2i6 STAGE-COACH AND MAIL IN DAYS OF YORE 



incretlil)le. It is not to bo supposed that men 

 so spirited as Sherman and Isaac Taylor were 

 content to idly see this late-comer enter the field 

 their OAvn enterprise had opened, and be allowed 

 to cut up their profits ; and so the following 

 season Avitnessed the appearance of the " Stag," 

 own sister to the "Wonder," and by the same 

 proprietors, timed to run a little in advance of 

 the " Nimrod," while the " Wonder " Avent slightly 

 in the rear. Tlius the hated rival was pretty well 

 " nursed " all the way, and did not often succeed 

 in securing a well-filled way-bill. The pace Avhile 

 this insane competition lasted Avas terrific, and 

 the coachman of the " Nimrod " on the Wolver- 

 hampton and Shrewsbury stage Avas thrown ott' 

 and killed. The coaches Avere originally fast, 

 being timed at 11^ miles an hour ; but in the 

 furious racing that took i)lacc, day after day, 

 the Avliole three often arrived together at the 

 journey's end, two hours before time. One 

 shrinks from computing the pace an analysis of 

 these figures Avould disclose. Tlie fares by the 

 "Wonder" and "Stag" Avere in the meainvhile 

 reduced by one-third ; and, partly in conseciuence 

 of this " alarming sacrifice," and a great deal 

 more, avc may suppose, in coi^ sequence of travel- 

 lers being afraid to travel by these reckless 

 competitors, £1500 Avere lost by Sherman and 

 liis allies in twelve months. I3ut at the end of 

 tliat time they had tlie satisfaction of seeing 

 the "Nimrod" Avithdrawn, Avhen the fares Avere 

 raised to their old level. 



