In a minute more Dr. Dick was calling me.
"Likely you'll have a time to ketch the colt," the owner of the premises was saying as I came up. The doctor laughed.
"Why, that is queer," the man said. "I can never get near the old mare even, when she's out."
"Well, sir," replied Master, looking very serious, "I would be ashamed to treat a dumb animal so badly that it would fear to come at my call. My horses know that I am their friend, and that, though I may have to work them hard, I will not require more of them than they can do, and that they can trust me in all things."
Then he stroked my face, and I put my cheek against his.
"Dandy and I love each other," he added. Then he went for the saddle and bridle. My companion of the evening before was still neighing pitifully, and Master inquired the cause.
"Sir, if your wife or any of your children die," he said severely, when the other had told about the colt, "just remember that you deserve it, for having no regard for the feelings of a dumb mother. The God who noteth the sparrow's fall, will measure unto you as you measure unto the helpless. There is a merciful and humane way of dealing in all these matters. If I were in your place, I'd send one of the boys to bring that colt where its mother can see it for a day and then let her watch it go away. 'Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.'"
We now joined the other man standing beside his heaving horse at the gate.
"Follow at your leisure; that poor beast is well-nigh done for; I will hurry on and do all I can," Dr. Dick said to the stranger, whose sister had been attacked by the epidemic; and away we flew.
My training had all been for the saddle, and, whether built right or not, I was at home under it. We turned in at the Wallace gateway just forty-eight hours after going out of it.