276 MR. SPONGE'S SPOUTING TOUR. 



Toasting having commenced, as usual, it was proceeded with. 

 Sponge's health followed that of Mr. Pacey's, Mr. Puffington 

 availing himself of the opportunity afforded by proposing it, of 

 expressing the gratification it afforded himself and all true sports- 

 men to see so distinguished a character in the country ; and he 

 concluded by hoping that the diminution of his stud would not 

 interfere with the length of his visit — a toast that was drunk with 

 great applause. 



Mr. Sponge replied by saying, "That he certainly had not 

 intended parting with his horse, though one more or less was 

 neither here nor there, especially in these railway times, when a 

 man had nothing to do but take a half-guinea's worth of electric 

 wire, and have another horse in less than no time ; but Mr. Pacey 

 having taken a fancy to the horse, he had been more accommoda- 

 ting to him than he had to his friend, Mr. Spraggon, if he would 

 allow him to call him so (Jack squinted and bowed assent), who," 

 continued Mr. Sponge, " had in vain attempted that morning to 

 get him to put a price upon him." 



" Very true" whispered Jack to Pacey, with a feel of the elbow 

 in his ribs, adding, in an under tone, "the beggar doesn't think 

 I've got him in spite of him, though." 



" The horse," Mr. Sponge continued, " was an undeniable good 

 'un and he wished Mr. Pacey joy of his bargain." 



This venture having been so successful, others attempted similar 

 means, appointing Mr. Spraggon the arbitrator. Captain Guano 

 challenged Mr. Fogo's phaeton, while Mr. Fogo retaliated upon 

 the captain's chestnut horse ; but the captain did not hold 

 money to the award. Blossomnose challenged Mr. Miller's pig : 

 but the latter could not be induced to claim anything of the 

 worthy rector's for Mr. Spraggon to exercise his appraising talents 

 upon. After an evening of much noise and confusion, the wine- 

 heated party at last broke up— the staying company retiring to 

 their couches, and the outlying ones finding their ways home as 

 best they could. 



