One day in autumn, the master had a long journey. I pulled the dog-cart (a light carriage with two wheels). John Manly went with the master. It was a very windy day and there was a lot of rain.
We went across a low wooden bridge. The river was rising fast. The man at the gate was worried about the storm. In some parts of the road, the water was up to my knees.
We went to the town and stayed there for a long time. When we started home, the storm was very strong. We went past a wood. The large branches were moving a lot in the wind.
Suddenly, we heard a loud cracking sound. A large oak tree fell across the road right in front of us. I was very frightened and I stopped. I did not run away, but I trembled.
John Manly jumped out and held my head. We could not drive over the tree or go around it. We had to go back and take a different road. This made us very late.
It was dark when we reached the wooden bridge again. The water was over the middle of the bridge. The master did not stop. He wanted to go home quickly.
When my feet touched the bridge, I knew something was wrong. I stopped and did not move. The master hit me with a whip, but I stayed still. I knew the bridge was not safe.
John Manly came to my head and tried to lead me. Just then, a man ran out with a torch (a light made from fire). He shouted for us to stop.
"The bridge is broken!" he cried. "Part of it is gone. If you go on, you will fall into the river." The master thanked God. John Manly gently turned me around.
We took a different road by the river. It was very dark and quiet. The master and John Manly were very serious. They knew they almost died in the river.
The master said that God gave reason to men. But he gave animals a special knowledge. This knowledge often saves the lives of men. John Manly said people should value their animals more.
When we reached the park gates, everyone was looking for us. The mistress was very worried. She ran out of the house to meet us. She asked if we were safe.
"Yes," the master said. "But we are only safe because Black Beauty was wiser than we were." John Manly took me to the stable and gave me a wonderful supper.
He gave me a bran mash and a thick bed of straw. I was very tired, but I was happy to be home. I felt very proud that I saved my master.