All of the farmers in the vicinity had been warned to take the strictest
care of their horses for fear that the robbers would appropriate them. In
accordance with these suggestions Mr. Vincent had turned his horses into a
concealed meadow, and locked his barn strongly, after removing all except
his cart harness to the house. However, the cunning robbers found the
animal, and breaking into the barn improvised a bridle with a halter and
an old bit, cutting the long lines of the cart harness for reins, girth
and stirrups. The next morning the poor old black horse, which bore an
admirable reputation for honesty, was found meekly standing in the door
yard evidently ashamed of the Tam O’Shanter ride in which he had assisted.
He was dirty, and lame, and his sides bled from the wounds inflicted by
the cruel spurs of the bandits.