CHAPTER VI.
THE BLIND HORSE.
The next day, Minnie was walking through the grounds with her uncle,while Tiney and Fidelle were following at her heels, when theexpress-man drove into the yard. He had a cage, as Minnie called it, inhis wagon, and she ran eagerly to see what it contained. How great washer delight to see a goat, and two cunning little kids, cuddling downon the hay at the bottom of the wagon!
When they were put into the stable, Minnie laughed and clapped herhands, and ran to summon all the family to come and see them.
Captain Lee's wife had accompanied him on this voyage, and had now goneto see her mother. Her husband had promised to meet her the next day,and afterwards was coming with her to make them a longer visit.
Minnie obtained directions from him before he left, as to the diet andcare of her new pets, and then, after making him promise to come back asquickly as possible, consented that he should go.
Her mother found her sitting quiet and sad, looking from the bay windowin the parlor; for the captain was her favorite uncle, and she wasgreatly disappointed at his going so soon.
To comfort her, the lady took one of the books on natural history, andread some anecdotes to her, with a few of which I will close my book ofMinnie's pet horse.
Here is an illustration of the force of habit in a blind horse. He ranon one of the stages of the great north road for many years, and soperfectly was he acquainted with all the stables, halting places, andother matters, that he was never known to commit a blunder. He couldnever be driven past his own stable; and at the sound of the comingcoach, he would turn out, of his own accord, into the stable yard. Whatwas very remarkable, so accurate was his knowledge of time, that, thoughhalf a dozen coaches halted at the same inn, yet he was never known tostir till the sound of the ten o'clock coach was heard in the distance.
"I think, after all," said Mrs. Lee, "that the docility of the horse isone of the most remarkable of its natural gifts. Here are some anecdotesthat are very entertaining, in regard to their docility, or readiness tolearn.
"Mr. Astley, of the Royal Amphitheatre, at Westminster Bridge, once hadin his possession a remarkably fine Barbary horse, forty-three years ofage, which was presented him by the Duke of Leeds. This celebratedanimal officiated in the character of a waiter in the course of theperformances at the amphitheatre, and at various other theatres in theUnited Kingdom.
"At the request of his master, he would ungirth his own saddle, wash hisfeet in a pail of water, and would bring into the riding school a teatable and the dishes, which feat was usually followed up by fetching achair, or stool, or whatever might be wanted. Last of all, he took akettle of boiling water from a blazing fire, to the wonder andadmiration of the spectators.
"Another gentleman had a horse which he taught to dance to music."
"Just like Star," shouted Minnie.
"Yes, dear; and at the command of his master he pretended to be lame,feigned death, lying motionless, with his limbs extended, and allowinghimself to be dragged about till some words were pronounced, when heinstantly sprang to his feet.
"In 1838, there was a wonderful horse presented to the public, whoperformed many curious tricks, which seemed to exhibit something farbeyond instinct. Among other things, it cleared six poles, one afterthe other, at a distance of not more than four feet between.
"After it had done this, it went limping up to its master, as if to say,'See; I can do no more to-night.'
"The master lifted the lame foot, searching for the cause of the halt,but in vain. Still, however, the horse goes on limping. The man thenlooked it in the face, and shook his head, as if he would say, 'Ah, youare shamming, you rogue; aren't you?'
"And a sham it proved to be; for, with a touch of the whip, the creaturebounded away like a fawn, sound both in wind and limb."
"I wish I could see that horse," cried Minnie, laughing.
"The most remarkable instance of docility," added the lady, "was Bank'sfamous horse, Morocco.
"This animal would restore a glove to its owner, after his master hadwhispered the man's name in his ear; and he could also tell the numberof pence in any silver coin. Morocco danced to the sound of a pipe, andcounted money with his feet."
"O, mamma, wasn't that strange? I wonder whether I could teach Star todo any funny things!"
"Kindness and perseverance will effect a great deal, my dear," answeredthe lady, enjoying her little daughter's delight. "I have heard of alittle farm boy, who was too small to mount the plough horses, he wasrequired to ride, who taught one of them to put down its head to theground, while he jumped astride on its neck, and then, by gentlyelevating the head, let him slip backward into his seat on its back.
"The intelligent creature appeared perfectly to understand the wishes ofthe boy, and the use of lowering its head for the purpose of hismounting.
"Perhaps you can teach Star to pump his own water, as a gentleman inLeeds found his horse doing. The animal had been kept in a stable for along time, but was at last turned into a field, where there was a pump,well supplied with water.
"One day, being thirsty, I suppose, a man saw him go to the pump, and,taking the handle in his mouth, work it with his head, in a way exactlysimilar to that done by the hand of a man, until he had secured asupply."
"It does seem as if they were guided by reason," remarked Mrs. HarryLee, who had entered the room in time to hear the last anecdote.
"Certainly," returned her sister; "their intelligence and sagacityplace them in the highest rank among the brute creation. I have beenmyself surprised in reading these accounts of their attachment to man,and to each other; their courage, faithfulness, and devotion to theinterests of their owner; and I wish every man, woman, and child, whohas any thing to do with these noble creatures, would study theirhistory, so as to treat them with the kindness and care they deserve. Ihave heard my husband say, that even in a wild state, all theirmovements are so intelligent, that it seems as if it must be the resultof reason. When the herds wish to change from one vast plain to another,they choose leaders, and place sentinels along the line of march, thusrecognizing the necessity of obedience and order.
"Then, the readiness with which they communicate to each other whenthey have discovered water or fresh pasturage, the adroitness withwhich, by their responsive neighings, they express alarm, terror, orpleasure, are equally wonderful.
"When they pass through a swamp, they test it with the fore foot beforethey trust the weight of their whole bodies upon it; and they oftenscoop out a hollow place in the sand, expecting it will fill withwater. Even the little Shetland pony, in going through the bogs, putsits nose to the ground, then pats it with the fore foot, judging fromthe feeling of the ground whether it will bear him."
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