21 



horse were sound : the cause of separation was 

 very sufficiently explained, and I soon found that 

 the animal was " well known in the Surrey." Forty 

 guineas was but a moderate figure ; and after less 

 than an hour's trial, I paid the money, stipulated 

 that the saddle and bridle should be thrown into the 

 bargain, and rode him away at a round trot ; afraid 

 of leaving him till my servant might bring him, lest 

 some more active bidder should anticipate me in 

 the interim. We liked each other very well for 

 the first twelve hours ; but, in pursuance of an old 

 habit of mine with a new purchase, I rode my hunter 

 at a smart pace over the stones both in going and 

 returning to the city, and the next morning he was 

 dead lame ! I had taken no warranty, for where 

 was the value of one from a man confessedly insol- 

 vent ? I had no remedy, but for the farrier to make 

 the best of it. He was examined — not a trace of 

 disease appeared ; his shoes were removed, and 

 then we found the marks of an old wound that 

 had no doubt established his fair fame "in the 

 Surrey ;" some time or other, though not recently, 

 he had staked his foot. I was well assured that 

 the brute was lame for life, and I sold him to the 

 farrier himself for £15 on speculation ! 



Nothing daunted, I set off once more to examine 

 " a sweet mare got by Tickleback out of Muley's 



