IN SEARCH OF A HORSE. 55 



science, and how unwilling they are to receive cor- 

 rection; though this, it must be acknowledged, is 

 the usual characteristic of illiterate men. In fact 

 most of them are better judges of their customers, 

 than they are of their cattle. Such a colloquy as 

 follows, usually begins the negotiation. 

 " I want a horse, Mr. Smith." 

 " I shall be happy to serve you, Sir : will you 

 walk round my yard ?" 



" I don't wish to give a high price,- Mr. Smith." 

 " I have horses of all prices, Sir : is it for the sad- 

 dle or harness?" 



" I shall use him perhaps for both purposes." 

 This unlucky answer at once stamps the customer ; 

 an inferior animal is the first to which his attention 

 is directed — an instant suffices to show his preten- 

 sions to practical knowledge. The customer, if very 

 green, at once walks up to the shoulder to scan his 

 height ; the horse starts at the rude approach of a 

 stranger, and the question is promptly asked, "Is he 

 quiet?" On receiving a favorable answer, which it 

 would have been wiser, and not quite so green, to 

 have obtained before entering the stall, the customer 

 cocks his chin upon the shoulder, and estimates the 

 height within six or seven inches. * 



