frost will pluck out the remnant of thy
locks. Had the hairs on the head of Absalom been as scarce as thine, he might
have been living to this day.« The jokes of Richard never failed of exciting
risibility, for he uniformly did honor to his own wit; and he enjoyed a hearty
laugh on the present occasion, while Mr. Le Quoi resumed his seat with a polite
reciprocation in his mirth. The clergyman, for such was the office of Mr. Grant,
modestly, though quite affectionately, exchanged his greetings with the
travellers also, when Richard prepared to turn the heads of his horses
homewards.
    It was in the quarry alone that he could effect this object, without
ascending to the summit of the mountain. A very considerable excavation had been
made in the side of the hill, at the point where Richard had succeeded in
stopping the sleighs, from which the stones used for building in the village,
were ordinarily quarried, and in which he now attempted to turn his team.
Passing itself, was a task of difficulty, and frequently of danger, in that
narrow road; but Richard had to meet the additional risk of turning his
four-in-hand. The black civilly volunteered his services to take off the
leaders, and the Judge very earnestly seconded the measure, with his advice.
Richard treated both proposals with great disdain -
    »Why, and wherefore, cousin 'duke,« he exclaimed a little angrily; »the
horses are gentle as lambs. You know that I broke the leaders myself, and the
pole-horses are too near my whip to be restive. Here is Mr. Le Quoi, now, who
must know something about driving, because he has rode out so often with me; I
will leave it to Mr. Le Quoi whether there is any danger.«
    It was not in the nature of the Frenchman to disappoint expectations so
confidently formed; although he sat looking down the precipice which fronted
him, as Richard turned his leaders into the quarry, with a pair of eyes that
stood out like those of lobsters. The German's muscles were unmoved, but his
quick sight scanned each movement. Mr. Grant placed his hands on the side of the
sleigh, in preparation for a spring, but moral timidity deterred him from taking
the leap, that bodily apprehension strongly urged him to attempt.
    Richard, by a sudden application of the whip, succeeded in forcing the
leaders into the snow bank that covered the quarry; but the instant that the
impatient animals suffered by the crust, through which they broke at each step,