-it looked as if old Dobbin
had marched up the stairway, load and all. No one knew any thing of the
prodigy--no one ever does, in such cases. The horse looked indignant, as
if he had a tale to tell; but the words wouldn't come. No other witness
could be produced in court; and the end of it was, that all, except the
unfortunate animal himself, indulged in a hearty horse-laugh.

In what way they drove the cart down stairs, history does not mention.
That was the concern of the owner and of the college authorities, and
not mine nor my heroes--it may be in the hall to this day, for aught I
know. But how they got up so high in the world is another matter, and I
will let you into my secret, merely to convince my incredulous hearers
that the thing was possible. Each of the fellows shouldered as many logs
as he could carry, conveyed them to the appointed place, and returned
swiftly to the charge. The wheels were now off, and ready for four of
them, and the body of the cart for eight more. Forsythe and Barrington
reserved for themselves the honor and glory of managing the live-stock.
Slipping woollen socks over his feet, they somehow got him up-stairs
with marvellous celerity; and whilst his owner was gazing up and down
for his vanished property, the astonished horse was again tackled to the
loaded cart, his hose were taken off, and he was left to his
meditations, in solitary possession of the hall. So quietly was all this
done, that, although students and tutors were in the rooms adjoining,
nothing was suspected, until the horse, who felt himself to be placed,
without any fault of his own, in a false position, made known his
sentiments by his impatient movements.

The worst trick our heroes ever played, and one of a somewhat kindred
character, consisted in ornamenting Professor X's horse. At midnight,
when the authorities were sound asleep, they took the poor animal out of
his comfortable stable, and shoeing him with an extra quantity of felt,
to prevent any noise, they conveyed him, with great difficulty, up the
staircase, to the hall in the third floor. That might have satisfied
them; but no, they were not pleased with his color. He was of pure
white, and the scapegraces wished a variegated hue. So, after a
preliminary shaving, they painted him in green stripes, and when they
had arranged it to their satisfaction, they went to their own rooms. The
unfortunate victim was not well contented, either with his quarters or
his cond