I had now 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.
There was 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 Merrylegs 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.
Merrylegs he had given to the Vicar, who was wanting a pony for Mrs.
Blomefield, 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 Merrylegs 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, write 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 some day 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 footman and 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, master came down the steps carrying the
mistress in his arms (I was on the side next the house, and could see
all that went on); he placed her carefully in the carriage, while the
house servants stood round crying.
"Good-bye again," he said; "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."
When we reached the railway station, I think mistress walked from the
carriage to the waiting-room. I heard her say in her own sweet voice,
"Good-bye, John. God bless you." I felt the rein 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, and the doors were slammed to; 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.
The next morning after breakfast, Joe put Merrylegs into the mistress'
low chaise to take him to the vicarage; he came first and said good-bye
to us, and Merrylegs neighed to us from the yard. Then John put the
saddle on Ginger and the leading rein on me, and rode us across the
country about fifteen miles to Earlshall 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, and after giving us a slight 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.
"Now, Mr. Manly," 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 these 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 blow since he was foaled, and all his
pleasure seems 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 has naturally a more
irritable constitution than the black horse; flies tease 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-mettled 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, and there 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-rein 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-rein. _I
prefer a loose rein 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 reigned 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 up when my lady rides_!"
"I am 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 good-bye;
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 they are not a
match in colour, but my idea is that they will do very well for the
carriage whilst 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-rein easy; I dare say they will do very well with a little
humouring at first. I'll mention it to your lady."
In the afternoon we were harnessed 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-rein, 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 reined up for three years, and my lord
said it would be safer to bring them to it by degrees; but, if your
ladyship pleases, I can take them up a little more."
"Do so," she said.
York came round to our heads and shortened the rein himself, one hole, 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, and if it does not get much
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 'em look out! I
can't bear it, and I won't."
Day by day, hole by hole, our bearing-reins 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, and I determined 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.
One day my lady came down later than usual, and the silk rustled more
than ever.
"Drive to the Duchess of B----'s," she said, and then after a pause,
"Are you never going to get those horses' heads up, York? Raise them at
once, and let us have no more of this humouring and nonsense."
York came to me first, whilst the groom stood at Ginger's head. _He drew
my head back and fixed the rein so tight that it was almost
intolerable_; then he went to Ginger, who was impatiently jerking her
head up and down against the bit, as was her way now. She had a good
idea of what was coming, and the moment York took the rein off the
terret in order to shorten it, she took her opportunity, and reared up
so suddenly that York had his nose roughly hit and his hat knocked off;
the groom was nearly thrown off his legs. At once they both flew to her
head, but she was a match for them, and went on plunging, rearing, and
kicking in a most desperate manner; at last she kicked right over the
carriage pole and fell down, after giving me a severe blow on my near
quarter. There is no knowing what further mischief she might have done,
had not York promptly sat himself down flat on her head to prevent her
struggling, at the same time calling out, "Unbuckle the black horse! Run
for the winch and unscrew the carriage pole! Cut the trace here,
somebody, if you can't unhitch it!" One of the footmen ran for the
winch, and another brought a knife from the house. The groom soon set me
free from Ginger and the carriage, and led me to my box. He just turned
me in as I was, and ran back to York. I was much excited by what had
happened, and if I had ever been used to kick or rear I am sure I should
have done it then; but I never had, and there I stood, angry, sore in my
leg, my head still strained up to the terret on the saddle, and no power
to get it down. I was very miserable, and felt much inclined to kick the
first person who came near me.
Before long, however, Ginger was led in by two grooms, a good deal
knocked about and bruised. York came with her and gave his orders, and
then came to look at me. In a moment he let down my head.
"Confound these check-reins!" he said to himself; "I thought we should
have some mischief soon. Master will be sorely vexed. But here, if a
woman's husband can't rule her, of course a servant can't; so I wash my
hands of it, and if she can't get to the Duchess'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
hock where I had been kicked. It was swelled and painful; he ordered it
to be sponged with hot water, and then some lotion was put on.
Lord W----was much put out when he learned what had happened; he blamed
York for giving way to his mistress, to which he replied that in future
he would much prefer to receive his orders only from his lordship; but I
think nothing came of it, for things went on the same as before. I
thought York might have stood up better for his horses, but perhaps I am
no judge.
Ginger was never put into the carriage again, but when she was well of
her bruises one of Lord W----'s younger sons said he should like to have
her; he was sure she would make a good hunter. As for me, I was obliged
still to go in the carriage, and had a fresh partner called Max; he had
always been used to the tight rein. I asked him how it was he bore it.
"Well," he said, "I bear it because I must; but it is shortening my
life, and it will shorten yours too, if you have to stick to it."
"Do you think," I said, "that our masters know how bad it is for us?"
"I can't say," he replied, "but the dealers and the horse-doctors know
it very well. I was at a dealer's once, who was training me and another
horse to go as a pair; he was getting our heads up, as he said, a little
higher and a little higher every day. A gentleman who was there asked
him why he did so. 'Because,' said he, 'people won't buy them unless we
do. The London people always want their horses to carry their heads high
and to step high. Of course it is very bad for the horses, _but then it
is good for trade_. The horses soon wear up, or get diseased, and they
come for another pair.' That," said Max, "is what he said in my hearing,
and you can judge for yourself."
What I suffered with that rein for four long months in my lady's
carriage would be hard to describe; but I am quite sure that, had it
lasted much longer, either my health or my temper would have given way.
Before that, I never knew what it was to foam at the mouth, but now the
action of the sharp bit on my tongue and jaw, and the constrained
position of my head and throat, always caused me to froth at the mouth
more or less. Some people think it very fine to see this, and say, "What
fine, spirited creatures!" _But it is just as unnatural for horses as
for men to foam at the mouth_; it is a sure sign of some discomfort, and
should be attended to. Besides this, there was a pressure on my
windpipe, which often made my breathing very uncomfortable; when I
returned from my work, my neck and chest were strained and painful, my
mouth and tongue tender, and I felt worn and depressed.
In my old home I always knew that John and my master were my friends;
but here, although in many ways I was well treated, I had no friend.
York might have known, and very likely did know, how that rein harassed
me; but I suppose he took it as a matter of course that could not be
helped; at any rate, nothing was done to relieve me.
Early in the spring Lord W----and part of his family went up to London,
and took York with them. I and Ginger and some other horses were left at
home for use, and the head groom was left in charge.
The Lady Harriet, who remained at the Hall, was a great invalid, and
never went out in the carriage, and the Lady Anne preferred riding on
horseback with her brother or cousins. She was a perfect horsewoman, and
as gay and gentle as she was beautiful. She chose me for her horse, and
named me "Black Auster." I enjoyed these rides very much in the clear
cold air, sometimes with Ginger, sometimes with Lizzie. This Lizzie was
a bright bay mare, almost thoroughbred, and a great favourite with the
gentlemen, on account of her fine action and lively spirit; but Ginger,
who knew more of her than I did, told me she was rather nervous.
There was a gentleman of the name of Blantyre staying at the Hall; he
always rode Lizzie and praised her so much that one day Lady Anne
ordered the side-saddle to be put on her, and the other saddle on me.
When we came to the door, the gentleman seemed very uneasy.
"How is this?" he said. "Are you tired of your good Black Auster?"
"Oh, no, not at all," she replied, "but I am amiable enough to let you
ride him for once, and I will try your charming Lizzie. You must confess
that in size and appearance she is far more like a lady's horse than my
own favourite."
"Do let me advise you not to mount her," he said; "she is a charming
creature, but she is too nervous for a lady. I assure you, she is not
perfectly safe; let me beg you to have the saddles changed."
"My dear cousin," said Lady Anne, laughing, "pray do not trouble your
good careful head about me. I have been a horsewoman ever since I was a
baby, and I have followed the hounds a great many times, though I know
you do not approve of ladies hunting; but still that is the fact, and I
intend to try this Lizzie that you gentlemen are all so fond of; so
please help me to mount, like a good friend as you are."
There was no more to be said; he placed her carefully on the saddle,
looked to the bit and curb, gave the reins gently into her hand, and
then mounted me. Just as we were moving off, a footman came out with a
slip of paper and message from the Lady Harriet. "Would they ask this
question for her at Dr. Ashley's, and bring the answer?"
The village was about a mile off, and the doctor's house was the last in
it. We went along gayly enough till we came to his gate. There was a
short drive up to the house between tall evergreens. Blantyre alighted
at the gate, and was going to open it for Lady Anne, but she said, "I
will wait for you here, and you can hang Auster's rein on the gate."
He looked at her doubtfully. "I will not be five minutes," he said.
"Oh, do not hurry yourself; Lizzie and I shall not run away from you."
He hung my rein on one of the iron spikes, and was soon hidden amongst
the trees. Lizzie was standing quietly by the side of the road a few
paces off, with her back to me. My young mistress was sitting easily
with a loose rein, humming a little song. I listened to my rider's
footsteps until they reached the house, and heard him knock at the door.
There was a meadow on the opposite side of the road, the gate of which
stood open; just then, some cart horses and several young colts came
trotting out in a very disorderly manner, whilst a boy behind was
cracking a great whip. The colts were wild and frolicsome, and one of
them bolted across the road, and blundered up against Lizzie's hind
legs; and whether it was the stupid colt, or the loud cracking of the
whip, or both together, I cannot say, but she gave a violent kick, and
dashed off into a head-long gallop. It was so sudden that Lady Anne was
nearly unseated, but she soon recovered herself. I gave a loud, shrill
neigh for help; again and again I neighed, pawing the ground
impatiently, and tossing my head to get the rein loose. I had not long
to wait. Blantyre came running to the gate; he looked anxiously about,
and just caught sight of the flying figure, now far away on the road. In
an instant he sprang to the saddle. I needed no whip, no spur, for I
was as eager as my rider; he saw it, and giving me a free rein, and
leaning a little forward, we dashed after them.
For about a mile and a half the road ran straight, and then bent to the
right, after which it divided into two roads. Long before we came to the
bend, she was out of sight. Which way had she turned? A woman was
standing at her garden gate, shading her eyes with her hand, and looking
eagerly up the road. Scarcely drawing the rein, Blantyre shouted, "Which
way?" "To the right!" cried the woman, pointing with her hand, and away
we went up the right-hand road; then for a moment we caught sight of
her; another bend and she was hidden again. Several times we caught
glimpses, and then lost them. We scarcely seemed to gain ground upon
them at all. An old road-mender was standing near a heap of stones, his
shovel dropped and his hands raised. As we came near he made a sign to
speak. Blantyre drew the rein a little. "To the common, to the common,
sir; she has turned off there." I knew this common very well; it was for
the most part very uneven ground, covered with heather and dark green
furze bushes, with here and there a scrubby old thorn-tree; there were
also open spaces of fine short grass, with ant-hills and mole-turns
everywhere; the worst place I ever knew for a head-long gallop.
We had hardly turned on the common, when we caught sight again of the
green habit flying on before us. My lady's hat was gone, and her long
brown hair was streaming behind her. Her head and body were thrown
back, as if she were pulling with all her remaining strength and as if
that strength were nearly exhausted. It was clear that the roughness of
the ground had very much lessened Lizzie's speed, and there seemed a
chance that we might overtake her.
Whilst we were on the high-road, Blantyre had given me my head; but now,
with a light hand and a practiced eye, he guided me over the ground in
such a masterly manner that my pace was scarcely slackened, and we were
decidedly gaining on them.
About half-way across the heath there had been a wide dike recently cut,
and the earth from the cutting was cast up roughly on the other side.
Surely this would stop them! But no; with scarcely a pause Lizzie took
the leap, stumbled among the rough clods, and fell. Blantyre groaned,
"Now, Auster, do your best!" He gave me a steady rein. I gathered myself
well together, and with one determined leap cleared both dike and bank.
Motionless among the heather, with her face to the earth, lay my poor
young mistress. Blantyre kneeled down and called her name; there was no
sound. Gently he turned her face upward; it was ghastly white, and the
eyes were closed. "Annie, dear Annie, do speak!" But there was no
answer. He unbuttoned her habit, loosened her collar, felt her hands and
wrist, then started up and looked wildly round him for help.
At no great distance there were two men cutting turf, who, seeing Lizzie
running wild without a rider, had left their work to catch her.
Blantyre's hallo soon brought them to the spot. The foremost man seemed
much troubled at the sight, and asked what he could do.
"Can you ride?"
"Well, sir, I bean't much of a horseman, but I'd risk my neck for Lady
Anne; she was uncommon good to my wife in the winter."
"Then mount this horse, my friend--your neck will be quite safe--and
ride to the doctor's and ask him to come instantly; then on to the Hall;
tell them all that you know, and bid them send me the carriage with Lady
Anne's maid and help. I shall stay here."
"All right, sir, I'll do my best, and I pray God the dear young lady may
open her eyes soon." Then seeing the other man, he called out, "Here,
Joe, run for some water, and tell my missis to come as quick as she can
to the Lady Anne."
He then somehow scrambled into the saddle, and with a "Gee up" and a
clap on my sides with both his legs, he started on his journey, making a
little circuit to avoid the dike. He had no whip, which seemed to
trouble him; but my pace soon cured that difficulty, and he found the
best thing he could do was to stick to the saddle; and hold me in, which
he did manfully. I shook him as little as I could help, but once or
twice on the rough ground he called out, "Steady! Woah! Steady!" On the
high-road we were all right; and at the doctor's and the Hall he did his
errand like a good man and true. They asked him in to take a drop of
something. "No, no," he said, "I'll be back to 'em again by a short cut
through the fields, and be there afore the carriage."
There was a great deal of hurry and excitement after the news became
known. I was just turned into my box; the saddle and bridle were taken
off, and a cloth thrown over me.
Ginger was saddled and sent off in great haste for Lord George, and I
soon heard the carriage roll out of the yard.
It seemed a long time before Ginger came back, and before we were left
alone; and then she told me all that she had seen.
"I can't tell much," she said. "We went a gallop nearly all the way, and
got there just as the doctor rode up. There was a woman sitting on the
ground with the lady's head in her lap. The doctor poured something into
her mouth, but all that I heard was, 'She is not dead.' Then I was led
off by a man to a little distance. After a while she was taken to the
carriage, and we came home together. I heard my master say to a
gentleman who stopped him to inquire, that he hoped no bones were
broken, but that she had not spoken yet."
When Lord George took Ginger for hunting, York shook his head; he said
it ought to be a steady hand to train a horse for the first season, and
not a random rider like Lord George.
Ginger used to like it very much, but sometimes when she came back I
could see that she had been very much strained, and now and then she
gave a short cough. She had too much spirit to complain, but I could not
help feeling anxious about her.
Two days after the accident, Blantyre paid me a visit: he patted me and
praised me very much; he told Lord George that he was sure the horse
knew of Annie's danger as well as he did. "I could not have held him in
if I would," said he. "She ought never to ride any other horse." I found
by their conversation that my young mistress was now out of danger, and
would soon be able to ride again. This was good news to me, and I looked
forward to a happy life.