202 ACCIDENT. 



circumstances. Owing to an obstruction in 

 the road below Dunstable, occasioned by 

 a heavy fall of snow, four or five of 

 us had started from Redbourn together. 

 We all went at a pretty good pace, 

 though not racing, and passing each 

 other only at the different changes. 

 So we proceeded to the " Green Man " 

 in Finchley Bottom, where we pulled 

 up, and, to make use of a flash expres- 

 sion, took a drain. Then I fancied my 

 friend on the "Umpire" had had one 

 or two too many, for he was full of 

 his slang, and very noisy. I took no 

 notice of him, as he was the same in- 

 dividual who had heretofore occupied my 

 seat, and whom I have spoken of in a 

 preceding chapter. The two Manchester 

 coaches started first, and my friend 

 Humpy, as he was called (whether from 

 the name of the coach or the hump on 

 his back I do not know) followed, shout- 



