184 Hai'k Away, 



heard her cough, and saw her hustled about by big 

 men with thick sticks, clad in greasy corduroys, who 

 were bent on discovering her imperfections, if she 

 had any; but though she was neither lame, blind, 

 nor a bull, she hung on hand, until I nobly stepped 

 forward, careful not to over-do it, bidding half-a- 

 guinea. A spirited competition in half guineas then 

 went on between myself and the seedy-looking 

 " coper" who " put her in," and she was finally 

 knocked down to me for the large sum of seven 

 guineas. Considerable was the chaff that I ex- 

 perienced, and going up to Harry, for years the 

 runner at the sales, I said, " Well, what's the matter 

 with the mare ? " " Well, sir, I should be very care- 

 ful if I was you, sir, how I went near her." " Oh ! 

 she's vicious is she % " " Yes, dangerous, and no 

 mistake," was his not alt(^gether satisfactory reply. 



However, I had bought her, and home she went, 

 and there are still some who remember the " Kicking 

 Mare," and how she carried me for two or three 

 seasons with the " Queen's," jumping gates and 

 timber like a deer, knowing full well she would hurt 

 herself if she did not go at such places with a will, 

 though, when her temper Avas a little put out. she 

 would give me a burster now and then, just to prove 

 that she could he nasty when in her tantrums. 



Then, having exhausted the wonders of Tatter- 

 sail's, 1 crossed over the road, and looked in at the 

 well-known stables of Messrs. Blackman, and having 

 expressed a desire to look over this noted establish- 

 ment, I was very pleasantly received, and sliown 

 over the admirably-arranged premises. Conspicuous 

 for the neatness, order, and quiet that prevailed is 



