“He’s a splendid creature.”

“I am no judge of horses,” said the landlord; “but I am told he’s a first-rate trotter, good leaper, and has some of the blood of Syntax.  What does all that signify?—­the game is against his master, who is a down pin, is thinking of emigrating, and wants money confoundedly.  He asked seventy pounds at the fair; but, between ourselves, he would be glad to take fifty here.”

“I almost wish,” said I, “that I were a rich squire.”

“You would buy him then,” said the landlord.  Here he mused for some time, with a very profound look.  “It would be a rum thing,” said he, “if, some time or other, that horse should come into your hands.  Didn’t you hear how he neighed when you talked about leaving the country?  My granny was a wise woman, and was up to all kinds of signs and wonders, sounds and noises, the interpretation of the language of birds and animals, crowing and lowing, neighing and braying.  If she had been here, she would have said at once that that horse was fated to carry you away.  On that point, however, I can say nothing, for under fifty pounds no one can have him.  Are you taking that money out of your pocket to pay me for the ale?  That won’t do; nothing to pay; I invited you this time.  Now if you are going, you had best get into the road through the yard-gate.  I won’t trouble you to make your way through the kitchen and my fine-weather company—­confound them!”

CHAPTER XVIII

Mr. Petulengro’s Device—­The Leathern Purse—­Consent to Purchase a Horse.

As I returned along the road I met Mr. Petulengro and one of his companions, who told me that they were bound for the public-house; whereupon I informed Jasper how I had seen in the stable the horse which we had admired at the fair.  “I shouldn’t wonder if you buy that horse after all, brother,” said Mr. Petulengro.  With a smile at the absurdity of such a supposition, I left him and his companion, and betook myself to the dingle.  In the evening I received a visit from Mr. Petulengro, who forthwith commenced talking about the horse, which he had again seen, the landlord having shown it to him on learning that he was a friend of mine.  He told me that the horse pleased him more than ever, he having examined his points with more accuracy than he had an opportunity of doing on the first occasion, concluding by pressing me to buy him.  I begged him to desist from such foolish importunity, assuring him that I had never so much money in all my life as would enable me to purchase the horse.  Whilst this discourse was going on, Mr. Petulengro and myself were standing together in the midst of the dingle.  Suddenly he began to move round me—­in a very singular manner, making strange motions with his hands, and frightful contortions with his features, till I became alarmed, and asked him whether he had not lost his senses?  Whereupon, ceasing his movements and