"What do you now propose to do ?" said I.

"I scarcely know," said the man; "I suppose I must endeavour to put on the wheel with your help." "How far are you from your home ?" I demanded.

"Upwards of thirty miles," said the man.
"My master keeps an inn on the great north road, and from thence I started early this morning with a family which I conveyed across the country to a hall at some distance from here.

On my return I was beset by the thunderstorm, which frightened the horses, who dragged the chaise off the road into 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 fire-ball 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.