"Hold 'em, Dave, while I get out and go to their heads!" cried Ben, and an instant later was out in the snow and had hold of the steeds. Each of the horses was trembling a little, but the run seemed to have done neither of them any harm. "Oh, Dave! Dave!" gasped Jessie. She tried to go on, but could not. "Oh, how thankful I am that you did not attempt to go around that corner!" came from Laura. "If you had tried that we would have been upset and maybe all killed!" and she shuddered. "It was just the right thing to do, Dave," was Ben's comment. "But I don't know that I would have thought of it. You are a quick thinker, and I guess we have you to thank for saving our lives." "Well, we've broken down somebody's fence," returned Dave, not knowing what else to say. "We'll have to fix that, I suppose." "Huh! What's a broken fence to saving one's neck!" snorted Ben. "Besides, we only busted a couple of rails, and they are not worth a great deal." "Dave, do you think it will be safe to ride behind that team any more?" questioned Laura. "I'm going to do it," he answered promptly. "No team of horses is going to get the better of me!" "I think, now that they have had this run, they'll tame down a little," said Ben. "Besides that, the rest of the road to Coburntown is almost straight and flat." "Yes, and as soon as we get on a straight road I'll give them all the running they want," answered Dave. "I'll guarantee that by the time we reach town they'll be just as meek as any one would want them." With Ben still at their heads the team was turned around and led to the roadway once more. There the horses were tied to a tree near by, and then Dave and Ben spent a little time in repairing the damage done to the fence. "I wish we could find out who those fellows in the auto were," said Ben, when they were once again on the way. "They ought to be fined for speeding." "I doubt if we'll be able to locate them," answered Dave. And he was right--they never saw or heard of the reckless automobilists again. As has been mentioned, beyond the hill the road to Coburntown was almost straight and level. And here for over two miles Dave allowed the grays to go along at a good gait, although keeping his eyes on them continually, so that they might not get beyond control. As a consequence of this additional burst of speed, when they came in sight of the town for which they were bound, the grays were quite docile and willing to behave themselves properly. "Now if you say so, I'll take you girls around to the French Shop," suggested Dave, "and then Ben and I can drive around to Mr. Wecks's shoe-store." This was agreeable to Laura and Jessie, and in a few minutes the girls were left at the door of the establishment where Laura had said she wished to match some ribbon. Then the two boys started for the shoe-dealer's shop. Dave had already acquainted Ben with the particulars of his errand to the place.