“This,” she said, stroking the animal’s wet mane, “is the one you all have to thank for your escape from the flood. Had it not been for Hero, I would have been unable to give the warning, and now it seems to me he is entitled to a nice warm stall and some nice fresh oats. Would you like them, Hero?”
The horse whinnied in joy, and one of the men said:
“He certainly shall have both.”
He approached and took the animal by the bridle, but Hero drew back.
“Maybe you can lead him,” said the man. “He won’t come for me.”
Shirley laughed. “Come, Hero!” she called and without leading he followed her into the stable, where he was escorted to a clean stall.
“And now you go to bed,” said one of the men to Shirley.
“I’ll stay and see him fed first,” replied the girl.
“All right, have your own way!”
He produced the oats, and soon Hero was nosing and eating them contentedly.