a rum lot, and _he'd_ never seen any like them before." Got
them entangled in legs of off hind horse (think this is what he's
called), and it took an hour, and the help of five wayfarers (down near
Putney), to disentangle them. Each of the five demanded (and got--to
save a row), half-a-crown for the job. BOB rather sulky. We had to put
up for the night at a country inn, somewhere beyond Raynes Park.
Gentlemen of party slept on kitchen floor, among suburban black-beetles.
Pic-nicky, but would have preferred beds.

To-day start very early, without breakfast, as resources of the country
inn exhausted. Do thirty miles without accident. Rather nervous work,
because one of "leaders" (unlike "leader" in newspaper) shies at
everything it meets. BOB half flicked the eye out of a man in passing
through Guildford--awful row! Row only ended by a five-pound note as
compensation. BOB says we shall all have to subscribe. Expenses mounting
up.

_Wednesday._--Frightfully cold East wind. _Is_ this enjoyment? Wish I
were in a snug railway carriage. Ladies of party retire into inside of
coach. Very selfish!

_Thursday._--Bad cold from yesterday. And to-day it's snowing! Thank
Heaven--only a week of it! BOB wants _me_ to drive! Says he feels he's
in for influenza. Real fact is that we've got into nasty hilly country,
and BOB'S rather afraid of horses bolting. Find now that he's never
driven anything but a donkey in a low pony-carriage before! Isn't he
driving donkeys _now_? Time will show.

_Friday._--Much too cold and wet to go on. Hurrah! Nice country hotel,
but charges awful. Proprietor doesn't often have a coaching party
billeted on him, and is determined to make most of it. Evidently
believes we're millionaires. Stupid of BOB to do this sort of thing.

_Saturday._--Off--I mean, on--again! Cost so far, has already risen to
two guineas a day per head, and as four of party have deserted us and
gone back (by train) to Town, expenses for return journey likely to be
still heavier.

BOB at breakfast, gives us the "straight tip"--says he's going to "tool
us back to Town in one day--only forty miles." Delighted at prospect. To
carry out his programme, BOB has to get extra speed out of horses.
Result--he gives us all the "straight tip"--down near Horsham--into a
neighbouring field!

A wheel off! Horse disabled! Telegraph to owner to come and fetch his
coach; we go back (dejectedly) by rail. Bruised all over. Expenses
enormous. Give me a