empty, or the load was light, the "Dodger" stepped out gaily, but if
he found the dray at all heavy, he affected to fall dead lame. The
old strain of staunch blood was too strong in his veins to allow him
to refuse or jib, or stand still. Oh, no! The "Dodger" arranged a
compromise with his conscience, and though he pulled manfully, he
resorted to this lazy subterfuge. More than once with a "new chum"
it had succeeded to perfection, and the "Dodger" found himself back
again in his stable with a rack of hay before him, whilst his
deluded owner or driver was running all over the place to find a
substitute in the shafts. If I had not seen it myself, I could not
have believed it. In order to induce the "Dodger" to act his part
thoroughly, a drayman was appointed whom the horse had never seen,
and therefore imagined could be easily imposed upon. The moment the
signal was given to start, the "Dodger," after a glance round, which
plainly said, "I wonder if I may try it upon you," took a step
forward and almost fell down, so desperate was his lameness. The
driver, who was well instructed in his part, ran round, and lifted
up one sturdy bay leg after the other, with every appearance of the
deepest concern. This encouraged the "Dodger," who uttered a groan,
but still seemed determined to do his best, and limped and stumbled
a yard or two further on. I confess it seemed impossible to believe
the horse to be quite sound, and if it had depended on me, the
"Dodger" would instantly have been unharnessed and put back in his
stable. But the moment had come to unmask him. His master stepped
forward, and pulling first one cunning ear, on the alert for every
word, and then the other; cried, "It wont do, sir! step out
directly, and don't let us have any nonsense." The "Dodger" groaned
again, this time from his heart probably, shook himself, and,
leaning well forward in his big collar, stepped out without a
murmur. The lameness had disappeared by magic, nor was there even