CH. XIV AMERICAN METHOD 335 



is on top of, and the off wheel-rein underneath, the 

 first finger, the ends hanging down through the 

 hand. The reins in this way cross in the hand, and 

 can be pressed upon each other very tightly so as 

 to prevent their slipping. The racing jockey often 

 crosses the reins in his hand in the same way. With 

 thick fur gloves, such as are worn by stage-drivers 

 in the mountains in winter, this hold of the reins is 

 strong without being fatiguing. 



For six horses, in the American fashion, the 

 order is as follows : in the left hand, the near wheel 

 under the fourth fino-er, the near swino- under the 

 third, and the near lead under the second, the ends 

 P'oing up ; in the right hand, the off lead over the 

 first fino-er, the off swino- over the second, and the 

 off wheel over the third, the ends hanging down. 



The American stage-driver drives habitually with 

 both hands, the whip being held in the right, close 

 to the butt, and resting on the reins. 



In turning a long corner the near or off reins are 

 frequently pulled to the proper side without changing 

 their relative lengths, an operation called ' chop- 

 ping' ; but in turning sharper corners, the hands 

 are brought near together, and with the thumb and 

 finger of one hand, the lead-rein on the proper side 

 is shortened by pushing or pulling it back ; it being 

 allowed to slip out after the turn is completed. 

 This serves the same purpose as making a point. 



If the road is bad or up-hill and the turn not very 

 sharp, chopping is generally used, as it does not 



