I exclaimed , quite carried away by her ardor . '' ' I wish you had , for I won , I won ! The big black horse did his best , but I had vowed to win or die , and I kept my word , for I beat him by a head , and then dropped as if dead . I might as well have died then , people thought , for the poison , the exertion , and the fall ruined me for a racer . My master cared no more for me , and would have had me shot if Bill had not saved my life . I was pronounced good for nothing , and he bought me cheap . I was lame and useless for a long time , but his patient care did wonders , and just as I was able to be of use to him he was killed . '' ' A gentleman in want of a saddle-horse purchased me because my easy gait and quiet temper suited him ; for I was meek enough now , and my size fitted me to carry his delicate daughter . '' ` For more than a year I served little Miss Alice , rejoicing to see how rosy her pale cheeks became , how upright her feeble figure grew , thanks to the hours spent with me ; for my canter rocked her as gently as if she were in a cradle , and fresh air was the medicine she needed . She often said she owed her life to me , and I liked to think so , for she made my life a very easy one . '' ` But somehow my good times never lasted long , and when Miss Alice went West I was sold . I had been so well treated that I looked as handsome and gay as ever , though my shoulder never was strong again , and I often had despondent moods , longing for the excitement of the race-course with the instinct of my kind ; so I was glad when , attracted by my spirit and beauty , a young army officer bought me and I went to the war . Ah ! you never guessed that , did you ? Yes , I did my part gallantly and saved my master 's life more than once . You have observed how martial music delights me , but you do n't know that it is because it reminds me of the proudest hour of my life . I 've told you about the saddest ; let me relate this also , and give me a pat for the brave action which won my master his promotion , though I got no praise for my part of the achievement . '' ` In one of the hottest battles my captain was ordered to lead his men to a most perilous exploit . They hesitated , so did he ; for it must cost many lives , and , brave as they were , they paused an instant . But I settled the point , for I was wild with the sound of drums , the smell of powder , the excitement of the hour , and , finding myself sharply reined in , I rebelled , took the bit between my teeth , and dashed straight away into the midst of the fight , spite of all my rider could do .
The men thought their XXXXX led them on , and with a cheer they followed , carrying all before them . ''
canter captain cheeks horse instant instinct kind pat people praise