow he said he would have let me go slower but my spirit was up and I was off again as fast as before the air was frosty the moon was bright it was very pleasant we came through a village then through a dark wood then uphill then downhill till after eight miles run we came to the town through the streets and into the marketplace it was all quite still except the clatter of my feet on the stones everybody was asleep the church clock struck three as we drew up at Dr. White's door John rang the bell twice and then knocked at the door like thunder a window was thrown up and Dr. White in his nightcap put his head out and said What do you want? Mrs. Gordon is very ill sir Master wants you to go at once he thinks she will die if you cannot get there here is a note wait he said I will come he shut the window and was soon at the door the worst of it is he said that my horse has been out all day and it's quite done up my son has just been sent for and he has taken the other what is to be done? can I have your horse? he has come at a gallop nearly all the way sir and I was to give him a rest here but I think my master would not be against it if you think fits sir all right he said I will soon be ready John stood by me and stroked my neck I was very hot the doctor came out with his riding whip you need not take that sir said John black beauty will go till he drops take care of him sir if you can I should not like any harm to come to him no no John said the doctor I hope not and in a minute we had left John far behind I will not tell about our way back the doctor was a heavier man than John and not so good a rider however I did my very best the man at the toll gate had it open when we came to the hill the doctor drew me up now my good fellow he said take some breath I was glad he did for I was nearly spent but that breathing helped me on and soon we were in the park Joe was at the lodge gate my master was at the hall door for he had heard us coming he spoke not a word the doctor went into the house with him and Joe led me to the stable I was glad to get home my legs shook under me and I could only stand and pant I had not a dry hair on my body the water ran down my legs and I steamed all over Joe used to say like a pot on the fire poor Joe he was young and small and as yet he knew very little and his father who would have helped him had been sent to the next village but I am sure he did the very best he knew he rubbed my legs and my chest but he did not put my warm cloth on me he thought I was so hot I should not like it then he gave me a pailful of water to drink it was cold and very good and I drank it all then he gave me some hay and some corn and thinking he had done right he went away soon I began to shake and tremble and turned deadly cold my legs ached my loins ached and my chest ached and I felt sore all over oh how I wished for my warm thick cloth as I stood and trembled I wished for John but he had eight miles to walk so I lay down in my straw and tried to go to sleep after a long while I heard John at the door I gave a low moan for I was in great pain he was at my side in a moment stooping down by me I could not tell him how I felt but he seemed to know it all he stirred me up with two or three warm cloths and then ran to the house for some hot water he made me some warm gruel which I drank and then I think I went to sleep John seemed to be very much put out I heard him say to himself over and over again stupid boy, stupid boy no cloth put on and I daresay the water was cold too boys are no good but Joe was a good boy after all I was now very ill a strong inflammation had attacked my lungs and I could not draw my breath without pain John nursed me night and day he would get up two or three times in the night to come to me my master too often came to see me my poor beauty he said one day my good horse you saved your mistress's life beauty yes, you saved her life I was very glad to hear that for it seems the doctor had said if we had been a little longer it would have been too late John told my master he never saw a horse go so fast in his life it seemed as if the horse knew what was the matter of course I did though John thought not at least I knew as much as this that John and I must go at the top of our speed and that it was for the sake of the mistress End of Chapter 18 Chapter 19 of Black Beauty this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Black Beauty by Anna Sewell Chapter 19 Only Ignorance I do not know how long I was ill Mr. Bond the horse doctor came every day one day he bled me John held a pale for the blood I felt very faint after it and thought I should die and I believe they all thought so too Ginger and Mary Legs had been moved into the other stable that I might be quiet for the fever made me very quick of hearing any little noise seemed quite loud and I could tell everyone's footstep going to and from the house I knew all that was going on one night John had to give me a draft Thomas Green came in to help him after I had taken it and John had made me as comfortable as he could he said he should stay half an hour to see how the medicine settled Thomas said he would stay with him so they went and sat down on a bench with Mary Legs stall and put down the lantern at their feet that I might not be disturbed with the light for a while both men sat silent and then Tom Green said in a low voice I wish John you'd say a bit of a kind word to Joe the boy is quite broken hearted he can't eat his meals and he can't smile he says he knows it was all his fault though he is sure he did the best he knew and he says if beauty dies no one will ever speak to him again it goes to my heart to hear him I think you might give him just a word he is not a bad boy after a short pause John said slowly you must not be too hard upon me Tom I know he meant no harm I never said he did I know he is not a bad boy but you see I am sore myself that horses the pride of my heart to say nothing of his being such a favorite with the master and mistress and to think that his life may be flung away in this manner is more than I can bear but if you think I am hard on the boy I will try to give him a good word tomorrow that is I mean if beauty is better well John thank you I knew you did not wish to be too hard and I am glad you see it was only ignorance John's voice almost startled me as he answered only ignorance how can you talk about only ignorance don't you know that it is the worst thing in the world next to wickedness and which does the most mischief heaven only knows if people can say oh I did not know I did not mean any harm right I suppose Martha Mollwash did not mean to kill that baby when she dosed it with Dolby and soothing syrups and she did kill it and was tried for manslaughter and serve her right too said Tom a woman should not undertake to nurse a tender little child without knowing what is good and what is bad for it Bill Starkey continued John did not mean to frighten his brother into fits he was a ghost and ran after him in the moonlight but he did and that bright handsome little fellow that might have been the pride of any mother's heart is just no better than an idiot and never will be if he lives to be 80 years old you were a good deal cut up yourself Tom two weeks ago when those young ladies left your hot house door open with a frosty east wind blowing right in you said it killed a good many of your plants a good many said Tom there was not one of the tender cuttings that was not nipped off I shall have to strike all over again and the worst of it is that I don't know where to go to get fresh ones I was nearly mad when I came in and saw what was done and yet I am sure the young ladies did not mean it it was only ignorance I heard no more of this conversation for the medicine did well and sent me to sleep and in the morning I felt much better but I often thought of John's words when I came to know more of the world End of Chapter 19 Chapter 20 of Black Beauty this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Black Beauty by Anna Sewell Chapter 20 Joe Green went on very well he learned quickly and was so attentive and careful that John began to trust him in many things but as I have said he was small of his age and it was seldom that he was allowed to exercise either ginger or me but it so happened one morning that John was out with justice in the luggage cart and the master wanted a note to be taken immediately to a gentleman's house about three miles distant and sent his orders for Joe to saddle me and take it adding the caution was to ride steadily the note was delivered and we were quietly returning when we came to the brick field here we saw a cart heavily laden with bricks the wheels had stuck fast and the stiff mud of some deep ruts and the carter was shouting and flogging the two horses unmercifully Joe pulled up it was a sad sight there were the two horses straining and struggling with all their might to drag the cart out their legs and flanks their sides heaved and every muscle was strained while the man fiercely pulling at the head of the four horse swore and lashed most brutally hold hard don't go on flogging the horses like that the wheels are so stuck that they cannot move the cart the man took no heed but went on lashing stop pray stop I'll help you to lighten the cart they can't move it now I'm your own business the man was in a towering passion and the worst for drink and laid on the whip again Joe turned my head and the next moment we were going at a round gallop toward the house of the master brickmaker I cannot say if John would have approved of our pace but Joe and I were both of one mind and so angry that we could not have gone slower the house stood close by the roadside Joe knocked at the door and shouted hello is Mr. Clay at home the door was opened and Mr. Clay himself came out hello young man you seem in a hurry any orders from the squire this morning no Mr. Clay but there's a fellow in your brickyard flogging two horses to death I told him to stop and he wouldn't I said I'd help him to lighten the cart and he wouldn't so I've come to tell you praise or go Joe's voice shook with excitement thank ye, my lad said the man running in for his hat if I should bring the fellow up before a magistrate that I will said Joe and glad too the man was gone and we were on our way home at a smart trot why what's the matter with you Joe you look angry all over said John as the boy flung himself from the saddle I'm angry all over I can tell you said the boy and then in hurried excited words he told all that had happened Joe was usually such a quiet gentle little fellow that it was wonderful to see him he was very enraged right Joe you did right my boy whether the fellow gets a summons or not many folks would have written by and said it was not their business to interfere now I say that with cruelty and depression it is everybody's business to interfere when they see it you did right my boy Joe was quite calm by this time and proud that John approved of him and cleaned out my feet and rubbed me down with a firmer hand than usual they were just going home to dinner when the footman came down to the stable to say that Joe was wanted directly in master's private room there was a man brought up for ill-using horses and Joe's evidence was wanted the boy flushed up to his forehead and his eyes sparkled facial habit said he said John Joe gave a pull at his necktie and a twitch at his jacket and was off in a moment our master being one of the county magistrates were often brought to him to settle or say what should be done in the stable we heard no more for some time as it was the men's dinner hour but when Joe came next into the stable I saw he was in high spirits he gave me a good-natured slap and said we won't see such things done will we old fellow we heard afterward that he had given his evidence so clearly and the horses were in such an exhausted state bearing marks of such brutal usage that the Carter was committed to take his trial and might possibly be sentenced to two or three months in prison it was wonderful what a change had come over Joe John laughed and said he had grown an inch taller in that week and I believe he had he was just as kind and gentle as before but there was more purpose and determination in all that he did as if he had jumped at once from a boy into a man End of Chapter 20 Chapter 21 of Black Beauty This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Black Beauty by Anna Sewell Chapter 21 The Parting Now I had lived in this happy place three years but sad changes were about to come over us we heard from time to time that our mistress was ill the doctor was often at the house and the master looked grave and anxious then we heard that she must leave her home at once and go to a warm country for two or three years the news fell upon the household like the tolling of a death bell everybody was sorry but the master began directly to make arrangements for breaking up his establishment and leaving England we used to hear it talked about in our stable indeed nothing else was talked about John went about his work silent and sad and Joe scarcely whistled a great deal of coming and going Ginger and I had full work the first of the party who went were Miss Jessie and Flora with their governess they came to bid us good-bye they hugged poor Marylegs like an old friend and so indeed he was then we heard what had been arranged for us Master had sold Ginger and me to his old friend, the Earl of W for he thought we should have a good place there Marylegs he had given to the vicar who was wanting a pony for Mrs. Bloomfield but it was on the condition that he should never be sold and that when he was past work he should be shot and buried Joe was engaged to take care of him and to help in the house so I thought that Marylegs was well off John had the offer of several good places but he said he should wait a little and look round the evening before they left the master came into the stable to give some directions and to give his horses the last pat he seemed very low-spirited I knew that by his voice I believe we horses can tell more by the voice than many men can have you decided what to do John he said I find you have not accepted either of those offers no sir, I have made up my mind that if I could get a situation with some first-rate colt breaker and horse trainer it would be the right thing for me many young animals are frightened and spoiled by wrong treatment which need not be if the right man took them in hand I always get on well with horses and if I could help some of them to a fair start I should feel as if I was doing some good what do you think of it sir I don't know a man anywhere said master that I should think so suitable for it as yourself you understand horses and somehow they understand you and in time you might set up for yourself I think you could not do better if in any way I can help you right to me I shall speak to my agent in London and leave your character with him master gave John the name and address and then he thanked him for his long and faithful service but that was too much for John pray don't sir I can't bear it you and my dear mistress have done so much for me that I could never repay it but we shall never forget you sir and please God we may someday see mistress back again like herself we must keep up hope sir master gave John his hand but he did not speak and they both left the stable the last sad day had come the footmen in the heavy luggage had gone off the day before and there were only master and mistress and her maid ginger and I brought the carriage up to the hall door for the last time the servants brought out cushions and rugs and many other things and when all were arranged there was no place in his arms I was on the side next to the house and could see all that went on he placed her carefully in the carriage while the house servants stood round crying goodbye again we shall not forget any of you and he got in drive on John Joe jumped up and we trotted slowly through the park and through the village where the people were standing at their doors to have a last look and to say God bless them I heard her say in her own sweet voice goodbye John God bless you I felt the rain twitch but John made no answer perhaps he could not speak as soon as Joe had taken the things out of the carriage John called him to stand by the horses while he went on the platform poor Joe he stood close up to our heads to hide his tears very soon the train came puffing up into the station then two or three minutes when the doors were slammed too the guard whistled and the train glided away leaving behind it only clouds of white smoke and some very heavy hearts when it was quite out of sight John came back we shall never see her again he said never he took the reins, mounted the box and with Joe drove slowly home but it was not our home now End of Chapter 21 Chapter 22 of Black Beauty This is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Black Beauty by Anna Sewell Chapter 22 Earl's Hall The next morning after breakfast Joe put Mary Legs into the mistresses' loches to take him to the vicarage he came first and said goodbye to us and Mary Legs nade to us from the yard then John put the saddle on ginger and the leading rain on me and rode us across the country about 15 miles to Earl's Hall Park where the Earl of W lived there was a very fine house and a great deal of stabling we went into the yard through a stone gateway and John asked for Mr. York it was some time before he came he was a fine looking middle aged man and his voice said at once that he expected to be obeyed he was very friendly and polite to John in a light look he called a groom to take us to our boxes and invited John to take some refreshment we were taken to a light airy stable and placed in boxes adjoining each other where we were rubbed down and fed in about half an hour John and Mr. York who was to be our new coachman came in to see us well Mr. Manley he said after carefully looking at us both I can see no fault in these horses but we all know that horses have their peculiarities as well as men and that sometimes they need different treatment I should like to know if there is anything particular in either of them that you would like to mention well said John I don't believe there is a better pair of horses in the country and right grieved I am to part with them but they are not alike the black one is the most perfect temper I ever knew I suppose he has never known a hard word or a blow since he was foed and all his pleasures seem to be to do what you wish but the chestnut I fancy must have had bad treatment we heard as much from the dealer she came to us snappish and suspicious but when she found what sort of place ours was it all went off by degrees for three years I have never seen the smallest sign of temper and if she is well treated there is not a better more willing animal than she is but she is naturally a more irritable constitution than the black horse flies tees her more anything wrong in the harness frets her more and if she were ill used or unfairly treated she would not be unlikely to give tit for tat you know that many high metal horses will do so of course said York I quite understand but you know it is not easy in stables like these to have all the grooms just what they should be I do my best I must leave it I'll remember what you have said about the mare they were going out of the stable when John stopped and said I had better mention that we have never used the check rain with either of them the black horse never had one on and the dealer said it was the gag bit that spoiled the other's temper well said York if they come here they must wear the check rain I prefer a loose rain myself and his lordship is always very reasonable about horses but my lady that's another thing she will have style and if her carriage horses are not rained up tight she wouldn't look at them I always stand out against the gag bit and shall do so but it must be tight when my lady rides I'm sorry for it very sorry said John but I must go now or I shall lose the train he came round to each of us to pat and speak to us for the last time his voice sounded very sad I held my face close to him that was all I could do to say goodbye and then he was gone and I have never seen him since the next day lord W came to look at us he seemed pleased with our appearance I have great confidence in these horses he said from the character my friend Mr. Gordon has given me of them of course not a match in color but my idea is that they will do very well for the carriage while we are in the country before we go to London I must try to match Baron the black horse I believe is perfect for riding York then told him what John had said about us well said he you must keep an eye to the mare and put the check rain easy I dare say they will do very well with a little humoring at first I'll mention it to your lady I've been a harness and put in the carriage and as the stable clock struck three we were led round to the front of the house it was all very grand and three or four times as large as the old house at Birtwick but not half so pleasant if a horse may have an opinion two footmen were standing ready dressed in drab livery with scarlet breeches and white stockings presently we heard the rustling sound of silk as my lady came down the flight of stone steps she stepped round to look at us she was a tall, proud looking woman and did not seem pleased about something but she said nothing and got into the carriage this was the first time of wearing a check rain and I must say though it certainly was a nuisance not to be able to get my head down now and then it did not pull my head higher than I was accustomed to carry it I felt anxious about ginger but she seemed to be quiet and content the next day at three o'clock we were again at the door and the footmen as before we heard the silk dress rustle and the lady came down the steps and in an imperious voice she said York, you must put those horses' heads higher they are not fit to be seen York got down and said very respectfully I beg your pardon my lady but these horses have not been rained up for three years and my lord said it would be safer to bring them to it by degrees but if your lady pleases I can take them up a little more do so she said York came round to our heads and shortened the rain himself as a whole I think every little makes a difference be it for better or worse and that day we had a steep hill to go up then I began to understand what I had heard of of course I wanted to put my head forward and take the carriage up with a will as we had been used to do but no I had to pull with my head up now and that took all the spirit out of me and the strain came on my back and legs when we came in ginger said now you see what it is like but this is not bad it's worse than this I shall say nothing about it for we are very well treated here but if they strain me up tight why let them look out I can't bear it and I won't day by day whole by whole our bearing rains were shortened and instead of looking forward with pleasure to having my harness put on as I used to do I began to dread it ginger too seemed restless though she said very little at last I thought the worst was over for several days there was no more shortening to make the best of it and do my duty though it was now a constant harass instead of a pleasure but the worst was not come End of Chapter 22 Chapter 23 of Black Beauty this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Black Beauty by Anna Sewell Chapter 23 A Strike for Liberty One day my lady came down later than usual and the silk rustled more than ever Drive to the Duchess of Bees She said and then after a pause Are you never going to get those horses heads up York? Race 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 rain so tight that it was almost intolerable then he went to Ginger who was impatiently jerking her head 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 rain off the tarot 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 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 in 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 turret 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 cut found 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 ruler of course a servant can't so I washed my hands of it and if she can't get to the Duchess's 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 hawk 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 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 son 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 rain 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 doc