THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



what return did she get for this silent, though not less elocjuent 

 ottering to her grief ? Why, Frank put his head out of the 

 window of the carriage as it passed on, and, schoolboy-like, 

 roared out, ' You stupid old fool ! ' 



The party arrived at the countj^ town just in the nick of 

 time. The horses were being put to the ' Balloon,' and Wilkins 

 was coming out of the office, with his whip in one hand, 

 his way-bill in the other, and a ' Benjamin ' thrown over his 

 left arm — all evident signs of being quite ready to start. 

 Having walked once round his horses, and examined their 

 coupling reins and curb chains, after the manner of those 

 times, he addressed his young passengers, as they alighted from 

 their father's carriage, with — 



' Glad to see you, young gentlemen ; proud of the honour 

 of having you about the coach. Two insides and one out — 

 box-seat — all right ! A beautiful morning. Now, Mr. James 

 (to the footman), be alive with the luggage, if you please ; we 

 are all ready for a start ; and you know we are weny particular 

 at tJiis end, if we can't always be so at t' other! 



' I say, Wilkins,' said Frank, ' I shall not ride inside after 

 we get out of the town ; I shall come alongside you on the box, 

 and put James inside with my brother.' 



' Very good, sir,' replied Wilkins, ' proud to have you on the 

 box : you'll be one of us, some day or another, Master Francis, 

 I am (juite sure ; but, will your papa ? ' 



' Pooh ! ' exclaimed Frank, ' how w^ill papa know about it ? ' 



' Not from me, Master Francis,' resumed Wilkins, ' I never 

 tells no tales ; but you had better not come out till we get 

 through Cliftbrd, for the parson there is almost always at the 

 window when the coach passes by, and he is a tattling old 

 devil ; ten to one he don't slip it out next time he dines at the 

 Abbey. We shall stop to water at the " Black Dog," Master 

 Francis, and then you can come on to the box.' 



The coach having arrived at the ' Black Dog,' and the 

 exchange between Francis and the footman having been com- 

 pleted, the following edifying conversation ensued between the 

 master and his pupil : — 



' Do you feel yourself comfortable, Master Francis ? ' began 

 Mr. Wilkins — ' never on a coach before, eh ( Here, put a bit 

 of my box-coat over your knees, 'twill keep off the dust from 

 your clothes.' 



70 



