138 DAYS STOLEN FOR SPORT 



" * Couldn't trust yen Yer'd be tempted to change 

 it ; and where should I be with one like your'n ? ' 



" ' I'd like to have 'ee out here for foive minutes. 

 I reckon you'd soon be glad to change your face 

 for nigh upon anything.' 



" ' Well, I'm blowed if he ain't a beauty. I'd like 

 to git out and have a talk to you, young man.' 



" ' Wait a minute, guard, there's a gentleman from 

 Lunnon going to get out here. Any luggage, zur, 

 'sides yer wit ? ' 



" ' Bring yer 'ed in, Jaimes,' said one of his friends, 

 'he taikes the biscuit.' 



" ' Jaimes ' was silent for a moment and then 

 rejoined : 



" ' Real 'ot> un, wasn't ee ? But the train was in 

 such a bloomin' 'urry all at once or 'e'd 'ave 'eard 

 sutthink, I tell yen' 



" I have told you nothing of the hundreds of varied 

 noises, to which we had to listen, from other com- 

 partments in that long train ; I have said nothing 

 about the music ; try to imagine it all, and try to 

 imagine the pleasure with which we found ourselves 

 free at Truro. 



" I wouldn't go through it again for something, 

 I can tell you." 



The telling of what we had listened to evidently 

 brought back to the speaker the scenes of a long 

 night of semi-torture, in a cramped position in a 

 crowded third, relieved though it was by language 

 that was sometimes funny and always strange. 



The captain of the Shag is a short, round man, 

 full of flesh and permeated with humour and, 

 when he laughs, he laughs all over. He is to be 

 forgiven somewhat for his lengthened laughter for 



