The Horse, as Comrade and Friend 



It's over in a second ; Disciple stands quiet, 

 and the little ponies recover themselves, and 

 reform their semicircle two or three yards 

 away. They shake their pretty heads, give 

 a squeal or two, and then, one by one, stretch 

 out their noses once more. Then one puts 

 his ears back and stands aloof : the gelding 

 of the party. Neddy, being of the male per- 

 suasion, also stands aloof. So the next time 

 only three come up, a little timidly, remember- 

 ing that roar and the lightning-like stroke of 

 the foot. Disciple pokes out his nose en- 

 couragingly, and, with a whimpering neigh 

 or two, invites their confidence. Seeing that 

 they hesitate, he even advances a step and 

 gives the little neigh again. He knows they 

 are ladies, and assures them, as a gentleman, 

 that he is prepared to receive them poHtely. 

 They look at one another, toss their manes 

 and with mutual assent move a httle closer. 

 Disciple puts his great head down to meet 

 them, and his nostrils move in the tenderest 

 snuffle of a call. The one he more particularly 

 looks at, simply cannot resist him and goes up 

 quite bravely; and the two others, not to be 

 outdone, follow up and the four noses all meet 

 at the same time. Snuffles and smells ; pushes 

 and withdrawals ; a little excitement ; more 

 excitement ; and at last a squeal, not a 

 roar this time, from Disciple ; and just a 

 stamp of the foot. This time they are not 



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