PODNDIXG THE CATTLE. 129 



Dupe. "Well, that's good, however; can't a man do 

 what he likes with his own?" 



Owner. " * His own,' did you say ? Why, you crazy 

 fool, these cows are mine." 



Dupe.-** Tour's, ah ! where's your keeper, cranky ? 

 you must have escaped from some mad-house. Why, 

 I've just bought the cows, and paid 207 for 'em. 1 * 



Owner. " You lie ; the cattle are mine, and I have 

 not sold 'em.'* 



The dupe and his herdsmen attempted to drive the 

 cows away by force. A crowd collected, the police came, 

 and finally the cattle were impounded, until the true 

 ownership was ascertained, and the poor dupe made fully 

 aware of the great mistake he had made. The delin- 

 quents got clear away with the 207, and the dupe em- 

 ployed detectives, and wasted a deal more good money, 

 in the hope of bringing them to justice, but without 

 success. 



This class of thieves includes thimble-riggers, card- 

 sharpers, conjurors, &c.; but they never meddle with 

 horses; the cast of their countenances is eternally 

 stamped with the prison die, and they cannot stand the 

 keen searching glance of men whose avocation is among 

 horses. For of all men, I believe thorough-bred English 

 horsemen, be they dealers, breeders, or hunting gentle, 

 men, are good judges of human character, and a rogue 

 cannot stare them in the face without feeling uncomfort- 

 able. There is a bold and searching expression in the 

 eye of a good horseman, and an easy confidence in his 



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