IN SEARCH OF A HORSE. 167 



swerving away to avoid being run over, is taken in 

 flank by the pole of an omnibus : this is very dis- 

 agreeable, to be sure; but what "little horse" in 

 England can make his way through a phalanx of 

 London carriages? Besides, "old gentlemen" do 

 not habitually travel the crowded streets on horse- 

 back ; so the purchaser is not discouraged. Before 

 his half hour is completed, however, this sure-footed 

 beast, that "it is impossible" to make stumble, 

 breaks down in the softest quagmire he can find of 

 metropolitan slush and filth, and spills the " timid 

 old gentleman" in the kennel ! Human patience 

 cannot stand this. John is immediately dispatched 

 with the unlucky Rosinante to his owner, and desired 

 to leave the horse and bring back the money. The 

 first is easily done ; the horse is left, and readily re- 

 ceived by the expecting ostler : but " master is gone 

 to dinner, and will not be back for two or three 

 hours." When that interval has elapsed, John re- 

 turns ; but finds neither horse, nor master, nor 

 groom : the stable is empty ; the neighbors know 

 nothing of the tenants, and the swindlers have safely 

 decamped with their " neat little cob," and the " old 

 gentleman's" twenty guineas into the bargain ! ! ! 



