He had fine, dark, intelligent eyes that watched Ellen's every move.

She knew how her father and his friends dragged and jammed horses through the woods and over the rough trails.

It did not take her long to discover that this horse had been a pet.

Ellen cleaned his coat and brushed him and fed him.

Then she fitted her bridle to suit his head and saddled him.
His evident response to her kindness assured her that he was gentle, so she mounted and rode him, to discover he had the easiest gait she had ever experienced.