62 THE COACHING ERA 



the outside Oxonians were doubled up in the very ecstasy 

 of mirth, and even "Black Will" grinned as the coach 

 drove off to the accompaniment of the bitter lamenta- 

 tions of the deluded insides. 



It was not always the passengers whose undoing caused 

 merriment and provided so many good stories down the 

 road, for coachmen themselves were hoaxed sometimes, 

 and Jem Howell, who drove the Birmingham day coach, 

 and liked a joke himself, was once effedlively taken in. 

 When driving along the bleak exposed road near Enstone, 

 a farm lad called out to him to stop, and with true 

 Oxfordshire deliberation and drawl asked if there was 

 room for three inside passengers. 



"Yes, my boy, plenty of room," replied Howell. 



"For three inside?" reiterated the boy. 



"Yes, yes, make haste." 



"Did you understand, sir?" persisted the lad. 



"Oh, yes; three inside passengers." 



"Three," emphasized the boy. 



"Yes, yes; do be quick, my boy," answered Howell 

 impatiently. 



"You be sure you have room?" 



"Why, yes, how many more times must I tell you?" 



"Wal," drawled the youth, as he turned on his heel, 

 "if I does happen to hear of anyone as wants to go, I'll 

 let you know." 



What would have happened if he attempted to play 

 such a trick on another coachman, by name John Spooner, 

 passes all powers of imagination, for he was notorious for 

 his hasty temper, and Mr. Costar, who horsed the coach, 



