ws of his opponent with the greatest sang-froid, always using the
guard which I have already described, and putting in, in return, short
chopping blows with the swiftness of lightning. In a very few minutes
the countenance of the coachman was literally cut to pieces, and several
of his teeth were dislodged; at length he gave in; stung with
mortification, however, he repented, and asked for another round; it was
granted, to his own complete demolition. The coachman did not drive his
coach back that day, he did not appear on the box again for a week; but
he never held up his head afterwards. Before I quitted the inn, he had
disappeared from the road, going no one knew where.

The coachman, as I have said before, was very much disliked upon the
road, but there was an _esprit de corps_ amongst the coachmen, and those
who stood by did not like to see their brother chastised in such
tremendous fashion. "I never saw such a fight before," said one. "Fight!
why, I don't call it a fight at all, this chap here ha'n't got a scratch,
whereas Tom is cut to pieces; it is all along of that guard of his; if
Tom could have got within his guard he would have soon served the old
chap out." "So he would," said another, "it was all owing to that guard.
However, I think I see into it, and if I had not to drive this afternoon,
I would have a turn with the old fellow and soon serve him out." "I will
fight him now for a guinea," said the other coachman, half taking off his
coat; observing, however, that the elderly individual made a motion
towards him, he hitched it upon his shoulder again, and added, "that is,
if he had not been fighting already, but as it is, I am above taking an
advantage, especially of such a poor old creature as that." And when he
had said this, he looked around him, and there was a feeble titter of
approbation from two or three of the craven crew, who were in the habit
of currying favour with the coachmen. The elderly individual looked for
a moment at these last, and then said, "To such fellows as you I have
nothing to say;" then turning to the coachmen, "and as for you," he said,
"ye cowardly bullies, I have but one word, which is, that your reign upon
the roads is nearly over, and that a time is coming when ye will be no
longer wanted or employed in your present capacity, when ye will either
have to drive dung-carts, assist as ostlers at village ale-houses, or rot
in the workhouse." Then putting on his coat and h