238 THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER 



J of the Engineers, and myself had agreed to 



purchase a good cocktail that could gallop a little, 

 with the intention of running him in the spring, as 

 it had been determined upon to establish something 

 in the shape of garrison races as soon as the weather 

 would permit. With this object in view we repaired 

 to the livery-stables, where " the Major " had put up 

 his batch of thoroughbreds. The loquacious owner 

 of this wonderful batch of high-bred cattle was in 

 the yard, smoking his Havannah, whip in hand, and 

 looking as ' cute ' as a thorough Kentuckian can look. 

 After enumerating the several estimable qualities of 

 every animal in the stud, he inquired what sort of a 

 " crittur " we wanted. Upon being informed that 

 we were in quest of a nag " wot could get over the 

 ground rather smartish," he replied : 



6 " Now, gentlemen, I'll be candid with you 

 (mark the Yankee's candour, I pray you, good 

 reader) if you want a slow horse he won't suit you, 

 for may I go to everlastin' smash if he ain't the 

 fastest galloper I ever clapt my eyes on that 'ere 

 chestnut I mean, gentlemen him as the boy's a lead- 

 ing up and down. May I be catamawpously chaived 

 up if there's his ekal in all Canada. You all know God 

 Almighty was emplo} r ed six days a makin' the world ; 

 well, and on the seventh he put on that horse's fore- 

 hand. I say, you Hiram, run him down, and let the 

 British officer see what a genoowine American horse 

 is. He arn't got no vishiousness in him. Lord 



