228 SHEET HILL 



full half a mile before me. I knew very well I had the 

 best team. I therefore followed at full speed. Being 

 light loaded, the deflection of the springs corresponding 

 with the unevenness of the road, the only passenger I 

 had behind, a soldier, was tossed up and down like a 

 shuttlecock from a battledore : so much Avas this the case, 

 that I kept continually looking back to see if he were 

 safe. 



At the top of Sheet Hill T overhauled my competitor, 

 as the sailor would say, and we went down the hill broad- 

 side and broadside. When nearly at the bottom we met 

 a postchaise, whose driver, staring with astonishment, 

 pull into the bank to let us pass. 



A turnpike being just ahead I pulled in, or I do not 

 know what might have been the consequence — but know- 

 ing my rival must be nearly beat, I marked the spot on 

 the opposite hill where, as I thought, I could easily pass 

 him. I did not know, though I might have known, the 

 nature of the man I had to deal with. 



Upon rising the hill my leaders were again at his fore- 

 wheel, Avhen the only inside passenger he had put his 

 head out, and in a most angry tone, gesticulating violently 

 at the same time, said, — 



" If had a pistol, sir, I would shoot you ! " 



" Put your b old head in, do ! " said his coachman, 



and immediately pulled his horses right across my leaders' 

 heads, driving them up a steep bank, into which the off 

 fore-wheel stuck. 



Luckily no strap, or trace, or buckle was broken or 

 displaced, but the delay necessary to put the leaders 

 straight, though short, was enough to allow me only to 



