`` No antics allowed . My horse is a fine fellow , and I 'm very particular about him . '' The Squire spoke soberly , but there was a twinkle in his eye , and Mrs. Moss tried not to smile ; for the Squire 's horse was a joke all over the town , being about twenty years old , and having a peculiar gait of his own , lifting his fore-feet very high , with a great show of speed , though never going out of a jog-trot . The boys used to say he galloped before and walked behind , and made all sorts of fun of the big , Roman-nosed beast , who allowed no liberties to be taken with him . `` I 'm too fond of horses to hurt 'em , Sir . As for ridin ' , I ai n't afraid of any thing on four legs . The King of Morocco used to kick and bite like fun , but I could manage him first-rate . '' `` Then you 'd be able to drive cows to pasture , perhaps ? '' `` I 've drove elephants and camels , ostriches and grizzly bears , and mules , and six yellow ponies all to oncet . May be I could manage cows if I tried hard , '' answered Ben , endeavoring to be meek and respectful when scorn filled his soul at the idea of not being able to drive a cow . The Squire liked him all the better for the droll mixture of indignation and amusement betrayed by the fire in his eyes and the sly smile round his lips ; and being rather tickled by Ben 's list of animals , he answered gravely , -- `` Do n't raise elephants and camels much round here . Bears used to be plenty , but folks got tired of them . Mules are numerous , but we have the two-legged kind ; and as a general thing prefer Shanghae fowls to ostriches . '' He got no farther , for Ben laughed out so infectiously that both the others joined him ; and somehow that jolly laugh seemed to settle matters than words . As they stopped , the Squire tapped on the window behind him , saying , with an attempt at the former gruffness , -- `` We 'll try you on cows awhile . My man will show you where to drive them , and give you some odd jobs through the day . I 'll see what you are good for , and send you word to-night , Mrs. Moss . The boy can sleep at your house , ca n't he ? '' `` Yes , indeed , sir . He can go on doing it , and come up to his work just as well as not .
I can see to him then , and he wo n't be a care to any one , '' said Mrs. XXXXX , heartily .
Ben Morocco Moss Roman-nosed Squire gruffness jog-trot old ostriches ridin