The Embankment had given way.

Luckily the weather was favourable, inasmuch as we had only a violent storm of wind.

Had it rained, we should have been wetted to the skin, besides being compelled to wade ankle-deep in mud.

We were next obliged to remain in the open air, awaiting the arrival of the train from Stockerau, which unloaded its freight, and received us in exchange.
At Stockerau I once more took leave of my companions, and was soon securely packed in the post-carriage for transmission.
In travelling this short distance, I had thus entered four carriages; a thing sufficiently disagreeable to an unencumbered person, but infinitely more so to one who has luggage to watch over.

The only advantage I could discover in all this was, that we had saved half an hour in coming these seventeen miles.