COACHING DAYS AND WAYS 



** I have no such authority," replies the proprietor. 

 **It is true, we are now drawn by my horses, but 

 I cannot interfere with the driving of them." "But 

 is he not your servant?" **He is, sir; but I 

 contract to work the coach so many miles in so 

 many hours, and he engages to drive it, and each 

 is subject to a fine if the time be not kept on the 

 road. On so fast a coach as this every advantage 

 must be taken ; and if we were to drag down such 

 hills as these, we should never reach Exeter to-day." 

 * Our friend, however, will have no more of it. 

 He quits the coach at Bagshot, congratulating himself 

 on the safety of his limbs. Yet he takes one more 

 peep at the change, which is done with the same 

 despatch as before ; three greys and a pie-bald re- 

 placing three chestnuts and a bay — the harness 

 beautifully clean, and the ornaments bright as the 

 sun. Not a word is spoken by the passengers, who 

 merely look their admiration ; but the laconic address 

 of the coachman is not lost on the bystanders. **Put 

 the bay mare near wheel this evening, and the 

 stallion up to the cheek, ^* said he to his horse-keeper 

 as he placed his right foot on the roller-bolt — i.e. the 

 last step but one to the box. ** How is Paddy's leg?" 



30 



