said Ben , recognizing the boy as one of the `` hill fellows '' who came to town Saturday nights for play or business . `` Hullo , Brown ! '' responded the other , arresting his squeaking progress with signs of surprise at the moist tableau before him . `` Where goin ' ? '' asked Ben with masculine brevity . `` Got to carry this home , hang the old thing . '' `` Where to ? '' `` Batchelor 's , down yonder , '' and the boy pointed to a farm-house at the foot of the next hill . `` Goin ' that way , take it right along . '' `` What for ? '' questioned the prudent youth , distrusting such unusual neighborliness . `` She 's tired , wants a ride ; I 'll leave it all right , true as I live and breathe , '' explained Ben , half ashamed yet anxious to get his little responsibility home as soon as possible , for mishaps seemed to thicken . `` Ho , you could n't cart her all that way ! she 's most as heavy as a bag of meal , '' jeered the taller lad , amused at the proposition . `` I 'm stronger than most fellers of my size . Try , if I ai n't , '' and Ben squared off in such scientific style that Joslyn responded with sudden amiability , -- `` All right , let 's see you do it . '' Bab huddled into her new equipage without the least fear , and Ben trundled her off at a good pace , while the boy retired to the shelter of a barn to watch their progress , glad to be rid of an irksome errand . At first , all went well , for the way was down hill , and the wheel squeaked briskly round and round ; Bab smiled gratefully upon her bearer , and Ben `` went in on his muscle with a will , '' as he expressed it . But presently the road grew sandy , began to ascend , and the load seemed to grow heavier with every step . `` I 'll get out now .
It 's real nice , but I guess I am too heavy , '' said XXXXX , as the face before her got redder and redder , and the breath began to come in puffs .
Bab Batchelor Ben Ho Hullo Joslyn amiability equipage first mishaps