In a few minutes I found myself out
of the town, when, turning round for the purpose of returning, I
found I had been followed by several of the connoisseur-looking
individuals, whom I had observed in the fair. "Now would be the
time for a display," thought I; and looking around me I observed
two five-barred gates, one on each side of the road, and fronting
each other. Turning my horse's head to one, I pressed my heels to
his sides, loosened the reins, and gave an encouraging cry,
whereupon the animal cleared the gate in a twinkling. Before he
had advanced ten yards in the field to which the gate opened, I had
turned him round, and again giving him cry and rein, I caused him
to leap back again into the road, and still allowing him head, I
made him leap the other gate; and forthwith turning him round, I
caused him to leap once more into the road, where he stood proudly
tossing his head, as much as to say, "What more?" "A fine horse! a
capital horse!" said several of the connoisseurs. "What do you ask
for him?" "Too much for any of you to pay," said I. "A horse like
this is intended for other kind of customers than any of you."
"How do you know that?" said one; the very same person whom I had
heard complaining in the street of the paucity of good horses in
the fair.
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