You have a good firm seat, sir; and I know you will both do it in sportsman-like style." Having reached the ditch, which certainly was a rasper, Woodward reined round the animal, who crossed it like a swallow.
"Now," said Murray, "unless you wish to ride half a mile in order to get back, you must cross it again." This was accordingly done in admirable style, both by man and horse; and Woodward, having ridden him back to the farmyard, dismounted, highly satisfied with the animal's action and powers.
"Now, Mr.Murray," said he, "what's his price ?" "Fifty guineas, sir; neither more nor less." "Say thirty and we'll deal." "I don't want money, sir," replied the sturdy farmer, "and I won't part with the horse under his value.

I will get what I ask for him." "Say thirty-five." "Not a cross under the round half hundred; and I'm glad it is not your mother that is buying him." "Why so ?" asked Woodward; and his eye darkly sparkled with its malignant influence.
"Why, sir, because if I didn't sell him to her at her own terms, he would be worth very little in a few days afterwards." The observation was certainly an offensive one, especially when made to her son.
"Will you take forty for him ?" asked Woodward, coolly.
"Not a penny, sir, under what I said.

You are clearly a good judge of a horse, Mr.Woodward, and I wonder that a gentleman like you would offer me less than I ask, because you cannot but know that it is under his value." "I will give no more," replied Woodward; "so there is an end to it.

Let me see the horse's eyes." He placed himself before the animal, and looked steadily into his eyes for about five minutes, after which he said,-- "I think, Mr.Murray, you would have acted more prudently had you taken my offer.

I bade you full value for the horse." To Murray's astonishment the animal began to tremble excessively; the perspiration was seen to flow from him in torrents; he appeared feeble and collapsed; and seemed scarcely able to stand on his limbs, which were shaking as if with terror under him.
"Why, Mr.Murray," said Woodward, "I am very glad I did not buy him; the beast is ill, and will be for the dogs of the neighborhood in three days' time." "Until the last five minutes, sir, there wasn't a sounder horse in Europe." "Look at him now, then," said Woodward; "do you call that a sound horse?
Take him into the stable; before the expiration of three days you will be flaying him." His words were prophetic.