THE SCRATCH TEAM. 341 



the splinter bar, or was kicked, is not known ; but 

 his leg was broken, and he had to be taken into a 

 little inn close by, where he was laid up for some 

 months. 



Thus ends Benson's history as communicated to 

 me by a man personally acquainted with him; but 

 curiously enough there came into this man's hands 

 a small printed tract of some seven or eight pageSj 

 containing an account of Benson as given by himself 

 from time to time during his last illness. At the 

 heading of the tract is a small picture of a stage- 

 coach, and it is called 



'THE PROFANE COACHMAN's CONVERSION.' 



I purpose only giving some portions of the tract 

 relating to the man's history while connected with 

 coaching. To enter into the other parts of it would 

 be inappropriate and quite unconnected with the sub- 

 ject of this book. 



It will be observed that Benson's character as 

 given by himself quite agrees with that of my in- 

 formant. The tract runs as follows : 



'Mr. B. was the son of respectable parents in. 

 Yorkshire, who desired to train him to some useful 

 business. His love for horses, however, and the 

 temptations therewith connected, made him break 

 through all home restraints ; and before he was 



