[00:00.06] Chapter nine.
[00:02.01] Ruined.
[00:04.84] While Mr. York was in London, a man called Reuben Smith was left in charge of the stables.
[00:10.78] He was clever, and he was excellent with horses.
[00:14.71] The only trouble was, he had a drink problem.
[00:18.95] One day, Reuben rode me into town.
[00:22.82] He left me at the White Lion Inn, telling the Ostler to have me ready at four sharp for the ride home.
[00:32.07] 4 o'clock came and went, but there was no sign of Reuben.
[00:36.83] I waited patiently, and it was 9 o'clock before Reuben finally came to collect me.
[00:43.68] I could tell at once that something was wrong.
[00:47.91] Instead of the polite, gentle person I knew, Reuben was loud and pushy.
[00:54.79] It was clear that he had been drinking.
[00:57.79] Did you know that your horse has a loose shoe?" asked the Ostler politely.
[01:05.42] Tough.
[01:07.80] It can wait till we get home," snapped Reuben, leading me out of the stable.
[01:14.54] Reuben rode like a mad thing, whipping me to make me go faster, even though I was galloping flat out.
[01:23.50] My shoe grew looser and more uncomfortable, and I wished I could stop.
[01:29.88] Then suddenly my shoe fell off.
[01:33.97] Reuben didn't notice, and forced me on over the stones.
[01:39.51] They split my poor hoof, and it was so sore.
[01:45.76] Bravely, I kept galloping in spite of the terrible pain.
[01:50.87] But I couldn't keep it up, and suddenly I stumbled and fell on my knees.
[01:57.58] Reuben flew to the ground.
[02:00.49] He landed heavily, groaned once, and then fell silent.
[02:09.44] I felt like groaning too, but I managed to struggle up.
[02:14.57] My knees were in agony, and I wished that Reuben would get up and take me home.
[02:21.16] He didn't.
[02:24.85] It wasn't until around midnight that help finally came.
[02:29.92] I was so glad to hear a voice I knew, coming from close by.
[02:35.49] Ginger!" I whinnied, as my old friend came along pulling the dog cart.
[02:43.25] Two men were riding in the cart, and they were very glad to see me.
[02:49.41] Thank goodness, we found them!" said one, jumping down and running over.
[02:55.63] Oh no!" exclaimed the other.
[03:00.69] Reuben's dead.
[03:03.74] The horse must have thrown him.
[03:07.83] How terrible!
[03:11.80] I was angry and upset that I'd been blamed for Reuben's death, when it wasn't my fault.
[03:19.92] I was suffering too.
[03:23.28] My knees were burning, and I could hardly stand up.
[03:29.89] It was a horrible walk home, and I'll never forget it.
[03:35.94] Poor Reuben lay in the cart, cold as stone, while I painfully hobbled behind.
[03:45.74] Back at the stable, my knees were cleaned, and a hot poultice put on my foot, to draw the heat out of it.
[03:54.78] I was in agony, but at least the treatment helped.
[03:59.60] It also helped when everyone realized that Reuben had been drunk, and the accident was his fault and not mine.
[04:09.97] The next day, the farrier came to treat my knees and leg.
[04:16.16] The pain went on for many days, but once I started to get better, I was put out to graze in a small meadow.
[04:25.64] It was good to have my freedom again, although I missed the company of the other horses, especially my dear friend Ginger.
[04:36.10] So imagine my excitement, when one day Ginger was led into the field.
[04:44.91] Sadly, she was not there for a holiday.
[04:51.88] Lord George had ridden her too hard and ruined her health.
[04:58.41] Poor Ginger.
[05:01.86] She was never the same again, and suffered terribly with her back and breathing.
[05:11.31] Look at us," she said sadly.
[05:16.87] Two young horses, both ruined by our owners.
[05:23.85] Life is cruel.
[05:28.91] A few days later, life got even worse.
[05:34.39] Lord W and Mr. York came to see me.
[05:41.43] The black horse has to go," said Lord W.
[05:47.00] I don't want a horse with scarred knees.
[05:50.96] He looks awful.
[05:54.92] Mr. York knew a man who kept a livery stable in Bath, who said he would buy me.
[06:03.61] Black Aster will be well treated there," he said.
[06:08.75] And so it was, a week later, I was on my way to Bath, and it all happened so suddenly that I didn't even have time to say goodbye to my dear friend Ginger.