nearly noon
The mules were frisky fellows and enlivened this little journey by running away . Wilbur got them under control with little trouble , but it was noticed afterward that one of the wheels of the wagon had been injured by striking against a tree . Because his load would not be so heavy as the others , Austin was given this wagon . The morning they were to start every one was up early and eager to be off ; but as is always the case at such times , they found more to do than they had supposed , and it was nearly noon when they left the house . They stopped in town to get groceries and a few things needed for the work , and were off again . Only Mr. Hill knew where the hay-fields were located , and as the road led through a rough country , he took the lead , the others following , making a jolly little caravan . They had not gone far on the way when all the joy of the trip was taken away for Austin .