Stories about the Instinct of Animals, Their Characters, and Habits | Page 4

the rocks, and bilged; and
while the greater part of the crew fell an immediate sacrifice to the
waves, the remainder were seen from the shore struggling for their lives,
by clinging to the different pieces of the wreck. The sea ran dreadfully
high, and broke over the sailors with such amazing fury, that no boat
whatever could venture off to their assistance. Meanwhile a planter,
considerably advanced in life, had come from his farm to be a spectator
of the shipwreck; his heart was melted at the sight of the unhappy
seamen, and knowing the bold and enterprizing spirit of his horse, and
his particular excellence as a swimmer, he instantly determined to make
a desperate effort for their deliverance. He alighted, and blew a little
brandy into his horse's nostrils, and again seating himself in the saddle,
he instantly pushed into the midst of the breakers. At first both
disappeared, but it was not long before they floated on the surface, and
swam up to the wreck; when taking with him two men, each of whom
held by one of his boots, he brought them safe to shore. This perilous
expedition he repeated no seldomer than seven times, and saved
fourteen lives; but on his return the eighth time, his horse being much
fatigued, and meeting a most formidable wave, he lost his balance, and
was overwhelmed in a moment. The horse swam safely to land, but his
gallant rider sank to rise no more."
"That was very unfortunate, Uncle Thomas. I suppose the planter had
been so fatigued with his previous exertions, that he had not strength to

struggle with the strong waves."
"Very likely, indeed, Harry. I dare say the poor animal felt the loss of
his kind owner very much, for the horse soon becomes attached to his
master, and exhibits traits of intelligence and fidelity, certainly not
surpassed by those of any other animal: for instance,--A gentleman,
who was one dark night riding home through a wood, had the
misfortune to strike his head against the branch of a tree, and fell from
his horse stunned by the blow. The noble animal immediately returned
to the house they had left, which stood about a mile distant. He found
the door closed,--the family had retired to bed. He pawed at it, however,
till one of them, hearing the noise, arose and opened it, and, to his
surprise, saw the horse of his friend. No sooner was the door opened
than the horse turned round as if it wished to be followed; and the man,
suspecting there was something wrong, followed the animal, which led
him directly to the spot where its wounded master lay on the ground.
"There is another story of a somewhat similar description in which a
horse saved his master from perishing among the snow. It happened in
the North of Scotland.
"A gentleman connected with the Excise was returning home from one
of his professional journies. His way lay across a range of hills, the
road over which was so blocked up with snow as to leave all trace of it
indiscernible. Uncertain how to proceed, he resolved to trust to his
horse, and throwing loose the reins, allowed him to choose his course.
The animal proceeded cautiously, and safely for some time, till coming
to a ravine, horse and rider sunk in a snow-wreath several fathoms
deep.
"Stunned by the suddenness and depth of the descent, the gentleman lay
for some time insensible. On recovering, he found himself nearly three
yards from the dangerous spot, with his faithful horse standing over
him and licking the snow from his face. He accounts for his extrication,
by supposing that the bridle must have been attached to his person, but
so completely had he lost all sense of consciousness, that beyond the
bare fact as stated, he had no knowledge of the means by which he
made so remarkable an escape."

"It was at any rate very kind in the horse to clear away the snow, Uncle
Thomas."
"No doubt of it, John, and perhaps he owed his life quite as much to
this act of kindness as to being pulled out of the ravine. He might have
been as certainly choked by the snow out of it as in it. Sometimes the
horse becomes much attached to the animals with which it associates,
and its feelings of friendship are as powererful as those of the dog. A
gentleman of Bristol had a greyhound which slept in the same stable,
and contracted a very great intimacy with a fine hunter. When the dog
was taken out, the horse neighed wistfully after him, and seemed to
long for its return; he welcomed him home with a neigh; the greyhound
ran up to the horse and licked