So there is no harm done.

Come, let me put you into the wagon." "Yes," said Phonny, "and I will go and catch the horse." While Beechnut was putting Jemmy into the wagon, Phonny ran along the road toward the horse.

The horse, hearing footsteps, and supposing from the sound that somebody might be coming to catch him, was at first disposed to set off and gallop away; but looking round and seeing that it was nobody but Phonny he went on eating as before.
When Phonny got pretty near to the horse, he began to walk up slowly towards him, putting out his hand as if to take hold of the bridle and saying, "Whoa--Dobbin,--whoa." The horse raised his head a little from the grass, shook it very expressively at Phonny, walked on a few steps, and then began to feed upon the grass as before.

He seemed to know precisely how much resistance was necessary to avoid the recapture with which he was threatened.
"Whoa Jack! whoa!" said Phonny, advancing again.

The horse, however, moved on, shaking his head as before.