To his great amusement , Dan took him at his word , and was often seen wrestling with the ungainly knots , hat and jacket off , red face , and wrathful eyes ; for he got into royal rages over some of his adversaries , and swore at them under his breath till he had conquered them , when he exulted , and marched off to the shed with an armful of gnarled oak-wood in triumph . He blistered his hands , tired his back , and dulled the axe , but it did him good , and he got more comfort out of the ugly roots than any one dreamed , for with each blow he worked off some of the pent-up power that would otherwise have been expended in some less harmless way . `` When this is gone I really do n't know what I shall do , '' said Mrs. Jo to herself , for no inspiration came , and she was at the end of her resources . But Dan found a new occupation for himself , and enjoyed it some time before any one discovered the cause of his contentment . A fine young horse of Mr. Laurie 's was kept at Plumfield that summer , running loose in a large pasture across the brook . The boys were all interested in the handsome , spirited creature , and for a time were fond of watching him gallop and frisk with his plumey tail flying , and his handsome head in the air . But they soon got tired of it , and left Prince Charlie to himself . All but Dan , he never tired of looking at the horse , and seldom failed to visit him each day with a lump of sugar , a bit of bread , or an apple to make him welcome . Charlie was grateful , accepted his friendship , and the two loved one another as if they felt some tie between them , inexplicable but strong . In whatever part of the wide field he might be , Charlie always came at full speed when Dan whistled at the bars , and the boy was never happier than when the beautiful , fleet creature put its head on his shoulder , looking up at him with fine eyes full of intelligent affection . `` We understand one another without any palaver , do n't we , old fellow ? '' Dan would say , proud of the horse 's confidence , and , so jealous of his regard , that he told no one how well the friendship prospered , and never asked anybody but Teddy to accompany him on these daily visits . Mr. Laurie came now and then to see how Charlie got on , and spoke of having him broken to harness in the autumn . `` He wo n't need much taming , he is such a gentle , fine-tempered brute . I shall come out and try him with a saddle myself some day , '' he said , on one of these visits . `` He lets me put a halter on him , but I do n't believe he will bear a saddle even if you put it on , '' answered Dan , who never failed to be present when Charlie and his master met . `` I shall coax him to bear it , and not mind a few tumbles at first . He has never been harshly treated , so , though he will be surprised at the new performance , I think he wo n't be frightened , and his antics will do no harm . '' `` I wonder what he would do , '' said Dan to himself , as Mr. Laurie went away with the Professor , and Charlie returned to the bars , from which he had retired when the gentlemen came up . A daring fancy to try the experiment took possession of the boy as he sat on the topmost rail with the glossy back temptingly near him .
Never thinking of danger , he obeyed the impulse , and while Charlie unsuspectingly nibbled at the apple he held , XXXXX quickly and quietly took his seat .
Charlie Dan Jo Laurie Plumfield Professor Teddy day oak-wood palaver