Diana ran fearlessly up to the horse, fondled its nose, and looked into its eyes; the creature stood perfectly still, bent its graceful head, and licked her little hand.
"And it's a perfect brute to everyone else," thought Uncle Ben to himself, but this time he did not utter a word.
The horse stood perfectly motionless until little Orion was mounted on its back.
"Now, G'eased Lightning, you has got to be a good horse," said Diana, speaking to him in a confiding voice. "You isn't to fwighten Orion; 'member he's a giant, and it's a gweat honor for you to carry him, 'cos most times he lives up in the stars."
"Come, missy, we have no time for that sort of nonsense," said Uncle Ben, who began to get impatient. "Give me back my whip."
"No; I is going to slash the whip. Come, G'eased Lightning; twot, twot, p'ease."
The horse began to amble gently forward. Little Diana went and stood by Uncle Ben's side.
"I's managing," she said; "you shall have whip to-night; but I's managing now."
The other performers stood round in breathless silence. Orion kept his seat manfully. Greased Lightning was as gentle as a lamb.
"Good boy!" called out Diana; "vedy good little boy. Good horse, G'eased Lightning! you is a vedy good horse. Now then, go faster." Diana gave the whip a crack.