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CHAPTER III. 



rpHE term " slow coacli" became proverbial, 

 -L and was applied not only to the lumbering 

 six-inside vehicles that travelled at almost a 

 snail's pace, but to every school-boy and col- 

 legian who possessed little or no gumption. Un- 

 fortunately, in those days the Society for the 

 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals did not exist, 

 or many a hulking fellow would have been had 

 up for his merciless use of the lash when urging 

 his wretched cattle up a severe hill or over ruts 

 recently laid down with large unbroken stones — 

 smooth " macadamised" roads being not then 

 in prospective existence. So heavy was the 

 draught that an appeal was being constantly 

 made to the passengers to alight and walk 

 up any acclivity, which upon a wet day or when 



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