“That’s a fine colt you have there,” he exclaimed with enthusiasm, as he noted the horse Rodney had ridden, and which was being held by a small black boy.
“Nat is a fine animal, sir.”
“And well groomed.”
“I care for him myself. He belongs to me, for father gave him to me when he was a little fellow. He has learned several tricks. Nat, do you want to go home?”
Nat pawed the ground twice and whinnied vigorously.
“That’s his way of saying yes, isn’t it, Nat, boy?”
The colt’s answer was to thrust his velvety muzzle caressingly against the lad’s cheek, blinking his large purplish eyes the while.
He was truly a fine animal with breeding in every line, dark bay in colour, with a black stripe running from mane to tail.
Seeing an opportunity, Rodney said: “Mr. Jefferson, may I ask your advice?”