1

DRIVING.   79

which methods are well supported by competent authorities. Standing a little behind the off wheeler's pad, he faces a trifle toward the leaders and pulls the reins from their resting places, straightening them out carefully and separating lead from wheel. He then shortens the wheel reins gently until he all but feels his wheelers' mouths, proceeding in the same manner with the lead reins. He should avoid actually taking hold of his horses' mouths, for the giving them an office," as it were, will make them restive. The reins being held in their proper position in the left hand, our friend takes up his whip (if on the wheelers' backs) with his right hand and transfers his reins from his left to his right.

He will note carefully the position of his leaders as to the lead bars, realizing that to this he must suit his length of rein in starting.

Being now ready to mount the box, he throws the ends of the reins over his right arm to keep them out of harm's way, gradually letting his off reins slip through his fingers to suit his change of position. (This method differs somewhat from that shown in Howlett's illustration, but will be found equally practical, as it allows the coachman to be in touch with his horses from the time he takes up his reins.)

He grasps the handle of the footboard with his right hand, then, putting his left foot on the hub of the wheel, his right on the roller bolt, and grasping the box rail

I