TALES OF THE TURF AND THE CHASE. 



III. 



In the mean time fresh evidence of the depravity and wide 

 reputation of the mare kept coming to Hght in a most sprightly 

 irritating fashion. One market-day, for instance, while I was 

 looking on at the sale of some store-pigs, I became conscious that 

 a man, who looked like a respectable groom or coachman, was 

 fidgeting about and eyeing me as if he longed very much to 

 speak, but could not find enough assurance either in his pockets 

 or within his ample waistcoat. Feeling for the man, and seeing 

 no harm in him, I made up to him with some remark about the 

 pigs, with which he agreed. He very soon took occasion to ask 

 if we hadn't that mare up at our place. 



' I don't know,' said I ; ' we have several mares ;' though I 

 was quite sure which he meant. 



Yes, yes ; but it was that vicious thoroughbred that had 

 belonged to Captain Pumpkin ; that was the one he was a- 

 speakin' of 



' O, you know her too, do you ?' I said. 



' I^now her ? Bless ye, know 'er as well 's I know my own 

 mother ! Warn't it me as saw 'er grow up a colt, an' as fust tuk 

 'er in ? You know that mark on 'er ear ? she's got a big ear an' 

 a ugly cartey 'ead, too big for 'er blood. Well, that 'appened 

 when she was fust tuk in, an' was just a-bein' bound wi' the 'alter 

 in the stall, when up she rises on 'er 'ind legs, playin' this yere 

 in the air, a-sparrin'-like ; up she rises an' strikes 'er 'ead agin a 

 beam, an' cuts 'er ear clean off; 'twas just a-'angin' by a rag o' 

 skin. So off I goes for the vet, an' when 'e come we casts 'er, 

 an' 'e sews it on. Ye'U see the marks of the stitches yet, sir, if 

 ye look. Fired in the pastern ? I don't know nothin' about 

 that, sir. Very like that was done by one o' them trainers. She 

 went over two on 'em, you know, sir.' 



I hinted an opinion that they had not understood, and had 

 bungled her, and that I meant to try her myself 



He looked me up and down in surprise, till I blushed. 



' Excuse me, sir, but hes your family insured your life ? 

 You'll excuse me, you know, sir,' said he, advancing nearer, ' but 

 she's a spoiled brute. She ain't good for nothink. Kind gentle 

 treatment, sir, do you say ? Well, that's just where it is. //"she 

 'ad, sir, or if she 'ad 'ad, as you may say. But, ye see, she's been 

 'ashed an' knocked about by them fellers, she 'avin' a devil uv a 

 temper uv her own to begin with. Well, ye see, they've come off 



