304 THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



not patent boxes to the wheels, for linch-pins are not to be 

 depended upon ; and axle-trees should be made stronger 

 than they are." 



" I think so, too," observed Webber ; " the sustaining 

 power should be much more than equal to the impending 

 weight. I had my coach over once from an axle-tree 

 giving way, but, luckily, no one was hurt. Coach axle- 

 trees should be tried before used by an hydraulic press, 

 the test being twice the weight they would ever be re- 

 quired to sustain. And care should be taken that not 

 only the best iron is used, but that there is no flaw in it 

 for axle-trees are always found to break where any flaw 

 exists." 



" But would it not be difficult to find out whether there 

 is a flaw in the iron ? " asked Jem. 



" Not at all," replied Webber ; " let the axle-tree be 

 placed on an anvil, and struck on its nose at one end with 

 a key, or any bit of iron or steel, and if, on the ear being 

 placed at the opposite nose, a hissing sound is heard, you 

 may be sure a flaw exists somewhere. Should it be about 

 the centre, no harm may arise ; but if within a short 

 distance of the shoulder, which is the chief bearing part, 

 it is a great source of danger." 



" As to accidents to coaches," resumed Jem, " they are 

 almost always to be traced to carelessness either in the 

 builders, the drivers, or the horsers of them. How many 

 proprietors keep on a night coachman, when they know he 

 is drunk on his box four nights in the week, although, to 

 be sure, this part of the business is not so bad as it used to 

 be, in my early days ! It was a chance, then, to find a 

 night coachman quite sober. Then how many proprietors 

 keep on a restive horse, sooner than lose a few pounds by 

 getting rid of him to the best bidder ! Again : what 

 cripples will some on 'em put on the mails over the middle 

 ground ! A gentleman once told me, that he was on the 

 box of one of the cross country mails, when, after passing 

 a very awkward bridge, on a dark and foggy night, the 

 coachman said to him : ' Well over that 'ere bridge, sir ; 

 there's only one eye among ws,' which, of course, was his own. 

 But only think, sir, of four blind horses for night work ! " 

 " Give us a few maxims, Jem," said Frank Raby, " by 

 the observance of which you have succeeded so well in 

 keeping your coach on her legs." 



" They are few and simple, sir," replied Jem ; " but, 



