The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-02-09
Continued from last Sunday.)
CHAPTER II. Continued


Aaron went into the stable and came
forth with halter. This he threw on
Timoleons head, passing the loose end
over the horses neck and tying ~ III
the ring, thus forming reins for the
rider to handle. Then he folded
heavy blanket four times, placed IT on
the horses back, and strapped It down
with a surcingle.
.sNot too tight--not too tight, son OF
Ben ALI" said Timoleon, backing ms
ears little.
s.Now. then, for ride, said Aaron'
turning to the children.
"Oh. I'm afraid" cried Sweetest
Susan. ssMamma would be angry.
.oTry him here, in the lot, suggest
ed Aaron to Buster John.
Now Buster John was pretty GOOD
rider for a youngster, and was some
what proud of the fact. He had never
helned to break a young mule TO the
saddle. So. after a little persuasion,
he allowed Aaron to lift him to limo
Icons back.
Easy, now" said Aaron.
The black stallion stepped proudly
off. From a swinging walk he broke
into am easy canter, which soon be-
came a swinging gallop. Before he
had gone around the field Buster JoIh
had lost all fear, and from his gently
undulating seat waved his hand gayly
to Sweetest Susan.
"Oh. / wish / could go, too! she
exclaimed, clapping her hands.
seWhv not. little Missy" said aaron.
ST have seen you riding the gray pony
x.-i4hoI1f a eaddla'
"But he is as gentle as q dog explain
ed Sweetest Susan.
"Whv. so is Timoleon, repiied
Aaron. 'sTry him. ] will run beside
him to catch you if you fall. I'll not
run far before you viii say, 90 back:
BY this time Timoleon came sweep
mo M to where they stood and stop
ned. Buster JOHNS face fairly glow
ed with the delight felt
WELL said Sweetest Susan, unable
to resist the temptation. We'll, I'll
90, but if | fall"
Before she could finish what she had
to say, the strong arm Of Aaron had
lifted her to a seat behind Buster John.
ssHow can you fall?" asked that bold
youngster. Hold fast to me. Put
your arms around me, and when you
fall let me know" !.
sYou didn't talk that way just now,
said Sweetest Susan. 10 this Buster
John made no reply. Aaron stood be
side the black stallion and stroked his
neck.
Grandson Of Abdallah, show me
what YOU are this day. Once around
the field and then to the lane gate.
The horse took three long strides
forward and then broke into can
ter as before. Aaron ran beside limo
leon a little way, one hand on Sweetest
Susan's elbow to give her confidence,
but he soon saw that she had lost all
fear. and SO, still running, he went to
the gate that opened in the lane and
threw it back and stood there. The
black stallion, going in a steady gal
loD. swept around the field, and then
came toward the gate. The children
were laughing.
Don't forget, grandson Of Abdallah.
You know my hand!' This was Aaron's
last warming as Timoleon went
through the gate. The son of Ben Ali
watched horse and riders for a few
moments. Then he closed the gate
ard ran swiftly through the lot, going
toward the head Of the avenue that
led to the big house. The lane, half
mile in length, led obliquely away
from the house and from the avenue,
until it joined the public road. From
that point, turning squarely 20 the
left. the distance to the avenue gate
was about i mile. From the stable to
the avenue gate, through the spring
Iot--the way Aaron went--Was not
quite half mile.
IF / 60 too fast, grandson OF the
Whitehaired Master" said Ilmoleon,
as they turned into the public road,
touch me on the shoulder. And don I
be frightened when ! lift my head and
tell the fools / am coming"
As they came in sight Of the negro
quarters Timoleon raised his head
high in the air and neighed shrilly
three times in quick succession. II
sounded like challenge to man and
beast. That plantation had heard n
many times before, and it had always
been the forerunner Of some display
of sayagery on the part of the black
stallion sometimes negro run down
and trampled, sometimes mule or a
COW crippled; but always something
The sound of it was always heard with
dismay, except by Aaron.
1t was no wonder, therefore, that
the negroes came out of their cabins
with alarm painted on their faces. Il
was 10 wonder they stood transfixec
when they saw the horse flying along
the road, his thick name whipping the
wind, with the two children on ms
back They had no time TO admire the
strength and symmetry OF the horse
and yet he presented beautiful sigh
his glossy neck arched, his lone
name inyeloping the children as IN
cloud, the fluctuations of his magniii
cent form, and his swift movements
the perfection Of grace.
Once more, as he Numbered across
the bridge that spanned the stream
leading from the spring, the black stall
lion screamed forth his note Of def
ance. A man coming along the roat
went over the fence as nimbly as /;
squirrel Cows grazing in the field
aan1. the roadside hoigfp1 their tails in