A FIRST RAINY DAY. 



523 



nothing to do with dipping under dangerous electric wires. 

 Spur and whip he didn't mind — but no Harness batteries for 

 him ! So he shifted all further responsibility — on to his rider 

 — in whom henceforth the whole interest centred. Not even 



the Iron Duke himself, on his original pedestal, ever held a 

 prouder or more prominent position than did the hero in 

 question. Like him, he affected, for a while, a nonchalant 

 pose — as if the scene beneath him were not worth joining. 

 Those below were whipping hounds off, to give colour to his 

 role. Observed and observer had changed parts. The Ob- 

 served thought to retire at the back of the stage ; but the 

 noble animal that so determinedly befriended him declined 

 that mode of descent also. Vestigia n\dla retrorswm, was his 

 motto ; and Medio tidissimus ibis his parable, which he pro- 

 ceeded to illustrate by suggesting a trip up the railway, quite 

 content that his Master should have full command within those 

 limits. Accordingly Observer set forth for Coventry. But no 

 outlet appeared in that direction : and it suddenly struck him 



