402 THE ADVENTURES OF A GENTLEMAN 



one alternative to save our lives, and desperate as it 

 appears to be, I recommend it to others similarly 

 circumstanced. Though I could not stop him, I was 

 able to guide him, and I directed his course directly on 

 the iron railings of Cavendish Square. He fractured 

 his head, and I escaped without serious injury. My 

 fair companion was less fortunate, having been thrown 

 on the dashing iron ; she was not materially hurt, as 

 she must have been but for her presence of mind in 

 retaining her seat. I mention this as a caution to 

 other females, for nine out of ten in similar cases 

 spring out of the carriage. If the lady who sold this 

 horse to me was aware of this vice, it was unpardon- 

 able to conceal it ; had fatal consequences followed 

 to my friend, Mrs. Goddard's feelings would, if possi- 

 ble, have been yet more painful than my own. Mr. 

 Osborne was wholly free from blame, for he honestly 

 told me that he knew nothing of the horse, and be- 

 fore I bought him, he drove him in my company, 

 when he went very quietly. 



It is customary to feed a horse for sale ; this is of 

 itself a species of fraud, and one scarcely worth the 

 trouble and expense it involves. A horse is rarely 

 brought into good condition in less than three weeks, 



