A FIRST RAINY DAY. 



523 



nothing to do with dipping under dangerous electric wires. 

 Spur and whip he didn't mind but no Harness batteries for 

 him ! So he shifted all further responsibility on to his rider 

 in whom henceforth the whole interest centred. Not even 





the Iron Duke himself, on his original pedestal, ever held a 

 prouder or more prominent position than did the hero in 

 question. Like him, he affected, for a while, a nonchalant 

 pose as if the scene beneath him were not worth joining. 

 Those below were whipping hounds off, to give colour to his 

 role. Observed and observer had changed parts. The Ob- 

 served thought to retire at the back of the stage ; but the 

 noble animal that so determinedly befriended him declined 

 that mode of descent also. Vestigia nulla retrorsum was his 

 motto ; and Medio tutissimus ibis his parable, which he pro- 

 ceeded to illustrate by suggesting a trip up the railway, quite 

 content that his Master should have full command within those 

 limits. Accordingly Observer set forth for Coventry. But no 

 outlet appeared in that direction : and it suddenly struck him 



