Shortly after, youthful Stephenson gained yet another promotion inbeing raised to the rank of brakesman, whose duty it was to slackenthe engine when the full baskets of coal reached the top of theshaft. This was a more serious and responsible post than any hehad yet filled, and one for which only the best and steadiestworkmen were ever selected. His wages now amounted to a pound aweek, a fairly large sum in those days for a skilled working-man.