30 JUSTIN MORGAN 



ably reached home safely, the horse enjoying this con- 

 fidence of his rider. 



One sunny day when the little horse was nearly two 

 years old, they were returning from a trip up the river 

 when Silas swooned, it was a sickness to which he was 

 subject, and, slipping from the saddle to the road, he 

 rolled into the ditch. True, no little disturbed, stood 

 thoughtful a moment, wondering what he could do for 

 his unconscious friend. Finally he caught hold of the 

 Continental collar with his teeth and drew him gently 

 up on the grassy border of the road, under the shade of 

 an oak. Looking around he whinneyed for help, but, 

 as no answer came, he turned and galloped homeward, 

 nor did he go by the longer way of the road. Over 

 rough, uneven, cleared spaces, he went; stone fences 

 stretched across his way ; here and there strips of dense 

 woods interfered with but did not retard his speed or 

 intention. 



When he neared the house a curl of blue smoke told 

 him where he would find Mistress Whitman, nor was he 

 mistaken. He trotted straight to the kitchen window 

 at which he was wont to receive goodies from her gen- 

 erous hands ; there she stood, slender and womanish, be- 

 side a pot of soup, hanging on the crane, whose warm 

 fragrance permeated the air. 



True whinneyed sharply. She looked up, and, see- 

 ing the empty saddle, started with anxiety and hastened 

 out. The horse rubbed his nose on her sleeve and 

 neighed his message, softly. 



She seemed to understand the horse-language at once 

 and, leading him to the horse-block, climbed into the sad- 

 dle without delay. 



And this was True's first experience of carrying a 

 lady! She was so light of weight, and she spoke to 

 him so fearlessly, that he drew much comfort through 



