aid, sir," continued the man,
turning to the doctor, "that I did not charge enough for them."

"But you don't want to draw back from your bargain?" said the doctor
sternly. "I paid you the price you asked."

"Yes, sir. The captain up yonder brought you to me as English friends,
and him and his officers are good customers to me. No, I am not going
to ask more. Only I will go as far as this: if you bring them back to
me sound and in a fair condition I will take them again at the price.
Here, one of you," he shouted to a group of idlers who had sauntered up
to the fence of the enclosure, "go to the house and ask the missis to
give you a couple of halters and a horse rug. My chap, Browne, has gone
to meet the officers."

One of the men sauntered off quietly, leaving the party of strangers to
walk across the kraal, the boys keenly examining the little browsing
animals.

"Well, doctor," said Sir James, "I must say I admire your choice. They
are beautiful little creatures, and I hope that they have no vice."

"Vice! Not they, sir," said their late owner, as the ponies upon being
approached lifted their heads to stare at the visitors for a few moments
and then go on browsing at the low-growing bushes that formed their
feed. "This don't look like vice, does it, sir?" said the man,
thrusting his hand into his pocket and drawing it out full of maize.

One of the ponies raised its head, stretched out its neck in the
direction of the extended hand, and trotted up.

"These mealies are rather a hard bite for them, sir, but this lot are
very fond of a taste, and I let them have one now and then; but of
course you will always have a few sacks handy.--Now, young gentlemen,
try this one," and he poured some of the golden grain into Mark's hand.
"You too, sir," he continued, and he brought out some more to trickle
into Dean's.

There was no doubt so far in the tameness of the two ponies, which fed
quietly enough from the boys' hands and submitted to being handled,
patted and held by their thick forelocks or manes.

By this time the dealer's messenger had returned with a couple of
halters.

"Missis can't find a horse rug," said the man surlily.

"Never mind; we can do without, I daresay. But just be on the lookout,
and if you see my Browne send him to me. Now then, gentlemen, like to
try barebacked?"

"Yes," said Mark; and as soon as a halter had been thrown over one of
the ponies' heads the dealer handed the end to