‘Indeed!’ observed Mr. Thornton; ’most people think a light mouth a recommendation.’

‘I know they do,’ replied Mr. Sponge, ’I know they do; but I like a horse that requires a little riding.  Now this is too much of a made horse—­too much of what I call an old man’s horse, for me.  Bullfrog, whom I bought him of, is very fat—­eats a great deal of venison and turtle—­all sorts of good things, in fact—­and can’t stand much tewing in the saddle; now, I rather like to feel that I am on a horse, and not in an arm-chair.’

‘He’s a fine horse,’ observed Mr. Thornton.

‘So he ought,’ replied Mr. Sponge; ’I gave a hatful of money for him—­two hundred and fifty golden sovereigns, and not a guinea back.  Bullfrog’s the biggest screw I ever dealt with.’

That latter observation was highly encouraging to Thornton.  It showed that Mr. Sponge was not one of your tight-laced dons, who take offence at the mere mention of ‘drawbacks,’ but, on the contrary, favoured the supposition that he would do the ‘genteel,’ should he happen to be a seller.

’Well, if you should feel disposed to part with him, perhaps you will have the kindness to let me know,’ observed Mr. Thornton; adding, ’he’s not for myself, of course, but I think I know a man he would suit, and who would be inclined to give a good price for him.’

‘I will,’ replied Mr. Sponge; ‘I will,’ repeated he, adding, ’if I were to sell him, I wouldn’t take a farthing under three ’underd for him—­three ‘underd guineas, mind, not punds.’

‘That’s a vast sum of money,’ observed Mr. Thornton.

‘Not a bit on’t,’ replied Mr. Sponge.  ’He’s worth it all, and a great deal more.  Indeed, I haven’t said, mind that, I’ll take that for him; all I’ve said is, that I wouldn’t take less.’

‘Just so,’ replied Mr. Thornton.

‘He’s a horse of high character,’ observed Mr. Sponge.  ’Indeed he has no business out of Leicestershire; and I don’t know what set my fool of a groom to bring him here.’

‘Well, I’ll see if I can coax my friend into giving what you say,’ observed Mr. Thornton.

‘Nay, never mind coaxing,’ replied Mr. Sponge, with the utmost indifference; ’never mind coaxing; if he’s not anxious, my name’s “easy.”  Only mind ye, if I ride him again, and he carries me as he did yesterday, I shall clap on another fifty.  A horse of that figure can’t be dear at any price,’ added he.  ’Put him in a steeple-chase, and you’d get your money back in ten minutes, and a bagful to boot.’

‘True,’ observed Mr. Thornton, treasuring that fact up as an additional inducement to use to his friend.

So the amiable gentlemen parted.

CHAPTER XI

THE DEAL, AND THE DISASTER

If people are inclined to deal, bargains can very soon be struck at idle watering-places, where anything in the shape of occupation is a godsend, and bargainers know where to find each other in a minute.  Everybody knows where everybody is.