Ph. All that I could remember, but one.

Aul. And why did you reserve that one?

Ph. Because I can’t be out of Love with it.

Aul. It must needs be some pleasant Sin.

Ph. I can’t tell whether it is a Sin or no; but if you are at Leisure, you shall hear what it is.

Aul. I would be glad to hear it, with all my Heart.

Ph. You know what cheating Tricks are play’d by our Jockeys, who sell and let out Horses.

Aul. Yes, I know more of them than I wish I did, having been cheated by them more than once.

Ph. I had Occasion lately to go a pretty long Journey, and I was in great Haste; I went to one that you would have said was none of the worst of ’em, and there was some small Matter of Friendship between us.  I told him I had an urgent Business to do, and had Occasion for a strong able Gelding; desiring, that if he would ever be my Friend in any Thing, he would be so now.  He promised me, that he would use me as kindly as if I were his own dear Brother.

Aul. It may be he would have cheated his Brother.

Ph. He leads me into the Stable, and bids me chuse which I would out of them all.  At last I pitch’d upon one that I lik’d better than the rest.  He commends my Judgment, protesting that a great many Persons had had a Mind to that Horse; but he resolved to keep him rather for a singular Friend, than sell him to a Stranger.  I agreed with him as to the Price, paid him down his Money, got upon the Horse’s Back.  Upon the first setting out, my Steed falls a prancing; you would have said he was a Horse of Mettle; he was plump, and in good Case:  But, by that Time I had rid him an Hour and a half, I perceiv’d he was downright tir’d, nor could I by spurring him, get him any further.  I had heard that such Jades had been kept for Cheats, that you would take by their Looks to be very good Horses; but were worth nothing for Service.  I says to myself presently, I am caught.  But when I come Home again, I will shew him Trick for Trick.

Aul. But what did you do in this Case, being a Horseman without a Horse?

Ph. I did what I was oblig’d to do.  I turn’d into the next Village, and there I set my Horse up privately, with an Acquaintance, and hired another, and prosecuted my Journey; and when I came back, I return’d my hired Horse, and finding my own in very good Case, and thoroughly rested, I mounted his Back, and rid back to the Horse-Courser, desiring him to set him up for a few Days, till I called for him again.  He ask’d me how well he carry’d me; I swore by all that was good, that I never bestrid a better Nag in my Life, that he flew rather than walk’d, nor ever tir’d the least in the World in all so long a Journey, nor was a Hair the leaner for it.  I having made him believe that these Things were true, he thought with himself, he had been mistaken in this Horse; and therefore, before I went away, he ask’d me if I would sell the Horse.  I refus’d at first; because if I should have Occasion to go such another Journey, I should not easily get the Fellow of him; but however, I valued nothing so much, but I would sell it, if I could have a good Price for it, altho’ any Body had a Mind to buy myself.