28 



just been brought in. " I will call again to- 

 morrow/' I replied. 



"At what hour, Sir?" 



" At nine o'clock," and away I went. I did not 

 altogether like the men; they looked too knowing; 

 but I fully meant to keep my word, and I did so ; 

 not, however, without a Uttle precaution. I went 

 to a sharp, intelligent ostler, whom I knew I could 

 trust, (not for past, but prospective benefits,) and 

 desired him to meet me at the place exactly at 

 half-past eight. I told him to walk through the 

 stables, keep his eye on all that passed, but not to 

 know me when I arrived. He obeyed my instruc- 

 tions to the letter. At nine o'clock, according to 

 appointment, I came. My horse was produced, but 

 to my surprise he was warm and in a sweat, even 

 at that early hour : he was again " trotted out." I 

 asked no questions, and civilly wished them good- 

 morning, I inquired of my piquet what he had 

 noticed before my arrival. " He was brought out 

 half an hour before, Sir, with legs like mill-stones. 

 I asked if he was sold, and they told me a gentle- 

 man had agreed to buy him. They trotted him up 

 and down the street for a quarter of an hour just 

 to fine his legs, and were rubbing him down when 

 you came in !" 



I proceeded to the next stables; a well-bred 



