“My wife,” I said, “set her heart on having a side-saddle, as she is very fond of riding; so, having business which took me to town, I there purchased one for her, and was returning with it on a led horse--my wife's horse, unfortunately--when I stopped last evening to get some refreshment at a _pulperia_ on the road. While eating some bread and sausage a tipsy person, who happened to be there, imprudently began to explode some fire-crackers, which so terrified the horses tied at the gate that several of them broke loose and escaped. My wife's horse with the side-saddle on him escaped with them; then, mounting my own horse, I started in pursuit, but failed to overtake the runaway. Finally it joined a herd of mares, and these, becoming terrified, fled from me, leading me a chase of several leagues, till I lost sight of them in the darkness.” “If your wife resembles mine in disposition, friend,” said he, with a somewhat sorrowful smile, “you would have continued following that runaway animal with the side-saddle to the end of the world.” “I can say this,” I returned gravely, “without a side-saddle, good or bad, I am not going to present myself before her. I intend inquiring at every house on my way to the Lomas de Rocha till I can hear of one for sale.” “What will you give for one?” said he, becoming interested. “That will depend on its condition. If it is as good as new I will give the amount it cost and two dollars profit besides.” “I know of a side-saddle that cost ten dollars a year ago, but it has never been used. It belongs to a neighbour three leagues from here, and she would sell it, I believe.” “Show me the house,” I said, “and I will go directly and offer twelve dollars for it.” “You speak of Doña Petrona's side-saddle, Antonio?” said the little wife. “She would sell it for what it cost--perhaps for eight dollars. Ah, pumpkin-head, why did you not think to make all that profit? Then I could have bought slippers and a thousand things.” “You are never satisfied, Cleta,” he returned. “Have you not got slippers to your feet?” She tossed up a pretty foot and displayed it cased in rather a shabby little slipper. Then, with a laugh, she kicked it off towards him. “There,” she exclaimed, “put it in your bosom and keep it--something precious! And some day when you go to Montevideo, and wish to appear very grand before all the town, wear it on your great toe.” “Who expects reason from a woman?” said Antonio, shrugging his shoulders. “Reason! you have no more brains than a Muscovy duck, Antonio. You might have made this profit, but you never can make money like other men, and therefore you will always be poorer than the spiders. I have said this before very often, and only hope you will not forget it, for in future I intend to speak of other things.” “Where would I have got the ten dollars to pay Petrona for the saddle?” he retorted, losing his temper.