THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 299 



have seen two or three rascals a-going to be hanged, but 

 I never saw them half so cast down as I have seen 

 passengers on my coach, when leaving their families 

 behind them perhaps for ever! I have heard them 

 bellowing and crying for the first two stages, and they 

 wouldn't take no comfort. My very heart has bled for 

 them." 



" You must be rich, Jem," observed Lord Edmonston. 



" No, I arn't rich, my Lord," replied Jem ; " not but 

 what, if I was to leave the coach to-morrow, I should have 

 enough to keep me just able to make tongue and buckle 

 meet." 



" But what have you done with your money, Jem, eh ? " 

 said Jack \Vebber ; " two coaches a day, and no one to 

 look after you ! Something for the shirt pocket, every 

 day, eh, Jem ? " 



" Why," replied Jem, " I am not a-going to boast that 

 I am honester than other folks ; my having served one 

 master three-and-thirty years will best speak to that 

 point ; but I have been a good friend to my poor brother's 

 widow and children. He was killed last Christmas-day 

 thirteen years, on the Worcester mail, and I have sup- 

 ported his family ever since. Poor fellow, he was one of 

 the nicest light coachmen you ever saw on a coach-box ; 

 and I hope, one day or another, his eldest boy will have 

 iny place." 



" What you have told us is much to your credit," said 

 Frank Raby, " and it is no wonder that you have so many 

 friends." 



" I have many kind friends, indeed," replied Jem ; 

 " only think of Squire Amstey keeping a horse for me at 

 Oxford, all the summer months, on purpose for me to 

 ride out after I come in with my coach ; and I have a 

 good dinner at his house every Sunday in the year, if I 

 like to go for it." 



" Then you don't drive on Sundays ? " observed 

 Goodall. 



" No," replied Jem ; " I would not work on a Sunday 

 for any man ; it's like leading the life of a nigger. I 

 generally goes to church in the morning, and to the 

 Squire's in the evening." 



" Xo alehouse work," observed Lord Edmonston. 



" I smokes one pipe, and drinks a pint of ale, every 

 evening at the ' Black Dog,' after I have had my dinner. 



