"We can't be more than a quarter of a mile from Fell. In fact,
I'm almost sure it's at the foot of the next hill. Yes, I know
it is. And if we can get Pomfret to the crest of this rise, it's
all down-hill from there to the village. Shall we try, Alice?"

"Rather!"

She got out, and I followed. Fortunately the slope was a gentle
one, and, without much of the harder labour, we managed to top
the rise. Then we got in again, and began to descend the hill.
When the brakes failed, one after another, I was, if possible,
more pained than surprised. I rebuked Pomfret and turned to my
companion:

"Do you mind making ready to die?" I said. " I'm sorry, but if
we don't take the next corner, I'm afraid we shall be what is
called 'found later'.

We took it on two wheels, and I then ran Pomfret's near front
wheel on to the low bank by the side of the road.

"Put your arms round my neck," I cried.

She did so, and the next moment we plunged into the bushes. I
heard a wing snap, and the car seemed to mount a little into the
air; then we stopped at a nasty angle, for the off hind wheel was
yet in the channel. I breathed a sigh of relief. Then, still
grasping the wheel, I looked down at my left shoulder.