Black Beauty (19)

(10) Reuben Smith's downfall

When our master and his familywent to London in the spring, they left Reuben Smith in charge of the horses that stayed behind.

He was a very good man ーmost of the time.
He had one great fault howeverーthe love of drink, although he had promised never to touch another drop.

just before the family was due to return, Smith had to go up to town and chose me for a journey.

On the way there, he was his usual thughtful self.

In town however, he began todrink, and it was late when we started back.

Suddenly,  he began  to gallop, harder and harder.
Sometimes he whipped me, although I was already going at full speed.

I had a loose shoe, and the speed we were going at loosened it still more.

It came off and I stumbled, falling on my knees.

Smith was flung off by my fall and lay groaning some distance away.

After  a while , he stopped groaning nad lay still.

At first it was thought that Reuben Smith's death was my fault.

Then my sore hoof was discovered, and everyone realised that Smith must have been drinking aqain.

Later, several people said that he had been drunk when we left town.

(19/25)
(Reuben Smith's downfall 1/2)