One night, I was sleeping in my straw. Suddenly, the stable bell rang very loudly. John Manly ran to the big house and then ran back to me. He put a saddle on my back very quickly.
Squire Gordon was at the door with a lamp. He told John Manly to ride very fast. He said that Mistress Gordon was very ill. John Manly must find Dr. White. "Ride to save her life!" Squire Gordon said.
We ran through the park and through the village. We reached a toll-gate (a gate on a road where you must pay money to pass). John Manly shouted to the man to open the gate. Then we galloped along the river.
I ran as fast as I could. I wanted to help Mistress Gordon. We went through a wood and over hills. Finally, we reached the town. It was three o'clock in the morning. Everyone was asleep.
John Manly rang Dr. White’s bell and knocked loudly. Dr. White looked out of the window. John Manly gave him the note from Squire Gordon. Dr. White said his own horses were too tired to run.
Dr. White asked to ride me. John Manly said I was tired, but the doctor could take me. Dr. White got on my back. We ran all the way back to the house. I was very hot and tired, but I did not stop.
When we reached the house, Squire Gordon took the doctor inside. Joe Green took me to the stable. My legs were shaking and I was breathing very hard. I was wet all over and steam rose from my body.
Joe Green was young and he did not know what to do. He rubbed my legs, but he did not put my warm cloth on me. He thought I was too hot. Then he gave me a pail of cold water to drink.
After Joe Green left, I began to shake. I felt very cold. My body ached and I felt a lot of pain. I waited for John Manly. When John Manly came back, he saw that I was very sick.
John Manly was angry with Joe Green. He put warm cloths on me and gave me warm food. I had inflammation (a dangerous illness that causes heat and pain) in my lungs. I could not breathe easily.
John Manly stayed with me all night. Squire Gordon came to see me too. He said that I saved the life of Mistress Gordon. I was very happy to hear that news. I was sick, but I was a hero.