The Horse, as Comrade and Friend 



to do what I could for the orphaned filly. She 

 was brought up to the stables and given cow's 

 milk and everybody petted her, but it did not 

 suit her. She had commenced to feed on the 

 grass, and the vet. advised that she should 

 again be turned into the field. The two other 

 mares helped her a bit, but naturally kept most 

 of their milk for their own foals. I impressed 

 upon the vet. how fond I was of the little thing, 

 and begged him to spare no trouble or pains 

 to get her well ; but the event proved that his 

 science was unequal to the emergency. Even 

 now I cannot bear to look back upon this 

 time. The little thing was ill and unhappy. 

 It was a sore trial to me to feel how helpless I 

 was in such a case. The filly was obviously 

 losing flesh, but everjrthing was done for her 

 which the vet. directed. 



After her mother's death the intensity of the 

 foal's affection for me was quite pathetic, and 

 in the early mornings and late evenings I 

 spent as much time as I could with her. 



So long as her strength lasted she always 

 met me with the rear up and the gentle placing 

 of her little feet on my shoulders. She never 

 did that to anyone else, but only to me. It 

 was a special favour. At any time I had only 

 to pat myself on the chest for her to respond 



236 



