I scented danger and fenced. “I suppose you know most of the horses round about here. Will you smoke?” And I gave him a cigar.
“I know this one. I sold him to Andreas.”
“Did you? Well, I don’t care anything about Andreas, but I know he’s a good horse and I want to hire one as good for my sister to ride to-day.”
“I can find you one. There he stands.” I had a look at him. A good horse I saw at a glance. “I like his looks,” I said.
The ostler took him out and ran him up and down. Then an idea occurred to me, involving some of the white lies of necessity however. I expressed a very exaggerated admiration.
“Carry a lady?”
“Carry a baby,” was the reply.
“Then I tell you what I’ll do if you’ll agree. We’re going to Cracow for a couple of days and coming back; and when we come back we shall want two horses. I’ll buy him from you if you can find me a couple of saddles, and if we can come to terms for your taking care of both the horses while we stay here.”
It did not take very long to conclude the bargain, and Volna and I were soon mounted.
Just as we were starting my friend of the police came up.