31 



" She is as sound as a roach, Sir." 



" She has not been so long ; there has been 

 violent inflammation within these two months, or 

 that foot would never be so contracted." 



" There is not a hair's difference between her 

 feeV 



I took up a straw and measured them ; the dif- 

 ference was nearly half an inch. 



" Put her in again, the gentleman is no buyer.'* 

 But I was a buyer, and an anxious one ; so I 

 soothed my guide into good humour, and he at 

 length introduced me to a very promising active cob. 



" That's your horse. Sir ! he is worth any money : 

 put the saddle on, and try him." 



" Not till I have examined him, you may be 

 sure. What is that grey mark above the knee- 

 joint?" 



^* He got loose a few months ago, and entangled 

 himself in the halter." 



" The groom, then, deserved a halter : but let 

 me look a little closer." 



I instantly perceived a corresponding mark below 

 the knee (the usual traces of wearing a knee-cap), 

 and had him put to his trot. His action was 

 uncommonly high, and this of course led me to 

 minute scrutiny, when I found traces of the 

 speedy cut. 



