232 GAME 



adults, I proceeded on my journey safely to the end, 

 arriving a little less than an hour beyond the usual 

 time. 



Ruminating on the accident, our harmless escape, and 

 the ready assistance we had received, it struck me that I 

 had neglected to reward the good peojDle who had so 

 promptly and so efficiently put forth their exertions in 

 my behoof; but in going to unload the hind-boot, I 

 found that I need be under no uneasiness on that score, 

 as, anticipating my forgetfulness in the hurry of depar- 

 ture, they had rewarded themselves Avith two or three 

 baskets of game that I had taken up at Liphook, deem- 

 ing pheasants and hares a greater treat to them than to 

 the people to Avhom they were addressed, or their friend, 

 the owner of HoUycombe ; and even for this I had to be 

 thankful, for had they made choice of one or two of the 

 ladies' trunks for a reward, I should have had much more 

 trouble in restoring them, or finding an equivalent, than 

 I had in paying Mr., afterwards Sir C. Taylor, for his 

 game. 



It was a maxim of one of the oldest London pro- 

 prietors ^ never to employ a man who had not had, at one 

 time or another, an overturn — for this plain reason, not 

 having such experience he would not know how to get a 

 coach up again ; I, although not possessing this valuable 

 knowledge, could now take credit for it. 



This, without creating any very great cry to my dis- 

 advantaofe in the town — for the foo; and the darkness of 

 the night were extenuating circumstances — called forth 

 the strong remonstrances of my father, who was still 



^ Mr. Eoberts, of the " White Horse," Fetter Lane. 



