"We've tried to give you all the room we could, don't you see?" This from MacLester as he leaned coolly back in his seat. "You'll have to slow up, then go at a walk to the right, won't you?" "My team's sorter skeery along here. They ain't used to you autermobile fellers. Whoa thar! What ye up to now?" The team was trying to shy again as they eyed the strange monster just ahead that was as terrifying to them as when some unsuspecting hunter suddenly sees just ahead of him a dangerous beast of prey. Meantime Phil, noting the alarm of the girl on the hay and similar symptoms in the younger boy, was taking in the possibilities of the situation. He signalled to the others to keep silent, then sprang out of the tonneau and made cautiously towards the team, speaking soothingly the while as the man held them in tightly. "Let me get hold of their headstalls," he called, raising his voice slightly. "I think we can manage it. We'll pass each other all right." By cautious management, speaking calmly to the horses, Phil managed at last to seize first one bridle, then the other, rubbing his hand propitiatingly over their noses, while securing a good grip on the startled animals, and began leading them to the left, towards the bluff. At the same time he called to Dave, in a low but distinct tone: "Loose the brake! Get out, two of you, and back the car gently. Keep her headed towards the middle of the road. Don't release your clutch, Dave." With some difficulty Phil's directions were implicitly followed by the boys, all of whom had learned in the past to defer to Phil's judgment when sudden decisions were required. When the Big Six was squarely midway of the road and pointed slightly outward towards the dangerous slope, the car was halted, and Paul and Billy clambered back into the machine. "Now, my friend," said Phil, "if I lead them, can you turn in close to the bluff, right where we were when we first saw you?" "I'll try mighty hard. Whoa, Jack! Easy now, Jill!" With Way still at their heads, the wagon and its cumbrous load were safely jammed against the side of the bluff. "Perhaps the young lady and the boy better get off on the upper side. We'll try to pass you, but your team may not like the situation." Phil smiled. "It may cause trouble, but we will be as careful as we can." "Well, boss," said the man, "you sure are good boys. My team--well, I don't know what they might have done if I'd tried to pass you on the outside." He turned back to the couple on the hay. "Say, Danny, you slide off and then help Nan down. Be keerful! Remember she's your sister, and if she gets a fall you'll have to settle with me later." Danny, a straw-hatted, barefooted lad with a freckled face and dangling legs, managed to slide himself down against the bluff and also managed to assist the girl in following him to a spot where they could uneasily await further developments.