uld
she not bite? Of course, it is a very bad habit; but I am sure, if all
she says be true, she must have been very ill-used before she came here.
John does all he can to please her; so I think she might be
good-tempered here. You see," he said, with a wise look, "I am twelve
years old; I know a great deal, and I can tell you there is not a better
place for a horse all round the country than this. John is the best
groom that ever was; he has been here fourteen years; and you never saw
such a kind boy as James is, so that it is all Ginger's own fault that
she did not stay in that box."

CHAPTER V

A FAIR START

The name of the coachman was John Manly; he had a wife and one child,
and lived in the coachman's cottage, near the stables.

[Illustration]

The next morning he took me into the yard and gave me a good grooming,
and just as I was going into my box, with my coat soft and bright, the
squire came in to look at me, and seemed pleased. "John," he said, "I
meant to have tried the new horse this morning, but I have other
business. You may as well take him around after breakfast; go by the
common and the Highwood, and back by the water-mill and the river; that
will show his paces."

"I will, sir," said John. After breakfast he came and fitted me with a
bridle. He was very particular in letting out and taking in the straps,
to fit my head comfortably; then he brought a saddle, but it was not
broad enough for my back; he saw it in a minute, and went for another,
which fitted nicely. He rode me first slowly, then a trot, then a
canter, and when we were on the common, he gave me a light touch with
his whip, and we had a splendid gallop.

"Ho, ho! my boy," he said, as he pulled me up, "you would like to follow
the hounds, I think."

As we came back through the park we met the squire and Mrs. Gordon
walking; they stopped, and John jumped off. "Well, John, how does he
go?"

"First rate, sir," answered John; "he is as fleet as a deer, and has a
fine spirit, too; but the lightest touch of the rein will guide him.
Down at the end of the common we met one of those traveling carts hung
all over with baskets, rugs, and such like; you know, sir, many horses
will not pass those carts quietly; he just took a good look at it, and
then went on as quiet and pleasant as could be. They were shooting
rabbits near the Highwood, and a gun went off close by; he pulled up a
little and looked, but he did not stir a step to ri