In Part 1, Chapter 19 of Anna Sewell's Black Beauty, soon after
Little Joe Green replaces James Howard as the stable boy at Squire Gordon's
Birtwick Hall, Mistress Gordon falls ill in the middle of the night. John
Manly, the coachman, arouses Black Beauty, called Beauty for short, and rides
him to fetch the doctor to save the mistress's life. Beauty rides with
all his might and is soon safely returned to his stable. However,
sadly, Joe, being new and ignorant, makes a terrible
mistake with the care of Beauty that makes him ill,
nearly to the point of death.
Not only does Beauty ride John to the doctor's, he also rides the doctor to
Squire Gordon's. Upon Beauty's arrival back at Squire Gordon's, Beauty
describes himself as having shaking legs, being able to do nothing but "stand
and pant," and being completely soaked with sweat
Unlock This Answer Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
soaked with sweat:
I had not a dry hair on my body, the water ran down my legs, and I steamed all over. (Ch. 19, Pt. 1)
Under the care of young Joe, whom Beauty is sure "did the very best he
knew," Beauty was rubbed down, given nice cold water to drink, and fed hay and
corn. But, thinking that Beauty was hot, Joe makes the terrible
mistake of not covering Beauty up with his "warm
cloth." Joe did not realize that, as a result of the sweat and cold water,
Beauty would soon be freezing cold.
Left alone in his box in the stable, Beauty grows so freezing
cold that he trembles, aches, and feels "sore all over." When John
finally enters the stable that night, he finds Beauty lying down in his hay and
moaning with pain. John quickly covers him up with multiple blankets and makes
him warm gruel to drink. But the damage was already done; the next morning,
Beauty has a lung infection so bad he "could not draw [his]
breath without pain." But, luckily, with medicine and daily veterinary care,
Beauty returns to health.