"That horse
is worth some money," said he, turning towards me suddenly, and
slightly touching me on the arm with the letter which he held in
his hand; to which observation I made no reply, save by bending my
head towards the right shoulder as I had seen him do. "The young
man is going to talk to me and my partners about it to-night," said
the ostler who had expressed an opinion that he and his friends
might offer me somewhat under seventy pounds for the animal.
"Pooh!" said the landlord, "the young man' knows what he is about;
in the meantime lead the horse to the reserved stall, and see well
after him. My friend," said he, taking me aside after the ostler
had led the animal away, "recommends you to me in the strongest
manner, on which account alone I take you and your horse in. I
need not advise you not to be taken in, as I should say, by your
look, that you are tolerably awake; but there are queer hands at
Horncastle at this time, and those fellows of mine, you understand
me--; but I have a great deal to do at present, so you must excuse
me." And thereupon went into the house.
That same evening I was engaged at least two hours in the stable,
in rubbing the horse down, and preparing him for the exhibition
which I intended he should make in the fair on the following day.
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