FOUNDER OF HIS RACE 131 



throw his fine-dressed leg across his back and sHp his 

 cavalry-booted feet into the stirrups — all the while hold- 

 ing the reins in his masterful hand. A mutual confi- 

 dence was awakened between the two that was to last 

 always. 



Morgan, feeling as young as he did ten years before, 

 cantered smoothly ofif, side-stepping just enough to give 

 his rider something to do. 



Down the hill they went, the horse as sure-footed as 

 a goat, feeling that he had never carried so dashing and 

 gallant a rider nor so congenial a spirit, and right glad 

 was he to respond to every gentle pressure of the bit 

 or motion of the rein. 



At the turn of the trail they came to a stone fence. At 

 his rider's suggestion Morgan paused slightly, pulled 

 himself together, rose in the air and cleared it. Over a 

 rushing little stream he went in the same confident, bird- 

 like way, galloping easily off as he touched the ground 

 on the other side. 



The blue sky was reflected in the lake, and the moun- 

 tains in New York pierced it, in reality, or reflection, 

 with peaks of green and brown. The air was still and 

 pure and the cool scent of the pines was strong in theii 

 nostrils. The haze of the morning had given place to a 

 crystal clearness and Juniper Island was like a spot of 

 precious jade set in a field of turquoise. 



They were on the way to the Falls at a smart gallof 

 now, and what his rider intimated to the horse along 

 the bridle-rein gave him courage and love combined with 

 perfect understanding. At a convenient spot the\ 

 stopped, and Captain Dulaney spoke aloud. 



"Ah, my fine fellow !" Morgan flicked his tail in reply, 

 and tossed his mane slightly — with an up and down mo- 

 tion once or twice of his crest as was his habit when 

 spoken to, directly — "Ah, my fine fellow, this air makes 



