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 stuttered. 'Sir,' said he to me, 'I must give you
what you ask. Symmonds, take possession of the animal for me,' said he
to the other jockey who attended him. 'You will please to do no such
thing without my consent,' said I; 'I have not sold him.' 'I have this
moment told you that I will give you the price you demand,' said his
lordship, 'is not that sufficient?' 'No,' said I, 'there is a proper
manner of doing everything. Had you come forward in a manly and
gentlemanly manner to purchase the horse, I should have been happy to
sell him to you, but after all the fault you have found with him, I would
not sell him to you at any price, so send your friend to find up
another.' 'You behave in this manner, I suppose,' said his lordship,
'because this fellow has expressed a willingness to come to your terms.
I would advise you to be cautious how you trust the animal in his hands;
I think I have seen him before, and could tell you--' 'What can you tell
of me?' said the other, going up to him, 'except that I have been a poor
dicky-boy, {226a} and that now I am a dealer in horses, and that my
father was lagged? {226b} that is all you could tell of me, and that I
don't mind telling myself; but there are two things they can't say of me,
they can't say that I am either a coward, or a screw either, except so
far as one who gets his bread by horses may be ex