Well, I say nothing more, have your own way--all I wonder at is,
that a horse like him was ever brought to such a fair of dog cattle
as this."
We then made the best of our way to a public-house, where we had
some refreshment. I then proposed returning to the encampment, but
Mr. Petulengro declined, and remained drinking with his companions
till about six o'clock in the evening, when various jockeys from
the fair came in. After some conversation a jockey proposed a game
of cards; and in a little time, Mr. Petulengro and another gypsy
sat down to play a game of cards with two of the jockeys.
Though not much acquainted with cards, I soon conceived a suspicion
that the jockeys were cheating Mr. Petulengro and his companion, I
therefore called Mr. Petulengro aside, and gave him a hint to that
effect. Mr. Petulengro, however, instead of thanking me, told me
to mind my own bread and butter, and forthwith returned to his
game. I continued watching the players for some hours. The
gypsies lost considerably, and I saw clearly that the jockeys were
cheating them most confoundedly. I therefore once more called Mr.
Petulengro aside, and told him that the jockeys were cheating him,
conjuring him to return to the encampment. Mr. Petulengro, who was
by this time somewhat the worse for liquor, now fell into a
passion, swore several oaths, and asking me who had made me a Moses
over him and his brethren, told me to return to the encampment by
myself.
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