344 OUR HUMBLE HELPERS 



fierceness and rage: neither believeth lie that it is 

 the sound of the trumpet. He saith among the trum- 

 pets, Ha, ha ; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the 

 thunder of the captains, and the shouting. ' 



"Thus spake Job in the ancient days while around 

 his camel's-skin tent bounded mares and colts under 

 the shade of the palm trees. Now let us listen to our 

 great historian of animals, Buffon, who, in his turn, 

 draws in a few splendid phrases the portrait of the 

 horse. 



1 l ' The noblest conquest man has ever made is that 

 of this proud and spirited animal that shares with 

 him the fatigues of war and the glory of battle. As 

 intrepid as its master, the horse sees danger and 

 shrinks not; it becomes accustomed to the clash of 

 arms, loves it, seeks it, and is fired with the same 

 ardor. It also shares his pleasure in the chase, in 

 the tournament, and in racing. But, no less docile 

 than courageous, it does not let its ardor run away 

 with it; it knows how to control its impulses. Not 

 only does it obey the hand that guides it, but it seems 

 to consult that hand's wishes; always responding 

 to its touch, it quickens or slackens its pace, or stops 

 altogether, compliant in its every act. It is a crea- 

 ture which renounces itself to exist only by the will 

 of another; which by the promptness and precision 

 of its movements expresses and executes that will; 

 which feels as much as it is desired to and only 

 renders what is asked; which surrenders itself 

 unreservedly, refuses nothing, serves with all its 

 strength, wears itself out, and even dies to obey the 



