The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1876-08-31
How the Californian Drives His Four.
in-Hand.

lead line passes between the middle and
ring fingers, and the near wheel line
between the ring and little fingers of
the left hand, passing up through the
hand and hanging over the thumb,
while the off-lead line is held between
the fore and middle fingers of the right
hand, and the off-wheel line between
the middle and ring fingers, both hang
ing down. When it is necessary to
" bunch" or gather the reins in the left
hand for better use of the whip, the
off-lead line passes over the fore finger,
and the off-wheel line between the fore
and middle fingers, both hanging down
and crossing the near lines in 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-in-hand, the
near wheel line passing under the little
finger and up through the hand, and
the off-wheel line between the ring and
little fingers down through the hand.
In any situation requiring an applica-
ton of the persuader" they are gath
cred into the left hand, the off-lead over
the fore-fnger, off-swing between fore
and middle fingers, and off-wheel be-
tween middle and ring fingers, all hang
ing down through the hand, crossing
the near lines in the palm, the off-wheel
and the near lead lines coming together
between the middle and ring fingers.
But six reins are small handful for
our practised Jehus, who acquire new
dignity with every additional span that
is 'hooked up" and gather up eight
lines with one quick, dexterOus move
ment, the near lead line between the
fore and middle fingers, second swing
between the middle and ring fingers,
first swing between the ring and little
fingers, all passing up through the hand,
and hanging over the thumb; the off
lead line passes over the fore finger,
second swing between the fore and mid
die fingers, first swing between the mid
die and ring fingers, and off-wheel be-
tween the ring and little fingers, all
hanging down through the hand
Bunched" in the left hand, the off-lead
line passes over the fore finger, the 9th
er three passing successfully between
the fore and middle, middle and ring,
and ring and little fingers, all hanging
down and crossing the near lines in the
palm, giving the driver perfect control
of each separate steed, and grip like
the iron clutch of destiny.
To take up the reins, they are pulled
through the fingers from the inside,
with no ungainly reaching out ahead.
The arms are not extended horizontal
ly, but held easily at the sides, and the
horses are controlled and guided with
so little perceptible exertion on the part
of the driver, that the lines seem only a
sort of subtle magnetic communication
between his will and their understand
ing.
H. Wood, or Woody" has been a
stage-driver for the last SO years in
Oregon, Idaho, Mexico and California,
and at present drives the up-cOuntry
stage out of Santa Barbara, over the
difficult and dangerous pass of the San
Ia Yuez Mountains. The elevation is
2,270 feet, and the descent, of about
nine miles, is frequently made in an
hour, the astonished passengers holding
their breath as they round the sudden
curves and rattle down the steep and
narrow grades, where the slippery
rocks form an uncertain pavement for
the surast-fOoted broncho, and one false
move would plunge them into pictur-
esque destruction. But Woody" sits
serenely on his box, the reins gathered,
as we have described them, in his left
hand, while with the right he fourishes
his whip as gracefully as the most ac-
complished violinist flourishes his fid-
dle-bow, always knowing exactly where
a horse must be hit to bring out man
Hesitation of its better nature, and aim
ing so accurately that he has won the
reputation of the best whip in the State.