BLIND JACK OF KNARESBOROUGH. 51 



of a gentleman sportsman, and liis noble patrons encouraged 

 him in the affectation. For example, Sir Francis Barlow of 

 Middlethorp, who kept a pack of hounds, asked Jack to bring 

 his horse with him, and take up his quarters at Middlethorp 

 for the winter. So Jack found himself in clover. He hunted 

 twice, and sometimes three times a week, and on the remaining 

 days attended private parties as violinist at liberal fees. He 

 rode wonderfully straight to hounds, guided by his acute sense 

 of hearing, with of course the occasional warnings of a friend who 

 kept near him. On his return to Harrogate after the hunting 

 season the following curious and amusing adventure befell him. 

 As he was riding through York he was hailed by the landlord of 

 the George, who told him that there was a gentleman within 

 who wanted a guide to Harrogate, adding, ' and I know there's 

 no one can do that better than you.' 



It was agreed that the stranger should be kept in ignorance 

 of Metcalf's blindness, and then the two set off together. Jack 

 piloted him safely to the Granby, at Harrogate, having cleverly 

 contrived to keep his secret. The stranger asked his guide to 

 drink with him. Jack made a bad shot at the tankard, and had 

 to describe a circle with his hand before he got hold of it. The 

 stranger stared at him, and Jack, knowing very well the truth 

 must come out sooner or later, went out, leaving the landlord and 

 the stranger together. 



' I think, landlord,' said the latter, ' that my guide must have 

 drunk a great deal of spirits since he came here.' 



* Why, my good sir, do you think so ?' asked the landlord, in 

 surprise. 



' Well, I judge from the appearance of his eyes.' 

 ' Eyes ! Bless you, sir, do you know he's blind ?' 

 ' Blind 1 Gracious God, you don't mean that ! Why, I hired 

 him as my guide here.' 



* Yes, sir ; he's as blind as a stone.* 



* Well, landlord, this is too much ; call him in.' 

 Thereupon Jack enters. 



* My friend,' quoth the stranger, ' are you really blind ?' 

 ' Yes, sir ; I lost my sight when I was six years old.' 



* Had I known that, I would not have ventured with you for 

 a hundred pounds.' 



' And I, sir,' retorted Jack, ' would not have lost my way for a 

 thousand.' 



After that they had a friendly drink together, and the stranger 



