ROBBERY AND ADVENTURE 155 



village, Avliere they were found hy the aroused 

 villagers loudly knocking at the church door, 

 under the impression that it was a public-house. 

 That snowstorm must have been a particularly 

 blinding on(% or the brandy at their last house 

 of call unusually strong. 



Not often Avas coaching history marked by 

 such a gruesome incident as that Avliich befell a 

 coach on the Norwich E^oad. At Ingatestone a 

 lady, who was the only inside passenger, was 

 discovered to have died. Her son, travelling 

 outside, was informed, but after some hesitation 

 it was decided that the coach should proceed to 

 its destination at Colchester. At Chelmsford, 

 however, two ladies presented themselves as 

 would-be passengers. Inside seats only were 

 available, all the outsides being occupied. They 

 were informed of the circumstances, and that 

 they could therefore not be booked ; but were 

 so anxious to go l)y the coach that they over- 

 came their natural scruples, and rode Avith the 

 dead woman to the journey's end. 



Of Avinter travelling we have already heard 

 something, and shall hear more. Hoav it struck 

 one contemporary Avith those times Ave may learn 

 from a reminiscent old traveller, Avho, having had 

 much experience of old coaching methods, pre- 

 ferred the raihvay age — at least in Avinter. Thus 

 he recalls some of his exj)eriences : — 



" Por a day and niglit journey tlie agony Avas, 

 on two occasions, so intense that, altliough then 

 in my youth, and hardy enough, I Avas obliged to 



