1-4 THE horse's rescue. 



I was always peeking around. In the evening I 

 walked into the hotel. There were several around the 

 bar. Mr. Bennett had a number of new bits. They 

 were counselinir about the best bits to hold Mike to 

 keep him from running awaj. I told them Mike was 

 coming to life ; he wasn't running av^'ny. I would 

 drive him on a slack rein, and there would be no dan- 

 ger in doing so. There was no reply. I walked a.way 

 and let them fight. They will be scared worse when 

 I fjet this horse balanced in the center. At that time 

 1 had not fixed his hind feet. Let us look at Mike 

 after he is balanced standing at this post. I shall 

 never forget that horse. While looking him over in 

 all points I pronounced him the best horse I ever saw 

 at that time. I have not seen his mate since. There 

 is a great change in him. I stood up by the side of 

 him. I am five feet seven inches talJ. I put up my 

 hand, and could just reach to the top of his ears. He 

 stood natural and easy ; his hair was sleek and glossy, 

 and as handsome dapple-brown as I ever saw. "Mike, ^ 

 you are as near as the creator made you as I can make 

 you ; and yet with all the hard work I have done on 

 vou nights and days, your owner is as ignorant as ever 

 he was. He does not seem to realize this wonderful 

 change in you. He cannot see you gnawing your feet, 

 sufferii!g night and day; shrunken and shriveled up; 

 all air-puffs ; stiff and sore ; hair dead, and you nearly 

 so, but he tells the people there was nothing the mat- 

 ter with vou, only a little road sore. I wanted to cure 

 you for an advertisement, Mike. I am well paid now 

 if you would only stay so; but I well know you will 

 not; that lever will grow, contraction will take place, 



