132 TALES AND TRAITS OF SPORTING LIFE, 



think you slioiild really know 3'onr liorse now if 

 you saw him ?' ' 



*'In course I should, sir," said Jack. 



And the Squire led the road to the boiling-house. He 

 took up a leg* of beef as he got there. The Oliver horse 

 had a white heel, and Jack turned deadly pale. The 

 Squire said nothing", but beckoned him out into the pad- 

 dock, where, under the elms, among'st other relics, was 

 the head of a horse evidently fresh slaughtered. The 

 Squire commented on this in a slow ominous tone of voice. 



^'Once more, I say, young- man, give my best thanks 

 and compliments to your master. I am afraid there has 

 been rather a serious mistake here ; but we were ver}^ short 

 of flesh, and you were not over explicit as to what you 

 wanted of us. However, it will be a satisfaction to your 

 master to know that he will never drop another tenner 

 over this poor beg-g-ar ; and so, anyhow, we have saved 



him some money, and you some trouble." 



* * * * * 



Jack o'ot throuo'h his messa^'e as l)est he mi^-ht ; 

 but he was in want of a situation on Saturda}' ; and H ar- 

 mony, with flve-and-sixpence to pay, was delivered by 

 the carrier in the course of the week, with a parchment 

 label round her neck, embodying- Mr. Wilson's '' best 

 compliments and thanks." 



