And, besides, he was standing, or rather lying, in such a position, that many parts of the harness were drawn so tense, that Oliver had not strength enough to unbuckle them.
However, Jonas at length got the sleigh separated from the horse, and drew it back out of the way.

He trampled the snow down around the horse, as much as he could, and then the horse, with a leap and a plunge, recovered his footing.

He stood deep in the snow yet, however.
"Now," said Jonas, "where shall we put him till I come back ?" Oliver looked across the brook, and saw there, upon a bank, under some trees, a spot which was bare.

The reason why it was bare was, that the snow had nearly all blown off during the storms; and then the sun, which had been shining for some days so pleasantly, had melted away what there had been left; and now the ground was bare, and almost dry.

But the difficulty was to get to it; for it was upon the other side of the stream, and the bed of the stream was filled with water and ice.
"I wouldn't lead him over there," said Oliver.