Marco Pauls Voyages and Travels | Page 9

arms and draw in your feet, and when you find that we are going over,
go in an easy attitude, with all the muscles relaxed, as if your body was
a bag of corn."
The passenger laughed and took his arm in; and all the other passengers,
seeing that the advice of the gentleman was reasonable, concluded to
follow it if they should have occasion. And they did have occasion
sooner than they had expected. For, just after dark, as they were going
down a long hill at a pretty rapid rate, with a wagon a short distance
before them, one of the horses of the wagon stumbled and fell, which
brought the wagon to a sudden stand just before the coach. The driver
perceived in an instant that there was not time to stop his horses, and
that the only chance was to turn out of the road and drive by. The
ground at the road-side was so much inclined, that he was almost afraid
to venture this expedient, but he had no time for thought. He wheeled
his horses out,--just escaped the hind wheel of the wagon--ran along by
the road-side a short distance, with the wheels on one side, down very
near the gutter,--and then, just as he was coming back safely into the
road again, the forward wheel nearest the middle of the road, struck a
small stone, and threw the coach over. The top rested upon the bank,
and the horses were suddenly stopped. Sometimes, on such occasions,
the transom bolt, as it is called, that is, the bolt by which the forward
wheels are fastened to the carriage, comes out, and the horses run off
with the wheels. It did not come out in this case, however. The man
who had put his arm out of the window, immediately called out, in

great alarm, "Hold the horses! Hold the horses! Don't let the horses run
and drag us." But this vociferation was needless. A coach full of
passengers and baggage is a full load for four horses, when it is
mounted on wheels. It would require an exertion far beyond their
strength to drag it when on its side. The horses remained quiet,
therefore, while the wagoner and the driver, who was not hurt, opened
the door in the upper side of the coach. The passengers then climbed
out, one by one, without injury. Mary Williams came out last, with her
orange-tree safe in her hand.
Chapter III.
The Grass Country.

The scene of confusion, produced by the double accident described in
the last chapter, was great, but not long continued. The wagoner got his
fallen horse up, and then the passengers, with the driver and wagoner,
all taking hold together, soon righted the stage. None of the passengers
were hurt, but the coach itself was so much injured that the driver
thought it was not safe to load it heavily again. The female passengers
got in, but the men walked along by the side of it, intending to travel in
that way about four miles to the next tavern. Forester, however, was not
inclined to take so long a walk. Fortunately, at a small distance before
them, was a farmhouse which looked as if it belonged to a large and
thrifty farmer. The great barns and sheds, the neat yards, the well-built
walls and fences, and the large stock of cattle in the barn-yard,
indicated wealth and prosperity. Forester concluded to apply here for a
lodging for the night, for himself and Marco. The farmer was very
willing to receive them. So the driver took off their trunks, and then the
stage-coach, with the rest of the passengers, went on.
"How long shall we have to stay here?" asked Marco.
"Only till to-morrow," said Forester. "Another stage will come along
to-morrow. We can stop just as well as not, as we are in no haste to get
home. Besides, I should like to have you see something of the

operations of a great grass farm."
Marco and Forester went into the house, and were ushered into a large
room, which seemed to be both sitting-room and kitchen. A large round
table was set in the middle of the floor, for supper. A monstrous dog
was lying under it, with his chin resting upon his paws. There was a
great settle in one corner, by the side of the fire. There were chairs also,
with straight backs and seats of basket-work, a spinning-wheel, an open
cupboard, and various other similar objects, which, being so different
from the articles of furniture which Marco had been accustomed to see
in the New York parlors, attracted his attention very strongly. Marco
went and took his seat upon the settle, and the dog rose and came to
him. The