46 



promptly asked, "Is he quiet?" On receiving 

 a favourable answer, which it would have beer 

 wiser, and not quite so green, to have obtained 

 before entering the stall, the customer cocks his 

 chin upon the shoulder, and estimates the heighl 

 within six or seven inches. 



" About sixteen hands, Mr. Smith ?" 



" No, Sir ; not more than fourteen two. Wil' 

 you see him out ?" 



Abashed at his mistake, the buyer nods assent 

 and when the animal is walked out, stares at hin 

 as if he were a rhinoceros, looking askance first a 

 one leg, and then at the other. 



" I'll warrant him sound. Sir/* 



" Are his legs quite right?" 



" No better in England, Sir." 



" He seems to me to stand rather awkwardly;' 

 and then first comes out the reluctant admission— 



*' But I am no judge of ahorse." 



Had the same declaration been made frankly a1 

 first, no harm would have been done : the dealei 

 would have anticipated a review by the farrier, or. 

 if honest, would spontaneously have suggested a 

 trial ; but now you are at his mercy. I 



" Run him down the ride, Tom." 



After gazing at him in silence, as if he had 

 never seen a horse move before, the cockney, for 

 very shame, makes some unmeaning remark. 



