FOUR-IN-HAND DRIVING 



strength was possible. Leave the fancy " stunts " 

 to those who drive for " the gallery," and be sure 

 that a genuine heavy-headed, tired, or awkward 

 western " bull " will play havoc with the most 

 scientific " opposition " loops ever constructed. 

 If you wish to play with these toys, you may 

 " put them on " either between the fingers, caught 

 over the thumb, or round the wrist according to 

 what you guess the resistance will be ; but noth- 

 ing will be said of the details here, as they are not 

 practically useful, but merely tricks ; you had as 

 well practise " opposing " round your own neck 

 or the box-seat's off ear. 



There are many different ways to catch your 

 thong ; the main thing is to catch it every time, 

 and without effort. Keep it always soft and 

 pliant, or it is a nuisance. If you've never prac- 

 tised it, just take a whip, balance it nicely, the 

 end of the thong in your hand ; don't look at it 

 and make as if to throw your whip away to the 

 right, but stop it suddenly as about to leave your 

 hand — probably the thong is there when you 

 look. Never " meet " it with the stick, as you 

 will if you look at it, but throw the thong to that. 

 A few turns the reverse way before you throw it 

 will put a few wraps on the handle, and a kink in 



219 



