118 CONFESSIONS OP A HOESE DEALER. 



breeder, he is six years old, and, for anything I know 

 to the contrary, is perfectly sound. I instructed James 

 to sell him for 80 guineas; he cost me 130 guineas. 

 But I am anxious to sell him, for I am going away in a 

 few days. Excuse me staying longer with you. Good 

 morning, sir!" 



" Good morning !" said the Captain, with a very low 

 bow. 



The upshot of this scene was the purchase of the 

 horse from Jimmey, and, returning to the hotel, he wrote 

 a letter to the dealer, of which the following is a correct 

 copy from the original, which is now before me : 



"Webb's Hotel, March 17, 1859. 



" Sir I much regret that I shall not be able to take your horse, 

 having, after I left you, met with a medical friend, from whom I 

 purchased one which, I think, will be more suitable for my 



purpose. 



"Iam,&c., 



Jimmey received the cheque for 84, which he got 

 cashed, and, in accordance with the Captain's instruc- 

 tions, led the horse to the railway station, and sent him 

 in a box to Brighton. When the horse was put into 

 his new master's brougham, he commenced to kick, and 

 Boon proved himself a coachmaker's friend, by staving 

 in the front part of the vehicle with his hind feet, and 

 cut his own hocks very badly into the bargain. The 

 veterinary surgeon was sent for to dress the wounds, in 

 doing which he discovered a " bog spavin." This led 



