Black Beauty

Joe Green. yjCHAPTER XX.JOE GREEN.Joe Green went on very well ; he learned quickly, andwas so attentive and careful that John began to trust him inmany things ; but, as I have said, he was small of his age,and it was seldom that he was allowed to exercise eitherGinger or me ; but it so happened one morning that Johnwas out with Justice in the luggage cart, and the masterwanted a note to be taken immediately to a gentleman'shouse, about three miles distant, and sent hisorders for Joeto saddle me and take it ; adding the caution that he was toride steadily.The note was delivered, and we were quietly returningwhen we came to the brickfield. Here we saw a cart heavilyladen with bricks ; the wheels had stuck fast in the stiff mudof some deep ruts, and the carter was shouting and floggingthe two horses unmercifully. Joe pulled up. It was a sadsight. There were the two horses straining and strugglingwith all their might to drag the cart out, but they could notmove it ; the sweat streamed from their legs and flanks, theirsides heaved, and every muscle was strained, whilst the man,fiercely pulling at the head of the fore horse, swore andlashed most brutally."Hold hard," said Joe; don't go on flogging the horseslike that ;the wheels are so stuck that they cannot move thecart."The man took no heed, but went on lashing." Stop ! pray stop ! " said Joe. " I'll help you to lightenthe cart ; they can't move it now."