Speed & Distance Puzzles 29If this little puzzle gives the reader much trouble he will certainly smile
when he sees the answer.- AN IRISH JAUNT
"It was necessary," said Colonel Crackham, "for me to go one day from
BOghooley to Ballyfoyne, where I had to meet a friend. But the only convey-
ance obtainable was old Pat Doyle's rickety little cart, propelled by a mare
whose working days, like her legs, were a bit over.
"It was soon evident that our rate of progress was both safe and steady,
though unquestionably slow.
"'I say, Pat,' I inquired after a few minutes' ride, 'has your engine got
another speed?'
"'Yes, begorra,' the driver replied, 'but it's not so fast.'
"'Then we'll keep her on this gear,' said I.
"Pat assured me that she would keep going at one pace until she got to her
journey's end. She wouldn't slow down and she wouldn't put on any spurts.
" 'We have been on the road twenty minutes,' I remarked, looking at my
watch. 'How far have we come from Boghooley?'
" 'Just half as far as it is from here to Pigtown,' said Pat.
"After a rapid refreshment at Pig town we went on another five miles, and
then I asked Pat how far it was to Ballyfoyne. I got exactly the same reply.
It was clear he could only think in terms of Pigtown.
" 'Just half as far as it is from here to Pigtown.'
"Another hour's ride and we were at the end of our journey."
What is the distance from Boghooley to Ballyfoyne?
- A WALKING PROBLEM
A man taking a walk in the country on turning round saw a friend of his
walking 400 yards behind in his direction. They each walked 200 yards in a
direct line, with their faces towards each other, and you would suppose that
they must have met. Yet they found after their 200 yards' walk that they were
still 400 yards apart. Can you explain?