Black Beauty Read Free

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. Then he took a piece of iron the shape of my
foot, and clapped it on, and drove some nails through the shoe
quite into my hoof, so that the shoe was firmly on. My feet felt
very stiff and heavy, but in time I got used to it.
    And now having got so far, my master went on to break me to
harness; 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 crupper. I hated the crupper; 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 neighboring farmer's, 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 pales 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 any one 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 a 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 a 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."

Chapter 4 Birtwick 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