2G8 ANECDOTES OF ANIMALS. 



with lights, glass, and silver; the room was also 

 brilliant ; and at first Nannie was a little surprised. 

 The chairs were set on each side of the table ; but as 

 the seats were pushed under, they only added to the 

 height. My father mounted and said, ; Over, Nannie.' 

 The docile creature poised herself on her hind-legs, 

 stretched out her neck, as if to measure the distance, 

 and cleared the whole, the only ill effect arising from 

 which was that the marks of her hoofs were left in the 

 carpet. This clever mare constantly opened the door 

 of her stable, and went to warm herself at the fire in 

 the harness-room ; but her affection for her master had 

 more than once preserved his life. On one occasion it 

 is supposed he had slipped off her, and being unable 

 to get on again, when, overcome with sleep, he folded 

 his arms, rested them against her side, and laying his 

 head upon them, remained there in a sound slumber. 

 It was presumed they had been in this posture a long 

 time ; and had she moved, his life would probably have 

 been endangered by the fall, for they were close to a 

 steep declivity. On another occasion she came home, 

 neighed at the door of the dwelling, and did not offer 

 to go to the stable. The family were aroused ; servants 

 rose ; she trotted back and stood by her master, who 

 was lying senseless by the side of the road. They must 

 have fallen together, as on his chest was the mark of 

 one of her feet, probably made in getting up again. 

 He was only stunned, and in a few days recovered from 

 Lis fall ; while she was more than ever loved. She was 

 a chestnut mare with a white star. And very like her 

 was another called Peggy, which, from having belonged 

 especially to our mother, we, as children, claimed as 

 ours also ; and I have always, when recollecting her, 



