FOUNDER OF HIS RACE 75 



the taunt that he was a ''pony." At any rate he was over 

 fourteen hands and weighed nine hundred and fifty 

 pounds ! 



"As I understand it," Evans was saying, as the men 

 came out of the shop, "the agreement is that my horse 

 has got to pull that big log ten rods onto the logway, 

 in three pulls, or I lose?" 



"That's the idea, exactly," assented Miller Chase. 



Evans took hold of True's bridle confidently, and led 

 him to the enormous log, where he fastened the tugs 

 properly. Then he stepped one side and looked the 

 young horse straight in the eye. 



True returned his look — they might almost have been 

 said to have exchanged a wink. 



At this thought, Evans shouted with laughter. 



"Gentlemen," he said, when he could speak seriously, 

 "I am ashamed to ask my horse to pull a little weight 

 like that on a test — couldn't two or three of you get on 

 and ride?" 



Then Evans was sure he saw a twinkle in True's eye. 



A loud laugh greeted the proposal. 



"But, man, that there's a dead lift !'' expostulated the 

 miller. 



"Well, mine's a live horse," Evans cried, with a grin. 

 "Get on there ! Justin Morgan's waitin' for to take 

 you to drive !'' 



From this day the young horse was called Justin Mor- 

 gan s. It was an easy transition to drop the possessive 

 "s," after a while, and call him "Justin Morgan." 



With much hilarity three men climbed up on the log. 



By this time darkness had fallen and Master Chase 

 ran to get his lanthorn, swinging it back and forth, as he 

 returned. 



"Mind you don't fall off," Evans warned the men. 

 " 'Something' is about to 'come'." 



