FOUNDER OF HIS RACE 63 



answered Morgan, lifting the latch and inviting the old 

 man in out of the cold. The ever-smouldering back-log 

 kept the fire ready to blow into a blaze any time and 

 Justin Morgan, not disturbing his family, set about fan- 

 ning it with a large, turkey-tail fan. "I do not wish to 

 send my horse out on such a night. We've but just got 

 in ourselves and are fagged," he added. 



The fire blazed and was soon roaring up the chimney 

 as the lightwood caught and the pine-knots flamed ; then 

 Master Morgan straightened himself. 



"By the Constitution of these United States,'' cried the 

 old man, " 'tis not a time to think of brute-beasts. I 

 tell you a huinan lies ill and needs the Dame. Come, 

 come, have done, and let me fetch the horse from the 

 stable !" 



But Master Morgan still hesitated, as he hung the 

 turkey-tail back in place beside the high mantel. 



"Come, I say," thundered the old man, whom every- 

 one obeyed, ''get the horse out, sir, or 'twill be the worse 

 for you when the neighbors find you consider your ani- 

 mal before a human being." 



Such threats and language could not be withstood, and 

 Master IMorgan, ever willing to be of service to a fel- 

 low being, and only reluctant on account of the tired 

 horse, took his lanthorn from the mantel-shelf and went 

 out. 



As soon as True left the protection of his stable he 

 felt a storm brewing, not so far away either ; he hoped it 

 would not break before his return, yet not knowing 

 where he was going. 



Uncle Peter rode him over to Dame Margery's, who, 

 when she came out, was so bundled up in bearskins that 

 had she not spoken at once True might have been star- 

 tled. Throwing her bags across the saddle and bidding 



