He had a small private sort of brand that didn't belong to any of the big studs; but he was never bred by a poor man.

I afterwards found out that he was stolen before he was foaled, like many another plum, and his dam killed as soon as she had weaned him.

So, of course, no one could swear to him, and Starlight could have ridden past the Supreme Court, at the assizes, and never been stopped, as far as this horse was concerned.
Before we went away father and Starlight had some terrible long talks, and one evening Jim came to me, and says he-- 'What do you think they're up to now ?' 'How should I know?
Sticking up a bank, or boning a flock of maiden ewes to take up a run with?
They seem to be game for anything.

There'll be a hanging match in the family if us boys don't look out.' 'There's no knowing,' says Jim, with a roguish look in his eye (I didn't think then how near the truth I was), 'but it's about a horse this time.' 'Oh! a horse; that alters the matter.

But what's one horse to make such a shine about ?' 'Ah, that's the point,' says poor old Jim, 'it's a horse worth talking about.