Horses. 



55 



and just as he lighted on his legs, he " caught at mid 

 off" a parcel, which shot with wondrous velocity out 

 of a woman's arms, and proved on inspection to be her 

 baby. He said, in his dry way, when they congratu- 

 lated him on his fine fielding, " that a stray baby isn't 

 generally a good catch for a man." 



None of the contractors cared to get their teams of 

 a colour, as it was too expensive. A wheeler must 

 measure fifteen one at least ; but anything that would 

 keep straight, and get out of the way of the bars, was 

 generally thought good enough for a leader, and if it 

 had not what Mr. Murray calls " pretty manners," 

 John Reed would undertake to turn it out " complete 

 in six lessons." The average price for a leader was 

 I//., and for a good wheeler 22/. to 25/., but never 

 more than 3<D/. Ireland furnished the greater portion 

 of them, and they were picked up at the Rosley Hill 

 fairs. None under five years old were ever purchased, 

 and the average of service in a fast mail was three 

 years, although there were some brilliant exceptions. 

 The worn-outs were sold back to farmers at 5/. or 6/ M 

 and mares of course commanded the best price. 

 Occasionally a horse was purchased with rather a 

 doubtful title, and to prevent his being claimed, he 

 was always worked in the night-mail. They got very 

 few beans ; but two-year-old hay and the best of 

 oats were made especial points of. Tapster, a dark 

 chestnut stallion, was the most remarkable horse on 

 the road. For some offence or other he was condemned 

 to be a near-side leader, when he was only rising 

 four, but he " went off like an old cow" from the start. 

 From Penrith to Shap was his bit of road, and he 

 worked for ten years. When he became slow he did 

 duty as a wheeler for a short time, but he was too 

 small for the place, and a blacksmith got him for 4/., 

 and put him at the service of his country. The 

 Waterloo mare was of a very different disposition. 

 She was one of Mr. Contractor Buchanan's lot, and 



