“He’s a regular stunner, that’s what he is,” said the gipsy. “I’d give the world to have an animal like that; but, lor bless you, I suppose I shouldn’t be able to do much with him. Horses are more in my line.”
After this performance was over Peace went through one with his two dogs, who were as docile as the goat; they seemed to understand every motion or look of their master.
The little singer, Esther Genge, petted and fondled the animals, who seemed to know her almost as well as they did their master.
“Why don’t you do a show, old man of this happy united family?” observed Bandy-legged Bill.
“It aint so easy as you imagine, and costs a lot of money in moving about from town to town,” said our hero.
“Ah, I ’spose it does.”
“Ah, yes, you want a lot of the rhino to begin that sort of business; besides that, I should soon get tired of it.”
“Well, pitch us a stave, Charlie,” said the publican; “fire away.”
“My voice isn’t up to much,” observed Peace, “but I’ll do my best.”
With this he played a long prelude on his violin, and then sang the following:—