HOKSES AND HOUNDS. 29 



the exertions of the master of the tolls, assisted by a young 

 fanner on the box with him, he accomplished his purpose of 

 landing us all very cleverly on the bank, the coach wheels being 

 in the ditch. It took some time to set things square again, but 

 by removing Brobdignag to the otlier side, he dragged the coach 

 once more on the road, and start No. 2 was effected. We got 

 along tolerably well to the point of a hill, which led down into 

 the town, when the row began in earnest, fast and furious. To 

 hold Brobdignag in was now entirely out of the question ; and 

 down the hill he went at a rattling pace, although the young 

 farmer held by might and main, with the leaders' reins in the 

 hollow of his arm, for better jjurchase. The coach rocked to 

 and fro like a vessel in a gale of wind, and the screams of two 

 ladies inside added to the uproar, and lent wings to Brobdignag's 

 flight. Upon passing a jDarticular spot, my attention was 

 arrested by a deep-drawn sigh from the aged and trembling 

 ostler, as if a load of care had been removed from his breast. 

 " What's the matter with you, old gentleman T I inquired. 

 " Oh ! how thankful I be for that f " For what f I asked. " Look 

 there, sir, at that milestone, by the side of the road. ISIaster 

 knocked him over only yesterday, and I made sure he'd a had 

 another touch at 'im again to-day." 



"But fast we fled away, away; 

 And I covild neither sigh nor pray," 



until we reached the town of Evesham ; on entering which, the 

 coach was within two feet of the corner of a house, and we were 

 brought suddenly to by the pony rushing into a butcher's shop, 

 where probably he had been often before accustomed to stand 

 with the panniers on his back. This brought us to a safe 

 anchorage without loss of life or limb. The passengers quickly 

 descended and marched off on foot to the inn, opposite to which 

 the master of the tolls, after dispensing with the services of his 

 leaders, drove up in no very happy mood, amidst the jeers and 

 laughter of all the postboys and ostlers who had witnessed his 

 performance. A military gentleman, the friend and companion 

 of the two ladies inside, pitched into the unlucky Jehu, threaten- 

 ing all sorts of law proceedings, which the toll-keeper cut short 

 by saying that he might save himself all further trouble, since 

 he would be hanged if ever he got on a coach- box again ! 



It was the custom with all large coach proprietors to feed 

 their horses upon hay-chaif and corn mixed, a few split beans 

 being occasionally added, without any hay at night. I have 

 known this plan adopted with hunters also. ^ Less hay is, of 

 course, consumed, and the food being given in a compressed 



