He, therefore, just mounted Multum-in-Parvo as Leather
led him out at the door, and set off without a word.
'Well, hang me, but you are a good judge of weather,' exclaimed Sponge to
himself, as he got into the field at the back of the house, and found the
horse made little impression on the grass. '_No frost!_' repeated he,
breathing into the air; 'why it's freezing now, out of the sun.'
On getting into Marygold Lane, our friend drew rein, and was for turning
back, but the resolute chestnut took the bit between his teeth and shook
his head, as if determined to go on.
'Oh, you brute!' growled Mr. Sponge, letting the spurs into his sides with
a hearty good-will, which caused the animal to kick, as if he meant to
stand on his head. 'Ah, you _will_, will ye?' exclaimed Mr. Sponge, letting
the spurs in again as the animal replaced his legs on the ground. Up they
went again, if possible higher than before.
The brute was clearly full of mischief, and even if the hounds did not
throw off, which there was little prospect of their doing from the
appearance of the weather, Mr.
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