`` Pat , this lad wants work . He 's to take the cows and go for them . Give him any light jobs you have , and let me know if he 's good for any thing . '' `` Yis , your honor . Come out o ' this , b ` y , till I show ye the bastes , '' responded Pat ; and , with a hasty good-by to Mrs. Moss , Ben followed his new leader , sorely tempted to play some naughty trick upon him in return for his ungracious reception . But in a moment he forgot that Pat existed , for in the yard stood the Duke of Wellington , so named in honor of his Roman nose . If Ben had known any thing about Shakespeare , he would have cried , `` A horse , a horse ! my kingdom for a horse ! '' for the feeling was in his heart , and he ran up to the stately animal without a fear . Duke put back his ears and swished his tail as if displeased for a moment ; but Ben looked straight in his eyes , gave a scientific stroke to the iron-gray nose , and uttered a chirrup which made the ears prick up as if recognizing a familiar sound . `` He 'll nip ye , if ye go botherin ' that way . Leave him alone , and attend to the cattle as his honor told ye , '' commanded Pat , who made a great show of respect toward Duke in public , and kicked him brutally in private . `` I ai n't afraid ! You wo n't hurt me , will you , old feller ? See there now ! -- he knows I 'm a friend , and takes to me right off , '' said Ben , with an arm around Duke 's neck , and his own cheek confidingly laid against the animal 's ; for the intelligent eyes spoke to him as plainly as the little whinny which he understood and accepted as a welcome . The Squire saw it all from the open window , and suspecting from Pat 's face that trouble was brewing , called out , -- `` Let the lad harness Duke , if he can . I 'm going out directly , and he may as well try that as any thing . '' Ben was delighted , and proved himself so brisk and handy that the roomy chaise stood at the door in a surprisingly short time , with a smiling little ostler at Duke 's head when the Squire came out . His affection for the horse pleased the old gentleman , and his neat way of harnessing suited as well ; but Ben got no praise , except a nod and a brief `` All right , boy , '' as the equipage went creaking and jogging away .
Four sleek cows filed out of the barnyard when XXXXX opened the gate , and Ben drove them down the road to a distant pasture where the early grass awaited their eager cropping .
Ben Moss Pat Roman Squire bastes botherin chirrup equipage jogging