A STORY OF THE WEALTHY MARE

Having travelled about three miles, we came to a kind of building, made of timber, struck in the ground, and wattled across the roof was low, and covered with straw. I now began to be a little comforted; and took out some toys, which travellers usual carry for present to the savage Indians of America, and other part, in hope that the people of the house would be thereby encouraged to receive me kindly. The horse made me a sign to go in first; it was large room with a smooth clay floor, and rack and manger, extending the whole length on one side. But some of them sitting down upon their hams, which I very much wondered at; but wondered more to see the rest employed in domestic business. This seemed but ordinary cattle; how ever, this confirmed my first opinion, that a people who could so far civilize brute animals, must need excel in wisdom all nations of the world. The grey came in just after, and thereby prevented any ill treatment which the others might have given me. He Neighed to them several times in style of authority, and received answers.
Beyond this room there were three others, reaching the length of the house, to which you passed through three doors, opposite to each other, in the manner of a vista, we went through the second room toward the third; here the grey walked in first, beckoning me to attend; I waited in the second room, and got ready my present for the master and mistress of the house: they were two knives, three bracelets of false pearl, a small looking-glass, and a bead necklace. The horse neighed 3 or 4 times, and I waited to hear some answers in a human voice, but I observed no other returns than in the same dialect, only one or two a little shriller than his. I began to think that this house must belong to some person of great note among them, because they appeared so much ceremony before I could gain admittance. But that a man of quality should be served all by horses was beyond my comprehension. I feared my brain was disturbed by my sufferings and misfortunes. I roused myself, and looked about me in the room where I was left alone; this was furnished like the first, only after a more elegant manner. I rubbed my eyes often, but the same object still occurred I pinched my arms and sides to wake myself, hoping I might be in a dream. I then absolutely concluded that all these appearance could be nothing else but necromancy and magic. But I had no time to pursue these reflections; for the grey horse came to the door and made me a sign to follow him into the third room; where I saw a very comely mare, together with a colt and foal; sitting on their haunches, upon mats of straw, not unartfully made, and perfectly neat and clean.