He had his wish , however , for there had been a witness of his pranks who said a good word for him . `` Do you know what that chap has ben doin ' lately ? '' asked Silas of his master , one evening , as he received his orders for the next day . `` Which boy ? '' said Mr. Bhaer , with an air of resignation , expecting some sad revelation . `` Dan , he 's ben a breaking the colt , sir , and I wish I may die if he ai n't done it , '' answered Silas , chuckling . `` How do you know ? '' `` Wal , I kinder keep an eye on the little fellers , and most gen ` lly know what they 're up to ; so when Dan kep going off to the paster , and coming home black and blue , I mistrusted that suthing was goin ' on . I did n't say nothin ' , but I crep up into the barn chamber , and from there I see him goin ' through all manner of games with Charlie . Blest if he war n't throwed time and agin , and knocked round like a bag o ' meal . But the pluck of that boy did beat all , and he ` peared to like it , and kep on as ef bound to beat . '' `` But , Silas , you should have stopped it the boy might have been killed , '' said Mr. Bhaer , wondering what freak his irrepressibles would take into their heads next . `` S'pose I oughter ; but there war n't no real danger , for Charlie ai n't no tricks , and is as pretty a tempered horse as ever I see . Fact was , I could n't bear to spile sport , for ef there 's any thing I do admire it 's grit , and Dan is chock full on ` t . But now I know he 's hankerin ' after a saddle , and yet wo n't take even the old one on the sly ; so I just thought I 'd up and tell , and may be you 'd let him try what he can do . Mr. Laurie wo n't mind , and Charlie 's all the better for ` t. '' `` We shall see ; '' and off went Mr. Bhaer to inquire into the matter . Dan owned up at once , and proudly proved that Silas was right by showing off his power over Charlie ; for by dint of much coaxing , many carrots , and infinite perseverance , he really had succeeded in riding the colt with a halter and blanket . Mr. Laurie was much amused , and well pleased with Dan 's courage and skill , and let him have a hand in all future performances ; for he set about Charlie 's education at once , saying that he was not going to be outdone by a slip of a boy . Thanks to Dan , Charlie took kindly to the saddle and bridle when he had once reconciled himself to the indignity of the bit ; and after Mr. Laurie had trained him a little , Dan was permitted to ride him , to the great envy and admiration of the other boys . `` Is n't he handsome ?
and do n't he XXXXX me like a lamb ? ''
asked crep keep knocked mind outdone received reconciled showing thought