My new master was Jeremiah Barker. Everyone called him Jerry. His wife, Polly, was a very tidy and kind woman. Harry was twelve years old and worked hard. Dolly was eight years old. They were a very happy family. Jerry owned a cab (a carriage that people pay to ride in). He had two horses and did all the work himself.
The other horse was named Captain. He was an old, white horse. When he was young, he was very beautiful. He still held his head high. Captain was a noble horse. He told me that he was once in a war. He belonged to a soldier in the cavalry (soldiers who fight on horses).
The next morning, Polly and Dolly came to see me. Harry said I was a very good horse. Polly gave me a piece of apple. Dolly gave me a piece of bread. They petted me and spoke softly. They decided to call me "Jack." Jerry said I was a very good runner.
Jerry put the harness on me in the afternoon. He was very careful and gentle. He did not use a check-rein or a curb. He used a simple snaffle (a simple metal bit for a horse's mouth). This felt very good. We drove to the large cab stand. Many other cabs were waiting there.
The other drivers looked at me. Some men made jokes. They said I was too smart for a cab. But a man named Governor Grant came to see me. He was an important man on the stand. He looked at me and liked me. He told Jerry that I was the right sort of horse.
My first week in London was very difficult. The city was very noisy and crowded. There were many horses and carts. I felt very nervous. But I soon learned to trust Jerry. He was a very good driver. He was always kind to me. He rarely used his whip.
Jerry kept the stable very clean. He gave us plenty of good food. He also gave us plenty of fresh water. Some grooms do not give horses enough water. But Jerry let us drink whenever we wanted. This is much better for a horse.
The best thing about this home was Sunday. We did not work on Sundays. It was a day for rest. Captain and I could talk to each other. On these days, Captain told me his life story.