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"Is he so old, then?" I asked, as I saw collar and hames and the rest

of the heavy harness adjusted

"Old! I should just think he is, e"

"Nonsense!" I said; "horses are very old indeed at twenty!"

"Some horses; but he was only a baby then He's the oldest horse as

ever was, and about the best; ain't you, Basket? Coave a bit of a snort and followed the ht out into the yard to where the

trestle-supported cart stood Then as I held the lantern the great bony

creature turned and backed itself clureat framework ladder piled up with baskets till its tail

touched the front of the cart, when it heaved a long sigh as if of

satisfaction

"Look at that!" said Ike; "no young horse couldn't have done that, ave himself a shake which

made the chains of his harness rattle "Steady, old man," cried Ike as

he hooked on the chains to the shaft, and then going to the other side

he started "Hullo! what are you doing here?" he cried, and the light

fell upon Shock, who had busily fastened the chains on the other side

He did not speak, but backed off into the darkness

"Got your coat, squire?" cried Ike "That's well Open the gates,

Shock That's your sort Now, then, `Basket,' steady"

The horse es of his hoofs into