The Sport of Our Jincestors 



a strong one to induce him to part with his money ; so he 

 proposed the luncheon after he was satisfied that his customer 

 was pleased with his mount. 



Neither of them touched on business during the meal, 

 the conversation consisting chiefly of the runs that had 

 lately taken place in the Old Country, with many an inferred 

 compliment to the good riding of the possible purchaser. 

 Then Mr. Sawyer produced the Laranagas and offered one 

 to Job, who bit it, and wet it, and smoked it, as men do 

 who are more used to clay pipes, and then they went back 

 to the stable to see the roan done up. 



The gallop and the ale were working in Mr. Sawyer's 

 brain, but he didn't see his way into the roan at a hundred ; 

 so he obstinately held his tongue. The dealer was obliged 

 to break the ice. 



' I 'd take it very friendly of you, sir, if you 'd give me 

 your honest opinion of that horse,' said he, waving the 

 Laranaga towards the animal. ' I fancy he 's too good for 

 our country ; and I 've a brother-in-law down in Rutland 

 as wants to have him very bad. He 's just the cut, so he 

 says, for these Melton gents ; and he 's a good judge, is my 

 brother-in-law, and a pretty rider to boot. He 'd give me 

 any price too ; but then, you know, sir, askin' your pardon, 

 it isn't always ready money between relations ; and that 

 cuts the other way again, as a man may say. What do you 

 think, Mr. Sawyer ? ' 



' I '11 find out what he wants for him, at any rate,' thought 

 the customer. ' What 's his figure ? ' was the abrupt rejoinder. 



76 



