THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



a short Tommy in tlie boot, on purpose to pay him ofi'. How- 

 somever, Master Francis, you shall try what you can do with 

 them if you like, so sliif't over to my side, and I'll put the reins 

 right in your hand.' [Here it may be observed, that the short 

 wheel-reins being generally in use at that time, the placing 

 the reins of four horses in the hand of a tyro was not a com- 

 plex affair. The wheel-reins merely rested across the left hand, 

 after passing between the fore and middle finger, and those 

 of the leaders passing between the thumb and fore finger, and 

 the fore and middle finger, were very readily distinguished from 

 the others.] 



' Now, Master Francis,' resumed old Wilkins, ' mind what you 

 are about. Keep your wheel-horses to their collars, and your 

 leaders will get out of their way of themselves. Now, let mc 

 see you point your leaders to the left without moving your 

 wheel-horses. Well done, master ! that will do. Now shoot 

 out your wheelers to the right without disturbing your leaders. 

 Ah ! that's not so easily done ; but it will come all in time. A 

 man wants three hands to stir these bow-kickers, 'specially if 

 he ain't used to them. But let me see you hit this near wheeler. 

 Well, not much amiss. Master Francis, though something like 

 thrasliing. I fear the old horse thinks you are playing with 

 him, for he minds you no more than a bolster does a flea-bite. 

 Now touch up the grey mare. Ah ! master, that won't do. 

 Always hit a leader below the bar, or you will be for ever having 

 a bite, but catch no fish. But now, sir, if you please, I'll take 

 'em in hand again down the hill, for it's a long fall, and, as I 

 told you before, this near wheel-liorse is rather given to say his 

 prayers, if he steps on a loose stone.' 



At the bottom of the hill (they were now close upon a village), 

 Wilkins pulled up his coach, and, in an undertone, said to an 

 outside passenger, ' Now, sir, if you please, will you get down, 

 and walk through the town ? ' On his afterwards resuming his 

 seat, at the other end of it, the dialogue thus proceeded : — 



' Wliat is the meaning of this, Wilkins ? ' asked Frank ; ' why 

 not let that passenger ride through the town ? — you are not 

 heavily loaded.' ' Why, sir,' replied Wilkins, ' between you and 

 me, I means to swallow that gentleman to-night.' 



' Swallow liim ! — what the deuce do you mean ?' 



* Why, Master Francis, I don't mind telling you, because all 

 the servants at the Abl)ey says that you are not one of the wide- 



72 



