"I continued to ride him for several years, until on one eventful day I was induced once more to throw him in with a string I was selling to a London dealer; and from that time we never set eyes on each other till our mutual recognition in the coach at ----. "This is another instance of the extraordinary memory possessed by horses, and a convincing proof that they are as prone to remember kindness and good treatment as they do punishment and discomfort. "After this, I lost no time in purchasing my old friend from the proprietors of the coach, which I did for the reasonable sum of thirty-five guineas. When grazing in the meadows near the highroad, he listens for the horn, and always trots cheerfully down to the gate to see the coach pass. * * * * * "I subjoin a statistical account of the career of Latch-key, showing the difference between buying and selling. Foaled in 1828. Sold in 1833 £120 Repurchased 1838 £80 Sold in 1838 200 Repurchased 1841 37 Sold in 1842 75 Repurchased 1845 25 Sold in 1846 75 Repurchased 1850 35 ------------- £470 £177 ============= "So that this horse returned to me, in his sales and purchases in the course of twenty-two years, a net sum of two hundred and ninety-three pounds! We make no mystery as to his age, since money would no longer buy him; but during his career as a marketable animal, Latch-key chanced to be never more than 'eight years old!' He is now twenty-seven, and a cleverer animal could not be found." As my host finished his account of the career of his now old favourite, Latch-key confirmed it with a whinny, accompanied, however, by a significant shake of his head, which might have implied: "I wouldn't trust you, even _now_, if a good offer came in your way!" CHAPTER XI. The Coach and Horses (sign of)--Beware of bog spirits--Tell that to the Marines--An early breakfast--Salmon poaching with lights--Am I the man? or, the day of judgment--Acquittal! The Coach and Horses was the sign of a small roadside inn in North Wales, beautifully situated, as far as scenery and landscape were concerned, but as the house was built upon the steepest part of a severe hill, it was as difficult to stop in descending as it was inviting to "pull-up" in the ascent. The house was kept by an old coachman, whose family consisted of his wife, daughter, and son, a boy twelve years old.