Does the original manuscript for HORSE’S TALE survive? It might be interesting to check for possible alternatives that Twain considered for that phrase. Barb On Thursday, October 17, 2019, Leslie MYRICK <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > The context seems to imply that Soldier Boy is claiming that his dam was > not an Arabian (alkali =~ desert?). > Beyond that maybe this is something along the lines of the "solitary > oesphagus" /swallow pun? > Leslie > >