. After
a few rounds, George's wiry muscles and practised strength enabled him
severely to punish his adversary, and to secure an easy victory.

This circumstance is related in illustration of Stephenson's personal
pluck and courage; and it was thoroughly characteristic of the man. He
was no pugilist, and the very reverse of quarrelsome. But he would not
be put down by the bully of the colliery, and he fought him. There his
pugilism ended; they afterwards shook hands, and continued good friends.
In after life, Stephenson's mettle was often as hardly tried, though in a
different way; and he did not fail to exhibit the same resolute courage
in contending with the bullies of the railway world, as he showed in his
encounter with Ned Nelson, the fighting pitman of Callerton.

[Picture: Colliery Whimsey]

[Picture: Stephenson's Cottage at Wallington Quay]

CHAPTER III.
ENGINEMAN AT WILLINGTON QUAY AND KILLINGWORTH.

George Stephenson had now acquired the character of an expert workman.
He was diligent and observant while at work, and sober and studious when
the day's work was over. His friend Coe described him to the author as
"a standing example of manly character." On pay-Saturday afternoons,
when the pitmen held their fortnightly holiday, occupying themselves
chiefly in cock-fighting and dog-fighting in the adjoining fields,
followed by adjournments to the "yel-house," George was accustomed to
take his engine to pieces, for the purpose of obtaining "insight," and he
cleaned all the parts and put the machine in thorough working order
before leaving it.

In the evenings he improved himself in the arts of reading and writing,
and occasionally took a turn at modelling. It was at Callerton, his son
Robert informed us, that he began to try his hand at original invention;
and for some time he applied his attention to a machine of the nature of
an engine-brake, which reversed itself by its own action. But nothing
came of the contrivance, and it was eventually thrown aside as useless.
Yet not altogether so; for even the highest skill must undergo the
inevitable discipline of experiment, and submit to the wholesome
correction of occasional failure.

After working at Callerton for about two years, he received an offer to
take charge of the engine on Willington Ballast Hill at an advanced wage.
He determined to accept it, and at the same time to marry Fanny
Henderson, and begi