When Abe Lincoln's time came he was asked for the lizard story he had told at the store the night the flat boat stuck on the dam. In an inimitable way he told the story, joining heartily with the others in the boisterous laughter it called forth, but neither this nor any other of the stories told diverted the mind of Buck Thompson from the main question, this being, "Is he as green as he looks? Will he swap hosses?" "Don't happen to have a hoss you want to trade, do ye?" Buck at last indifferently questioned. The interest of the company was at once centered on the answer. "Want to swap hosses?" Abe Lincoln asked good naturedly. "Well, I dunno. Do you happen to own a hoss of any kind?" "Yep," answered the visitor. "Such as it is, I own a hoss." An expression of pleasure showed on the face of Buck Thompson. "What sort is he?" Buck asked. "Who said it was a 'he'?" The crowd laughed. "What kind is she?" Buck corrected. "Well," answered the youth as if weighing the matter, "she ain't nothing extra on looks, but she can stand up under as much hard work as any hoss in these parts." "How old is she?" "I dunno to a day--not very old." "Stand without hitchin'?" "Never's been hitched to anything in her life." "Saddle hoss, I take it. Ain't any mustang is it?" "Not a drop of mustang in the critter, I swear it." "Ain't blind in one eye, is she?" "No." "How's her legs?" "Can't lie partner. She's stiff in the legs." "Stiff in the legs, eh? How about her teeth?" "Haven't counted them." "Ever had the botts?" "Not as I know of." "Or winded?" "Not since I've had her." "Want to swap hosses?" Buck asked. "What you got?" Abe Lincoln asked with interest. "I got one what'll stand hitched. I'm goin' to be honest as you and tell you my hoss has stiff legs. From what I git, my hoss is just about such a hoss as your hoss. How'll you swap, sight unseen?" Abe Lincoln aked a few questions which proved beyond a doubt to Buck Thompson that the lanky youth was as green as he looked on the horse-trading proposition, and he was delighted both for the stakes involved and the effect of his deal on the Clary Grove Boys, when Abe Lincoln agreed to the trade. "Where's your hoss at?" Buck inquired. "Out back of Offutt's store. Where's yourn?" "He's to home--but I'll bring him." "Any rush?" Lincoln inquired. "Morning's not far off." But Buck had no notion of taking chances on letting the horse-trader consider over night. He insisted on winding up the trade in the bright light of the moon in front of Offutt's store. The crowd agreed to be present, and immediately afterward, with singing and loud talking, the Clary Grove gang took their way to New Salem to Offutt's store. Buck Thompson went after his horse, and Abe Lincoln disappeared in the shadows of the store to find his.