28 JUSTIN MORGAN 



For a few nights this went on, but finally success 

 crowned the colt's efforts and much to the satisfaction 

 of all, Silas included, Ceph stopped gnawing. 



This was not the only time True showed ingenuity. 

 He learned many useful though not mischievous tricks 

 all by himself, but it is not to be supposed that Silas 

 thought as much of them as Gipsey. The colt discov- 

 ered how to open all the gates, but, as he never thought 

 to close them, their barn-companions wandered out and 

 never returned without being sent for though the horses 

 always came home in good temper after their wander- 

 ings in time for the evening meal. At last locks and 

 keys were put on everything, and this was the first in- 

 timation True had that his pleasant little accomplish- 

 ment was not appreciated by his master. As he grew 

 older he eliminated the unpopular trick from his list. 



One day, being thirsty, he began to consider how he 

 could open the rain barrel, in which Mistress Whitman 

 caught water for her washing. He tried hard to push 

 the cover one side, but some clever human contrivance 

 made it catch, and so, after trying several other ways, 

 he found the simple and right one of catching the han- 

 dle in his strong young teeth and lifting straight up- 

 ward ! 



Sometimes when he had done this and drunk all the 

 water he wanted, he would pick the cat up by the scruff 

 of the neck with his teeth and hold him over the barrel, 

 meowing desperately, for of all thing's Caesar hated 

 water ! True was only teasing him, but the cat never 

 knew that, and a spasm of terror would chill his mar- 

 row at thought of being dropped in. 



The death of Black Baby made True more serious and 

 earnest. He went about his daily tasks with interest 

 and spirit, but he did not romp so much and listened 

 more attentively to his mother's teachings. 



