You've
got a bargain, young fellow. What name?" sang out the auctioneer.

"Cash," said she, promptly planking down the money.

Several other lots had been disposed of, but nothing seemed to suit Hil,
whose practised eye could pick out a blemish at a glance.

"Now then, stand aside. Look out. Hallo there, look out," shouted
several of the runners-in, as they drove an untameable colt into the
yard.

"Look out, young fellow. Come out," shouted the auctioneer to Hil, who
was quietly leaning against the post fixed in the centre of the ring.
"Look out," said he again, as the colt ran open-mouthed at her, but a
smack on the nose sent him back, and letting fly with his heels, just
missed her, as she stepped quietly on one side.

"Now then," said the auctioneer, with a wink at the crowd, "the breeding
of this horse is well-known. What shall we say for her? A tenner? Well
then, a fiver."

"Six," said Hil.

"Six, six-ten, seven, seven. Gentlemen, is there no advance? Seven once,
seven twice. It's yours, young fellow. What name?"

"Cash," answered Hil, calmly paying up.

"And now, young fellow, that you have got him, might I ask what you are
going to do with him," said the auctioneer in a jocular manner, which
the crowd greeted with roars of laughter.

"I'll ride him, I suppose," said Hil, quietly.

"You're not the man," answered the auctioneer, emphatically. "I'll bet
you a fiver you're not game to ride him now."

"It's a wager. Where's a saddle?" said she.

"I'll find a saddle quick enough," said the auctioneer, smiling; then he
added to the crowd, "Gentlemen, we'll adjourn the sale till this
youngster mounts the colt."

"Right you are! Two to one he don't stick," shouted an excited farmer by
the auctioneer's side.

"I'll take it," said May, handing a fiver to the auctioneer, which the
farmer reluctantly covered.

A saddle and bridle were brought and carefully examined by Hil. When she
had satisfied herself they were strong enough, the colt was driven into
a race, and after some delay the bridle was fixed on him. It was a
considerable time before the saddle could be got on and girthed to Hil's
satisfaction. Then the colt was led out.

The excitement now was intense, more especially as the colt began to
lash out furiously, to buck and pig in his efforts to dislodge the
saddle, for although dozens had tried to ride him he had as yet come off
best, and was known as incurable to the country round.

One man hel