ONE SHORT.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 50, 12 December 1891, Page 691

ONE SHORT.

A shipload of fine horses was recently consigned from Calcutta to Bombay, under the charge of a very honest but somewhat dull agent in the employ of the East India Company. While the horses were being landed at the slip, they managed to break away from the men in charge, and ran like wild animals through the city.

The agent caught one of them, and mounting him, gave chase. After several hours of exciting work, with the help of his men he had captured all but one of the horses, as he counted them.

Finally he made his reluctant way to the superintendent’s office to give an account of the matter. The superintendent came to the door, and listened to his story.

‘ And you say there were one hundred and twenty-four horses in all, and you have eighty of them in the company’s stables, and forty-three back in the steamer temporarily ?’ ‘ Yes, sir, all safe but one, and we cannot find him anywhere.’

‘ What is that horse you are riding ? Have you counted him?' asked the superintendent. • Well, lam an ass 1 Of course this is one of ’em !’ and the agent rode oft’ in disgust, while the superintendent roared with laughter.