56 THE ADVENTURES OF A GENTLEMAN 



"About sixteen hands, Mr. Smith?" 



"No, Sir; not more than fourteen two. Will you 

 see him out ?" 



Abashed at his mistake the buyer nods assent; 

 and when the animal is walked out, stares at him as 

 if he was a rhinoceros, looking askance :^rst at one 

 leg, and then at the other. 



"I'll warrant him sound. Sir." 



" Are his legs quite right ?" 



" No better in England, Sir." 



"He seems to me to stand rather awkwardly;" 

 and then first comes out the reluctant admission — 



" But I am no judge of a horse." 



Had the same declaration been made frankly at 

 first, no harm would have been done : the dealer 

 would have anticipated a review by the farrier, or, if 

 honest, would spontaneously have suggested a trial ; 

 but now you are at his mercy. 



"Run him down the ride, Tom." 



After gazing at him in silence, as if he had never 

 seen a horse move before, the cockney, for very 

 shame, makes some unmeaning remark. 



" I think he goes very odd behind, Mr. Smith." 



" 'Tis only his way of going. Sir ; all young 

 horses arf raw in their action." 



