170 THE ADVENTURES OF A GENTLEMAN 



he can borrow a saddle. Should an accident occur 

 on the journey home, he has no witness to prove the 

 cause of it, and a squabble of course arises. He is 

 challenged with careless riding — he cannot disprove 

 the charge, and the remedy on the warranty is in- 

 volved in the always complicated question, '' Who is 

 in fault ?" For the same reason it is prudent for 

 the first week, if possible, always to ride him in com- 

 pany ; or, at all events, to make the groom carefully 

 note down the length of every ride, and the condi- 

 tion in which the horse is brought home. Every sin 

 that the animal can commit is thrown upon the 

 rider's back, whenever a horse is returned to a dealer 

 on his warranty. Inquiry should always be made of 

 the seller, how he has been accustomed to diet and 

 clothe his horse ; whether his feet are stopped at 

 night, and how frequently ; and whatever reply he 

 gives should be carefully noted, and the same treat- 

 ment observed, till his soundness is ascertained be- 

 yond dispute. These points seem trivial and super- 

 fluous. The moment, however, the buyer consults 

 his attorney, he will cross-examine him on every 

 item, and then their practical importance in re- 

 ference to the warranty is ascertained, though gene- 



