One night soon after James had left Birtwick Park for his new job, I was awakened from a sound sleep by the clang of the stable bell.
John came running in.
His clothes were askew as if he'd pulled them on very quickly.
"Wake up, Beauty!" he called. "You must go as fast as you can!"
Almost before I knew what was happening, he had my saddle and bridle on.
Then he led me out and jogged me over toward the main house.
The squire was standing in the doorway wrapped in a robe.
"Ride for your life, John," he said in a hoarse, anxious voice.
"Or rather, ride for your mistress' life. There's not a moment to lose.
Give Dr. White this note, and then give your horse a rest at the inn.
After that start back as soon as you can."
John took the note from the squire and put it in his pocket.
"Yes, sir," he said. "We'll ride swiftly!"
He swung into the saddle, urging me into a trot as we passed through the gates.
Once we were out on the road, he touched my side with his heel, asking me to canter.
I was fully awake by now and feeling extra alert due to the unusual situation.
It was a moonlit night and almost as bright as day.
Everything looked and felt a little different than it did in the daytime.
Still I knew that John would take care of me and so I wasn't afraid.
Soon we came to a long, level stretch of road along the river.
"Now, Beauty," John said, "do your best."
He closed his legs against my side, and I understood instantly what he wanted.
Stretching my legs, I burst into a gallop.
For the next two miles I ran as fast as I could.
Even my racehorse ancestors couldn't have done any better!
When we reached a bridge, John pulled me back to a trot and patted me.
"Well done, Beauty!" he said. "Good boy!"
On the other side of the bridge, John seemed willing to continue at the trot.
But it was a clear, frosty night, and I was still feeling good and ready to run.
When I moved into a canter, and then a gallop, he allowed me to do so.
We passed through a sleepy village and continued on our way.
After eight miles we finally reached the larger town.
It was very quiet, and my hooves clattered on the pavement.
John steered me toward a street near the market square.
The church clock struck three as we stopped outside the doctor's house.
John rang the bell twice, and then knocked loudly on the door.
An upstairs window slid open.
"What is it?" Dr. White called down, sounding sleepy.
"Mrs. Gordon is very ill, sir," John called back.
"The squire is afraid she'll die if you don't come right away."
"I'll be right down," the doctor said.
The window slid shut again.
Moments later Dr. White was hurrying out toward us, buttoning his coat.
"There's just one problem," he told John.
"My son had to go somewhere tonight and took my horse. Can I ride yours?"
John gave me a worried look.
"He came at a gallop almost the whole way, sir," he told the doctor.
"I was going to let him rest before heading back.
But I suppose the squire would want you to take him if there's no other choice."
Soon the doctor was climbing into the saddle.
I don't wish to say too much about our ride back to Birtwick Park.
The doctor was heavier than John, and not as good a rider.
For those reasons the second eight miles felt much longer than the first.
But I did my very best, galloping as fast as I could for most of the way.
When we came to a steep hill, Dr. White brought me down to a walk.
"All right, boy," he said kindly, giving me a pat.
"Take a breath here before we go on."
Once we reached the top of the hill, all he had to do was touch my sides with his heels.
Then I was off again at a run.
The squire was waiting for us when we got back.
Little Joe stood nearby, yawning and looking sleepy.
The doctor jumped down and hurried into the house with the squire.
But I had no energy to watch them go. I was dead tired.
"Come on, Black Beauty," Little Joe said as he took me by the bridle.
"John won't be back for a while since he has to walk the whole way home.
But don't worry, I'll take good care of you."