The saddle and bridle were put on, and Crop came out of the stable free, and ready to trot back again to Ipswich if his rider was so disposed. He was as fresh and joyous as a lark, and sprang up into the air with almost as light a heart. Margaret mounted awkwardly; put her foot into the stirrup the wrong way; and perceiving that this was noticed, she crossed the stirrups over the saddle in front of her, saying, "My master always makes me ride without stirrups, and I like it best." In truth she sat the horse better without them; and had she had no saddle, it would have suited her even better still; but this seemed to have the desired effect. The dealer, however, entertained some suspicions from the awkward manner of the groom, and having already suffered for purchasing a stolen horse, he was more on his guard than he otherwise might have been. They went out of the stable-yard together, and reached the ride belonging to the dealer, and Margaret turned her horse in as she was directed. The stable lads peeped out to see what kind of nag their master was buying, and were not satisfied with a glance, but looked with much admiration at him. "Just trot him down the ride, young man." Margaret dashed down the yard and back again. "Soho! my fine fellow! Peter," he said to his head man, "just come and look at this nag." Peter stepped forward, and gave his master a knowing look, as much as to say, "Am I to decry him?" "Look at his mouth!" Peter did so. "How is it, Peter?" "All right, sir." "What's his age?" "Rising six." "What do you say to him?" Peter looked at every point, then scratched his head, and again looked at his master; but he received no sign to manoeuvre; so he replied, "Why, master, if you ask for truth you shall have it. He's a right good one; that is it." "Well, young man, now what is the lowest price you will take?" "I told you his price when you asked me before. You don't expect me to lower the price of my own horse without a bid! What do you say you will give?" "Why, I don't know! He's not every man's horse! Not easily matched; and not suited for a town horse; but I'll bid you fifty guineas for him." "Thank you for your bid, sir; but you must come nigh to double that before you'll buy." "Will you take sixty for him?" "No; I will not." "Will you take seventy? Come now, I'll give you seventy. You may go a long way before you'll get such another offer. Say, will you take it?" "Add another ten to it and it shall be a bargain. I will take eighty." "Just walk him down again. Peter, what do you think of him?" "He's worth the money; that's what I say. Buy him, master." "Well, young man, I'll take the horse; but you must give me a written warranty with him." "That I'll do; but perhaps you'll not like to conclude the bargain without master's warranty; if so, we had better not exactly conclude the price."