My First Woodcock. 103 



guard's bugle, however, was cheery as we 

 passed through the different villages and small 

 towns, but both he and the coachman were 

 far from agreeable ; whether it was too early 

 in the morning to begin to talk, or whether 

 they thought two such young fellows were 

 not good for much in the way of tipping, or 

 of "a drain," I don't know, but they seemed 

 to treat us with silent contempt. It is a very 

 different thing travelling with such sporting 

 paraphernalia as w^e had, in these days, when 

 I know from experience that the possession of 

 a gun, a fishing-rod, or a dog is a sure passport 

 to the civihty and attention of railway guards 

 and porters. 



There was nothing worthy of note, except 

 the very speedy changing of horses at the dif- 

 ferent stages (I always fancy it must have been 

 a point of honour amongst the helpers as to 

 wjio could put to the quickest), until we got 

 to Monmouth, w^hen the guard announced 

 that half-an-hour was allowed for breakfast ; 

 and very glad we w^ere to take off our great- 

 coats and get before a roaring fire. The 

 breakfast things were on the table, with part of 

 a ham and a cold fowl, but relying on the 



