em horse (_vorspann_) and a guide,
and sending on their luggage, they set forth on the way to Letze, a
village where they proposed to lodge; but the waters were abroad from the
overflow of the rivers, and the road being extremely narrow, and the ruts
deep, they made very slow progress. Sometimes the way was so impracticable
that they had to take the carriage through the woods which skirted the
road. Darkness and rain coming on obliged them to halt for the night at
Netphen, and seek shelter in the humble dwelling of a woman, who at first
took alarm at the unexpected appearance of so many strangers. The account
which the guide gave respecting the travellers dispelled her fears, and
she did what she could by hospitality to make up for the scantiness of her
accommodation. She gave them also some information respecting the
_Inspirirten_, whom they were on the way to visit, speaking favorably
of them. The next morning, before they started, they were able to offer
her spiritual good in return for her temporal kindness, John Yeardley
ministering to her condition under religious exercise; and they trusted
his words found entrance into her soul.

On the 4th they pursued their way, up hill and down, the carriage
sometimes becoming so firmly fixed in the narrow deep ruts, that it was
necessary to take out the horses, and for the men of the party, with the
assistance of passers-by, to lift it over to more even ground.

At length they arrived at Erndebrueck, and drove to an inn; but not finding
their luggage, they went to another, and while they were preparing to
start for Berlenburg, William Seebohm went to the Custom-office to show
the ticket of clearance they had received on entering the Prussian
territory at Burbach. This ticket should have obviated all delay attendant
on the examination of the luggage; but it happened, most unfortunately,
that the custom officer was the landlord of the inn they first came to.
Their leaving his house without taking refreshment was, in his eyes, an
unpardonable offence, and on William Seebohm presenting to him the ticket,
his countenance and language betrayed the passion which raged in his
breast. He declared their trunks should be examined in the strictest
manner; and when they represented the necessity they were under of
speedily pursuing their journey, and desired him to despatch the business
as quickly as possible, he replied by detaining them until they were
obliged to send back the horse and