^2 JUSTIN MORGAN 



CHAPTER X. 



IN WHICH ''true" becomes ''jUSTIN MORGAN." 



Once or twice a week it was the custom among the 

 farmers, waiting at Chase's Mill, to pass the time test- 

 ing their strength or that of their horses. It was health- 

 ful sport and kept them and their beasts in trim. 

 . Many were the jugs of Medford rum consumed on 

 these occasions, and anyone having a horse to try, or a 

 new test of strength for the men, was welcomed. 



Running their horses short distances for small stakes 

 came to be very popular." A course of eighty rods was 

 measured, starting at the mill and extending along the 

 highway; a line was drawn across the road, called a 

 ''scratch," the horses were ranged in a row, and at the 

 drop of a hat away they went, cheered by the crowd. 



It so happened that Evans and True, who never fin- 

 ished their work until dusk, were rarely at these tests. 

 Evans, himself, was too tired to join in the sports, but 

 True often thought he would like to try his strength 

 against the larger, heavier horses. 



One day, coming along the River Road to the mill, 

 his heavy farm-harness and tug-chains still dangling on 

 True, they passed Master Justin Morgan — he stood under 

 a maple tree and was lilting an old French song learned 

 from the Canadian lumbermen, called "A la Claire Fon- 

 taine." True and Evans paused to listen. Everyone 

 liked Master Morgan for his sweet voice and gentle 

 manners. 



* Morgan Horses, Linsley, page 133. 



