then went to the Victoria Asylum at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where I
earned 8s. a week in making ropes. I remained there until I was
twenty-two years old. Whilst in Newcastle I got thoroughly
acquainted with the streets, and used to take out and deliver goods
in the town. I came home by the railway and stayed two or three
months. I then found my way on foot and alone to Sunderland, 45
miles. I asked people on the way how to steer my course. I always
learnt what turns I had to take and the distance from place to
place. I could calculate very accurately the time it took me to
complete any given distance, and knew exactly when I arrived at the
end of it. I then found my way from Sunderland to Newcastle, some
15 miles of very busy road, and had a great many of the colliery
railways to cross. I walked back from Newcastle to Colburn
unattended and alone. I then, after remaining at home a short time,
started for Leeds, and walked above 50 miles in two days. I am a
very quick walker on a good road. I went in search of work. I went
alone from Leeds to Bradford, 10 miles of very busy road. I
returned home walking alone the whole way by Otley, Knaresborough,
and Leming, about 50 miles. I married after my return from
Newcastle and have two children. After my last journey from
Bradford I settled down at Richmond. My wife never travels with me,
I always go alone. At Richmond I commenced with a donkey and cart
as a firewood gatherer. My wife and I gathered firewood and brought
it in my cart to Richmond, and sold it to my customers. I next got
a pony and larger cart, and have ever since regularly led coals
from the railway station into the town. I can find my way to any
house in the town and never have any assistance in driving my cart
and going about. I get off and on to my cart as well as any other
driver, and when it is empty I sit on my cart and drive with reins.
With a load I go by the horse's head. I can tell instantly when any
other vehicle is either coming towards me or coming past me in the
same direction, and I turn my horse accordingly to avoid them. I
never have any falls in walking alone, and never come in contact
with anything when driving. I have never had any accident I groom
my pony myself and go to purchase all the food it requires. I have
always enjoy