` When I was a lad I lived with horses , and could ride anything for twenty miles round . ' But that was not quite the truth , for he had never mounted a horse in his life . Still , the animal was quiet enough , so Peder got safely to market on its back . There he met a man who offered nine hundred and ninety-nine dollars for it , but Peder would take nothing less than a thousand . At last there came an old , grey-bearded man who looked at the horse and agreed to buy it ; but the moment he touched it the horse began to kick and plunge . ' I must take the bridle off , ' said Peder . ` It is not to be sold with the animal as is usually the case . ' ` I 'll give you a hundred dollars for the bridle , ' said the old man , taking out his purse . ` No , I ca n't sell it , ' replied Hans 's father . ` Five hundred dollars ! ' ` No . ' ' A thousand ! ' At this splendid offer Peder 's prudence gave way ; it was a shame to let so much money go . So he agreed to accept it . But he could hardly hold the horse , it became so unmanageable . So he gave the animal in charge to the old man , and went home with his two thousand dollars . Kirsten , of course , was delighted at this new piece of good fortune , and insisted that the new house should be built and land bought . This time Peder consented , and soon they had quite a fine farm . Meanwhile the old man rode off on his new purchase , and when he came to a smithy he asked the smith to forge shoes for the horse . The smith proposed that they should first have a drink together , and the horse was tied up by the spring whilst they went indoors .
The day was hot , and both men were thirsty , and , besides , they had much XXXXX say ; and so the hours slipped by and found them still talking .
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