STORIES OF DEALERS AND DUPES 245 



iivery stables of the first respectability. He was 

 " hond fide the j)roperty of a gentleman, and parted 

 -with for no fault." The advertisement ended here, 

 and the absence of all the usual encomiums per- 

 suaded me that the description was true. My eye 

 does not often deceive me as to the external preten- 

 sions of a horse ; the animal in question was beau- 

 tiful, and his action good. I inspected and handled 

 him very minutely; I picked up everj^ foot, passed 

 my hand down every leg, and found neither fault nor 

 blemish. I mounted him, and rode him for an hour ; 

 I was satisfied, and bought him, taking care to obtain 

 my warranty myself. For two whole days he did 

 justice to his owner's representations. 



' On the third day I was too much occupied to 

 ride, but the following morning I hurried to the 

 stables, resolved to make up for lost time. No sooner 

 was my foot in the stirrup than, with the cunning of 

 a monkey, he raised his near hind fcot, and shoved 

 the stirrup-iron away. He repeated this fun two or 

 three times. I tried on the off side, but he was as 

 -clever there. 



' " Off with the saddle, John ; we'll try him with- 

 out," but the sly rogue was up to me ; and crouched 

 like a camel. 



' "Pick up his fore-leg, John." ISTor would that 

 do ; he reared, broke away from two men who 

 were helping, and galloped up the ride. A full hour 

 was spent by me, and every man in the yard, to get 



