Hunting in the Golden Days. 59 



have bought this horse/ said the Calmer, * and want to 

 take him away, perhaps you will lead him over to my 

 place.' * Oh ! you is the gentleman who has bought 

 Ginger, is you?' enquired the man. 'Yes, I am his 

 new owner,' replied Mr. Brown. * Well, I wishes you 

 luck, that's all I can say,' replied the mill hand, * for 

 he's about the most rumbustical character that I have 

 ever had to do with ; as to going up to him, I dursn't. 

 His com I chuck over into his manger from the other 

 stall, and his water I hand over likewise ; and I cleans 

 him out with this ere long-handled road-scraper, so as 

 he can't reach to kick me. When he wants new litter 

 I pitches that over likewise and let him make his own 

 bed as best he can ; but I don't do no grooming, for he 

 has to clean himself if he wants to be cleaned, he won't 

 get it done by me, not nohow.' 



" * But surely,' said the dealer, * you give him some 

 exercise ! ' 



"* No, sir, not leastways for the last six weeks or more. 

 You see he is so wonderful wily that we can't do 

 nothing with him when we gets him out.' 



'* With the aid of the silver key the dealer, after a 

 lot of parley, at last induced the man to clamber 

 over and untie Ginger. When this treasure arrived 

 at the establishment of Mr. Brown he was taken 

 in hand at once. A bridle and saddle having been put 

 on him with much difficulty, the Calmer, with great care, 

 mounted the new purchase, remarking as he did so, 

 * now let us see what this very vicious animal will ' — but 

 before he had concluded his remark he was thrown with 

 great force on to his back. Now Mr. Brown was no novice 

 at riding, and was considerably surprised to find him- 

 self on the ground so soon after mounting. 



*' 'That's funny,' he remarked, ' very funny. George/ 



