212 COACHING. 



men employed in removing a large tree that 

 bad fallen during the storm of the previous 

 night across the road near St. John's College. 

 The coachman shook his head, looking very 

 nervous, while the guard, a most powerful 

 man, stood up to be prepared for any 

 e mermen c v. 



On we went, the coachman trying in vain 

 to check the galloping steeds, and we had 

 got within a few yards of the critical spot, 

 when the guard, crawling over the roof, 

 mana":ed somehow or other to s^et on the 

 footboard, when, with a spring, he threw 

 himself on the back of the near wheeler, and 

 with a giant's grasp checked the horses at 

 the very moment the leaders were about to 

 charge the tree. 



Down they came, but the guard never 

 yielded an inch, and, with the assistance of 

 the country people nearest at hand the 

 leaders regained their legs without the slightest 

 damage to man, horse, coach, or harness. A 

 subscription for our gallant preserver was got 

 up on the spot. 



The coachmen of well-appointed " drags" were 

 a privileged class, they were familiar, " but by no 

 means vulgar," and were universal favourites 



