As Marco descended from his high seat, the driver said to him, as he passed him, in a low voice, "How did you get the reins?
I thought they all came down with me, under the horses' heels." "Yes," said Marco, "they did, and I climbed down upon the pole and got them." "Well," said the driver, "you're a smart boy.

But don't tell them inside that I tumbled off.

Tell them I gave you the reins, and jumped down to see the sailor." After receiving this charge, Marco would have been under a strong temptation to tell a falsehood, if the company in the coach had asked him any questions about it.

But they did not.

They were so much occupied in expressing their astonishment that the sailor did not break his neck, that they asked very few questions, and after riding a short time, they relapsed into silence again.