GUARDS ^^ 



gnawed a hole in the boot and escaped. Subsequently it 

 was found that the animal had made the best of his way- 

 back to the Shrewsbury kennels. 



The boot often held a pig, sheep, or calf belonging to 

 the coachman or guard. Once it was known to contain 

 a clergyman whose need to travel was urgent and the 

 coach full; another time two sailors chose it as being the 

 snuggest place in the coach. 



They intended to travel by the Champion coach from 

 Gloucester, and were probably none too sober, for just 

 as the coach was about to start one of them fell off the 

 roof, into a saddler's shop, and cut himself so badly that 

 he was unable to proceed. His companion refused to go 

 on without him, and though they had legally forfeited 

 their fares the book-keeper sent them on next day by the 

 Mazeppa coach. 



The sailors entered into conversation with Bayzand, 

 who soon elicited the information that they were on their 

 way to London to join their ship, and they had not so 

 much as a penny piece between them. Being a kind- 

 hearted man, he bought them a loaf and a pint of shrimps 

 at Cheltenham, and a glass of rum each at Northleach 

 to keep out the cold. The tars were very grateful, and 

 as the cold increased they spent most of the journey 

 curled up fast asleep in the boot. When they arrived in 

 London Bayzand presented them with half a crown each 

 and put them in a cab. 



"We'll never forget you, mate," cried the sailors, as 

 they drove off to the Docks. 



The guard thought no more of the matter, but long 



