At the time of the nineteenth century, Benhall wood was a dark and mysterious place. Much larger than it is today, the trees covered vast amounts of English countryside. The source of much employment, the trees benefitted many in the community. One such person, a carter living near his place of work, woke from a vivid dream. He remembered it clearly, especially when a woman begged him to save her from Benhall's dreary wood. As he went about work that day, collecting things to cart through the woods and into the village, he noticed a pregnant lady standing by an old tree. It was late by this time and the woman looked concerned. The carter asked if he could help, and she said she'd been instructed by her lover to meet him in the wood but she was afraid to go in. Being a gentleman, and remembering his dream, the carter offered to accompany her to the meeting place. As they rode up to the dark and secluded spot, they saw her lover digging a large pit. When he saw his companion approaching with the carter, he dropped his shovel and ran away into the darkness. The pregnant woman was shocked to realise her lover had been digging her grave as he clearly did not want to be a father. If she had been alone, the pit was surely meant for her. The carter took the woman home and cared for her, and it was not soon later that she gave birth to a healthy baby.