A little further on, he came to the place in my neck where I was bled, and where a little knot was left in the skin.  He almost started, and begun to look me over carefully, talking to himself.  “White star in the forehead, one white foot on the off side, this little knot just in that place”; then, looking at the middle of my back—­“and as I am alive, there is that little patch of white hair that John used to call ‘Beauty’s threepenny bit.’  It must be Black Beauty!  Why, Beauty!  Beauty! do you know me? little Joe Green, that almost killed you?” And he began patting and patting me as if he was quite overjoyed.

I could not say that I remembered him, for now he was a fine grown young fellow, with black whiskers, and a man’s voice, but I was sure he knew me, and that he was Joe Green, and I was very glad.  I put my nose up to him, and tried to say that we were friends.  I never saw a man so pleased.

“Give you a fair trial!  I should think so, indeed!  I wonder who the rascal was that broke your knees, my old Beauty! you must have been badly served out somewhere; well, well, it won’t be my fault if you haven’t good times of it now.  I wish John Manly was here to see you.”

In the afternoon I was put into a low Park chair and brought to the door.  Miss Ellen was going to try me, and Green went with her.  I soon found that she was a good driver, and she seemed pleased with my paces.  I heard Joe telling her about me, and that he was sure I was Squire Gordon’s old “Black Beauty.”

When we returned, the other sisters came out to hear how I had behaved myself.  She told them what she had just heard, and said:  “I shall certainly write to Mrs. Gordon, and tell her that her favorite horse has come to us.  How pleased she will be!”

After this I was driven every day for a week or so, and as I appeared to be quite safe, Miss Lavinia at last ventured out in the small close carriage.  After this it was quite decided to keep me and call me by my old name of Black Beauty.

I have now lived in this happy place a whole year.

[Illustration]

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