As night descended, and they drew near Dell-Delight, the storm that had
been lowering all the afternoon came upon them. The wind, the hail, and
the snow, and the snow-drifts continually forming, rendered the roads,
that were never very good, now nearly impassable.
More and more obstructed, difficult and unrecognizable became their way,
until at last, when within an eighth of a mile from the house, the
horses stepped off the road into a covered gully, and the carriage was
over-turned and broken.
"Miriam! dear Miriam! dear child, are you hurt?" was the first anxious
exclamation of both gentlemen.
No one was injured; the coach lay upon its left side, and the right side
door was over their heads. Paul climbed out first, and then gave his
hand to Miriam, whom Mr. Willcoxen assisted up to the window. Lastly
followed Thurston. The horses had kicked themselves free of the carriage
and stood kicking yet.
"Two wheels and the pole are broken--nothing can be done to remove the
carriage to-night. You had better leave the horses where they are, Paul,
and let us hurry on to get Miriam under shelter first, then we can send
some one to fetch them home."
They were near the park gate, and the road from there to the mansion was
very good.
Pages:
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328