The Junior Classics, Volume 8: Animal and Nature Stories
General
The Junior Classics, Volume 8: Animal and Nature Stories
Children's literature
But ere they scattered, moved by a common impulse, they gave first
three cheers for me, and then, with the same heartiness and even
more power, three cheers for Gulnare. And she, standing there,
looking with her bright, cheerful countenance full at the men,
pawing with her forefeet, alternately, the ground, seemed to
understand the compliment; for no sooner had the cheering died away
than she arched her neck to its proudest curve, lifted her thin,
delicate head into the air, and gave a short, joyful neigh.
"My arrangements for transporting her had been made by a friend the
day before. A large, roomy car had been secured, its floor strewn
with bright clean straw, a bucket and a bag of oats provided, and
everything done for her comfort. The car was to be attached to the
through express, in consideration of fifty dollars extra, which I
gladly paid, because of the greater rapidity with which it enabled
me to make my journey. As the brigade broke up into groups, I
glanced at my watch and saw that I had barely time to reach the
cars before they started. I shook the reins upon her neck, and with
a plunge, startled at the energy of my signal, away she flew. What
a stride she had! What an elastic spring! She touched and left the
earth as if her limbs were of spiral wire. When I reached the car
my friend was standing in front of it, the gang-plank was ready, I
leaped from the saddle, and, running up the plank into the car,
whistled to her; and she, timid and hesitating, yet unwilling to be
separated from me, crept slowly and cautiously up the steep incline
and stood beside me. Inside I found a complete suit of flannel
clothes with a blanket and, better than all, a lunch-basket. My
friend explained that he had bought the clothes as he came down to
the depot, thinking, as he said, 'that they would be much better
than your regimentals,' and suggested that I doff the one and don
the other. To this I assented the more readily as I reflected that
I would have to pass one night at least in the car, with no better
bed than the straw under my feet. I had barely time to undress
before the cars were coupled and started. I tossed the clothes to
my friend with the injunction to pack them in my trunk and express
them on to me, and waved him my adieu. I arrayed myself in the
nice, cool flannel and looked around. The thoughtfulness of my
friend had anticipated every want. An old cane-seated chair stood
in one corner. The lunch-basket was large and well supplied. Amid
the oats I found a dozen oranges, some bananas, and a package of
real Havana cigars. How I called down blessings on his thoughtful
head as I took the chair and, lighting one of the fine-flavored
_figaros_, gazed out on the fields past which we were gliding,
yet wet with morning dew. As I sat dreamily admiring the beauty
before me, Gulnare came and, resting her head upon my shoulder,
seemed to share my mood. As I stroked her fine-haired, satin-like
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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