ABOUT BUYING A HORSE. 143 



&.C., &.C. And then see /tOTU cleverly he picked himself up I 

 Why that's worth all the money alone ! 



Then as to stumbling and coming on his nose over some 

 turf (when I was nearly spilt) — well, he's not up to my 

 weight, and I had let the reins lie on his neck ; and, after 

 all, it was not a " stumble " — it was merely knocking his 

 foot against some little mound or stone — nothing more. O 

 no, he's all right. 



Therefore I advertise as for sale : — 



" ' Gazelle,^ A bright Chesimit Cod, silver-tipped Mane 

 and Tail^fo2irtee}i tivo^ quiet to ride and drive. Not up to 

 too mucJi weight. Suitable for all soi'ts of light iivrk. Fast 

 trotter. Only parted with on account of the owner nia/ci?ig 

 alterations in his stablest' 



" That's fair," I say to Alurgle, after reading it out to him. 



" Yes, Sir, that's fair," returns honest Murgle. " He's a 

 nice little 'oss as ever I see, he is." 



" And," I add, alluding again to the advertisement, feeling 

 a qualm or two of conscience about it, " its true." 



Murgle rephes — but I fancy a little uneasily, as he shifts 

 his legs, coughs, puts his hand before his mouth (Murgle's 

 company manners), and twiddles his old wideawake — "' Yes, 

 Sir. O, that's true enough, that is." 



I shall not ask this witness any more questions — except 

 one. It is this : — 



"Do you think, Murgle, that the Chestnut had ever been 

 down before I had him ? " 



He is quite ready : — 



" O yes, Sir " (in a tone of surprise, as though there could 



