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issued orders； but this was only in fits and starts； and although
Jonas came up two or three times a week to the house nominally to
receive her orders； he managed her so adroitly that while she
believed that everything was done by her directions； she in reality
only followed out the suggestions which； in the first place； came
from him。
She was aware； however； that there was less content and happiness
on the estate than there had been in the old times。 Complaints had
reached her from time to time of overwork and harsh treatment。
But upon inquiring into these matters； Jonas had always such
plausible reasons to give that she was convinced he was in the
right； and that the fault was among the slaves themselves； who
tried to take advantage of the fact that they had no longer a
master's eye upon them； and accordingly tried to shirk work； and to
throw discredit upon the man who looked after the interests of
their mistress； and so gradually Mrs。 Wingfield left the
management of affairs more and more in the hands of Jonas； and
relied more implicitly upon him。
The overseer spared no pains to gain the good…will of Vincent。
When the latter declared that the horse he rode had not sufficient
life and spirit for him； Jonas had set inquiries on foot； and had
selected for him a horse which； for speed and bottom； had no
superior in the State。 One of Mrs。 Wingfleld's acquaintances；
however； upon hearing that she had purchased the animal； told her
that it was notorious for its vicious temper； and she spoke angrily
to Jonas on the subject in the presence of Vincent。 The overseer
excused himself by saying that he had certainly heard that the
horse was high spirited and needed a good rider； and that he should
not have thought of selecting it had he not known that Mr。 Vincent
was a first…class rider； and would not care to have a horse that any
child could manage。
The praise was not undeserved。 The gentlemen of Virginia were
celebrated as good riders； and Major Wingfield； himself a cavalry
man； had been anxious that Vincent should maintain the credit of
his English blood； and had placed him on a pony as soon as he was
able to sit on one。 A pony had been kept for his use during his
holidays at his uncle's in England； and upon his return Vincent
had； except during the hours he spent with his father； almost lived
on horseback； either riding about the estate； or paying visits to the
houses of other planters。
For an hour or more every day he exercised his father's horses in a
paddock near the house； the major being wheeled down in an
easy…chair and superintending his riding。 As these horses had little
to do and were full of spirit； Vincent's powers were often taxed to
the utmost； and he had many falls； but the soil was light； and he
had learned the knack of falling easily； and from constant practice
was able at the age of fourteen to stick on firmly even without a
saddle； and was absolutely fearless as to any animal he mounted。
In the two years which had followed he had kept up his riding。
Every morning after breakfast he rode to Richmond； six miles
distant； put up his horse at some stable there； and spent three hours
at school； the rest of the day was his own； and he would often ride
off with some of his schoolfellows who had also come in from a
distance； and not return home till late in the evening。 Vincent took
after his English father rather than his Virginian mother both in
appearance and character； and was likely to become as tall and
brawny a man as the former had been when he first won the love
of the rich Virginian heiress。
He was full of life and energy； and in this respect offered a strong
contrast to most of his schoolfellows of the same age。 For
although splendid riders and keen sportsmen； the planters of
Virginia were in other respects inclined to indolence； the result
partly of the climate； partly of their being waited upon from
childhood by attendants ready to carry out every wish。 He had his
father's cheerful disposition and good temper； together with the
decisive manner so frequently acquired by a service in the army；
and at the same time be had something of the warmth and
enthusiasm of the Virginian character。
Good rider as he was he was somewhat surprised at the horse the
overseer had selected for him。 It was certainly a splendid animal；
with great bone and power； but there was no mistaking the
expression of its turned…back eye； and the ears that lay almost flat
on the head when any one approached him。
〃It is a splendid animal； no doubt； Jonas；〃 he said the first time lie
inspected it； 〃but he certainly looks as if lie had a beast of a
temper。 I fear what was told my mother about him is no
exaggeration； for Mr。 Markham told me to…day； when I rode down
there with his son； and said that we had bought Wildfire； that a
friend of his had had him once； and only kept him for a week； for
he was the most vicious brute he ever saw。〃
〃I am sorry I have bought him now； sir；〃 Jonas said。 〃Of course I
should not have done so if I had heard these things before； but I
was told he was one of the finest horses in the country； only a little
tricky； and as his price was so reasonable I thought it a great
bargain。 But I see now I was wrong； and that it wouldn't be right
for you to mount him； so I think we had best send him in on
Saturday to the market and let it go for what it will fetch。 You see；
sir； if you had been three or four years older it would have been
different； but naturally at your age you don't like to ride such a
horse as that。〃
〃I sha'n't give it up without a trial；〃 Vincent said shortly。 〃It is
about the finest horse I ever saw； and if it hadn't been for its
temper； it would be cheap at five times the sum you gave for it。 I
have ridden a good many bad…tempered horses for my friends
during the last year； and the worst of them couldn't get me off。〃
〃Well； sir； of course you will do as you please；〃 Jonas said； 〃but
please to remember if any harm comes of it that I strongly advised
you not to have anything to do with it； and I did my best to
dissuade you from trying。〃
Vincent nodded carelessly； and then turned to the black groom。
〃Jake； get out that cavalry saddle of my father's； with the high
cantle and pommel； and the rolls for the knees。 It's like an
armchair； and if one can't stick on on that； one deserves to be
thrown。〃
While the groom was putting on the saddle； Vincent stood patting
the horse's head and talking to it； and then taking its rein led it
down into the inclosure。
〃No； I don't want the whip； 〃 he said； as Jake offered him one。 〃I
have got the spurs； and likely enough the horse's temper may have
been spoiled by knocking it about with a whip； but we will try
what kindness will do with it first。〃
〃Me no like his look； Massa Vincent； he debbie ob a hoss dat。〃
〃I don't think he has a nice temper； Jake； but people learn to