Yes, there was a hamper going under the seat, and then she caught sight of a tall man whom Mac seemed to be hustling into the carriage in a great hurry.

One look was enough, and with a cry of delight, Rose was off down the road as fast as Barkis could go.
"Now I'll astonish uncle," she thought.

"I'll dash up in grand style, and show him that I am not a coward, after all." Fired by this ambition, she startled Barkis by a sharp cut, and still more bewildered him by leaving him to his own guidance down the steep, stony road.

The approach would have been a fine success if, just as Rose was about to pull up and salute, two or three distracted hens had not scuttled across the road with a great squawking, which caused Barkis to shy and stop so suddenly that his careless rider landed in an ignominious heap just under old Sorrel's astonished nose.
Rose was up again before Dr.Alec was out of the carryall, and threw two dusty arms about his neck crying with a breathless voice, "O uncle, I'm so glad to see you! It is better than a cart-load of goodies, and so dear of you to come!" "But aren't you hurt, child! That was a rough tumble, and I'm afraid you must be damaged somewhere," answered the Doctor, full of fond anxiety, as he surveyed his girl with pride.
"My feelings are hurt, but my bones are all safe.

It's too bad! I was going to do it so nicely, and those stupid hens spoilt it all," said Rose, quite crestfallen, as well as much shaken.
"I couldn't believe my eyes when I asked 'Where is Rose ?' and Mac pointed to the little Amazon pelting down the hill at such a rate.