412 AMI JUSQU'A LA BOUKSE. 



at : he advises his being put up to auction, and says, 

 " Very likely, sir, he may bring more at the hammer 

 than I am offered privately." Very likely he would 

 if Nick would let him ; but he worit, and that makes 

 " all the difference." But how can he prevent persons 

 bidding if they are disposed to do so ? He certainly 

 could not ; but he can make them not disposed to do 

 it. The dealers and Nick's friends will not of course 

 do it ; persons who do not want the horse won't ; so 

 it is only a few, at most three or four, or perhaps only 

 one, that will. These are generally easily got over, 

 for the horse is carefully watched in the stable ; so any 

 one looking at him is very soon " made all right " by 

 those employed for the purpose. The man in charge 

 of him sees what is going on quick enough, so he 

 works in the good cause. If any one looks at the 

 horse, he steps up, begs the gentleman " not to take 

 any notice of what he tells him" (he would be wise 

 if he did not) but adds, "the pipes won't do for 

 you, sir;" or " the lamps are going ;" or anything he 

 pleases to say : so he gets a half-crown for his honesty, 

 and is thought a capital fellow, the gentleman loses 

 it and a good horse into the bargain, being, however, 

 perfectly satisfied that Jem, or Tom, at Nickem's, will 

 always give him a hint. Doubtless he will, if he is 

 fool enough to take it : not but that it is good policy 

 in any man who often buys horses at any particular 

 place to give these fellows five or ten shillings if a 

 purchase turns out well, for you then have ten 

 chances in your favour against the man who does 

 not : he is sure to get " a dig "if they can put him 

 in the way of it ; you will not, unless it is their 

 better interest to assist you to one ; but as, gene- 

 rally speaking, it would not be, your money will be 

 well laid out. 



