Having described the properly appointed tandem, we will suppose it has been brought round to the door by the groom, who, having got down and hung the reins on the wheeler's off-side terret, or looped them through the corner of the dasher, takes his place at the wheeler's head, where he remains until his master picks up the ribbons, when he goes to the head of the leader. Inserting the middle finger of the right hand between the wheeler's reins, and the forefinger between the leader's, always keeping the near-side rein of each on top, you have the near lead-rein over the forefinger, the off lead and near wheel reins in the order mentioned between the fore and middle fingers, and the off wheel-rein between the middle and second fingers. Having assorted and placed the reins as directed, and adjusted them as to length, still holding them together with the whip in your right hand, laying hold of the seat rail, with your left you climb into the cart, and transferring your reins, without change of their relations, to the corresponding fingers of the left hand, you drop into your seat.
Some carts, from their peculiar construction and arrangement of seat, rail, and steps, not being adapted to the pulling yourself up by the rail with the left hand alone, as on a coach, it may be necessary to take hold of the rail or the corner of the dasher with the right, when care should be taken not to disturb the wheeler with the whip, which, with the reins, you have in that hand.
Your passenger should have gotten up in the box-seat at the same time as, or after, the driver, but not before.
Having satisfied yourself that everything is shipshape, gently feeling the horses' mouths by their reins,—those of the leader, who should not be in the collar at the start, should be a little less slack than his traces,—you start your horses by an "all right," or a "let 'em go," or a double click, or by some other signal, but in no event using the improper "pull up" in vogue, of meaning directly opposed to your purpose.
Having seen the leader started, the servant, not moving from his position, salutes his master as the tandem passes, and when the tail of the cart reaches him he climbs up, taking his place in the middle of the hind seat and sitting quite erect with folded arms, instead of slouching about "all over the shop." A servant should have pride enough to do his part in maintaining the character of the turnout which he renders ridiculous when sprawling in his seat and gaping about as though waiting to recognize passing acquaintances. He should look intently into space, and affect to see nothing. A tandem is dependent very much for its effect upon the groom, who should be "all alive," and when he feels the pace slackening, should concern himself as to the purpose, and, getting to the ground quickly, find his way to the leader's head by the time the team is pulled up.
A dapper, trim-built groom, of light weight and medium height, is most in keeping with the character of a tandem, for which a very tall or a very stout servant is unsuited.
When no passenger occupies it, the groom's place is in the box-seat by the side of his master, the tailboard of the cart being shut up. Lord Tomnoddy's—
"Tiger Tim,
Was clean of limb,
His boots were polished, his jacket was trim!
With a very smart tie in his smart cravat,
And a smart cockade on the top of his hat;
Tallest of boys, or shortest of men,
He stood in his stockings just four feet ten!"
The equipage of the Honorable George Lawless, whose cart and top-coat I have already described, and whose taste in all matters appertaining to the appointment of a tandem was unquestioned, "was completed by a tiger so small, that, beyond a vague sensation of top-boots, and a livery hat, one's senses failed to realize him."