Originally "bronco" (MS page 4, NN-BGC). On Thu, Oct 17, 2019 at 1:35 PM Barbara Schmidt <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > 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 > > > > >