126 THE WONDER-BOOK OF HORSES 



lad leaped nimbly upon his back, and without pull- 

 ing the reins too hard, allowed him to start off 

 at his own gait; and then, when he saw that the 

 horse was no longer afraid, but only proud of 

 his speed, he urged him with voice and spur to 

 do his utmost. The king and his attendants were 

 alarmed, and expected every moment to see the 

 boy unseated and dashed to the ground. But 

 when he turned and rode back, proud of his 

 daring feat, everybody cheered and shouted — '■ 

 everybody but his father, who wept for joy and, 

 kissing him, said : 



" You must look for a kingdom which is worthy 

 of you, my son, for Macedonia is too small for 

 you." 



After that, Bucephalus would allow his groom 

 to mount him barebacked ; but when he was sad- 

 dled nobody but Alexander dared touch him. He 

 would even kneel to his young master, in order 

 that he might mount more easily ; and for sixteen 

 years thereafter he served him as faithfully as 

 horse ever served man. Of course, he was with 

 Alexander when he conquered Persia, and he car- 

 ried him into more than one hard-fought battle. 

 At one time (I think it was in Hyrcania) he was 

 stolen ; but his master made proclamation that un- 



