True, but they were on horseback--the difficulty was, could we get the carriage through?
It must be remembered that the doubt was not about the depth of the water, but about the hardness of the bottom of the stream.
It was agreed that two or three of the equestrians should make the trial first.

My mother, Lecuyer, and myself advanced cautiously across to the opposite bank, each choosing a different point for leaving the water, in order to find the firmest spot.

The bottom was hard and firm until we came near the shore; then it yielded a little.

With one step, however, we were each on dry ground.
"Est-il beau ?" called my husband, who was driving.
"Oui, monsieur." "Yes, John, come just here, it is perfectly good." "No, no--go a little farther down.

See the white gravel just there--it will be firmer still, there." Such were the contradictory directions given.