Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-08
Alexander Tames the Horse.

A FAMOUS old horse dealer had just
n brought his most beautiful coal black
steed to King Phillip. For years
every one had admired this steed, but not
until now had any one been willing to
give old Philonicus $4,000 for the animal.
AS that was the only price the owner
would take, he had kept his horse The
shrewd old fellow had also kept a secret
and it was that the black beauty had
never been tanned, for not a horseman
In Greece had ever been able to mount
him. That morning after the king had
bought the steed, it was led by the
another Of King Phillips most skillful
horsemen tried to ride the animal: One
after the other they failed. for old Blu
cephalus reared upon his hind legs and
dashed them away on all sides. When
they became angry they even abused the
creature with stones and ropes, but the
war horse would not be conquered by
such as they.
or course. the king was greatly pro-
voked to think that old Philonicus had
He was furious to think that his men
were not more skillful, 50 he said: Take
the steed away. / have no use for him. y
All this time the kings young son.
men who were attempting to break the
spirit Of the proud beauty. I'VE lose a
good horse because the men have not
skill enough to mount him." he said,
looking scornfully at his fathers horse
men.
The boy angered the king, for the father
spoke In this way to his son:
DO you think that an untried lad like
you can ride the horse when the best
horse tanners In the country have failed?'
II can." answered the boy.
You may be sure that there was more
than one person to laugh at his boast
but the king said: IF you fail, what price
will you pay for your naughty boast?"
II will give the price of the horse"
That looked as If the prince meant ia
try to be as good as his word, so he was
| allowed to go into the field. From the
start Alexander knew what he was about
Instead of mistreating the animal he used
around so that he could not become
frightened at seeing his own shadow
After little gentle stroking and coaxing
and before the animal knew It, the boy
for a while to throw his rider. but, see
ing that he was no longer the master,
soon allowed Alexander to drive him
round and round the field.
King fnll1p HdO never lett SO PROUD
in all his life. for when the boy returned
he said: Go. my son. and seek king
dom which is worthy of you. Our land
of Macedonia is far too small for such
as YOU"
After the first ride Beucephalus would
let no one but the prince come near him.
For sixteen years he was SO faithful to
his master that he would kneel In order
to let Alexander mount him more easily.
The famous war horse carried his master
through fierce wars. Sometimes he swan
rivers with him his back or crossed
high and dangerous mountains. In a
fierce battle that Alexander the Great
fought in India, he rode too far into the
enemy's ranks. For while he and his
horse were targets for many cruel spears,
but faithful old Beucephalus, wounded by
many of the weapons. carried his master
to a place of safety and then died The
king, knowing that he had lost one Of his
best friends, wept for his horse. Old
Beucephalus was given a splendid funeral
and Alexander built tomb to his men,
DRY. The king felt so sad that the very
next city which he founded he named
Beucephalia In honor Of his trusted steed.