"There was nothing for it but to leave poor Nelly to her fate. It seemed as if she divined our intent, for, as we turned away, she uttered a piercing scream. Mother burst into tears.
"'I can't stand it,' she said, covering her ears.
"Again and again Nelly's voice rang out. Steve stood there, his face drawn and white. All at once he took out his watch.
"'It's twelve o'clock!' he cried; 'father'll be home in a moment, and if Prince hears Nelly he'll go mad. Head 'em off, Jack!'
"I didn't wait for another word, but ran with all my might down the road by which they always came.
"As fate would have it, they had chosen the other one that day, and were well along, before I caught sight of them. Father had taken Prince out of the plow, and harnessed him to a little single-seated gig we had. He was driving him, and Ned was walking behind. I saw Steve running toward them, but he was still at a distance.
"'Father,' I yelled at the top of my voice, 'stop! father! the stable's on fire. Turn Prince back. Nelly is burning!'
"Father didn't seem to understand, for although he listened, he kept driving slowly on.
"I shouted again, running toward them, and gesticulating frantically. All at once Ned caught my meaning, and bounding like a deer in front of the gig, grabbed Prince by the head to turn him, but at that very moment a terrible scream from poor Nelly split our ears, and in less time than it takes to tell there was a maddened horse plunging in midair, with four strong men clinging to him, trying to hold him back.
"'Let him go, boys! Let him go!' shouted father; 'it's no use! Let him go, I tell you! He'll kill us all!'
"'Oh, God! I can't let the old fellow burn up!' sobbed Steve.
"But Prince had begun to lay about him with his teeth, and father knocked Steve down to get him out of the way.
"I believe we all sobbed, as we watched the old hero go up that hill and into the stable; Nelly was quiet now, and the doors were down.
"We heard him groan once or twice, and then mother came to meet us, and took us all into the house.
"It's out yonder--the monument we put up. It's over both of them."
"Well, what has that horse story to do with men?" asked a sneering voice, when I had finished my little tale, and Mrs. Purblind and I were sitting silent.