The Amateur Gentleman

"Looks a bit palish, though, John!" said Natty Bell, shaking his head,

"but that's only nat'ral, arter all, yes--a bit palish, p'r'aps, but,

man Jack--what o' that?"

"And a bit thinnish, Natty Bell," replied John, "but Lord! a few

days and we'll have him as right as--as ever, yes, quite right, and

there y' are, Natty Bell!"

"P'r'aps you might be wishful to tell him, John, as you've had the

old 'Hound' brightened up a bit?"

"Why, yes, Barnabas," nodded John, "in honor o' this occasion--though,

to be sure, the sign would look better for a touch o' paint here and

there--the poor old Hound's only got three legs and a tail left,

d' ye see--and the hare, Barnabas, the hare--ain't!"

"P'r'aps we'd better take and let him see for hisself, John?"

"Right, Natty Bell, so he shall."

Thus, presently, Barnabas rode on between them down the hill,

looking from one to the other, but saying very little, because his

heart was so full.

"And this be the 'oss you wrote us about--hey, Barnabas lad?"

inquired Natty Bell, stepping back and viewing 'The Terror' over

with an eye that took in all his points. "Ha--a fine action, lad--"

'Pray haven't you heard of a jolly young coal-heaver

Who down at Hungerford used for to ply--' "A leetle--leggy? p'r'aps, Barnabas, and yet--ha!"

'His daddles he used with such skill and dexterity,

Winning each mill, sir, and blacking each eye--' "His cannons'll never trouble him, Barnabas, come rough or smooth,

and you didn't say a word too much in your letter. Man Jack--you

behold a 'oss as is a 'oss--though, mark you, John, a leetle bit

roundish in the barrel and fullish in the shoulder--still, a animal,

John, as I'm burning to cock a leg over."

"Why, then, Natty Bell, so you shall," said Barnabas, and forthwith

down he swung himself and, being a little careless, wracked his

injured shoulder and flinched a little, which the slow-spoken,

quick-eyed John was swift to notice and, almost diffidently drew his

son's arm through his own. But, Natty Bell, joyful of eye, was

already in the saddle; whereat "The Terror," resenting the change,

immediately began to dance and to sidle, with, much rearing up in

front and lashing out behind, until, finding this all quite

unavailing, he set off at a stretching gallop with Natty Bell

sitting him like a centaur.

"And now, Barnabas," said John slowly, "'ow might your shoulder be,

now?"