274 NIMROD'S NORTHERN TOUR. 



hands, safe of course, or he would not be where I should find him, but 

 pulling at his horses ready to pull their heads off, with legs and arms all 

 at work at once. Moreover, I had been a little prejudiced against this 

 Highlander, by hearing him put in contrast with Arthur, and the prefer- 

 ence given generally to Arthur on the balance. Guess my surprise then, 

 when, before I had seen him at work ten minutes, I pronounced him a 

 first-rate workman; and barring his incomprehensible lingo — the real 

 native Doric — fit to drive the Wonder out of London any day, if Mr. 

 Wood* would give him leave. His seat on his box is perfect; his reins 

 well laid over his fingers, and as firm as if they were stitched there ; 

 his hands as quiet as if he were asleep, the right hand never stirring at 

 all till it was wanted, when it was used as it should be ; and taken 

 altogether, there was a combination of strength with ease and smooth- 

 ness, about his performance, that pleased me as much as it surprised me. 

 ** Well done, Captain," said I to myself, ** what must your flash man be 

 over this ground, if David Roup the Highlander can do the trick Hke this." 



David of course had the office given him, and before the quarter of an 

 hour was up, he stuck his whip into the pipe of his box, and turning 

 towards me, said — " Ye'll tak 'um noo, sir ; ye'll find 'um nane of the 

 warse." No sooner were the reins in my hand than David was behind 

 me on the roof, and Mr. Dalyell beside me on the bench. *' We gang 

 awa' (away) over this ground," was all he said to me till we came to the 

 change, when he cautioned me against a shy leader, and once told me I 

 was losing time; but he made us laugh when we got to the Captain's 

 horses, a few stages further. ** David," said I, " why don't you put a 

 check rein on that off leader ? he makes my arm ache infernally." 

 " And mine, too," replied David ; " but the Captain woona hae nae 



* Mr. Wood — an out-and-outer in liis Hne— drives the Wonder out of London. 



