33 THE LIFE OF A EACEHOESE. 



moments! — enabled Spanky to take up the thread of his 

 address ; and settling his head between the blinkers, he thus 

 continued : — 



" The rules of our stable are these, my fine feller. You'll 

 have to be with this colt by five o'clock i' the morning till 

 further notice. First of all, you'll rack his 'ed up, clean out 

 his crib, and if so be he's left any of his 'ay or corn, you'll put 

 it in that corner there, where I may see it, without remark. 

 You'll then give him six go-downs of water, neither more nor 

 less, and then a feed o' corn. Then you'll shake up the litter, 

 putting what's to be kept in them corners, and take away the 

 rest j but wasting straw in our stable is a certain licking, and 

 no mistake. You'll then sweep up clean, and afterwards shake a 

 little of the litter do^vn, being careful that it's none 'o the worst. 

 Then wisp his hocks and thighs over, and if he shows any stains 

 anywhere, sponge 'em ofi", my fine feller, so Mr. Sellusall can't 

 see where they was, if you'd take my advice," added Spanky 

 with a dry, short cough. " You'll then put on his clothing," 

 resumed he, "which will be reg'lated in accordance with the 

 exercise or work he's got to take or do ; then put on your saddle, 

 and draw your girths slack. Then look to his feet, brush his 

 legs, sponge 'em, and polish ofi" with a dry rubber." 



Spanky, strange to relate, now began to whistle, with varia- 

 tions of his own — 



"In the days that we went gipsying, a long time ago.'* 



"What then, sir?" inquired Harry, with a knowing look. 

 " Go to your breakfast," replied Spanky, coolly turning 

 upon his heel. 



CHAPTER YI. 



THE HEATH. 



The following morning Harry was in my box by the time the 

 lark had shaken the dew-drops from her wings, and tio 

 directions given him by Spanky were carried out with tLo 



