So the faithful old horse was turned out into the street. It was in the dry, hot summer, and there was little grass to be found. The horse wandered about under the burning sun, getting a bite here and a bite there.
In his wandering he came finally to the market place. He saw the vine hanging to the bell rope.
“These leaves,” he thought, “are better than nothing, though they are withered.”
He began to pull at the withered leaves. The very first pull set the great bell to ringing loudly. The poor horse was so hungry that he paid no attention to the ringing. He kept on eating, and the bell rang louder and louder.
The judge heard the sounds, and wondered who was ringing the bell so loudly. He put on his robe and hurried to the market place.
He was greatly surprised when he saw who had rung the bell. He felt sorry for the poor creature, however.
“Even the dumb beast,” he murmured, “shall have justice. This is the horse of the Knight of Atri.”
A large crowd of people had gathered in a few minutes. They told the judge the story of the old horse. Their stories, however, did not agree. The judge, therefore, decided to call the Knight himself.
The heartless old Knight said that the horse was useless to him, and that he could not take care of him any longer. It cost too much money.
“Did he not always do his duty by you?” asked the judge. “Did he ever refuse to carry you to the hunt, or to bring you safely home?”