THE ROAD. 
miles in so many hours, and he engages to drive it, and 
each is subject to a fine if the time be not kept on the 
road. On so fast a coach as this, every advantage must 
be taken ; and if we were to drag down such hills as 
these, we should never reach Exeter to-day." 
Our friend, however, will have no more of it. He 
quits the coach at Bagshot, congratulating himself on the 
safety of his limbs. Yet he takes one more peep at the 
change, which is done with the same despatch as before : 
three greys and a pie-ball replacing three chestnuts and 
a bay the harness beautifully clean, and the ornaments 
bright as the sun. Not a word is spoken by the passen- 
gers, who merely look their admiration ; but the laconic 
address of the coachman is not lost on the by-standers. 
"Put the bay mare near wheel this evening, and the 
stallion up to the cheek," said he to his horse-keeper, as 
he placed his right foot on the roller-bolt, i. e. the last 
step but one to the box. "How is Paddy's leg ?" " It 's 
all right, sir," replied the horse-keeper. " Let 'em go, 
then," quoth the artist, " and take care of yourselves." 
The worthy old gentleman is now shown into a room, 
and, after warming his hands at the fire, rings the bell 
for the waiter. A well-dressed person appears, whom 
he of course takes for the landlord. " Pray, sir," says 
he, "have you any slow coach down this road to-day?" 
"Why, yes, sir," replies John; "we shall have the 
Regulator down in an hour." " Just right," said our 
friend; "it will enable me to break my fast, which I 
have not done to-day." " Oh, sir," observes John, 
68 
