THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



in-the-mouth sort, no tale-teller. We poor coachmen, you know, 

 sir, must live ; that is to say, we must make tongue and buckle 

 meet at the end of the year, or we gets into trouble. Now, this 

 can't be done for only ten shillings a week on such a dull road 

 as this, besides wliat we kicks the passengers for, without a bit 

 of shouldering. This gentleman is what we call a shoulder-stick, 

 and, instead of his fare going to the proprietors of the coach, it 

 finds its way into my short pocket.' 



' And do you never get found out ? ' 



' Sometimes. I lost one good sarvice, owing to shouldering a 

 sodger. Made a vow. Master Francis, never to shoulder another 

 sodger, for a proprietor can see him a mile oflT. No more cocked- 

 hats and feathers, said I, for me, except they are on the bill, and 

 then they ain't worth having.' 



Just at this moment the ' Balloon ' coach, doivn, appeared 

 in sight ; and, on both coaches being pulled up alongside each 

 other, the following somewhat symbolical sentences were inter- 

 changed. 



' How do, Joe ? ' 



' How do, William ? ' 



' Any thiinj said? ' 



'No; but I thinks the young one's/,?/.' 



' Good day, Joe ; there's three in and two out, booked for 

 you to-morrow.' 



But we must here close this portion of our history. Let it 

 suffice to say, that Frank got another lesson from Wilkins, 

 with some hints which he never forgot: but on the approach 

 of night, resumed his inside place, and, in due time, found 

 himself safe in London, under the roof of his uncle, who was 

 delighted at the thought of his nepliew making such a promis- 

 ing start in the world, with the assurance tluit, in after-life, he 

 would have the means of supporting both the rank and character 

 of a gentleman. 



It was three years since the J^oung Rabys had been in London, 

 a period at that early age well-nigh long enough to obliterate 

 all recollection of what it had appeared to be. Three days, 

 however, having been allowed them to see what was best worth 

 seeing in their eyes, they made the most of their time, nearly 

 exhausting the energies of their uncle, who made no small 

 sacrifice in exerting them. And tliere was one place which 

 he had believed nothing could luwe ever induced him to 



73 



