SOME CURIOUS HORSES 243 



good price for him on account of his make and 

 shape ; in fact, you could not see a finer-looking 

 hunter nor ride a greater impostor. 



Another curious animal I had I bought quite 

 accidentally. 



It was at Newmarket during a July Meeting, 

 and one morning I strolled up to the paddocks 

 where the sales were going on, expecting to see 

 there a friend I wished to meet. On walking up 

 to the ring, a very fine horse was being led slowly 

 round ; it was evidently quite quiet, went round 

 the ring like any old sheep ; but scarcely any bids 

 and those very low ones, were being made for it. 

 Catching the auctioneer's eye, I gave a bid, and, 

 not seeing my friend, walked off. Just as I had 

 got to the gate one of the auctioneer's clerks ran 

 after me and asked where they should take my 

 horse to. I denied having bought one ; but the 

 man persisted, so I went back and found the horse 

 had actually been knocked down to me, the auc- 

 tioneer telling me it was really cheap for dogs'- 

 meat at the price I had given. The horse was 

 sent down to my trainer's, and, meeting him later 

 on in the day on the course, he said, " Well, sir, so 

 you bought Vulcan ? " I told him how it occurred, 

 at which he was much amused, and, on my asking 

 him some questions, told me he was a splendid 



