34 



THE ADVENTURES OF A GENTLEMAN 



his owner's representations. On the third day I was 

 too much occupied to ride ; but the following morn- 

 ing I hurried to the stables, resolved to make up for 

 lost time. No sooner was my foot in the stirrup 

 than, with the cunning of a monkey, he raised his 

 near hind foot and shoved the stirrup-iron away. 

 He repeated this fun two or three times ; I tried on 

 the off side, but he was as clever there ! "" Off with 



the saddle, John, we'll try him without :" but the sly 

 rogue was up to me; he crouched like a camel. 

 "Pick up his fore-leg, John." Nor would that do: 

 he reared, broke away from two men who were help- 

 ing, and galloped up the ride. A full hour was 

 spent by me, and every man in the yard, to get 



