s excitement in earnest; and a most diabolical one it
was. It pierced me through and through, and curdled my very blood, it
was the death shout of a savage.) "G'lang you skunk, and turn out your
toes pretty," said he, and he again repeated this long protracted,
shrill, infernal yell, a second time.

Every eye was instantly turned upon us. Even Tattersall suspended his
"he is five years old--a good hack--and is to be sold," to give time for
the general exclamation of surprise. "Who the devil is that? Is he
mad? Where did _he_ come from? Does any body know him? He is a devilish
keen-lookin' fellow that; what an eye he has! He looks like a Yankee,
that fellow."

"He's been here, your honour, several days, examines every thing and
says nothing; looks like a knowing one, your honour. He handles a hoss
as if he'd seen one afore to-day, Sir."

"Who is that gentleman with him?"

"Don't know, your honour, never saw him before; he looks like a
furriner, too."

"Come, Mr. Slick," said I, "we are attracting too much attention here,
let us go."

"Cuss 'em," said he, "I'll attract more attention afore I've done yet,
when Old Clay comes, and then I'll tell 'em who I am--Sam Slick,
from Slickville, Onion County, State of Connecticut, United States of
America. But I do suppose we had as good make tracks, for I don't want
folks to know me yet. I'm plaguy sorry I let put that countersign of Old
Clay too, but they won't onderstand it. Critters like the English, that
know everything have generally weak eyes, from studyin' so hard.

"Did you take notice of that critter I was a handlin' of, Squire? that
one that's all drawed up in the middle like a devil's darnin' needle;
her hair a standin' upon eend as if she was amazed at herself, and
a look out of her eye, as if she thort the dogs would find the steak
kinder tough, when they got her for dinner. Well, that's a great mare
that 'are, and there ain't nothin' onder the sun the matter of her,
except the groom has stole her oats, forgot to give her water, and let
her make a supper sometimes off of her nasty, mouldy, filthy beddin'. I
hante see'd a hoss here equal to her a'most--short back, beautiful rake
to the shoulder, great depth of chest, elegant quarter, great stifle,
amazin' strong arm, monstrous nice nostrils, eyes like a weasel, all
outside, game ears, first chop bone and fine flat leg, with no gum on no
part of it. She's a sneezer that; but she'll be knocked down for twenty
or