The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-10-31


 ored, and then ] further perceived that the foam with which Black Beauty's sides were fecked had also a dark, dall, put- plish hue.
 @ Saockingly badly groomed he must have besa! Caarles shall give him a regular soap-and-water scrubbing. He ought to have seen for himself what a filthy state the horse was inl lust what have often saldl His sight is failing fas,l Snll, didn't notice it myself when bought him he looked clean enough then. Hullo! confound it! Here comes Purcell, and nothing escapes his prying eyesl"
 It was too late to evade him. He rode up, observing, "Deuced hard run that, Langley! The first fox we've let escape us this season! An, your new horse, see! Looks pretty well done up. Had a cropper, eh ?"
 No, not exactly! but immensely splashed. What do you think of him Purcell Rather nice thing, fancy ! Only got him on Wednesday, so he $ no. quite up to the mark yet. Wants groom ing, and clipping, and making up gener- ally"
 All the grooming in the world won't make au old horse into a young one" !" announced Purcell sententiously.
 "Oid! Why, he's only rising seven six or seven the fellow could not re- member which. 1 didn't want anything younger, as my wife intends to drive him occasionally, and she prefers quiet ami nal"
 Rising seven Phew 1.-the long whistle was indicative of extreme incredu- lity, Rising seventeen, more likely A regular old stager if am not much mis- takenl What vet. told you that astound- ing cram, I'd like to know, eh ?"
 "Aw, well 1 To tell the truth, l don't know the mans name! But he'd passed the horse the day before bought him, warranted him sound and all that, so l knew it was all right"
 The fact was that 1 had never taken into consideration the advisaoility of get ting vets opinion to back up my own, but there was no occasion for me to men, ton this trifing oversight to Purcell.
 "Ahl see !" he said thou ghtfuIly, raising his eyebrows and stroking his long moustache-a gesture particularly disllked. Well he will probably be quiet enough in all conscience for Mrs Langley 10 drive or ride either. But Fl bet you soy he'll not clear that fence "
 "Dosew cried, striking my spur into his side, and Black Beauty sprang for ward. It wasn't much of a leap; old Dobbin had of en taken it when he was fresh but there was deep, broad ditch on the other side, an my horse was IT ~l I doubt that he could tackle it, and we charged the fence al full speed. Lifting Black Beauty well up to the leap. | touched him again with the spur he took it bravely and cleared the fence, with hairs breadth to spare.
 But alasl for the luckless horse, and alas for the luckless iider, Black Beauty fell short to the firm ground. and we were both plunged into tue deep muddy ditch. threw myself from his back as he floun dered helplessly about in the mire and thick yellow clay, reaching the bank just ia time to see Purcell $ young roan clear fence and ditch with an easy bound, and -top short half dozen yards from the scene of the catastrophe. To dismount and with my assistance to extricate poor Black Beauty, was the work of moment with him.
 Then, in spite of my muddy, miserable condition burst into roar of laughter, and Purcell follo we'd suit with hearty good will He was the first to recover his gravity.
 Fl say, Langley! Look herel What's up ptxt? This looks serious am afraid your horse is going to have it or something of the kind. never saw horse foam like this in my life v
 looked round and saw, 10 my horror, that he was almost covered with a dark purplish foam, while the water that streamsd from his dripping Hanks was also tinged with black. Hts breath came in short, quick g asps and his sides heaved painfully like those of a broken winded horse. Then | saw, too, that my hands were darkened and stained through com- ing in contact with the wretchcd anim al while wllowing in the ditch Even Pur- cells scarlet coat had not escaped scot free
 By George! This is bad business, Langley. Get him home as fast as you can. Tell your old groom 10 attend to him at once. He'll understand the case better than you will"
 Possibly" suggested, too thorough ly alarmed to resent this speech "p1ssi- bly, the houndering about in that abomi. nabie ditch has done the mischief Look a, his legs! They are perfectly yello~. He must have been half buried Tn clay"
 That's not clay!' exclaimed Purcell, stopping down to get closer view of ms legs. "l'm Dulchman il it h asn't turned the hair yellow! And look there at bis side and his sh houlder! Just the same, by Jlngo! Most extraordinary thing ever saw
 There's no use standing here in the rain to discuss it," said rather sulkiIy, remounting my poor horse as spoke Some chemical property of the water, suppose. At all events, I'll hurry home now"
 All right! It's decidedly the wisest als