His other horse was a tall, white, rather large-boned animal, called Captain.

He was old now, but when he was young he must have been splendid; he had still a proud way of holding his head and arching his neck; in fact, he was a high-bred, fine-mannered, noble old horse, every inch of him.

He told me that in his early youth he went to the Crimean War; he belonged to an officer in the cavalry, and used to lead the regiment.
The next morning, when I was well-groomed, Polly and Dolly came into the yard to see me and make friends.

Harry had been helping his father since the early morning, and had stated his opinion that I should turn out "a regular brick." Polly brought me a slice of apple, and Dolly a piece of bread, and made as much of me as if I had been the Black Beauty of olden time.

It was a great treat to be petted again and talked to in a gentle voice, and I let them see as well as I could that I wished to be friendly.