The fellow had already made me believe him even _worse_ than he had been presented.

With his directions, and without stopping to question, I started for the woods, quite anxious to perform my first exploit in driving, in a creditable manner.

The distance from the house to the woods gate a full mile, I should think--was passed over with very little difficulty; for although the animals ran, I was fleet enough, in the open field, to keep pace with them; especially as they pulled me along at the end of the rope; but, on reaching the woods, I was speedily thrown into a distressing plight.

The animals took fright, and started off ferociously into the woods, carrying the cart, full tilt, against trees, over stumps, and dashing from side to side, in a manner altogether frightful.

As I held the rope, I expected every moment to be crushed between the cart and the huge trees, among which they were so furiously dashing.