The fair was a common cattle and horse fair: there was little merriment going on, but there was no lack of business.

By about two o'clock in the afternoon, Mr.Petulengro and his people had disposed of their animals at what they conceived very fair prices--they were all in high spirits, and Jasper proposed to adjourn to a public-house.

As we were proceeding to one, a very fine horse, led by a jockey, made its appearance on the ground.

Mr.Petulengro stopped short, and looked at it steadfastly: "Fino covar dove odoy sas miro--a fine thing were that, if it were but mine!" he exclaimed.

"If you covet it," said I, "why do you not purchase it ?" "We low gyptians never buy animals of that description; if we did we could never sell them, and most likely should be had up as horse-stealers." "Then why did you say just now, 'It were a fine thing if it were but yours' ?" said I.