^Nimrod ' 



his putting the drag-chain on the wheel when descending 

 the next hill.' * I have no such authority/ replies the pro- 

 prietor ; ' it is true we are now drawn by my horses, but I 

 cannot interfere with the driving of them.' * But is he not 

 your servant ? ' * He is, sir, but I contract to work the 

 coach so many miles in so many hours, and he engages to 

 drive it, and each is subject to a fine if the time be not kept 

 on the road. On so fast a coach as this, every advantage 

 must be taken ; and if we were to drag down such hills as 

 these, we should never reach Exeter to-day.' 



Our friend, however, will have no more of it. He quits 

 the coach at Bagshot, congratulating himself on the safety 

 of his limbs. Yet he takes one more peep at the change, 

 which is done with the same despatch as before : three greys 

 and a piebald replacing three chestnuts and a bay — the 

 harness beautifully clean, and the ornaments bright as the 

 sun. Not a word is spoken by the passengers, who merely 

 look their admiration : but the laconic address of the coach- 

 man is not lost on the by-standers. ' Put the bay mare near 

 wheel this evening, and the stallion up to the cheek,'' said he 

 to his horse-keeper, as he placed his right foot on the roller- 

 bolt — i.e. the last step but one to the box. * How is Paddy's 

 leg ? ' 'It 's all right, sir,' repHed the horse-keeper. ' Let 

 'em go, then,' quoth the artist, * and take care of yourselves.* 



The worthy old gentleman is now shown into a room, 



and, after warming his hands at the fire, rings the bell for 



the waiter. A well - dressed person appears, whom he of 



course takes for the landlord. ' Pray, sir,' says he, * have 



N 193 



