102 CONFESSIONS OF A HORSE DEALER. 



" Thank you ; I cannot ride to-day, for I have 

 sprained my knee-joint." This is just the thing for 

 Jack ; he is glad the gentleman is not able to ride to- 

 day. 



" What is this horse in the corner?" said he. 



" That horse, sir, is one master bought from the 

 Earl of Wilton, who is reducing his stud ; we call him 

 Wilton. He is a splendid saddle-horse so quiet, yet so 

 showy, and such a beautiful mouth. I rode him from 

 Heaton-park in a saddle that did not fit him he is so 

 high in his withers and the saddle-tree has slightly 

 galled him ; so master said he would keep him until 

 he got all right again, which he will be in a day or two, 

 as the skin is not broke you see, sir, only slightly 

 bruised. Master ordered me not to put a saddle on him, 

 or I should have liked to have shown him to you 

 mounted. He is a splendid animal ; but I think mas- 

 ter has a customer for him, when he is ready to ride 

 and show." 



" How much do you want for him, if I take him as 

 he is, with all his faults ?" 



" Eighty guineas, sir, is his price; and if he was in 

 London, one hundred and fifty would be asked. I have 

 lived in London, and have seen many worse horses sold 

 for that sum." 



"Come, now, suppose I give you a pound or two 

 for yourself, what is the lowest your master will be 

 content with ?" 



''Well, sir/' said Jack, " if you will stand a ' fiver/ 

 you shall have him for seventy guineas." 



