Hoof Beats 



capt'in shoots 'is eye-glarss, and that in itself is 

 something to see, and then 'e smiles at the colonel, 

 who's grabbed 'old of the side of the stable when 

 'e 'ears the frightful huproar. 



" *It's all right, sir,' says the capt'in; "is wind 

 is as sound as a sovereign and 'e could gallop 

 another mile if 'e chose.' The colonel mops 'is 

 forehead. 



" *I'll take your word for it,' 'e says, 'only let 

 me know before, and when you're goin' to test 

 'im again.' 



"From then on I knows my business. No one's 

 to 'ear a word o' it, but I'm to 'ave 'is 'Oliness 

 ready and fit to win. Somehow the Bishop knows 

 I don't like him, though I cawn't say as who 

 started the fuss, but 'e certainly makes life difficult 

 in the early mornin' canters. First, 'e won't let 

 me come near 'im, then arfter 'e will, but just as 

 some lad is about to give me a leg up, 'e lets out 

 'is orful roar. I've 'andled some narsty mean 

 'orses and a couple of man-killers, too, but, sir, 

 they was babes in arms and little Moses compared 

 to this godly mule. Most 'orses is fools, sir, 

 there's no deny in' that, even me that loves 'em 

 cawn't. But this mule, why 'e thinks like the 

 rest of us, only a damn sight quicker, beggin' your 

 pardon, sir. 'E's got legs longer than any 'orse 

 I ever see and 'e jumps in a free-and-easy style — 

 90 



