The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-08-20
PRACTICIL JEHUs.
The California Wav Of Driving Four-in-IIand
-Woody's Nerve.


In driving n four-in-hand, the ncar-lcad
line y sses between tho nj IDLE and ring fingers,
and the near-wheel line between the ring ma
II tie fingers of the left hand passing up through
the hand and hanging over the thumb. while
the file line IN held between the lore anu
middle fingers ~ thu right maud, and the on
wheel line between tue middle and ring myers
both hanging down. When 1t IL necess Try TO
"buucn" or gather tina r'ins In the LETT hard Tor
a better use of tho whiD the ph-lead line passes
over the fore nnger aud the oh-wheci line be-
tween the fore and middle fingers, both hang
INK down and crossing the near lines la the
PALM.
SIX horses are more commonly used on our
mountain roads. and the lead and swing lines
are held precisely the same as the reins of
four III. hand. thr near wheel line passing under
the little finger and M through the hand and
nnger down through the hand. In any situa-
ton requiring an auulication ~ the "persuad-
or" they are gathered into the left hand. the on
lead over the fore finger. N swing between fore
and middle fingers. and on wheel between mid
die aud rine fingers, all hanging down through
the hand. crossing the near lines Ia the palm,
the ~ wheel and the nea load lines coming 10.
gether between the middle and ring finger.
But six rcins are n small handful for orr prac-
tie Jcn Us. who ucuiire new dignity WIZ ever'
a iditional span that Is hooked up." and gather
up eight lines with one q lex. dextcrous move:
mcnt, tue near lead line between the fore aud
middle nngers second swing between the mid
d. AMI ring fingers first swing between the ring
and little fingers, and wheel line under the little
finger all passing up through the hand, and
hanging over the thumb the Oh Head line passes
over tue fore finger second SWING between tho
middle aud ring fingers. and Or-wheel between
the ring and little hnccrs. al hanging dow
through the hand. BIu' ed In the left hand,
the or-lcad line passes over the fore finger the
other three passing s zee Cssivelv between the
fore and middle, middle and ring, aud ring and
little nugers, all hanging own and crossing the
near lines IN the palm giving the driver perfect
control OF eacl separate stoed, and a grip like
the iron clutch OF de.tny
To take up the reins they are pulled through
the fingers from the ms de, with no unganly
reaching out ahead. he arms are not exteuded
horizontally but held easily at the sid s, ana the
horses are controlled and guided with so little
perceptible excrton the part Of the driver. that
communication between his will aud their un-
derstauding.
II. Wood or " Woody" has been n stage
driver for the At thirty three years in Oregon,
Idano. Mexico. and California and at present
drives the uu-cOuntry -tage ont ~ santa Bar
bra, over the difhcult aud dangerous pass OF
tho santa Yuez mountains. The elevation T.
22sO feet, and the descent. OF about nine miles.
IA frequently made In an hour. the astonshed
passengers holding their breath as they round
the sudden curve. and rattle down the steep and
narrow grades, where the slippery rocks form
an uncertain pavement for the surest- 10 oted
into picturesque destruction. But woody
sits sercnely ON his box, the reins gathered, "a
We have described them. In his left hand, while
with the right he fiouishes his whip rs grace
fullv rs q. most accomplished violinist DUR
ishes his nddle-Oow, always knowing exactly
where "A horse may he hit To bring out mani
festaiion OF its better nature, and aiming ac-
curateiy that he has won the reputation Of being
the best whip in the state