t of
_horse_ power. "I was so satisfied," said he afterwards, "that a horse
upon an iron road would draw ten tons for one ton on a common road, that
I felt sure that before long the railway would become the King's
highway." But Mr. Pease was scarcely prepared for the bold assertion
made by his visitor, that the locomotive engine with which he had been
working the Killingworth Railway for many years past was worth fifty
horses, and that engines made after a similar plan would yet entirely
supersede all horse power upon railroads. Stephenson was daily becoming
more positive as to the superiority of his locomotive; and hence he
strongly urged Mr. Pease to adopt it. "Come over to Killingworth," said
he, "and see what my engines can do; seeing is believing, sir." Mr.
Pease accordingly promised that on some early day he would go over to
Killingworth, and take a look at the wonderful machine that was to
supersede horses. The result of the interview was, that Mr. Pease
promised to bring Stephenson's application for the appointment of
engineer before the Directors, and to support it with his influence;
whereon the two visitors prepared to take their leave, informing Mr.
Pease that they intended to return to Newcastle "by nip;" that is, they
expected to get a smuggled lift on the stage-coach, by tipping Jehu,--for
in those days the stage coachmen regarded all casual roadside passengers
as their proper perquisites. They had, however, been so much engrossed
by their conversation, that the lapse of time was forgotten, and when
Stephenson and his friend made enquiries about the return coach, they
found the last had left; and they had to walk the 18 miles to Durham on
their way back to Newcastle.

Mr. Pease having made further inquiries respecting Stephenson's character
and qualifications, and having received a very strong recommendation of
him as the right man for the intended work, he brought the subject of his
application before the directors of the Stockton and Darlington Company.
They resolved to adopt his recommendation that a railway be formed
instead of a tramroad; and they further requested Mr. Pease to write to
Stephenson, desiring him to undertake a re-survey of the line at the
earliest practicable period.

A man was despatched on a horse with the letter, and when he reached
Killingworth he made diligent enquiry after the person named upon the
address, "George Stephenson, Esquire, Engineer." No such person was
kno