Dan let him sniff about and perplex himself for a few minutes; then he looked up at him, saying, as decidedly as if the horse could understand, "You think you have beaten, but you are mistaken, old boy; and I'll ride you yet see if I don't." He tried no more that day, but soon after attempted a new method of introducing Charlie to a burden.

He strapped a folded blanket on his back, and then let him race, and rear, and roll, and fume as much as he liked.

After a few fits of rebellion Charlie submitted, and in a few days permitted Dan to mount him, often stopped short to look round, as if he said, half patiently, half reproachfully, "I don't understand it, but I suppose you mean no harm, so I permit the liberty." Dan patted and praised him, and took a short turn every day, getting frequent falls, but persisting in spite of them, and longing to try a saddle and bridle, but not daring to confess what he had done.

He had his wish, however, for there had been a witness of his pranks who said a good word for him.
"Do you know what that chap has ben doin' lately ?" asked Silas of his master, one evening, as he received his orders for the next day.
"Which boy ?" said Mr.Bhaer, with an air of resignation, expecting some sad revelation.
"Dan, he's ben a breaking the colt, sir, and I wish I may die if he ain't done it," answered Silas, chuckling.
"How do you know ?" "Wal, I kinder keep an eye on the little fellers, and most gen'lly know what they're up to; so when Dan kep going off to the paster, and coming home black and blue, I mistrusted that suthing was goin' on.

I didn't say nothin', but I crep up into the barn chamber, and from there I see him goin' through all manner of games with Charlie.