Jack Hardy

The first time Jack Hardy met Mr. Nathaniel Gudgeon was also the occasion of his first visit to Luscombe. It happened in this way. "Good-by, my boy," said his father, as Jack clambered on to the roof of the coach at the White Hart, Southwark, "and be sure you don't forget your Cousin Bastable, or your mother will never forgive you." "All right, father. I'll take a look at him if I get a chance. I say, coachman, you'll let me have a drive?" The coachman could not turn his head, because the collar of his coat was stiff and his neck brawny; but he screwed his left eye into the corner, winked, and gave a hoarse chuckle. "I've seed Jack Tars on donkeys, and orficers on hosses," said he. "Lor' bless you, I knows 'em."