CHAPTER XIII.
Groom and cob--Strength and symmetry--Where's the saddle ?--The first ride--No more fatigue--Love for horses--Pursuit of words--Philologist and Pegasus--The smith--What more, agrah ?--Sassannach tenpence.
And it came to pass that, as I was standing by the door of the barrack stable, one of the grooms came out to me, saying, 'I say, young gentleman, I wish you would give the cob a breathing this fine morning.' 'Why do you wish me to mount him ?' said I; 'you know he is dangerous.

I saw him fling you off his back only a few days ago.' 'Why, that's the very thing, master.

I'd rather see anybody on his back than myself; he does not like me; but, to them he does, he can be as gentle as a lamb.' 'But suppose,' said I, 'that he should not like me ?' 'We shall soon see that, master,' said the groom; 'and, if so be he shows temper, I will be the first to tell you to get down.

But there's no fear of that; you have never angered or insulted him, and to such as you, I say again, he'll be as gentle as a lamb.' 'And how came you to insult him,' said I, 'knowing his temper as you do ?' 'Merely through forgetfulness, master: I was riding him about a month ago, and having a stick in my hand, I struck him, thinking I was on another horse, or rather thinking of nothing at all.

He has never forgiven me, though before that time he was the only friend I had in the world; I should like to see you on him, master.' 'I should soon be off him; I can't ride.' 'Then you are all right, master; there's no fear.