the work, which he did; and Stephenson, after some further practice,
acquired the art of brakeing.

After working at the Water-row Pit and at other engines near Newburn for
about three years, George and Coe went to Black Callerton early in 1801.
Though only twenty years of age, his employers thought so well of him
that they appointed him to the responsible office of brakesman at the
Dolly Pit. For convenience' sake, he took lodgings at a small farmer's
in the village, finding his own victuals, and paying so much a week for
lodging and attendance. In the locality this was called "picklin in his
awn poke neuk." It not unfrequently happens that the young workman about
the collieries, when selecting a lodging, contrives to pitch his tent
where the daughter of the house ultimately becomes his wife. This is
often the real attraction that draws the youth from home, though a very
different one may be pretended.

George Stephenson's duties as brakesman may be briefly described. The
work was somewhat monotonous, and consisted in superintending the working
of the engine and machinery by means of which the coals were drawn out of
the pit. Brakesman are almost invariably selected from those who have
had considerable experience as engine-firemen, and borne a good character
for steadiness, punctuality, watchfulness, and "mother wit." In George
Stephenson's day the coals were drawn out of the pit in corves, or large
baskets made of hazel rods. The corves were placed together in a cage,
between which and the pit-ropes there was usually from fifteen to twenty
feet of chain. The approach of the corves towards the pit mouth was
signalled by a bell, brought into action by a piece of mechanism worked
from the shaft of the engine. When the bell sounded, the brakesman
checked the speed, by taking hold of the hand-gear connected with the
steam-valves, which were so arranged that by their means he could
regulate the speed of the engine, and stop or set it in motion when
required. Connected with the fly-wheel was a powerful wooden brake,
acting by pressure against its rim, something like the brake of a
railway-carriage against its wheels. On catching sight of the chain
attached to the ascending corve-cage, the brakesman, by pressing his foot
upon a foot-step near him, was enabled, with great precision, to stop the
revolutions of the wheel, and arrest the ascent of the corves at the pit
mouth, when they were forthwith landed on the "s