After considerable more fuss Fred limped off to the house and Dr. Dick stepped to Prince's head. Back went the latter's ears and his lips quivered. Calmly Master looked him in the eye, then began stroking his face and talking to him. He gradually quieted down, but his glance was both treacherous and distrustful.
[CHAPTER V.]
This was the beginning of turbulent times between master and servant. When my doctor drove Prince, all went well; but from that morning Fred and he were always in a row. Many a time have I been reluctantly turned over to the elder brother to keep peace and save Prince from a pounding.
On sunny days, as it came on spring, we horses used to be turned into the pasture for a little run; and on one of these occasions Prince spoke of his hatred for his master.
"But you were to blame in the first place," I said.
"Well," he answered, "I suppose I am ugly. I never thought so, though, till I came here and saw you and the bays. But it is no wonder. When I was a tiny colt I was badgered and tormented by boys until I learned to use my teeth and heels in self-defence. The harder I fought, the more they teased me. Then when the men came to break me, I was naturally wild and unmanageable; and they yelled and whipped me until I was fairly beside myself with fear. I learned one thing, and that was that by kicking and biting I could conquer some of them.
"Had I been treated with quiet, kind firmness, I might have had a different history. I am not the only otherwise fine horse that has been ruined in the training. Everybody has been hard and cruel with me, and I have just made up my mind to fight it out and die game.
"What's the fun or comfort in living, anyhow? You give your time, strength and life for the little you can eat (when you happen to get that), and if you live past your usefulness you're turned out to starve and freeze. Men are working for themselves and laying by for old age, but we, who work much harder, have nothing but starvation and death in anticipation.