was beset by the thunderstorm, which frightened the horses, who dragged the chaise off the road to the field above, and overset it as you saw. I had proposed to pass the night at an inn about twelve miles from here on my way back, though how I am to get there to-night I scarcely know, even if we can put on the wheel, for, to tell you the truth, I am shaken by my fall, and the smoulder and smoke of that fireball have rather bewildered my head; I am, moreover, not much acquainted with the way.

‘The best thing you can do,’ said I, ‘is to pass the night here; I will presently light a fire, and endeavour to make you comfortable - in the morning we will see to your wheel.’ ‘Well,’ said the man, ‘I shall be glad to pass the night here, provided I do not intrude, but I must see to the horses.’ Thereupon I conducted the man to the place where the horses were tied. ‘The trees drip very much upon them,’ said the man, ‘and it will not do for them to remain here all night; they will be better out on the field picking the grass; but first of all they must have a good feed of corn.’ Thereupon he went to his chaise, from which he presently brought two small bags, partly filled with corn - into them he inserted the mouths of the horses, tying them over their heads. ‘Here we will leave them for a time,’ said the man; ‘when I think they have had enough, I will come back, tie their fore-legs, and let them pick about.’