THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



Sir John. — ' When the other tliree horses were put to, the 

 coachman and guard up, and the passengers all seated, she was 

 brought quickly out of the yard, with scarcely time to look 

 about her ; the leading rein being passed through her turrets, 

 and chucked to the coachman's hand, her traces were put over 

 the roller-bolts, by two nimble horse-keepers, and away she 

 started, with a rush.' 



Jack Webber. — ' What ! not poled up ? ' 



Sir John. — ' Very seldom ; the man who brought her up to 

 her place would generally succeed in putting the pole-chain 

 through the ring of her harness, and now and then hooking it ; 

 but nine times in ten it was not hooked until she had gone a 

 mile or so, when, by easing the pace, the guard was enabled to 

 do it.' 



Frank Raby. — ' And did she never get back on the splinter- 

 bar, and kick ? ' 



Sir John. — ' Oh no ; she was not one of that sort. All 

 she wanted was to get away with the coacli from the scene of 

 her dislike, and the faster the better, for she was a capital 

 bit of stuff'. Then again she was in the hands of a first-rate 

 coachman. In tlie hands of a spoon, she would have been 

 dangerous.' 



Frank Raby. — ' Is he still at work ? I should like to see him, 

 if he is.' 



Sir John. — ' He is not ; he is dying from the effects of hot 

 rum-and-water.' 



JoA-k Webber. — ' More's the pity ; but why was not that mare 

 put before the bars, instead of at wheel ? ' 



Sir Jolin. — ' She would not have that place, or it would have 

 been the fittest for her, no doubt. I thought she did the mail 

 harm with the public, and I told the proprietors I thought so ; 

 but she was too good to be drafted.' 



Jack Webber. — ' W^ell, Raby, as far as I can see of them, I 

 think you have made no bad selection : but further cannot be 

 said till we see them in harness, which I suppose we shall 

 to-morrow. In the meantime let us look at your harness- 

 room.' 



Sir John. — ' Well done, Frank ; all appears to be right here. 

 Two sets of road-harness for the drag : one for your cliariot (for 

 church and dinner- work, I presume) : and one set for the breiik. 

 Whose work is it, for it appears first-rate ? ' 



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