An' now they're increasin' again." More barren country, more bad weather, and especially an exceedingly rough road reduced Carley to her former state of dejection.

The jolting over roots and rocks and ruts was worse than uncomfortable.

She had to hold on to the seat to keep from being thrown out.

The horses did not appreciably change their gait for rough sections of the road.

Then a more severe jolt brought Carley's knee in violent contact with an iron bolt on the forward seat, and it hurt her so acutely that she had to bite her lips to keep from screaming.