"'Mister, kin you tell me where I kin buy a right good hoss pooty cheap?'
"'I couldn't, less it's in here,' says I 'for that's jest what I wants to do myself.'
"'Waal, I shan't buy in this here cheating place,' says he, 'for I done that once afore, and paid a hundred dollars for a critter that I arterward had to sell for thirty-five; and right glad I was to git that much, and only lose sixty-five on the trade. If I's you I wouldn't risk no money in here.'
"'I knows a hoss when I sees him,' says I, pooty proud, feeling my oats, 'and if anybody makes anything off o' Jerry Stebbins in a hoss trade, I hope they'll let me know.'
"'S'pose you could pick out a good nice critter for me, Mr. Stebbins, and not get cheated in the price?' says he.
"'I s'pose I could if I'd try,' says I.
"'And would five dollars make you try?' says he.
"'I guess it would,' says I.
"'Wal, then,' says he, 'I'll give you a five-dollar bill to do it,' says he.
"He rammed his hand into his pocket to git the money; but afore he'd drawed it out, a slick-looking feller comes riding up on hossback, and says to my chap, says he: