THE EXETER ROAD 91 



daughters that he could better have spared her aunt, 

 and spoke in monosyllables to the post-boy who was 

 duly discovered to be drunk. 



This, however, has nothing to do with the Exeter Fly, 

 which is standing before The Pigeons, refreshed as to 

 men and horses, and ready to start. The snow is still 

 falling, the coachman's nose beams a benignant purple, 

 and the ostler recommends another glass as an antidote 

 to the weather, of which he presages the worst. Re- 

 covered by the aid of Nantes brandy from his previous 

 dejection, the captain hears these words of ill omen as he 

 issues from the inn, and meditates falling back on the 

 bar for further support. The guard however tells him 

 that it is time to get forward, and the man of war 

 somewhat sadly joins his company and the coach. The 

 talk now among the passengers is of Hounslow Heath ; 

 and the ladies fearing as to what may happen there, in 

 the way of highwaymen, the captain, full of a temporary 

 valour, lets fall something about the cold which will 

 make a little martial exercise enjoyable. He is instantly 

 however reduced to abject silence by a glance from the 

 hero of the recent episode, who at the same time 

 eloquently squeezes the younger lady's hand. A deli- 

 cious glance is exchanged. At the same time the coach 

 begins to jolt unspeakably, and enters the town of 

 Hounslow. Here they are advised by the landlord of 

 The George not to go forward, as the Bath Flying 

 Machine up to town has been snowed up beyond Coin- 

 brook, and six beds at The George are aired and empty. 

 As sole answer to this appeal, the coachman full of 

 valour, calls for more brandy, and two more horses, to 

 take them comfortably over the heath, and the captain 

 adjourns for a little something in the bar which may 

 serve the same purpose. Inspired by a like exercise, 

 the coachman now imagines himself to be Jehu, the son 

 of Nimshi, and the Fly leaves Hounslow behind it at 

 six round miles an hour. The first thing to be seen on 

 the notorious heath is the Salisbury Fly in a terrific 



