spirit was up, and I was off again as fast as before.  The air was frosty, the moon was bright; it was very pleasant.  We came through a village, then through a dark wood, then uphill, then downhill, till after an eight miles’ run, we came to the town, through the streets and into the market-place.  It was all quite still except the clatter of my feet on the stones—­everybody was asleep.  The church clock struck three as we drew up at Dr. White’s door.  John rang the bell twice, and then knocked at the door like thunder.  A window was thrown up, and the doctor, in his night-cap, put his head out and said, “What do you want?”

“Mrs. Gordon is very ill, sir; master wants you to go at once; he thinks she will die if you cannot get there.  Here is a note.”

“Wait,” he said, “I will come.”

He shut the window and was soon at the door.  “The worst of it is,” he said, “that my horse has been out all day, and is quite done up; my son has just been sent for, and he has taken the other.  What is to be done?  Can I have your horse?”

“He has come at a gallop nearly all the way, sir, and I was to give him a rest here; but I think my master would not be against it, if you think fit, sir.”

“All right,” he said; “I will soon be ready.”

John stood by me and stroked my neck.  I was very hot.  The doctor came out with his riding-whip.  “You need not take that, sir,” said John; “Black Beauty will go till he drops.  Take care of him, sir, if you can; I should not like any harm to come to him.”

“No, no, John,” said the doctor, “I hope not,” and in a minute we had left John far behind.

[Illustration]

I will not tell about our way back.  The doctor was a heavier man than John, and not so good a rider; however, I did my very best.  The man at the toll-gate had it open.  When we came to the hill, the doctor drew me up.  “Now, my good fellow,” he said, “take some breath.”  I was glad he did, for I was nearly spent, but that breathing helped me on, and soon we were in the park.  Joe was at the lodge gate; my master was at the Hall door, for he had heard us coming.  He spoke not a word; the doctor went into the house with him, and Joe led me to the stable.  I was glad to get home; my legs shook under me, and I could only stand and pant.  I had not a dry hair on my body, the water ran down my legs, and I steamed all over—­Joe used to say, like a pot on the fire.  Poor Joe! he was young and small, and as yet he knew very little, and his father, who would have helped him, had been sent to the next village; but I am sure he did the very best he knew.  He rubbed my legs and my chest, but he did not put my warm cloth on me; he thought I was so hot I should not like it.  Then he gave me a pail full of water to drink; it was cold and very good, and I drank it all; then he gave me some hay and some corn, and, thinking he had done right, he went away.  Soon I began to shake and tremble,