Only let him get on the horse's back, and you'll see what he can do!" "No," said the landlord, "it won't do." Whereupon Mr.Petulengro became very much excited; and pulling out a handful of money, said, "I'll tell you what, I'll forfeit these guineas if my black pal there does the horse any kind of damage; duck me in the horse-pond if I don't." "Well," said the landlord "for the sport of the thing I consent, so let your white pal get down and your black pal mount as soon as he pleases." I felt rather mortified at Mr.Petulengro's interference; and showed no disposition to quit my seat; whereupon he came up to me and said, "Now, brother, do get out of the saddle--you are no bad hand at trotting, I am willing to acknowledge that; but at leaping a horse there is no one like Tawno.

Let every dog be praised for his own gift.

You have been showing off in your line for the last half-hour; now do give Tawno a chance of exhibiting a little; poor fellow, he hasn't often a chance of exhibiting, as his wife keeps him so much in sight." Not wishing to appear desirous of engrossing the public attention, and feeling rather desirous to see how Tawno, of whose exploits in leaping horses I had frequently heard, would acquit himself in the affair, I at length dismounted, and Tawno, at a bound, leaped into the saddle, where he really looked like Gunnar of Hlitharend, save and except that the complexion of Gunnar was florid, whereas that of Tawno was of nearly Mulatto darkness; and that all Tawno's features were cast in the Grecian model, whereas Gunnar had a snub nose.

"There's a leaping-bar behind the house," said the landlord.
"Leaping-bar!" said Mr.Petulengro, scornfully.

"Do you think my black pal ever rides at a leaping-bar?
No more than at a windle-straw.