58 MR. SPONGE'S SPOUTING TOUR. 



not a guinea back. Bullfrog's the biggest screw I ever dealt 

 with." 



That latter observation was highly encouraging to Thornton. 

 It showed that Mr. Sponge was not one of your tight-laced dons, 

 who take offence at the mere mention of "drawbacks," but, 

 on the contrary, favoured the supposition that he would do the 

 " genteel," should he happen to be a seller. 



"Well, if you should feel disposed to part with him, perhaps 

 you will have the kindness to let me know," observed Mr. 

 Thornton ; adding, " he's not for myself, of course, but I think I 

 know a man he would suit, and who would be inclined to give a 

 good price for him." 



" I will," replied Mr. Sponge ; " I will," repeated he ; adding, 

 " if I ivere to sell him, I wouldn't take a farthing under three 

 'underd for him — three 'underd guineas, mind, notpimds" 



" That's a vast sum of money," observed Mr. Thornton. 



"Not a bit on't," replied Mr. Sponge. " He's worth it all, and 

 a great deal more. Indeed, I haven't said, mind that, I'll take 

 that for him ; all I've said is, that I wouldn't take less." 



" Just so," replied Mr. Thornton. 



"He's a horse of high character," observed Mr. Sponge. 

 " Indeed, he has no business out of Leicestershire ; and I don't 

 know what set my fool of a groom to bring him here." 



" Well, I'll see if I can coax my friend into giving what you 

 say," observed Mr. Thornton. 



"Nay, never mind coaxing," replied Mr. Sponge, with the 

 utmost indifference ; "never mind coaxing; if he's not anxious, 

 my name's ' easy.' Only mind ye, if I ride him again, and he 

 carries me as he did yesterday, I shall clap on another fifty. A 

 horse of that figure can't be dear at any price," added he. " Put 

 him in a steeple-chase, and you'd get your money back in ten 

 minutes, and a bagful to boot." 



" True," observed Mr. Thornton, treasuring that fact up as an 

 additional inducement to use to his friend. 



So the amiable gentlemen parted. 



