speaking,' said the man; 'but the chaise is my
master's, and a better master does not live. Don't you think we could
manage to raise up the chaise?' 'And what is to become of the horses?'
said I. 'I love my horses well enough,' said the man; 'but they will
take less harm than the chaise. We two can never lift up that chaise.'
'But we three can,' said Belle; 'at least, I think so; and I know where
to find two poles which will assist us.' 'You had better go to the
tent,' said I, 'you will be wet through.' 'I care not for a little
wetting,' said Belle; 'moreover, I have more gowns than one--see you
after the horses.' Thereupon, I led the horses past the mouth of the
dingle, to a place where a gap in the hedge afforded admission to the
copse or plantation on the southern side. Forcing them through the gap,
I led them to a spot amidst the trees which I deemed would afford them
the most convenient place for standing; then, darting down into the
dingle, I brought up a rope, and also the halter of my own nag, and with
these fastened them each to a separate tree in the best manner I could.
This done, I returned to the chaise and the postilion. In a minute or
two Belle arrived with two poles which, it seems, had long been lying,
overgrown with brushwood, in a ditch or hollow behind the plantation.
With these both she and I set to work in endeavouring to raise the fallen
chaise from the ground.

We experienced considerable difficulty in this undertaking; at length,
with the assistance of the postilion, we saw our efforts crowned with
success--the chaise was lifted up, and stood upright on three wheels.

{picture:At length, with the assistance of the postilion, we saw our
efforts crowned with success--the chaise was lifted up, and stood upright
on three wheels: page552.jpg}

'We may leave it here in safety,' said I, 'for it will hardly move away
on three wheels, even supposing it could run by itself; I am afraid there
is work here for a wheelwright, in which case I cannot assist you; if you
were in need of a blacksmith it would be otherwise.' 'I don't think
either the wheel or the axle is hurt,' said the postilion, who had been
handling both; 'it is only the linch-pin having dropped out that caused
the wheel to fly off; if I could but find the linch-pin!--though,
perhaps, it fell out a mile away.' 'Very likely,' said I; 'but never
mind the linch-pin, I can make you one, or something that will serve: but
I can't stay he