observe something which looks very like a
splint--yes, upon my credit," said he, touching the animal, "he has a
splint, or something which will end in one. A hundred and fifty pounds,
sir! what could have induced you ever to ask anything like that for this
animal? I protest that, in my time, I have frequently bought a better
for . . . Who are you, sir? I am in treaty for this horse," said he to
a man who had come up whilst he was talking, and was now looking into the
horse's mouth. "Who am I?" said the man, still looking into the horse's
mouth; "who am I? his lordship asks me. Ah, I see, close on five," said
he, releasing the horse's jaws, and looking at me. This new-comer was a
thin, wiry-made individual, with wiry curling brown hair; his face was
dark, and wore an arch and somewhat roguish expression; upon one of his
eyes was a kind of speck or beam; he might be about forty, wore a green
jockey coat, and held in his hand a black riding whip, with a knob of
silver wire. As I gazed upon his countenance, it brought powerfully to
my mind the face which, by the light of the candle, I had seen staring
over me on the preceding night, when lying in bed and half asleep. Close
behind him, and seemingly in his company, stood an exceedingly tall
figure, that of a youth seemingly about one-and-twenty, dressed in a
handsome riding dress, and wearing on his head a singular hat, green in
colour, and with a very high peak. "What do you ask for this horse?"
said he of the green coat, winking at me with the eye which had a beam in
it, whilst the other shone and sparkled like Mrs. Colonel W . . .'s
Golconda diamond. "Who are you, sir, I demand once more?" said he of the
hungry look. "Who am I? why, who should I be but Jack Dale, who buys
horses for himself and other folk; I want one at present for this short
young gentleman," said he, motioning with his finger to the gigantic
youth. "Well, sir," said the other, "and what business have you to
interfere between me and any purchase I may be disposed to make?" "Well,
then," said the other, "be quick and purchase the horse, or perhaps I
may." "Do you think I am to be dictated to by a fellow of your
description?" said his lordship; "begone, or . . ." "What do you ask for
this horse?" said the other to me, very coolly. "A hundred and fifty,"
said I. "I shouldn't mind giving it you," said he. "You will do no such
thing," said his lordship, speaking so fast that he almost stuttere