THE COPEB. 89 



bulls, knocks, millers, and Bobbies, such as you have 

 here ; but this particular Eobby I want for the purpose 

 I told you, so I'll give you another half-bull, if you'll 

 give me a bob out for luck." 



" I'll not take any such money/' 



At this juncture another of the gang rides up in a 

 contrary direction to where the fair is held. " A useful- 

 looking horse you have here, sir," says he, " is he for 

 sale?" 



The gent, anxious for his opinion, replied, " Well, yes ; 

 I think 1 shall sell hinv" (Coper 1 now stands aloof.) 



" How much ?" 



" Fifty guineas." 



"He's well worth half the money if he's sound." 



"I have a warranty with him; for I've only just 

 bought him in the fair.'* 



" Oh 1 I daresay ; but I never care much for warran- 

 ties; I prefer my own opinion to all the warranties that 

 ever were written." And, dismounting, he proceeded 

 to examine the horse. First looking at his mouth and 

 eyes, he then picked up his fore feet, and ran his hand 

 down the horse's shanks, from the knee to the fetlock, 

 to feel for splints ; then the hocks are scanned over for 

 curbs or sprains, and the whole matter is summed up 

 by the crafty coper shaking his own head, as if to ascer- 

 tain whether there was anything in it, and turning to 

 the groom, said, 



" Run him on a few yards, and turn him sharp round/* 



The groom obeyed. " Oh, oh I That's his game, is 



