THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



ter^ horses were considered not badly bought at £900, especially 

 so as there were three fancy-coloured ones in tlie lot ; but had 

 not four of theui been, to a slight degree, collar-marked, a 

 larger sum would have been required. Frank Raby, however, 

 had remembered the good advice his friend Sir John had given 

 him in very young days; and in this, as well as in most of the 

 future transactions of life, he looked to the main chance, and 

 endeavoured to get what is called — ' the penn}''s worth for 

 his penny.' It would be well, if all persons, situated as he was 

 situated — with the means of procuring all reasonable pleasures 

 — would observe the like rule. 



But to return to the coach-stables (as those in which coach- 

 horses are kept are called, to distinguish them from those used 

 by hunters, the establishments being invariably kept apart in 

 all well-conducted arrangements) : I can do nothing in illustra- 

 tion of them, if I may be allowed so to express myself, without 

 the assistance of some friends. We will, therefore, announce to 

 our readers the arrival of the following conspicuous characters, 

 on a week's visit to our hero, who had made the most ample 

 preparation for their reception ; namely, Lord Edmonston ; 8ir 

 John Inkleton ; Mr. Somerby : Mr. Goodall ; Mr. Hougiiton ; 

 friend Hargrave ; and Jack Webber ; and no sooner had they 

 all assembled, and partaken of some refreshment aiter their 

 journey, than they walked into the stable-yard, where the 

 following conversation ensued : — 



SirJolni. — ' Ah ! there is your drag, and it appears to be quite 

 the thing, or " all-right," as we say on the road. I told you 

 Wright and Powell would turn you out a good one. What do 

 you think of it. Jack, eh ? ' 



Now, before we give the answer, we must have a word or 

 two about ' Jack.' In consequence of his father having 

 grumbled rather more than he thought was necessary, at 

 having three times paid his debts — amounting, in all, to 

 upwards of £72,000 — the said Mr. John Webber quitted the 

 paternal roof, and went regularly to work on the Brighton 

 road for upwards of two jears. A better coachman, perhaps, 

 seldom mounted a coach-box ; a more popular character, with 

 all descriptions of persons, never ; but he (quitted it at the 

 earnest request of his family, and was restored to society with 

 no further blemish on his character than having performed 

 the office of a menial to those vastly below him in the world. 



273 s 



