Black Beauty by Anna Sewell Read Free Book Online Page A

neck
are fastened back. And now," said the master, laughing, "I have
given my hobby 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.

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 and 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 halfway 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 start for home
till rather late in the afternoon. The wind was then much higher,
and I heard the master say to John that he had never been out 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 rather 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 round 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
at a good pace, but the moment my feet touched 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?" Of course I
could not tell him, 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.
    "Hoy, hoy, hoy! halloo! 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. "You Beauty!" said John, and took
the bridle and gently turned me round to the right-hand