Black Beauty

he'sHow It Ended. 10CHAPTER XXVI.HOW ITENDED.It must have been nearly midnight when I heard at agreat distance the sound of horse's feet. Sometimes, thesound died away, then it grew clearer again and nearer. Theroad to Earlshall led through woods that belonged to theEarl ; the sound came in that direction, and I hoped it mightbe some one coming in search of us. As the sound camenearer and nearer, I was almost sure I could distinguishGinger's step ; a little nearer still, and I could tell she was inthe dogcart. I neighed loudly, and was overjoyed to hear ananswering neigh from Ginger and men's voices. They cameslowly over the stones, and stopped at the dark figure that layupon the ground.One of the men jumped out, and stooped down over it." It is Reuben," he said, "and he does not stir !"The other man followed, and bent over him. " He'sdead," he said ; "feel how cold his hands are."They raised him up, but there was no life, and his hair wassoaked with blood. They laid him down again, and came andlooked at me. They soon saw my cut knees." Whv, the horse has been down and thrown him !Whowould have thought the black horse would have done that }Nobody thought he could fall. Reuben must have been lyinghere for hours ! Odd, too, that the horse has not moved fromthe place."Robert then attempted to lead me forward. I made astep, but almost fell again." Hallo ! bad in his foot as well as his knees. Look