Oliver walked by the horse, keeping on the upper side of the road.

Jonas went behind, taking hold of the back part of the sleigh, so as to hold it in case it should tip down too far.

They went on thus for some distance tolerably well.

The horse sometimes got in pretty far, and for a moment would plunge and stagger, as if he could hardly get along; but then he would work his way out, and go on a little farther.
At length, however, the old General came to a full stop.

He sank down, shoulders under, in the snow.