THE 8TRIKE AT SHANE'S. 69 



enemy," said Dick. "Let's go slow until we find out 

 if there isn't some trick in it." " 



"Well, no matter what the cause of the change is, 

 I'm going to get all the pleasure I can out of my im- 

 proved condition for one night, anyhow," said the sor- 

 rel horse ; and the gray mare said ; ' ' Them's my senti- 

 ments.'* 



Mike followed up his plan by giving them the same 

 attention the next day, and the horses began to think 

 that a change had come for the better, but Dick main- 

 tained that it was because their old enemy Shane was 

 laid up. Mike never was a cruel master, and he 

 thought Mike was taking advantage of his employer's 

 sickness to give them a little better treatment. 



" Well, if Mike is going to be fair with us, let's be 

 fair with him," said the sorrel. "I'm kind of tired of 

 pla^dng sick, anyhow." 



"I don't object to working for anybody that will 

 treat me fair," said Dick; "and if Mike is going to 

 treat us right I am willing to work." 



About this time Mike went up to the house to see 

 Mr. Shane. 



"Mornin' to ye, Misther Shane ; an' how are ye this 

 mornin'?" said Mike. 



"Bad, Mike, still bad," said Shane; "everything 

 is goin' to ruin on the place I suppose." 



"Faith now an' they're not. I've been tindin' to 

 thim horses mesilf for a few days ; I'm tindin' to 'em 

 rigular, and ye ought to see the improvement in 'em. 

 Why, they'll all be at work again in a few days." 



