[00:00.52]Chapter three.
[00:02.27]A stormy night.
[00:05.69]One blustery day in late autumn, John and I had to take my owner on a business trip.
[00:13.53]The weather was extremely windy, but I was pulling a light cart, so I was able to go quite fast.
[00:22.96]At the tollgate, the squire stopped to speak with the toll man before we crossed the low wooden bridge over the river.
[00:33.95]Don't be late back, the man warned.
[00:37.88]We're in for a bad night, the river's rising fast.
[00:45.83]The weather quickly grew worse.
[00:50.77]We passed soggy meadows and crossed a flooded road where the water came up to my knees.
[00:59.99]At last we reached our destination, but the squire's business took ages, and it was late before we could go home.
[01:09.68]The trees swayed wildly as the wind tore through them, and we were pelted with twigs and leaves.
[01:18.02]I couldn't wait to get back to my nice warm stable.
[01:24.93]Suddenly, there was a terrible cracking noise.
[01:30.95]Overhead an oak tree groaned, then crashed to the ground.
[01:38.10]Its ripped up roots landed right in front of me.
[01:43.35]It was terrifying, and I wanted to run away, but I'd been taught not to, so I stopped where I was, trembling with shock.
[01:57.00]John jumped down from the cart, and his calm voice soon soothed me.
[02:03.87]The road's blocked, John told the squire.
[02:08.39]We'll have to turn round and go home over the wooden bridge.
[02:15.50]It was almost dark when we reached the bridge.
[02:21.70]The middle was flooded, but not too badly, so the squire ordered me on.
[02:29.81]But as I stepped onto the bridge, I knew something was wrong, and I stopped dead.
[02:39.01]Go on, Beauty, said the squire, tapping me sharply with his whip.
[02:47.56]Still, I didn't move.
[02:50.95]Something was terribly wrong, and there was no way I was going any further.
[03:00.66]John leaped down from the cart.
[03:05.41]Come on, Beauty, he said gently.
[03:12.53]I stayed where I was, wishing I could tell John how I felt.
[03:19.58]Get along there, shouted the squire from the cart.
[03:26.00]Suddenly, the door of the toll house crashed open, and a man ran out.
[03:34.62]Stop! he yelled.
[03:38.45]Stop! the bridge is broken in the middle.
[03:44.58]Don't try to cross, or you'll fall in the river.
[03:51.65]I'd been right not to move.
[03:56.83]John was amazed.
[03:59.88]Well done, Beauty! he cried.
[04:09.22]It was very late when we finally got home.
[04:14.55]The squire's wife had waited up, and she ran out of the house calling, Thank goodness you're safe.
[04:23.87]I thought you'd had an accident.
[04:29.45]We nearly did, but Black Beauty saved us, said the squire proudly.
[04:38.12]He's a brave and clever horse.
[04:46.59]That night John gave me a special dinner, and there was extra straw in my stable.