"That horse," said Aunt Lucretia, as we followed Eloise to the barn, "is dangerous. I have been expecting to hear of him killing her. It’s all in his pedigree, Jack; he can’t help being mean. His sire was a rattle-headed but game and iron horse—fast, but utterly unreliable. You may remember how fast he was, but would go crazy, and ran away in a race, running into another horse and getting a sulky shaft driven through his heart. All of his colts I ever saw are crazy, fast and game—but cruelly mean when roused. Still I’m to blame for this one. I thought Little Sister’s brain and sweet temper might overcome it in the sire." "Little Sister is his dam, then?" I said, patting the neck of the mare I was riding. "Yes, he was foaled the year after you left for school, and is now three," she answered. I heard Satan before I saw him. He was walking the length of his halter, now and then neighing, then whinnying to Eloise softly. It was the sound of her voice that had softened him. Above the anger which shook his frame, maddened at the sight of the groom who had offended him, he had heard the soothing voice of Eloise, and responded with a gentle whinny. She smiled. "Just listen to him! Dangerous—he’s an angel! Bring him out, Jim." She winked at Aunt Lucretia and me. Jim grinned sillily. "’Scuse me, Miss ’Leeze; you’s jes’ sayin’ that to guy me. He loves my leetle boy, an’ he feeds him an’ keers for ’im," he added, "but it looks like he thinks I put an insultment on him. ’Scuse me, Miss Leeze, but I wouldn’t go in there for no money." It was true. At the sound of Jim’s voice, Satan’s eyes had kindled, and he threw back his head, trying to break his halter to get to him. "You try him, Jack," said Eloise; "I’m sure he loves you. I never knew one that didn’t." I opened the door. Never had I looked upon so superb a horse: a great star stood out beneath the tangled foretop of his mane, on a great square, broad forehead, so black it was silken. The rest of him, too, was midnight, except one white satin foot. His tail was a heavy hemp of black, shiny silk; his shoulders sloped in the line of strength. His chest was splendid, his muscles, fore and aft, bunched above the cleanest of bony legs. There was great strength, brain, and self-will in his head. He was watching me keenly, as a wild beast eyes a new keeper. An animal knows friend or foe instantly. Their instinct is unerring and surpasses man’s reason. I saw his eyes light up doubtfully, hesitate, and then gleam when I put my hands out and rubbed his cheek. "You splendid fellow; mean? It’s not true. Did Jim put an insultment on you, old boy?" I laughed. Then he rubbed my shoulder with his clean-cut nose. Eloise laughed behind me. "I knew he’d love you, Jack."