o me one of their most interesting traits," added the
captain. "They are capable of becoming so strongly attached to man, that
they give up their own wishes to those of their master. Indeed, their
interests become so identified with his, that they come to have no will
of their own. I have myself seen an old Shetland pony, which would place
its fore foot in the hand of its young master like a dog, thrust its
head under his arm to be caressed, and join with him and a little
terrier in all their noisy rompings on the lawn. The same animal daily
bore its young master to school; and, though its heels and teeth were
ready for every other urchin, yet so attached was it to this boy, that
it would wait hours for him in his sports by the way, and even walk
alone from the stable in town to the school room, which was fully half
a mile distant, and wait, saddled and bridled, for the afternoon's
dismissal. Indeed, the young scapegrace did not deserve one tenth of
this attention; for I have seen old 'Donald' toiling home with him at
the gallop, to make up for time squandered at play."

Minnie's father then repeated to the gentleman many instances of her
pony's attachment to her, and of his playfulness.

"I am of opinion," said Mr. Gordon, "that there are instances of
attachment of a horse to his master equal to that shown by man to man.

"During the Peninsular war; the trumpeter of a French cavalry corps had
a fine charger assigned to him, of which he became passionately fond,
and which, by gentleness of disposition and uniform docility, showed the
affection to be mutual.

"The sound of the trumpeter's voice, the sight of his uniform, or the
clang of his trumpet, was sufficient to throw this animal into a state
of excitement, and he appeared to be pleased and happy only when under
the saddle of his rider. Indeed, he was unruly and useless to every body
else; for once, on being removed to another part of the forces, and
consigned to a young officer, he resolutely refused to obey the
commands of his rider. The first chance he had, he bolted straight to
the trumpeter's station, and there took his stand, jostling alongside
his former master.

"They were obliged to restore him to his old place, when he carried the
trumpeter through many campaigns, and through many hair-breadth escapes.

"At last, the corps to which he belonged was defeated, and in the
confusion of retreat, the trumpeter was mortally wounded. Dropping from
his horse,