A PROVIDENTIAL ESCAPE. 43 



miles tins horse became restive, unmanageable, and 

 started off. We were presently in the ditch, and, before 

 we had time to upset, were brought up, when at full 

 speed, by an enormous tree-root, against the jutting 

 horns of which I had no hope that my friend the legis 

 lator, who sat in front with the driver, would escape 

 being impaled. Fortunately, while the horses and 

 driver were rolled in a heap together, his presence of 

 mind had enabled him to dive beneath the dangerous pro 

 jections, as he was driven through the air by the shock, 

 and thus to save his life. My other companion and 

 myself were thrown violently forward, but kept our hold 

 of the carriage, and all escaped without any serious 

 injury. But the carriage was a wreck. Pole, perch, 

 whipple-trees, and upper works all were smashed. 

 Even our iron axle was bent, and the whole machine, 

 thus early in our journey, rendered unserviceable. I 

 felt no regret for any of these consequences, however, 

 the almost miraculous escape of my travelling compa 

 nion being an abundant reason for thankfulness. 



But our plans for the day were deranged, and our 

 intended progress prevented. We were detained a couple 

 of hours on the road waiting for new, and rigging up 

 our old, means of conveyance ; and, after these matters 

 were arranged, were obliged to content ourselves with 

 advancing less than half-way to Bichibucto, and with 

 poor and uncomfortable accommodation for the night in 

 a way-side inn, at the small Irish settlement of Bay du 

 Vin, of which I have previously spoken.* 



October 21. Betimes, this morning, we started, to 

 complete the remainder of our intended journey of 

 yesterday. But our shattered carriage, which had been 

 coopered up during the night, again failed us. Our 

 wounded perch snapped fairly through, after a very few 



* See vol. i. p. 111. 



