This was the celebrated Major Caneback, known to all the world as one of the dullest men and best riders across country that England had ever produced.

But he was not so dull but that he knew how to make use of his accomplishment, so as always to be able to get a mount on a friend's horses.

If a man wanted to make a horse, or to try a horse, or to sell a horse, or to buy a horse, he delighted to put Major Caneback up.

The Major was sympathetic and made his friend's horses, and tried them, and sold them.

Then he would take his two bottles of wine,--of course from his friend's cellar,--and when asked about the day's sport would be oracular in two words, "Rather slow," "Quick spurt," "Goodish thing," "Regularly mulled," and such like.