Or ... Mexican ... bronco ... Leslie On Thu, Oct 17, 2019 at 5:06 PM Robert H. HIRST <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > 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 > > > > > > > > >