8o THE COACHING ERA 



warned the gentlemen that they had been hoaxed, and 

 that the innocent looking guard had been exercising his 

 ventriloquistic powers for their benefit. 



Another time Benson entered an inn in a state of 

 intense indignation declaring that some one had put a 

 pig in the boot of his coach. If any proof was needed 

 it was supplied by the agonized screams which proceeded 

 from the coach. 



The rustics gathered round and gave many sugges- 

 tions as to how to secure the pig which was making a 

 perfect pandemonium in the boot. Benson enjoyed 

 their mystification till it was time to start, when he 

 opened the door and showed the astonished villagers 

 that the boot contained nothing but parcels and other 

 inanimate goods. 



In times of stress or emergency guards were often 

 called upon to perform temporary repairs and for this 

 purpose they were provided with a tool-box, which was 

 in constant requisition when wheels came off, axle- 

 trees gave way, or poles broke, which they did with dis- 

 tressing frequency. As a rule the coach carried a spare 

 pole, but if it did not the guard on a stage-coach, who 

 was not bowed down with the responsibility of the mails, 

 had to get down and make the best job he could of it. 

 The passengers, hardened by experience, were resigned to 

 such contretemps and would settle down composedly to 

 a game of cards, whilst the guard with the help of a 

 commandeered sheep hurdle patched the broken pole 

 to the best of his ability. 



The guards on the stage were expelled to render the 



