The Horse, as Comrade and Friend 



groom's outrage has been perpetrated upon a 

 horse of your own handling. 



There is only one way in which your disciple 

 should go into that terrifying place, and that 

 is of his own accord. And it is perfectly easy 

 if you make the approach oblique. Take him 

 past the door, which should be open, several 

 times without any apparent intention of your 

 asking him to go inside, and bring him to a 

 stand some way off it. Do it again and bring 

 him to a stand nearer the door. Pet and 

 scratch him. Next time take him up to the 

 door, as if you had come to a stand there 

 accidentally. Pet and scratch again. While 

 you are doing this he will turn his head round 

 to look inside, and will snort disapproval. 

 Take no notice, but go on scratching and let 

 him look inside and snort all he wants. Go 

 yourself into the portal and give him just a 

 few oats. Instantly his attention forsakes the 

 hobgoblins for something much more tangible 

 and worth while. Pet and pat him again, 

 which will bore him a little when oats are 

 about, and he will worry you for more oats. 

 Move back into the doorway just a few inches, 

 and he will follow up. As he does so, retreat 

 a Uttle further with oats in your hand. He 

 will come, maybe with a precautionary snort 

 or two on account of the gloom, but oats are 

 worth taldng a Uttle risk for at any time, and 

 his eyes are getting used to things. Further- 



77 



