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Gorby jumped from the back of the wagon, his already cold feet landing in a chilly puddle. He gave an ‘Oh!’ of surprise, then blushed as he heard Daisy giggle. Wrapping his scarf about his neck to hide the red that was creeping up it, he approached Melody. She and Tom stood by the front wheel of the wagon, frowning.
Madoc wrapped the reins around the brake handle and jumped down from the front seat. Motioning Cedric over for some assistance, he nodded to Tom and Gorby to put their shoulders to the back of the wagon on one side while he and Cedric took the other side. Daisy and Ivy went to the front of the wagon, each of them taking hold of the ponies’ reins. They urged the ponies to pull the wagon forward while the four men gave several hard pushes on the wagon’s back end.
Melody and Hob urged them on. After several tries, the wagon creaked and shifted forward just enough to clear the rim of the hole. There was a collective sigh of relief as the rim of the wheel rolled free . . .
~*~
Two more days of trudging down the long, cold road brought them to the outskirts of Bree-land. The little group was tired and hungry as the hedge that walled the town hove into view through the lightly swirling snow.
The sight of Bree, so near, brought some hope to the companions. Their pace quickened and soon they reached the hedge. One of the group stepped up to the door and rang the bell, then stepped back a pace and waited for the doorman to answer . . .
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