nent, I hope,' observed Caingey, in his most
deferential style, to our hero when they met at the News'-room the next
day--'you'll not think me impertinent, I hope; but I think you said as we
rode home, yesterday, that you didn't altogether like the brown horse you
were on?'

'_Did I?_' replied Mr. Sponge, with apparent surprise; 'I think you must
have misunderstood me.'

'Why, no; it wasn't exactly that,' rejoined Mr. Thornton, 'but you said you
liked him better than you did, I think?'

'Ah! I believe I did say something of the sort,' replied Sponge
casually--'I believe I did say something of the sort; but he carried me so
well that I thought better of him. The fact was,' continued Mr. Sponge,
confidentially, 'I thought him rather too light mouthed; I like a horse
that bears more on the hand.'

'Indeed!' observed Mr. Thornton; 'most people think a light mouth a
recommendation.'

'I know they do,' replied Mr. Sponge, 'I know they do; but I like a horse
that requires a little riding. Now this is too much of a made horse--too
much of what I call an old man's horse, for me. Bullfrog, whom I bought him
of, is very fat--eats a great deal of venison and turtle--all sorts of good
things, in fact--and can't stand much tewing in the saddle; now, I rather
like to feel that I am on a horse, and not in an arm-chair.'

'He's a fine horse,' observed Mr. Thornton.

'So he ought,' replied Mr. Sponge; 'I gave a hatful of money for him--two
hundred and fifty golden sovereigns, and not a guinea back. Bullfrog's the
biggest screw I ever dealt with.'

That latter observation was highly encouraging to Thornton. It showed that
Mr. Sponge was not one of your tight-laced dons, who take offence at the
mere mention of 'drawbacks,' but, on the contrary, favoured the supposition
that he would do the 'genteel,' should he happen to be a seller.

'Well, if you should feel disposed to part with him, perhaps you will have
the kindness to let me know,' observed Mr. Thornton; adding, 'he's not for
myself, of course, but I think I know a man he would suit, and who would be
inclined to give a good price for him.'

'I will,' replied Mr. Sponge; 'I will,' repeated he, adding, 'if I _were_
to sell him, I wouldn't take a farthing under three 'underd for him--three
'underd _guineas_, mind, _not punds_.'

'That's a vast sum of money,' observed Mr. Thornton.

'Not a bit on't,' replied Mr. Sponge. 'He's worth it all, and a great deal
more. Indeed, I ha