The Nursery, No. 106, October, 1875. Vol. XVIII. | Page 4

Five sorts of neighing may be noticed: that of joyfulness, of desire, of
anger, of fear, and of sorrow. A feeling peculiar to the horse is
emulation. Whoever has witnessed a horse-race can understand the
ardor, vehemence, and struggle for victory, which excite the energies of
both horses and men. The animals have often tried to hold their rivals
back by the teeth. This has been known to happen when the horses are
left entirely to themselves, as on some of the Italian race-courses,
where the horses run without riders.
The horse has a strong memory. Franklin relates, that he had a horse
that conducted him through a hilly country where it was difficult to find
the road. Every time Franklin himself was unable to tell which road to
take, he would leave the reins on the horse's neck, and the good beast,
left to itself, never failed to go right.
[Illustration]
The noblest conquest that man ever made over the animal creation is

that of the horse. Every thing in him breathes out vivacity and energy.
That need of continual movement, that impatience during repose, that
nervous motion of the lips, that stamping of the feet, all indicate a
pressing need of activity.
UNCLE CHARLES.

THE PET OF THE SHIP.

PART III.
One day when the ship was at anchor in one of the ports on the western
coast of South America, a number of sheep were brought on board.
Whether Dennis regarded them as intruders, or not, I cannot say; but
his treatment of them was anything but kind.
[Illustration]
The poor sheep stood in great fear of him, and fled in alarm whenever
he made a charge at them. One by one they began to disappear; and, at
last, only one--a little fellow whom the sailors afterward named
Billy--was left.
He was greatly distressed when the last of his companions was taken
away, and ran bleating about the deck in search of him. To add to his
troubles, that dreadful bully Dennis, who had been watching him for
some time, was now coming towards him. He was frightened nearly to
death.
What must have been his delight when he saw in Dennis's eyes a look
of pity, and heard his friendly grunt! I don't know what Dennis said; but
I do know, that, half an hour afterwards, Billy had forgotten all about
his troubles, and was lying down with his head resting in Dennis's fat
neck.

Even the rough sailors were pleased; and as they looked at Dennis, who
was fast asleep, they said, "Now that was a fine thing, and Dennis was
the pig to do it. He was willing to fight with a flock of sheep; but, when
it came to quarrelling with one little fellow, he was too noble for that."
[Illustration]
Thenceforth Dennis and Billy were inseparable, and no pair ever agreed
better. There were times, however, when Dennis seemed a little vexed
with Billy, though he was always as kind as possible. I will tell you of
an instance.
Billy would always watch the crowd about Dennis, when the latter was
taking his bath, with a great deal of anxiety; and, if Dennis did not
appear very shortly, he would begin bleating loudly.
This would disgust Dennis immensely; but he couldn't bear to think
that Billy's feelings were hurt: so he would leave his nice bath, and
push his way through the men, until Billy could see him. Then he
would return to the pump, grunting in a manner that plainly showed his
feelings.
He was certainly saying, "I do wish that sheep had a little more of the
pig about him. If I am out of his sight for a moment, he begins to cry,
and take on in such a manner, that I must show myself to him; and then
I have all the trouble of making the sailors pump again."
But the sailors only waited to make Dennis beg a little. They had no
idea of not pumping again. They were always pleased when he showed
so much good feeling for Billy; and generally he got a larger allowance
of water to pay for it.
I believe that Dennis was not living when the ship reached California.
That ever he became food for his sailor friends no one can imagine.
Therefore his fate must remain a mystery, unless some of my readers
happen to know one of the crew of "The Vanderbilt," and can learn
from him something on the subject.

If they can, there are many, no doubt, who would be glad to hear from
them in the pages of "The Nursery." My little girls would, at least. But,
probably, Dennis has more of a place in their thoughts than he can have
in those of others.
C.E.C.
[Illustration]