“I would not sell him for two hundred and sixty. _Meclis_! _Meclis_! say no more. I know your gypsy tricks. I will have no dealings with you.” “Did I not hear your worship say that you wished to buy a horse?” said the gypsy. “I do not want to buy a horse,” said I; “if I need anything it is a pony to carry our baggage. But it is getting late. Antonio, pay the reckoning.” “Stay, your worship, do not be in a hurry,” said the gypsy; “I have got the very pony which will suit you.” Without waiting for my answer, he hurried into the stable, from whence he presently returned, leading an animal by a halter. It was a pony of about thirteen hands high, of a dark red colour; it was very much galled all over, the marks of ropes and thongs being visible on its hide. The figure, however, was good, and there was an extraordinary brightness in its eye. “There, your worship,” said the gypsy; “there is the best pony in all Spain.” “What do you mean by showing me this wretched creature?” said I. “This wretched creature,” said the gypsy, “is a better horse than your _Andalou_!” “Perhaps you would not exchange,” said I, smiling. “_Señor_, what I say is, that he shall run with your _Andalou_, and beat him.” “He looks feeble,” said I; “his work is well-nigh done.” “Feeble as he is, _señor_, you could not manage him; no, nor any Englishman in Spain.” I looked at the creature again, and was still more struck with its figure. I was in need of a pony to relieve occasionally the horse of Antonio in carrying the baggage which we had brought from Madrid, and though the condition of this was wretched, I thought that by kind treatment I might possibly soon bring him round. “May I mount this animal?” I demanded. “He is a baggage pony, _señor_, and is ill to mount. He will suffer none but myself to mount him, who am his master. When he once commences running, nothing will stop him but the sea. He springs over hills and mountains, and leaves them behind in a moment. If you will mount him, _señor_, suffer me to fetch a bridle, for you can never hold him in with the halter.” “This is nonsense,” said I. “You pretend that he is spirited in order to enhance the price. I tell you his work is done.”