The Principal and instrument soon drove off together to a stable-yard in

High Holborn, where a remarkably fine grey gelding, worth, at the lowest

figure, seventy-five guineas (not taking into account the value of the

shot he had been made to swallow for the improvement of his form), was

to be parted with for a twenty-pound note, in consequence of his having

run away last week with Mrs Captain Barbary of Cheltenham, who wasn't up

to a horse of his courage, and who, in mere spite, insisted on selling

him for that ridiculous sum: or, in other words, on giving him away.

Plornish, going up this yard alone and leaving his Principal outside,

found a gentleman with tight drab legs, a rather old hat, a little

hooked stick, and a blue neckerchief (Captain Maroon of Gloucestershire,

a private friend of Captain Barbary); who happened to be there, in

a friendly way, to mention these little circumstances concerning the

remarkably fine grey gelding to any real judge of a horse and quick

snapper-up of a good thing, who might look in at that address as per

advertisement.

This gentleman, happening also to be the Plaintiff in the

Tip case, referred Mr Plornish to his solicitor, and declined to treat

with Mr Plornish, or even to endure his presence in the yard, unless

he appeared there with a twenty-pound note: in which case only, the

gentleman would augur from appearances that he meant business, and

might be induced to talk to him. On this hint, Mr Plornish retired

to communicate with his Principal, and presently came back with the

required credentials. Then said Captain Maroon, 'Now, how much time do

you want to make the other twenty in? Now, I'll give you a month.' Then

said Captain Maroon, when that wouldn't suit, 'Now, I'll tell what I'll

do with you. You shall get me a good bill at four months, made payable

at a banking-house, for the other twenty!' Then said Captain Maroon,

when THAT wouldn't suit, 'Now, come; Here's the last I've got to say

to you.

You shall give me another ten down, and I'll run my pen clean

through it.' Then said Captain Maroon when THAT wouldn't suit, 'Now,

I'll tell you what it is, and this shuts it up; he has used me bad, but

I'll let him off for another five down and a bottle of wine; and if you

mean done, say done, and if you don't like it, leave it.' Finally said

Captain Maroon, when THAT wouldn't suit either, 'Hand over, then!'--And

in consideration of the first offer, gave a receipt in full and

discharged the prisoner.




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