26 



knows Ten he's got a workman on his back — see how he gives to the 

 lad though he's only fifteen, and not strong of his hage nouther," 

 continued Mr. Buckram, " and I guess if he had sich a consternation 

 of talent as you on his back, he'd wery soon be as quiet as a lamb — not 

 that he's wicious — far from it, only play — full of play, I may say, 

 though to be sure, if a man gets spilt it don't argufy much whether 

 it's done from play or from wice." 



During this time the horse was going through his evolutions, hop- 

 ping over this thing, popping over that, making as little of every thing 

 as practice makes them do. 



Having gone through the usual routine, the lad now walked the 

 glowing coated, snorting horse back to where the trio stood. Mr. 

 Sponge again looked him over, and still seeing no exception to take 

 to him, bid the lad get off, and lengthen the stirrups for him to take 

 a ride. That was the difficulty. The first two minutes always did 

 it. Mr. Sponge, however, nothing daunted, borrowed Sam's spurs, 

 and making Leather hold the horse by the head till he got well into 

 the saddle, and then lead him on a bit ; he gave the animal such a 

 dig in both sides as fairly threw him off his guard, and made him 

 start away at a gallop, instead of standing and delivering, as was his 

 wont. 



Away Mr. Sponge shot, pulling him about, trying all his paces, and 

 putting him at all sorts of leaps. 



Emboldened by the nerve and dexterity displayed by Mr. Sponge, 

 Mr. Buckram stood meditating a further trial of his equestrian ability, 

 as he watched him bucketing " Ercles " about. Hercules had " spang- 

 hewed " so many triers, and the hideous contraction of his resolute 

 back had deterred so many from mounting, that Buckram had began 

 to fear he would have to place him in the only remaining school for 

 incurables, the 'Bus. Hack-horse riders are seldom great horsemen. 

 The very fact of their being hack-horse riders shows they are little 

 accustomed to horses, or they would not give the fee-simple of an an- 

 imal for a few weeks' work. 



" I've a wonderful clever little oss," observed Mr. Buckram, as 

 Sponge returned with a slack rein and a satisfied air on the late reso- 

 lute animal's back. " Little I can 'ardly call 'im," continued Mr. 

 Buckram, " only he's low ; but you knows that the 'eight of an oss has 

 nothin' to do with his size. Now this is a perfect dray-oss in minia- 

 ture. An 'Arrow gent, lookin' at him, t'other day christen'd him 

 ' Multum inParvo.' But though he's so icr-men-dous strong, he has 

 the knack o' goin', specially in deep ; and if you're not a-goin' to Sir 

 Richard, but into some o' them plough sheers (shires), I'd 'commend 

 him to you." 



" Let's have a look at him," replied Mr. Sponge, throwing his 

 right-leg over Hercules' head, and sliding from the saddle on to the 

 ground, as if he were alighting from the quietest shooting pony in the 

 world. 



