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Her master was very proud of her. 



When she was old enough he broke her to the 

 saddle, and he did not like to have anyone else ride 

 her. She knew him, and when she saw him coming 

 she would turn her head and whinny to him. He 

 often brought her an apple or a lump of sugar, and 

 if he did not have it in his hand she would nose at 

 his pockets to see if he had not hidden something 

 about him. 



Firefly was gentle as well as swift and spirited. 

 She was the best hunter in the neighborhood, but 

 when the children begged to ride her, and their 

 father set them in a row upon her back, she minced 

 around the lawn as smoothly as she could, trying 

 not to jolt them. 



When Firefly was six years old a war broke out, 

 and Firefly's master said that he must go away 

 and fight for the right. His wife wept, but she 

 did not say no. 



He put on his uniform and Firefly was brought 

 around to the door. She arched her neck and 

 pawed the ground proudly as she stood waiting. 

 The master's wife and children clung to him and he 

 kissed them again and again. Then he came 

 hastily down the steps, his spurs jingling, and 



