MR. sponge's sporting tour. 75 



you in with the brown horse. Such insinuations touch one in a ten- 

 der point — one's self-respect. The bargain, I may remind you, was 

 of your own seeking, and I told you, at the time I knew nothing of 

 the horse, having only ridden him once, and I also told you where I 

 got him. To show how unjust and unworthy your insinuations have 

 been, I have now to inform you, that having ascertained that Lord 

 Bullfrog knew he was vicious, I insisted on his lordship taking him 

 back, and have only to add, that, on my receiving him from you, I 

 will return you your bill. 



" I am, Sir, your obedient servant, 



" H. Sponge. 



11 To W. Waffles, Esq., Imperial Hotel, Lavericlc Wells." 



Mr. Waffles was a good deal vexed and puzzled when he got this 

 letter. He had parted with the horse, who was gone no one knew 

 where, and Mr. Waffles felt that he had used a certain freedom of 

 speech in speaking of the transaction. Mr. Sponge having left 

 Laverick Wells, had, perhaps, led him a little astray with his tongue 

 — slandering an absent man being generally thought a pretty safe 

 game : it now seemed Mr. Waffles was all wrong, and might have 

 had his money back if he had not been in such a hurry to part with 

 the horse. Like a good many people, he thought he had best eat up 

 his words, which he did in the following manner : — 



il Imperial Hotel, Lavericlc Wells. 



" Dear Mr. SroxGE, 



" You are quite mistaken in supposing that I ever insinuated 

 anything against you with regard to the horse. I said he was a beast, 

 and it seems Lord Bullfrog admits it. However, never mind any- 

 thing more about him, though I am equally obliged to you for the 

 trouble you have taken. The fact is, I have parted with him. 



" We are having capital sport ; never go out but we kill, some- 

 times a brace, sometimes a leash of foxes. Hoping you are recovered 

 from the effects of your ride through the window, and will soon rejoin 

 us, believe me, dear Mr. Sponge, 



" Yours very sincerely, 



" W. Waffles." 



To which Mr. Sponge shortly after rejoined as follows : — 



Bantam Hotel, Bond Street. 

 " Dear Waffles, 



" Yours to hand — I am glad to receive a disclaimer of any un- 

 worthy imputations respecting the brown horse. Such insinuations 

 are only for horse-dealers, not for men of high gentlemanly feeling. 



" I am sorry to say we have not got out of the horse as I hoped. 

 Lord Bullfrog, who is a most contankerous fellow, insists upon hav- 



