FOR SALE— A THOROUGHBRED NAG. 113 



But the worst was yet to come. Her turn came, and she 

 was trotted out before the auctioneer. 



* Now, gentlemen,' &c. 



' How old is she ?' demanded an oldish nondescript fellow in 

 a wide-awake hat and a blouse, who was reputed to possess the 

 fastest trotter in the district. 



' Four year old, gentlemen ; and quite unbroken,' said the 

 auctioneer, consulting his catalogue. 



' Now, gentlemen, what's — ' 



' It's a lie !' shouted the old fellow. ' She's six, if she's not 

 seven ; an' as for her being unbroken — ' 



But here a sense of fairness and of privilege stirred the breasts 

 of many, who interrupted him with, 



' A bid ! A bid !' 



' Ten pounds !' shouted he. 



' Ten pounds, gentlemen. Ten pounds is bid for this thorough- 

 bred mare with foal — ' 



' Who is the foal by ?' asked a voice from the crowd. 



' Cavalier,' whispered my father from behind the auctioneer. 



' By Cavalier, gentlemen,' shouted the auctioneer. 



' It's a lie,' muttered the old fellow. 



' Mr. Cross, gentlemen ' (that was the old fellow's name), ' is 

 cross because she is not a cross! 



Here there was a loud bucolic laugh from the crowd. 



' No, gentlemen, she's no cross, she's thoroughbred. There's 

 blood, gentlemen. Trot her out again, Tom.' 



Bill cracked his whip, and shouted, and Tom trotted her out, 

 but with little enthusiasm. The bucolic audience laughed, 

 wagged its head, and winked. 



' Well, gentlemen, what do you say ? Mr. Cross, let me start 

 with twenty.' Mr. Cross shook his sulky head. ' No ! Have 

 a catalogue, Mr. Cross ?' 



' I don't want a catalogue,' said Mr. Cross. 



' No, gentlemen, but Mr. Cross wants a thoroughbred mare, 

 with foal, for 10/., gentlemen — a nag that could win 'im a trot- 

 ting-match. Out with her again, Tom ! There, gentlemen, what 

 action and spring ! She'd do a trotting match for you every day 

 in the year. Cross— Sundays excepted. On Sundays, gentlemen, 

 Mr. Cross is too good a man to run matches.' 



But it was of no use ; he might fire off the most pointed wit 

 he could invent, no higher bid would be thrown to him in return : 

 the crowd grinned and giggled, or stood silent and suspicious. 



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