16 MB. SPONGE'S SPOUTING TOUR. 



Emboldened by the nerve and dexterity displayed by Mr. 

 Sponge, Mr. Buckram stood meditating a further trial of his 

 equestrian ability, as he watched him bucketing " Ercles " about. 

 Hercules had " spang-hewed " so many triers, and the hideous 

 contraction of his resolute back had deterred so many from 

 mounting, that Buckram had began to fear he would have to 

 place him in the only remaining school for incurables, the 'Bus. 

 Hack-horse riders arc seldom great horsemen. The very fact of 

 their being hack-horse riders shows they are little accustomed to 

 horses, or they would not give the fee-simple of an animal for a 

 few weeks' work. 



" I've a wonderful clever little oss," observed Mr. Buckram, as 

 Sponge returned with a slack rein and a satisfied air on the late 

 resolute animal's back. "Little I can 'ardly call 'im," continued 

 Mr. Buckram, "only he's low ; but you knows that the 'eight of 

 an oss has nothin' to do with his size. Now this is a perfect dray- 

 oss in minaturc. An 'Arrow gent, lookin' at him t'other day 

 christen'd him ' Multum in Parvo.' But though he's so ter-men- 

 dous strong, he has the knack o' goin', specially in deep ; and if 

 you're not a-goin' to Sir Richard, but into some o' them plough 

 sheers (shires), I'd 'commend him to you." 



" Let's have a look at him," replied Mr. Sponge, throwing his 

 right-leg over Hercules' head, and sliding from the saddle on to 

 the ground, as if he were alighting from the quietest shooting pony 

 in the world. 



All then was hurry, scurry, and scamper to get this second 

 prodigy out. Presently he appeared. Multum in Parvo certainly 

 was all that Buckram described him. A long, low, clean-headed, 

 clean-necked, big-hocked, chesnut, with a long tail, and great, 

 large, flat, white legs, without mark or blemish upon them. 

 Unlike Hercules, there was nothing indicative of vice or mischief 

 about him. Indeed, he was rather a sedate, meditative-looking 

 animal ; and, instead of the watchful, arms'-length sort of way 

 Leather and Co. treated Hercules, they jerked and punched Parvo 

 about as if he were a cow. 



Still Parvo had his foibles. He was a resolute, head-strong 

 animal, that would go his own way in spite of all the pulling and 

 hauling in the world. If he took it into his obstinate head to turn 

 into a particular field, into it he Avould be ; or against the gate- 

 post he would bump the rider's leg in a way that would make him 

 remember the difference of opinion between them. His was not a 

 fiery, hot-headed spirit, with object or reason for its guide, but 

 just a regular downright pig-headed sort of stupidity, that nobody 

 could account for. He had a mouth like a bull, and would walk- 

 clean through a gate sometimes rather than be at the trouble of 

 rising to leap it ; at other times he would hop over it like a bird. 



