I must
entrust them to you. Take care that they are well fed, and that their
shoes are in good order. See that no tricks are played with them; for
in this city rogues of all sorts abound. Some, for instance, on
pretence of looking at them, may come in and lame them, perchance to
depreciate their value; you understand me? You must watch, too, that no
one, pretending to try their paces, gallops off, and leaves you to
follow if you list, and to find, when you come back, that the rest have
been disposed of in the same way."

"When I engaged for a ride, Master Smart, my object was to see the big
city," said Jack, in a tone of expostulation.

"Have patience, lad!" answered Long Sam; "you will see the city soon
enough, and perhaps have more time to spend in it than you expect I have
the means of rewarding you in a way that will suit your taste. So let
me hear no more grumbling, I pray thee!"

Saying this, Long Sam, turning on his heel, walked away from the
stables, leaving Jack to groom the tired horses. Jack was fortunately
accustomed to make the best of every thing, and, therefore, though
somewhat hungry and tired, he set to work with whisp and brush to get
the dust and dirt of the roads off the animals, and to put them into a
condition to enjoy their food.

Several days passed by, during which Jack found himself almost a
prisoner in the stable-yard. Occasionally Long Sam appeared,
accompanied by various persons who took a look at the horses; but,
strange to say, although they were lavish in their praises of the
animals, no purchasers were found. At all events, the horses remained
in their stalls. Among two or three who one day came together, Jack
observed a person whose countenance he thought he recognised. The man
turned a cold, unmeaning glance towards him as he caught Jack's eye
fixed on his countenance.

"I am sure that is Master Stirthesoul!" Jack said to himself. "He is
the same man I met at Mr Harwood's, and the same who was in Master
Pearson's company at Saint Faith's. What can he have to do here?"

Jack resolved to solve the doubt by addressing him. Just as he was
about to open his lips, the man, giving him a somewhat menacing look,
turned round and followed Long Sam out of the stable. Jack saw him
whispering a few words into Long Sam's ears.

"Oh, he's all right and faithful!" he heard the latter say. "He knows
nothing, and if he did, he's not the lad to betray us!"

Jack could not tell