Hunting in the Golden Days. 51 



that adventure it was raven black, but when I got up the 

 next morning and looked in the glass it was as you see 

 it now." This yarn was afterwards explained by a side 

 wind, as Giles found him in the middle of the road, 

 and smelling very strong of rum ! 



■ This and many similar stories Sir John has himself 

 often heard ; but he does not wish to wait long to-day, 

 as it is growing dusk, and he is anxious to reach home 

 before dark ; so orders are given to harness the mare. 



As they are leaving the yard they pass the mail 

 coach on its return journey, and as the driver was 

 once in the service of Sir John, in my next chapter I 

 will give the reader an account of one of the old 

 coachmen of the past. 



