man began to
think it was time he did somethink; and the nearest thing 'andy being
Ginger's leg, 'e put 'is teeth into it. _Anybody_ might ha' thought
Ginger was the wild man then, the way 'e went on, and Mrs. Reddish said
that even if he so far forgot hisself as to use sich langwidge afore
'er, 'e oughtn't to before a poor 'eathen animal.

"'How much do you want for 'im?' ses Ted Reddish, arter Ginger 'ad got
'is leg away, and taken it to the winder to look at it.

"'One 'undered pounds,' ses old Sam.

"Ted Reddish looked at 'is wife, and they both larfed as though they'd
never leave orf.

"'Why, the market price o' the best wild men is only thirty shillings,'
ses Reddish, wiping 'is eyes. 'I'll give you a pound for 'im.'

"Old Sam looked at Russet, and Russet looked at Ginger, and then _they_
all larfed.

"'Well, there's no getting over you, I can see that,' ses Reddish, at
last. 'Is he strong?'

"'Strong? Strong ain't the word for it,' ses Sam.

"'Bring 'im to the back and let 'im 'ave a wrestle with one o' the brown
bears, Ted,' ses 'is wife.

"''E'd kill it,' ses old Sam, hastily.

"'Never mind,' ses Reddish, getting up; 'brown bears is cheap enough.'

"They all got up then, none of 'em knowing wot to do, except the wild
man, that is, and _he_ got 'is arms tight round the leg o' the table.

"'Well,' ses Ginger, 'we'll be pleased for 'im to wrestle with the bear,
but we must 'ave the 'un-dered quid fust, in case 'e injures 'isself a
little.'

"Ted Reddish looked 'ard at 'im, and then he looked at 'is wife agin.

"I'll just go outside and talk it over with the missus,' he ses, at
last, and they both got up and went out.

"'It's all right,' ses old Sam, winking at Ginger.

"'Fair cop,' ses Ginger, who was still rubbing his leg. 'I told you it
would be, but there's no need for Beauty to overdo it. He nearly 'ad a
bit out o' my leg.'

"'A'right,' ses the wild man, shifting along the 'earthrug to where
Peter was sitting; 'but it don't do for me to be too tame. You 'eard wot
she said.'

"'How are you feeling, old man?' ses Peter, in a kind voice, as 'e
tucked 'is legs away under 'is chair.

"'Gurr,' ses the wild man, going on all fours to the back of the chair,
'gur--wug--wug----'

"'Don't play the fool, Beauty,' ses Peter, with a uneasy smile, as he
twisted 'is 'ead round. 'Call 'im off, Sam.'

"'Gurr,' ses the wild man, sniffing at 'is legs; 'gurr.'

"'Easy on, Beauty, it's no good biting '