412 AMI jusqu'a la bourse. 



at : he {idvises liis being put up to auction, and says, 

 " Very likely, sir, he may bring more at the hammer 

 than I am offered privately." Very likely he would 

 if Nick would let him ; but lie won't^ and that makes 

 " all the difference." But how can he prevent persons 

 bidding if they are disposed to do so ? He certainly 

 could not ; but he can make them not disposed to do 

 it. The dealers and Nick's friends will not of course 

 do it ; persons who do not want the horse won't ; so 

 it is only a few, at most three or four, or perhaps only 

 one, that will. These are generally easily got ovei', 

 for the horse is carefully watched in the stable ; so any 

 one looking at him is very soon " made all right " by 

 those employed for the purpose. The man in charge 

 of him sees what is going on quick enough, so he 

 works in the good cause. ]f any one looks at the 

 horse, he steps up, begs the gentleman " not to take 

 any notice of what he tells him" — (he would be wise 

 if he did not) — but adds, "the pipes won't do for 

 you, sir;" or " the lam.ps are going ;" or anything lie 

 pleases to say : so he gets a half-crown for his honesty, 

 and is thought a capital fellow, the gentleman loses 

 it and a good horse into the bargain, being, however, 

 perfectly satisfied that Jem, or Tom, at Nickem's, will 

 always give him a hint. Doubtless he Avill, if he is 

 fool enough to take it : not but that it is good policy 

 in any man who often buys horses at any particular 

 place to give these fellows five or ten shillings if a 

 purchase turns out Avell, for you then have ten 

 chances in your favour against the man who does 

 not : he is sure to get " a dig " if they can put him 

 in the way of it ; you will not, unless it is their 

 better interest to assist you to one ; but as, gene- 

 rally speaking, it would not be, your money will be 

 well laid out. 



