They soon came into the woods, where, the ground being sheltered by the trees above, the snow lay more evenly upon it; and, though the horse slumped a little, yet he got along very comfortably.
At length, however, they came out of the woods into an opening.

The road went along under a high bank, with a deep brook on the other side.

The wind, during the storms in the winter, had blown in over this bank, and filled up the road entirely.
"Now," said Jonas, "I am afraid we're in difficulty." "Why ?" said Oliver; "is that a very bad place ?" "Yes," said Jonas, "it looks like a very bad place." Oliver saw that the snow was very deep on the upper side of the road, and that it sloped away in such a manner that it would be very difficult for them to get along, even if the road-way was hard.
"Perhaps it is hard," said Oliver.
"No," said Jonas, "I think it cannot be, for the bank slopes to the south, and the sun has been shining upon it all day.

However, we must try it." The horse hesitated a moment when he came to this place, for he knew by instinct that it would be very hard for him to get through it.
"Come, General," said Jonas.

"Though, stop a moment, Oliver; perhaps we had better get out and walk, or the sleigh may upset." So they got out.