# ■ 11 Goodbye to old friends

One day we were waiting outside one of the London parks when a dirty old cab drove up beside ours．The horse was brown，with bones that showed through her coat．I was eating some hay and the wind took a little of it her way．The poor animal put out her long thin neck and picked it up，then turned and looked for more．There was a hopeless look in her dull eye and I wondered where I'd seen her before．Then she looked straight at me．

Black Beauty，is that you？'she said．

It was Ginger！But how different she looked！Her face，which was once so full of life，was now miserable and full of pain，and her breathing was very bad．

I moved closer to her so that we could have a quiet talk，and it was a sad story that she told me．After twelve months'rest at Earlshall she was considered to be ready to work again，and was sold to a gentleman．She got on well for a little while，but after a long gallop one day，she became ill again．She was rested，was seen by a horse-doctor，then sold．In this way，she went from owner to owner several times，each one poorer than the one before．

So at last I was bought by a man who keeps a number of cabs and horses，and hires them out，'said Ginger．'You look happy and comfortable with life as a cab horse，and I'm glad，but it's different for me． They whip me and work me seven days a week．They say that they paid more for me than I was worth，and now they're trying to get their money back by working me until I drop．'

You used to stand up and fight when people were cruel to you， 'I said．

Yes，I did once，'said Ginger．' But men are stronger than we are，and if they're cruel and have no feelings， then there's nothing we can do about it．Oh，I wish the end would come．I wish I was dead． '

I was very sad．I put my nose against hers but could find nothing to say that would cheer her up．I think she was pleased to see me，because she said，'You're the only friend I ever had．'

A few weeks after this，a cart with a dead horse in it passed by our cab stand．It was a brown horse with a long thin neck，and I believe it was Ginger．I hoped it was，because then her troubles would be over．

* * *

There was one day when we were very busy．First a fat gentle-man with a large bag wanted to go to Bishopsgate Station；then we were called by a lady who wanted to be taken to Regent's Park；then a man jumped into the cab and called out，'Bow Street Police Station， quick！'

After another journey or two，we came back to the cab stand and Jerry gave me some food，saying，'We must eat when we can on days like this，Jack．'And he took out the meat and bread Polly had given him．

But neither of us had eaten many mouthfuls before a poor young woman came along the street．She was carrying a child and she looked lost and worried．

Can you tell me the way to St Thomas's Hospital，please？'she asked．'I have to take my little boy there，and I'm a stranger in London．'The little boy was crying as she spoke．'He's in great pain and can't walk，but the doctor says that if I can get him to the hospital，then perhaps he'll get well again．

You can't carry him through the crowds，' said Jerry．' It's five kilometres，and that child is heavy．'

I'm strong，'said the woman．'I think I can manage，if I know the way．' 'You can't do it．Just get into this cab and I'll drive you there．Don't you see that it's beginning to rain？'

No，sir，I can't do that，'she said．'I've only just enough money to get me home again．'

Listen，'said Jerry．' I've got a wife and children at home，and I'd be ashamed of myself if I let a woman and a sick child put themselves in danger．Get in the cab and I'll take you for nothing．'

Oh，how kind you are！'said the woman， and began to cry．

Jerry opened the door but two men ran up，calling out，'Cab！'

It's taken，'said Jerry，but one man pushed past the wom-an and jumped in，followed by the other．'This cab is already taken，gentlemen，'Jerry said again，'by this lady．'

Lady！'said one of the men unpleasantly，looking at the woman's poor clothes．'She can wait．Our business is very im－portant，and anyway，we were in first，and we'll stay in．'

A smile came over Jerry's face as he shut the cab door．'Stay in as long as you like， gentlemen．I can wait while you rest yourselves．'He walked over to the young woman who was standing nearby．'They'll soon be gone，don't worry，'he said， laughing．

And he was right．When the two men realized that they were going to have a very long wait， they got out， calling Jerry all kinds of bad names． After this， we were soon on our way to the hospital．

Thank you a thousand times，' said the young woman， as Jerry helped her out of the cab．

I hope your child will soon be better，' said Jerry．He watched her go in，then patted my neck．It was something he always did when he was pleased．

The rain was now coming down fast and，just as we were leaving the hospital， a lady came down the steps calling，'Cab！'Jerry seemed to know her at once．

Jerry Barker，is it you？' said the woman．'I'm very glad to find you here．It's difficult to get a cab in this part of London today．'

I'll be proud to take you，'said Jerry．'Where do you want to go？'

Paddington Station，'said the woman．

We got to the station and went in under cover．The lady stood beside the cab talking to Jerry for some time，and I dis-covered that she was once Polly's mistress．

How do you like cab work in the winter？'she asked Jerry．'Polly was worried about your cough last year．'

She worries because I work all hours and in all kinds of weather，'said Jerry．'But I get on all right，and I would be lost without horses to look after．'

It would be wrong to harm your health in this work when you have a wife and two children，'said the lady．'There are many places where good drivers or grooms are wanted．If you ever decide to give up cab work，let me know．'She put some-thing into his hand．'There's some money for the children．'

Jerry thanked her and，after leaving the station，we went

* * *

Christmas and the New Year are no holidays for cab drivers and their horses．People go to parties and dances，and th6 work is often late Sometimes driver and horse have to wait for hours，shaking with cold．

We had a lot of late work during Christmas week and Jerry's cough was bad．On New Year's Eve we took two gentlemen to a house in the West End，and were told to come for them at eleven'o clock．'You may have to wait a few minutes，but don't be late，'one of them said．

Jerry arrived at the right time and we waited．The wind was very cold and it was snowing．Jerry pulled one of my cloths higher over my neck， then walked up and down， trying to keep warm．

At half－past twelve，Jerry rang the door－bell and asked if the gentlemen still wanted the cab．The man at the door said，'Oh，yes，you'll be wanted．'

At one o'clock the door opened and two men came out．They got in the cab without a word，and told Jerry where to drive．It was three kilometres away，and when the men got out they didn't say they were sorry for the long wait，but they were angry when Jerry made them pay for the extra waiting time．But it was money hard-earned．

When we got home，Jerry could not speak，and his cough was terrible，but he groomed me and made sure that I was warm and comfortable．

It was late the next morning before anyone came， and then it was only Harry．He cleaned us and gave us our food but was very quiet． Later that morning he came again， and this time Dolly came with him．She was crying，and I discovered from their conversation that Jerry was dangerously ill．

Two days passed， and only Harry and Dolly came to the sta-ble．On the third day，Mr Grant from the cab stand arrived when Harry was in the stable．'I won't go to the house，boy，but how is your father？'he said．

He's very bad，'said Harry．

I'm sorry to hear that，'said Mr Grant．'He's the best man I know．'

But when he came the next day，Harry was able to tell him，'Father is better today．Mother hopes he will get over it soon．'

Thank God！' said Mr Grant． He was a kind man， and did a lot to help the family during this time，because while Jerry was ill，he was earning no money，and we all had to eat．

Jerry got slowly better，but the doctor said he must never do cab work again．The children talked a lot about what their mother and father would do，but a few days later Dolly ran into the stable to find Harry．

There's a letter from Mrs Fowler，mother's old mistress！'said Dolly．'She wants father to be her carriage driver，and we're going to live in a cottage in the country——with chick-ens，and apple trees，and everything！'

This was bad news for me．I was not young now，and could not hope for a better master than Jerry，although Mr Grant promised to find a comfortable place for me．

I never saw Jerry again and was very sorry to leave．

■ 11 告別老友

一天我們在倫敦的一個公園門外等客，一輛又髒又舊的車從我們身旁經過。那馬是棕色的，瘦骨嶙峋。我正在吃草，風把幾根草刮到她那邊。可憐的傢伙伸著她又瘦又長的脖子把草叼了起來，又轉過頭來找別的草吃。在她黯淡的眼睛中有一股絕望的神情，我尋思自己以前在哪兒見過它。她也定定地看著我。

“黑駿馬，是你嗎？”她說。

是金兒！可她變化多大呀！她的臉，曾經是那麼有生氣的一張臉，現在悲慘而痛楚，她的呼吸也非常不好。

我湊近它，這樣我們可以小聲交談。她給我講了一個悲傷的故事。在沙爾伯爵莊園休養了一年後，主人認為她又能幹活了，就把她賣給了一位先生。她開始還好，但是有一天經過長時間奔跑後，她又病了。她停止工作，看了醫生，又被賣掉了。這樣，她被從這個人賣到那個人，一個不如一個。

“最後我被一個有好多輛車和馬供出租的人買下了，”金兒說。“看樣子你拉車也挺高興、挺舒服，我也為你高興，可生活對我就不同了。他們抽打我，讓我一週工作7天。他們說買我不值，現在他們要我拼命工作，幫他們把錢掙回來，直到我倒下。”

“你以前對殘酷的人都是奮起鬥爭的呀！”我說。

“是的，我曾經這樣做過。”金兒說。“可是人比我們強大，如果他們殘暴無情的話，我們就沒辦法了。哦，我希望死期快點來。真希望我已經死了。”

我非常難過。我把鼻子貼著她的鼻子，可不知道說什麼才能讓她振作起來。我想她見到我很高興，因為她說：“你是我曾有過的唯一的朋友。”

幾個星期以後，一輛拉著一匹死馬的車從我們的車站旁經過。那是一匹棕色的馬，有著又瘦又長的脖子，我相信那是金兒。我希望如此，因為那樣她的一切苦難就都結束了。

* * *

有一天我們非常忙。先是一個帶大包的胖先生想去比少普蓋特火車站；然後一位太太要我們拉她去雷根特公園；再後是一個人跳上車喊道：“波街警察局。快點！”

又跑了一兩趟後，我們回到車站，傑利餵了我一些食物，說：“當我們這樣工作時，我們必須得抽空就吃東西，傑克。”說著他掏出波莉給他的肉和麵包來吃。

我們倆都還沒吃上幾口，一個可憐的年輕女人就沿街道走過來了。她抱著一個小孩，看上去不知所措，憂心忡忡。

“您能告訴我去聖托馬斯醫院怎麼走嗎？”她問。“我得帶我的兒子去醫院，我是外地人。”小男孩在她說話時一直哭鬧著。“他疼得連路都走不了，大夫說如果把他送到醫院，也許他會好起來的。”

“你沒法兒抱著他穿過這麼擠的人群，”傑利說。“醫院有5公里遠，再說孩子又重。”

“我有力氣，”女人說，“我覺得我能走到，只要知道路怎麼走。”

“你沒法兒自己去。上車吧，我送你去。你沒看到開始下雨了嗎？”

“不，先生，我不能坐您的車，”她說。“我只剩下回家的錢了。”

“聽我說，”傑利說，“我家裡有老婆孩子，如果我眼看著一個婦女和她生病的孩子處於危險之中而不顧，我會非常羞恥的。上車吧，我免費送你們。”“噢，您太好了！”婦女說著，哭了起來。

傑利打開車門，這當兒兩個男人跑了過來，喊著：“馬車！”

“已經有人要了！”傑利說，可是一個男人衝到婦女前面跳上了車，另一個也跳了上來。“這車已經有人要了，先生們。”傑利又說了一遍，“這位女士要了。”

“女士！”其中一個男人不高興地說，一邊看著婦女那破舊的衣服。“她可以等，我們的事情非常重要，再說，是我們先上的車，我們就在車上呆著。”

傑利聽罷，臉上掠過一絲微笑，他關上車門說：“愛呆多久呆多久吧！先生們。在裡面歇著好了。我等著你們。”然後他向站在旁邊的年輕婦女走過去。“他們很快就會走的，別擔心！”他說著，笑起來。

他說對了。那兩個男人意識到他們面臨著漫長的等待，就用各種難聽的話罵著傑利，鑽出車門。然後很快我們就向醫院趕去。

“非常非常感謝您，”傑利把她扶出車時年輕女人說道。

“我希望你的孩子能很快恢復健康。”傑利說。他看著她進了醫院，然後拍了拍我的脖子。當他遇上高興事兒時，他總愛這麼做。

當時雨下得正大，正當我們要離開醫院時，一個女士走下臺階，叫道：“馬車！”傑利似乎馬上認出了她。

“傑利·巴克爾，是你嗎？”她說。“真高興在這兒遇到你。今天在這一帶很難叫到車。”

“能拉您我很榮幸！”傑利說，“您要去哪兒？”

“帕丁頓車站。”女士說。

我們到了車站，進入能避雨的地方。女士站在車旁和傑利說了一會兒話。我發現她曾是波莉的女主人。

“冬天趕車怎麼樣？”她問傑利。“波莉去年很擔心你的咳嗽病。”

“她擔心是因為我得在各種氣候條件下長時間工作。”傑利說。“不過我適應得不錯。再說要是不照顧馬，我會很失落的。”

“可是你有妻子和兩個孩子，把你的健康耗費在這項工作上是錯誤的，”女士說，“還有很多地方需要好車伕、好馬伕。什麼時候你打算不再幹這活兒了，就告訴我。”她往他手裡放了點東西，“這是給孩子們的錢。”

傑利謝了她，然後我們就離開車站回家了。

* * *

對於馬伕和他們的馬來說，聖誕節和新年是不算休息日的。人們去聚會、跳舞，我們的活兒都比較晚。有時車伕和馬匹不得不等上幾個小時，凍得發抖。

聖誕節那一週，我們有很多晚活兒。傑利的咳嗽加劇了。新年前夜，我們把兩位先生送到西區一座房子，他們叫我們11點來接。“你們可能得等上幾分鐘，可是不能遲到。”他們中的一個說。

傑利正點到達，我們等著。風很冷，又下著雪。傑利把我身上的一塊蓋布拉高罩住我的脖子，他自己則走來走去，試圖保持溫暖。

十二點半了，傑利按門鈴問那兩位先生是否還想要車。門房答道：“噢，是的，他們還會需要你。”

一點了，門開了，兩個男人走了出來。他們坐進車裡，什麼也沒說，只告訴傑利到哪兒去。路有三公里遠，到下車時他們也沒有為讓我們等了這麼長時間而說句抱歉的話，反而因為傑利讓他們付超時等候費而生了氣。我們掙的真是辛苦錢。

我們回到家時，傑利連話也說不出來了，他咳得厲害極了，但他還是給我刷洗了一遍，以確保我溫暖、舒適。

第二天早上到很晚還沒有人來馬廄，最後只有哈利來了。他把我們收拾了一遍，又餵了我們些吃的，卻一言不發。上午晚些時候他又來了一趟，這回多莉也一起來了。她哭著，從他們的交談中，我發覺傑利病情很危險。

兩天過去了，只有哈利和多莉來馬廄。第三天，車站的格蘭特先生來了，哈利正站在馬廄裡。“我不進屋了，孩子，你父親怎麼樣了？”他問。

“他糟透了，”哈利說。

“我真難過，”格蘭特先生說。“他是我所認識的最好的人。”

不過第二天當他來時，哈利已能告訴他說：“爸爸今天好點了，媽媽希望他的病很快能好。”

“感謝上帝！”格蘭特先生說。他是個善良的人，而且在這期間幫了這家人很多忙，因為傑利病了，就沒法掙錢，可我們都得吃飯。

傑利慢慢地好起來了，可醫生要他再也別幹這行了。孩子們經常討論爸爸媽媽將要做什麼，幾天後多莉跑進馬廄找哈利。

“媽媽以前的女主人弗樂太太來了一封信！”多莉說。“她要爸爸做她的車伕，我們將住在鄉村小屋裡，有小雞、蘋果樹，和一切！”

對我來說，這可不是好消息。我現在不再年輕了，也不可能遇上比傑利更好的主人了，儘管格蘭特先生保證他會為我找一個好主兒。

我再也沒有見到過傑利，離開他我非常難過。