282 APPENDIX. 



stantly, and prevented him taking the wrong 

 road. But there being a post, in the shape 

 of a gun with the muzzle downwards, as 

 there is now at the corner, I could not catch 

 him up, in time to prevent his going on the 

 pavement inside of it. In the same instant, 

 seeing that the leaders' bars would be caught 

 by the post, having my wheel-horses tight in 

 hand I drew their reins back; this caused 

 them to throw their heads up, and that act- 

 ing upon the pole-chains, jerked the bars over 

 the top of the post : at the same moment, 

 as it were, hitting the near wheel-horse, he 

 brought the splinter-bar clear, and neither 

 horse, harness, or any part of the coach 

 or carriage touched that post. This oc- 

 cupied only a few seconds, for the 

 wheels never ceased turning, and the 

 escape from any accident must be attri- 

 buted to the care and nicety with which 

 the horses were harnessed and put to, and 

 proves the necessity of a coachman's hav- 

 ing a perfect knowledge of the bearings 



