. You can
see what condition she is in; old hosses ain't commonly so fat as that,
at least I never, see one that was.'

"A long banter then growed out of the 'boot money.' The Elder, asked
7 pounds 10s. Goodish swore he wouldn't give that for him and his hoss
together; that if they were both put up to auction that blessed minute,
they wouldn't bring it. The Elder hung on to it, as long as there was
any chance of the boot, and then fort the ground like a man, only givin'
an inch or so at a time, till he drawed up and made a dead stand, on one
pound.

"Goodish seemed willing to come to tarms too; but like a prudent man,
resolved to take a look at the old mare's mouth, and make some kind of
a guess at her age; but the critter knowed how to keep her own secrets,
and it was ever so long, afore he forced her jaws open, and when he did,
he came plaguy near losin' of a finger, for his curiosity; and as he
hopped and danced about with pain, he let fly such a string of oaths,
and sacry-cussed the Elder and his mare, in such an all-fired passion,
that Steve put both his hands up to his ears, and said, 'Oh, my dear
friend, don't swear, don't swear; it's very wicked. I'll take your pony,
I'll ask no boot, if you will only promise not to swear. You shall have
the mare as she stands. I'll give up and swap even; and there shall be
no after claps, nor ruin bargains, nor recantin', nor nother, only don't
swear.'

"Well, the trade was made, the saddles and bridles was shifted, and
both parties mounted their new hosses. 'Mr. Slick,' sais Steve,' who was
afraid he would lose the pony, if he staid any longer, 'Mr. Slick,'
sais he, 'the least said, is the soonest mended, let's be a movin', this
scene of noise and riot is shockin' to a religious man, ain't it?' and
he let go a groan, as long as the embargo a'most.

"Well, we had no sooner turned to go, than the French people sot up a
cheer that made all ring again; and they sung out, "La Fossy Your," "La
Fossy Your," and shouted it agin and agin ever so loud.

"'What's that?' sais Steve.

"Well, I didn't know, for I never heerd the word afore; but it don't do
to say you don't know, it lowers you in the eyes of other folks. If you
don't know What another man knows he is shocked at your ignorance. But
if he don't know what you do, he can find an excuse in a minute. Never
say you don't know.

"'So,' sais I, 'they jabber so everlastin' fast, it ain't no easy matter
to say what they mean;