he
smoke. One of those balls, generally called fireballs, had fallen from
the clouds, and was burning on the plain at a short distance; and the
voice which I had heard, and the plunging, were as easily accounted for.
Near the left-hand corner of the grove which surrounded the dingle, and
about ten yards from the fire-ball, I perceived a chaise, with a
postillion on the box, who was making efforts, apparently useless, to
control his horses, which were kicking and plunging in the highest degree
of excitement. I instantly ran towards the chaise, in order to offer
what help was in my power. "Help me," said the poor fellow, as I drew
nigh; but, before I could reach the horses, they had turned rapidly
round, one of the fore-wheels flew from its axle-tree, the chaise was
overset, and the postillion flung violently from his seat upon the field.
The horses now became more furious than before, kicking desperately, and
endeavouring to disengage themselves from the fallen chaise. As I was
hesitating whether to run to the assistance of the postillion, or
endeavour to disengage the animals, I heard the voice of Belle
exclaiming: "See to the horses, I will look after the man". She had, it
seems, been alarmed by the crash which accompanied the fire-bolt, and had
hurried up to learn the cause. I forthwith seized the horses by the
heads, and used all the means I possessed to soothe and pacify them,
employing every gentle modulation of which my voice was capable. Belle,
in the meantime, had raised up the man, who was much stunned by his fall;
but presently recovering his recollection to a certain degree, he came
limping to me, holding his hand to his right thigh. "The first thing
that must now be done," said I, "is to free these horses from the traces;
can you undertake to do so?" "I think I can," said the man, looking at
me somewhat stupidly. "I will help," said Belle, and without loss of
time laid hold of one of the traces. The man, after a short pause, also
set to work, and in a few minutes the horses were extricated. "Now,"
said I to the man, "what is next to be done?" "I don't know," said he;
"indeed, I scarcely know anything; I have been so frightened by this
horrible storm, and so shaken by my fall." "I think," said I, "that the
storm is passing away, so cast your fears away too; and as for your fall,
you must bear it as lightly as you can. I will tie the horses amongst
those trees, and then we will all betake us to th