Page 115 - Lavender-B-6

The words were scarcely out of his mouth when there was a groan, and a crack, and a

splitting sound, and tearing, crashing down among the other trees came an oak, torn
up by the roots, and it fell right across the road just before us. I will never say I was not
frightened, for I was. I stopped still, and I believe I trembled; of course I did not turn
round or run away; I was not brought up to that. John jumped out and was in a moment at
my head.

‘That was a very near touch,’ said my master.
‘What’s to be done now?’

‘Well, sir, we can’t drive over that tree, nor

yet get round it; there will be nothing for
it, but to go back to the four crossways,
and that will be a good six miles
before we get round to the wooden
bridge again; it will make us late,

but the horse is fresh.’

So back we went and round by the
crossroads, but by the time we got
to the bridge it was very nearly
dark; we could just see that the
water was over the middle of it; but

as that happened sometimes when
the floods were out, master did not
stop. We were going along at a good
pace, but the moment my feet touched
the first part of the bridge I felt sure there
was something wrong. I dare not go forward, and I made a dead stop. ‘Go on, Beauty,’ said
my master, and he gave me a touch with the whip, but I dare not stir; he gave me a sharp

cut; I jumped, but I dare not go forward.

‘There’s something wrong, sir,’ said John, and he sprang out
of the dog-cart and came to my head and looked all about. He How do you
tried to lead me forward. ‘Come on, Beauty, what’s the matter?’ think Black beauty
was aware about the
Of course, I could not tell him, but I knew very well that the bridge’s condition?
Just a Minute!
bridge was not safe. What tells you so?

Just then the man at the toll-gate on the other side ran out of the
house, tossing a torch about like one mad.
trembled: shook without
‘Hoy, hoy, hoy! halloo! stop!’ he cried. intending to
pace: the speed at which
‘What’s the matter?’ shouted my master. someone moves

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