28o Life in the Open 



William Banning, one of the owners of the island, and 

 one of the most skilful amateur whips in America. 

 Then the six horses were " let out," and thefull delights 

 of mountain coaching were realised. With the driver's 

 foot on the heavy brake, lines well in hand, the coach 

 would start, the horses gaining speed until all six were 

 running down the incline, not prancing, but on a dead 

 run. Nerves were left on the summit, or packed in the 

 boot, so there was nothing to interfere with the complete 

 enjoyment of the scene. 



I was impressed by the splendid handling of the six 

 horses on a road where a fall, a break, or a wrong turn 

 meant something. The driver had them absolutely in 

 hand, and the spirit was infectious. We were literally 

 running down a mountain cliff at full speed. Now the 

 horses would make a sharp turn, the wheelers disappear- 

 ing around the bends ; but so deftly was the brake used 

 that the coach turned safely, gradually slowing up at 

 the right moment. Then on the long, steep incline, 

 the horses increased, if possible, their speed. Now they 

 turn at the head of the cafion, rising on the incline ; 

 now rushing out onto the loop, the leaders seemingly 

 in the air, but turning so quickly and suddenly and 

 easily that the wheelers are going one way and the 

 coach another ; but this is for only a moment. The 

 coach crosses its own track, doubles on itself, and 

 plunges down the road or shelf, seemingly into the blue 

 waters. One feels like taking off his hat and cheering ; 

 it is like dropping out of a balloon, the sky and mount- 



