"He wanted to force me to sell the mare, which he had been riding without my leave, and kept bragging about his marksmanship.

So at last I grew cross and challenged him." "No wonder, Allan; I do not blame you.

Still, you are silly, for it will not matter to him if he loses his money; but that beautiful mare is your ewe-lamb, and I should be sorry to see you parted from a beast which has done us so good a turn.

Well, there it is; perhaps circumstances may yet put an end to this trial; I hope so." "I hope they won't," I answered stubbornly.
"I dare say you do, being sore as a galled horse just now.

But listen, Allan, and you, too, predicant Quatermain; there are other and more important reasons than this petty squabble why I should be glad if you could go away for a while.