"Why don't you take it up? There must be some teacher in Crumville," returned Dave. "Let's both do it!" cried Laura. "I used to paint a little before father and I did so much traveling. I would like to take it up again. It would be very interesting." While the young folks were talking, the pair of mettlesome grays had been speeding over the snow of the road at a good rate of speed. Dave, however, had them well in hand, so that there was little danger of their running away. "We'll be to Benson Crossroads soon, Dave," remarked Ben a while later, after they had passed over a long hill lined on either side with tidy farms. "Which road are you going to take--through Hacklebury or around Conover's Hill?" "I haven't made up my mind," answered Dave. He looked at Jessie. "Have you any preference?" "Oh, let us go up around Conover's Hill!" cried Jessie. "That is always such a splendid ride. There is so much of an outlook." "Yes, let us go by way of the hill by all means," added Laura. "It isn't very nice through Hacklebury, past all those woolen mills." "All right, the Conover road it is," answered Dave; and forward they went once more as fast as ever. They soon passed the Crossroads, and then took the long, winding road that led around one side of the hill just mentioned. Here travel since the snow had fallen had evidently been heavy, for the roadway was packed down until it was almost as smooth as glass. Over this surface the spirited grays dashed at an increased rate of speed. "Some team, believe me!" was Ben's comment. "Mr. Wadsworth ought to put them on a race-course." "Papa does not believe in racing," answered Jessie. "But he always did like to have a horse that had some go in him." "Hark!" cried Laura, a moment later. "What is that sound?" "It's an auto coming," announced Ben, looking behind them. "A big touring-car, and whoever is in it seems to be in a tremendous hurry." "I wish they wouldn't cut out their muffler," was Dave's comment, as he saw the grays pick up their ears. "They have no right to run with the muffler open." As the touring-car came closer those in the sleigh who were able to look back saw that it was running at a great rate of speed and swaying from side to side of the roadway. It contained four young men, out, evidently, for a gloriously good time. Dave did not dare look back to see what was coming. The grays had their ears laid well back and their whole manner showed that they were growing more nervous every instant. "Hi! Stop that noise!" yelled Ben, jumping up and shaking his hand at the oncoming automobile. But those in the car paid no attention to him. The fellow at the wheel put on a fresh burst of speed, and with a wild rush and a roar the touring-car shot past the sleigh and the frightened horses, and in a few seconds more disappeared around a turn of the road.