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Your go-to podcast that offers you a calm and relaxing transition into a great night's sleep.
It is time to relax and fully let go.
There is nothing you need to be doing now,
And nowhere you need to go.
Close your eyes and feel yourself sink into the support beneath you and let all the worries of the day drift away.
This is your time and your space.
Take a deep breath in through your nose and let it out with a long sigh.
There is nothing you need to be doing now,
And nowhere you need to go.
Happy listening.
Chapter 17 Going for the Doctor One night,
A few days after James had left,
I had eaten my hay and was lying down in my straw fast asleep,
When suddenly I was aroused by the stable bell ringing very loud.
I heard the door of John's house open and his feet running up to the hall.
He was back again in no time.
He unlocked the stable door and came in,
Calling out,
Wake up,
Beauty!
You must go well now,
If ever you did!
And almost before I could think,
He'd got the saddle on my back and the bridle on my head.
He'd just run around for his coat,
Then took me at a quick trot up to the hall door,
Where the squire stood with a lamp in his hand.
Now,
John,
He said,
Ride for your life,
That is,
For your mistress's life.
There's not a moment to lose.
Give this note to Dr White,
Give your horse a rest at the inn and be back as soon as you can.
Yes,
Sir,
Said John,
And he was on my back in a minute.
The gardener who lived at the lodge had heard the bell rang and was ready with the gate open.
Away we went through the park and through the village and down the hill till we came to the tall gate.
John called very loud and thumped upon the door,
And the man was soon out and flung open the gate for us.
Keep the gate open for the doctor,
Here's the money,
Said John.
Then off we went again.
There was before us a long piece of level road by the riverside,
And John said,
Now beauty,
Do your best.
So I did.
I wanted no wit nor spur,
And for two miles I galloped as fast as I could lay my feet to the ground.
I don't believe my old grandfather,
Who won the race at Newmarket,
Could have gone any faster.
When we came to the bridge,
John pulled me up a little and patted my neck.
Well done,
Good old fellow,
He said.
He would have let me go slower,
But my spirit was up and I was off again as fast as before.
The air was frosty,
The moon was bright,
It was very pleasant.
We came through a village,
Then through a dark wood,
Then uphill,
Downhill,
Till after eight miles we came at last to the town.
We trotted through the streets and into the marketplace,
But it was caught quiet except the clatter of my feet on the stones.
Everyone was asleep.
The church clock struck three as we drew up at Dr.
White's door,
And John rang the bell twice.
Then he knocked at the door like thunder.
A window was thrown up,
And Dr.
White in his nightcap put his head out and yelled,
What do you want?
Mrs.
Gordon,
She's very ill,
Sir.
Master wants you to go at once.
He thinks you'll die if you can't get there.
Here's a note.
Wait,
He said,
I will come.
Then he shut the window and soon he was at the front door.
The worst of it is,
He said,
My horse has been out all day.
It's quite done up.
My son's just been sent for and he's taken the other horse.
What's to be done?
Can I have your horse?
He's come at a gallop nearly all the way,
Sir,
And I was to give him a rest here.
But I think my master wouldn't be against it if you think fit,
Sir.
All right,
Said the doctor.
I'll soon be ready.
I was very hot at that moment,
But John stood by me and stroked my neck.
Then the doctor came out with his riding whip.
Oh,
You need not take that,
Sir,
Said John.
Black Beauty will go till he drops.
Take good care of him,
Sir,
If you can.
I should not like any harm to come to him.
No,
John,
Of course,
I'm sure you would not,
Said the doctor.
And in a minute we had left John at the house far behind us.
I will not tell about our way back.
The doctor was a heavier man than John and not so good a rider.
However,
I did my best.
The man at the toll gate had it open and was waiting for us.
And when we came to the hill,
The doctor drew me up and said,
Now my good fellow,
Take some breath.
I was glad he did in fact,
For I was nearly spent.
But that breath helped me on.
And soon we were in the park.
Joe was at the lodge gate and my master was at the hall door.
He had heard us coming and he spoke not a word.
The doctor went into the house with him and Joe led me to the stable.
I was so glad to get home that night.
My legs shook under me and I could only stand and pant.
I had not a dry hair on my body.
The water ran down my legs and I steamed all over,
Joe said,
Like a pot on the fire.
Poor Joe,
He was so young and small and as yet he knew very little.
His father who would have helped him had been sent to the next village.
But I'm sure the lad did the very best that he knew.
He rubbed my legs and my chest,
But he did not put my warm cloth on me.
He thought I was so hot I should not like it.
Then he gave me a pail full of water to drink.
It was cold and very good and I drank it all.
He put some hay down and some corn and thinking he'd done right,
Then he went away.
But soon I began to shake and tremble and I turned deadly cold.
My legs were aching now and my loins ached too.
My chest was on fire and I felt sore all over.
How I wished for my warm thick cloth as I stood and trembled there that night.
How I wished for John,
But he had eight miles to walk.
So I lay down in my straw and tried to go to sleep.
After a long while I heard John at the door.
I gave a low moan then for I was in great pain,
But he was at my side in a moment and he stooped down beside me.
I could not tell him how I felt,
Of course,
But he seemed to know it all.
He covered me up with two or three warm cloths and then he ran to the house for some hot water.
Once I was settled he made me some warm gruel and I drank this and then I think I went to sleep.
The next day John seemed to be very much put out.
I heard him say to himself over and over again,
Stupid boy,
Stupid boy.
No cloth put on and I dare say the water was cold too.
Those boys are no good.
He's just no good.
But Joe was a good boy.
He was trying his best.
He just didn't know enough.
By this time I was now very ill.
A strong inflammation had attacked my lungs and I could not draw my breath without pain.
Night and day John stayed by me,
Nursing me.
He would get up sometimes two or three times if it was necessary.
My master too often came to see me.
My poor beauty,
He said one day.
My good horse,
You saved your mistress's life,
Beauty.
You saved her life.
I was very glad to hear that,
For it seems the doctor had said if we'd been a bit longer it would have been too late.
John told my master he had never seen a horse go so fast in all his life and it seemed as if I knew what was the matter so fast I was going.
Of course I did,
But John didn't realise that.
That night I was certain of this.
John and I must go at the top of our speed and it was all for the sake of my mistress.
