THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



miles distant from Townley, with the intention of returning at 

 night. The coach-stable was then entered, and a gratifying 

 sight was presented to by far the majority of the party. It 

 contained thirteen coach-horses, not, perhaps, remarkable for 

 their fine figures, but coming under the denomination of very 

 useful horses for road work, of which they had no small share, 

 scarcely a day passing in the summer, but they took their 

 turns in harness ; and when the locality of the fixture suited 

 for wheels, they were generally seen at the cover's side in the 

 winter. The colour was grey, with the exception of one 

 piebald, but the Baronet was not partial to piebalds, having, 

 for the most part, found them soft, and not strong in their 

 harness. Lastly, the harness-room was greatly admired, not 

 only for the cleanliness of the tackle, but for the real business- 

 like appearance of everything which it contained. Amono- the 

 items were, three sets of road harness ; two sets for a pair : 

 two for tlie break ; two of single harness ; three pairs of lamps ; 

 four sets of bars ; two tool boxes, complete ; three skids, and 

 two drag-chains ; seven box coats (besides those on the coach 

 in the yard), and seventeen whips, some of them havino- the 

 appearance of not being made yesterday. Then an interesting- 

 spectacle followed. At a given moment — the party havino- 

 returned to the house to finish the bowl of ' bishop ' — the 

 three teams came to the door, taking a sweep round the laro-e 

 grass plot in front of the hall door, which set them off" to 

 advantage. The Baronet's led the way, driven by his head 

 coachman, and followed by that of Mr. Herson, driven also by 

 his ; whilst Jem Powell Ijrought up our hero's in equally o-ood 

 style. As may be supposed, they became the subject of remark, 

 but the preference, as to horses, was unanimously o-iven to 

 that of Mr Herson ; and deservedly so, no douljt. In the first 

 place, the prices given for tliem entitled them to be first-rate • 

 in the next, they were nearly thorough-bred ; and lastly, they 

 were as fresh on their legs as when they first felt the rein, 

 which could not be said of the two other teams, some of each 

 of which showed marks of something bej^ond what is called 

 gentleman's work. 



Having taken leave of their host, who expressed himself 

 much pleased with our young sportsman's turn-out, as well as 

 the coachmanlike style in which he approached the house on 

 liis arrival, they pursued their road homeward, allowing them- 



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