wrapped around Sophia like a blanket. She held out her hand in front of her and watched it become partially obscured. She imagined herself chanting spells, conjuring the mist like a deranged witch drunk on her own powers, cackling, eyes twinkling.
It began sprinkling. Little droplets of water drenched her hair, skin, and dress. The water droplets began growing larger and falling frequently. The light ‘pitter patter’ of rain turned into wet thuds as the icy water raced to meet the ground.
The sprinkling turned into a torrential downpour. The coldness seeped through her gauzy gown and chilled her skin. Batsheba’s hooves were sloshing through the thick, slushy mud.
The clouds grew darker and darker. A flash of lightning spooked the horse. Sophia held Batsheba’s neck firmly and whispered words of comfort. The bone-chilling cold seemed unbearable in the howling wind and icy rain. The sound of thunder rolled through the area as another lightning bolt split the sky.
The back wheels of the carriage slid deeper into the mud. The river was out of its banks, and many of the houses of the nearby village were flooded.
Sophia had taken the carriage with the sole intention of offering aid and assistance to the villagers. She brought them baskets of food and provisions, but now, she was desperately in need of help herself.
It was not customary for a lady in her position to be driving a carriage on a public road, but it was for a worthy cause. Her parents would never have allowed her to go without a suitable chaperone. Sophia and her horse were going to die because she had snuck out on a mission of mercy and compassion.
The dapple mare, Batsheba, panicked and was unable to free herself from the mud. Sophia tried not to join the horse in fear, but it was becoming very clear that their situation was dire. Unless something was done, she and Batsheba would be washed away in the raging water.
She tried to calm Batsheba down by talking to her, but the mare was too anxious. Sophia knew the only way she was going to save her horse and herself was to free Batsheba from the carriage and try to coax her up the embankment. She was not sure she had the strength or the ability to do that.
Sophia jumped down from the carriage seat into the mud and sank up to her ankles immediately in the muck. The horse was agitated, and her movements were only making the carriage slip closer to the river. Sophia needed to free Batsheba, but she didn’t know how to do that without being kicked or dragged into the river with the horse.
Sophia called out for help as loud as she could. She was sure that it would not do any good, but she had to try to get someone's attention. The village was not far, and the road was well-traveled. She hoped that someone might hear her over the sound of the rushing water.
In the midst of screaming, she also tried to unbuckle Batsheba's harness, but it was a struggle. Batsheba could feel her panic, but Sophia wouldn't give up. The mud continued to slide down the embankment, and Sophia found a rock with her foot that saved her from slipping all the way down into the rushing water
Batsheba tried with all her might to flee the situation, which only made it worse. The weight of the carriage was dragging both of them backwards.
Although she could likely save herself, she wasn't willing to let her loyal companion drown. Batsheba calmed down slightly, but her erratic movements amplified when the carriage finally slid into the water. The powerful current was tugging at the carriage; a few more minutes, and river would carry it away.
Sophia was desperate. She screamed as loud as she could, but didn't cease working on freeing her beloved horse. Tears of desperation slid down Sophia’s cheeks as she prayed for a miracle.
The river current tugged harder at the carriage, and the back wheels slid up to the axle in the water; it would not be much longer now.
"Stand aside!" said the strange man as he came charging down the embankment.
He pulled a knife out of his boot and walked to the horse.
Thinking the worst, Sophia screamed, "Sir, you mustn't. I am trying to save her."
"What do you think I am trying to do? Now move!" he ordered.
The stranger did not waste time trying to unbuckle the harness from the panicked animal. He quickly cut the leather straps, freeing the mare. The mare struggled to find her footing, so the stranger got behind the horse and pushed with all his might. The horse climbed to the top of the embankment at last.
The carriage was lost, and Sophia was covered in mud, but she and the horse were still alive, and that was all that mattered. This man had saved them.
He reached out his hand and helped Sophia to safety. His efforts to help her up the embankment seemed effortless, which indicated his strength.
He was tall in stature, and even though he was wet from the downpour of rain, Sophia noticed his handsome features: a rugged jaw, big blue eyes, and dark hair that was almost black.
Breathless from the physical feat she had just endured, Sophia managed, "Sir, I cannot express my gratitude at your act of bravery and selflessness."
"Miss, what kind of man would have left you and your horse to perish?"
His humility touched Sophia.
"I hope to never know anyone capable of such lack of compassion, but that does not detract from your bravery."
"I feel I must offer you my apologies for yelling at you. I did not intend to speak to you in a disrespectful manner. I assure you that it was not my intention to offend you by my harsh language."
"Sir, on the contrary, your words and actions were perfectly in line with the gravity of the situation."