3 1 8 Tally ho, 



to drive into me if I did not move on with my 

 phaeton, and being especially regardful of the safety 

 of my panels, I alighted in order to protect myself 

 from the threatened attack, when a well-applied cut 

 from the lash of a brass-bound pig-whip drew first 

 blood (mine), and I smarted under the indignity as 

 well as the sharp sting of the plebeian whipcord, the 

 knot of which was well let into my cheek. 



To jump into the cart and belabour the rascal with 

 his own whip until only the stump remained was the 

 work but of a moment ; but this vigorous retaliation 

 led to the necessity of fighting the lot, and I had to 

 take them in prompt succession, ^^ time ^' not being 

 allowed even for me to pull ofi" my driving cape ; and 

 when my fourth man hit out right and left, whilst I 

 stood with my hands down, endeavouring to recover 

 my wind, I had only just time to step back a pace, 

 and the result of his well-directed blows was the 

 merest scratch on either cheek-bone, in close proxi- 

 mity to the eyes. Then, my dander being raised at 

 this cowardly attack, I went at him in earnest, break- 

 ing down his guard, and hitting him as I pleased, 

 and, when tired of giving him pepper, I struck him a 

 knock-down blow with my right hand — (what do you 

 say to that, Mr. Reade ? ) — and having satisfied 

 myself that my customer had been well served, I 

 jumped into a drag, and was whirled away from the 

 scene of riot and confusion, and when appearing on 

 the following day, with my hand in a sling, the bone 

 being splintered from the violence of the blow, I 

 learned that the fellow I had last encountered was a 

 well-known member of the P.R. 



If ever I am sent to Parliament I shall move for 



