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.
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