76 CONFESSIONS OF A HOESE DEALEE. 



trincham road) to the 'Pelican* at Sale Moor about two 

 miles." 



" Yes," said the coper, <C I am ready now" and away 



they went without further ceremony. Mr. S " fired 



up" old Blazeaway with the persuaders, and sticking out 

 his elbows at right angles, shook the reins and encouraged 

 the game old animal with his voice. " Now, old boy, 

 ga' lang," said he ; the old favourite shook his head and 

 dropped his ears alternately, poked out his nose, and 

 expanded his capacious nostrils, as he took the lead and 



kept it for more than a mile. Mr. S was in high 



glee as he kept looking over his right shoulder, and 

 winking his eyes (he has a habit of continually winking 

 his eyes when excited), but his opponent was close in his 

 wake and laughing now, for the steel is evidently out of 

 old Blazeaway ; his first effort is fast exhausting the re- 

 sources of his wind a little touched to start with 

 besides, he is too fat. Still the coper is courteous to his 

 elderly opponents, and allows them the lead through 

 Stretford village (the source of black pudding and pork), 

 where Mr. S is well known. 



" Hurrah! hurrah! for Mr. S ," shouted the 



children and their progenitors, as the clatter of the 

 horses' feet is heard, and their riders were seen through 

 a cloud of dust. "Ga' forred, ga' forred, little un, 

 eawt ath, dust thou'll be smothered, mon," they said ; 

 the coper began to find this out too, and his cob and 

 Blazeaway changed places opposite the Cock Inn on the 

 outskirts of the village. 



