I woke with a start, bounced from my slumber by some obstacle in the winding, treacherous road. I leaned out to shout at the drover, “Watch our wheels, man! This journey is long enough without your inattention!”

I was impatient. I had business in these mountains: a hunt to be finished. 

In response, he drew a belt-pistol and fired it into the air, startling the team to a wild gallop. He leapt from the carriage as another switchback rapidly approached, leaving me and the panic-blinded horses to plunge together into the valley below.

Treacherous road indeed! I should have expected. Image Credit: Duane Weller