“That’s well,” said the squire, “I will try him myself tomorrow.”

The next day I was brought up for my master. I remembered my mother’s counsel and my good old master’s, and I tried to do exactly what he wanted me to do. I found he was a very good rider, and thoughtful for his horse too. When he came home the lady was at the hall door as he rode up.

“Well, my dear,” she said, “how do you like him?”

“He is exactly what John said,” he replied, “a pleasanter creature I never wish to mount. What shall we call him?”

“Would you like Ebony?” said she, “he is as black as ebony.”

“No, not Ebony.”

“Will you call him Blackbird, like your uncle’s old horse?”