And he himself, to set an example to the postilions, put his shoulder to the work.
The horses were put to, and the carriage was in readiness speedily.
“Off you go!” cried the postmaster.
The first postilion wished to raise his horses into a gallop. They both fell, but gained their feet again on the application of the whip. They wished to upset the carriage. The two horses under the guidance of the second postilion fell in their turn.
They drew the postilion from under the horse he had been riding, with the loss of one of his boots.
The horses picked themselves up, the postilion regained his boot, and, putting it on, he remounted his saddle.
Off goes the carriage.
The travelers breathe again.
But as the postmaster had warned them of danger, in place of riding in front, M. de Valory took up his position by the side of the carriage.