# Old Captain and His Successor explained — Black Beauty

> Chapter companion for Black Beauty by Anna Sewell.

## What happens

Captain is severely injured in an accident caused by a drunken drayman, leading Jerry to euthanize him rather than sell him into misery. Jerry then acquires a new horse, Hotspur, a spirited but gentle young horse who adapts well to cab work. The chapter also includes a conversation between Jerry and Grant about overcoming alcohol addiction.

## Themes in this chapter

### Animal Welfare and Cruelty

Captain's suffering and euthanasia due to a drunken driver's negligence, and Jerry's refusal to sell him into further hardship.

### Kindness and Empathy

Jerry's compassionate decision to euthanize Captain rather than sell him to a life of misery, and his gentle handling of Hotspur.

## Character check-ins

### Black Beauty

Narrator and observer of Captain's accident and Hotspur's arrival.

### Captain

Old cab horse who is fatally injured in a collision caused by a drunken drayman and is euthanized by Jerry.

### Jeremiah Barker

Cab driver who cares for Captain, decides to euthanize him, and later buys Hotspur; also shares his struggle with alcohol.

### Hotspur

New horse acquired by Jerry after Captain's death; a spirited but gentle young horse who adapts to cab work.

### Mr. Grant

Governor who discusses overcoming alcohol addiction with Jerry.

## Key lines

> Give up the drink or lose your soul! Give up the drink or break Polly’s heart!

Abandon alcohol or risk eternal damnation and causing your wife profound sorrow.

_Jerry describes his internal struggle to overcome alcohol addiction._

> If there's one devil that I should like to see in the bottomless pit more than another, it's the drink devil.

If there is any evil I wish to see destroyed, it is the demon of alcohol.

_Jerry expresses his strong condemnation of alcohol after Captain's accident._

> It is my belief that it made the horse mad, being tender in the mouth and so full of spirit.

I think the tight harness and severe bit drove the horse crazy because he had a sensitive mouth and was full of energy.

_The under-groom explains why Hotspur ran away and caused an accident._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-iii-xliv-old-captain-and-his-successor
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/black_beauty_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters