An old green coat, the skirts of which had long since been docked by the
encroachment of thorn-bushes and cat-briers, with the mouth-piece of a
powder-horn peeping from its breast pocket, and a full shot-belt
crossing his right shoulder; a pair of fustian trowsers, patched at the
knees with corduroy, and heavy cowhide boots completed his attire. This,
as it seemed, was to be our huntsman; and Booth to say, although he did
not look the character, he played the part, when he got to work, right
handsomely. At a more fitting season, Harry in a few words let me into
this worthy's history and disposition. "He is," he said, "the most
incorrigible rascal I ever met with--an unredeemed and utter vagabond;
he started life as a stallion-leader, a business which he understands--
as in fact he does almost every thing else within his scope--thoroughly
well. He got on prodigiously!--was employed by the first breeders in the
country!--took to drinking, and then, in due rotation, to gambling,
pilfering, lying, every vice, in short, which is compatible with utter
want of any thing like moral sense, deep shrewdness, and uncommon
cowardice.
"He cut his throat once--you may see the scar now--in a fit of delirium
tremens, and Tom Draw, who, though he is perpetually cursing him for the
most lying critter under heaven, has, I believe, a sort of fellow
feeling for him--nursed him and got him well; and ever since he has hung
about here, getting at times a country stallion to look after, at others
hunting, or fishing, or doing little jobs about the stable, for which
Tom gives him plenty of abuse, plenty to eat, and as little rum as
possible, for if he gets a second glass it is all up with Jem Lyn for a
week at least.
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