m^ Boll. 71 



I was not thoroughly sound at the time, I will 

 confess ; but still almost hesitate to acknowledge 

 that, although serviceably so, still good looking, 

 and not eleven years of age, I only realized the 

 paltry sum of 18 guineas ! for which figure I was 

 secured by a dealer, who, in a few days, transferred 

 me at a small profit, together with another old 

 hunter (with whom I often chat over times past), 

 to the stable in which I am now located — that of 

 Mr. Lstout, the great cab proprietor at Kentish 

 Town, and my name henceforth became "Bob,'* 

 aye, "Old Bob," if you will. 



We do work hard there, and no mistake ; but get 

 plenty to eat, such as it is, which is one comfort, for 

 I always was a good doer ; and, although our toilets 

 are somewhat neglected, and our stables close and 

 stuffy, we don't get used much amiss by our "horse- 

 keeper " if we behave ourselves, although the terms 

 we are occasional^ addressed in are not precisely 

 such as the ladies at the Hall would have made use 

 of. But after a hard day's work, a horse is thankful 

 to rest, and does not care too minutely to criticise 

 his surroundings, so long as he has sufficient litter 

 to lie on, and food enough to eat; at least so it is 

 with me. I, too, am certainly lucky in my driver, 

 for I know the old man thinks a lot of me, and if 

 he does pretty often pull up for a nip of gin himself, 



