22 



" I'll tell you honestly what I'll do," said Mr. 

 Weatherside after some little parley, '* if you'll leave the 

 horse here till to-morrow morning so that I may look him 

 over, I'll promise you the exchange you want, and you'll 

 find mine much more suited for your purpose than 

 your own kingly looking creature, fine as he steps." 



'* Well," I answered, "I am really of your 

 opinion ; hut I would prefer his sleeping in his own 

 well secured loose box. He shall be down to you by 

 nine o'clock, and I will call a little before twelve ; 

 you will then have had trial enough. As to examina- 

 tion a blind man could tell there's not much of that 

 required." 



No objection was made to this very fair suggestion. 

 I was certainly in a great fright at the proposal for 

 poor Chameleon to sleep in a strange bed, but I would 

 have risked even that rather than have lost the chance 

 of reimbursing Mr. Weatherside. Chameleon was 

 sent down before nine, and I did not follow until 

 after twelve, thereby showing no hurry. The Rajah's 

 brother, Mr. Poser, had by this time exercised him 

 well, and at the moment of my entry was still 

 examining him, I suppose for the half dozenth time. 

 He thereupon politely stopped any further scrutiny 

 whilst we exchanged salutations, and then he 

 commenced again by staring into the poor animal's 



