addle. 'For,' said he, 'if you do, it is three to one that he rides off
with the horse. He can't help it. Trust a cat amongst cream, but never
trust a Yorkshireman on the saddle of a good horse. By-the-by,' he
continued, 'that saddle of yours is not a particularly good one, no more
is the bridle. A shabby saddle and a bridle have more than once spoiled
the sale of a good horse. I tell you what, as you seem a decent kind of
a young chap, I'll lend you a saddle and bridle of my master's, almost
bran new; he won't object I know, as you are a friend of his, only you
must not forget your promise to come down with summut handsome after you
have sold the animal.'

After a slight breakfast I mounted the horse, which, decked out in his
borrowed finery, really looked better by a large sum of money than on any
former occasion. Making my way out of the yard of the inn, I was
instantly in the principal street of the town, up and down which an
immense number of horses were being exhibited, some led, and others with
riders. 'A wonderful small quantity of good horses in the fair this
time!' I heard a stout jockey-looking individual say, who was staring up
the street with his side towards me. 'Halloo, young fellow!' said he, a
few moments after I had passed, 'whose horse is that? Stop! I want to
look at him!' Though confident that he was addressing himself to me, I
took no notice, remembering the advice of the ostler, and proceeded up
the street. My horse possessed a good walking step; but walking, as the
reader knows, was not his best pace, which was the long trot, at which I
could not well exercise him in the street, on account of the crowd of men
and animals. However, as he walked along, I could easily perceive that
he attracted no slight attention amongst those who, by their jockey dress
and general appearance, I imagined to be connoisseurs. I heard various
calls to stop, to none of which I paid the slightest attention. In a few
minutes I found myself out of the town, when, turning round for the
purpose of returning, I found I had been followed by several of the
connoisseur-looking individuals, whom I had observed in the fair. 'Now
would be the time for a display,' thought I; and looking around me I
observed two five-barred gates, one on each side of the road, and
fronting each other. Turning my horse's head to one, I pressed my heels
to his sides, loosened the reins, and gave an encouraging cry, whereupon
the anima