IN SEARCH OF A HORSE. 405 



in six days, according to the custom of the bazaar," 

 or other words of similar import. 



I have but one m'ore hint to give to a gentleman 

 sending his horses to commission stables for sale by 

 private contract. He is always, of course, asked 

 what price he expects, and as soon as he has named 

 it, he receives the same answer. 



" How much do you set upon him, Sir ?" 



"Fifty guineas." 



'' Then you won't get it." 



If you have not informed yourself correctly of his 

 value, the chances are two to one that you do not get 

 it. Many of these men, perhaps the majority of 

 them, are dealers behind the curtain. I have de- 

 tected one or two in selling my horse for thirty 

 guineas for me, and selling it again next day for 

 fifty for themselves. Probably the agent knows of a 

 customer whom the horse will suit, and who will give 

 a liberal price for him : that his employer may not 

 have the benefit of such a customer, he will take 

 good care never to show the horse, till he has tired 

 the owner into selling him on lower terms. He then 

 buys him a bargain, and privately sells him to the 

 customer at a cent, per cent, profit. This is called 

 35 



