They were soon on the road again, Rusher kicking up his heels livelier than before, for the run down to the lake had merely enabled him to get the stiffness out of his limbs. Sleighs were on all sides and, as the two boys drove along, two different sleighing parties passed them. "Hullo, Ramdell!" shouted a young man in a cutter. "Got out old Rusher, I see. Want a race?" "I think I can beat you!" shouted back Bob, and in a moment more the two cutters were side by side, and each horse and driver doing his best to win. "Oh, Bob, can you hold him?" cried Bert. "To be sure I can!" answered Bob. "Just you let me alone and see." "Come on!" yelled the stranger. "Come on, or I'll leave you behind in no time!" "You'll not leave me behind so quickly," answered Bob. "Go it, Rusher, go it!" he added to his horse, and the steed flew over the smooth road at a rate of speed that filled Bert with astonishment. CHAPTER XVII THE RACE AND THE RUNAWAY Bert loved to ride and drive, but it must be confessed that he did not enjoy racing. The road was rather uneven, and he could not help but think what the consequences might be if the cutter should strike a deep hollow or a big stone. "Don't let Rusher run away," he said to his friend. "Be careful." Bob was by this time having his hands so full that he could not answer. "Steady, Rusher, steady!" he called out to the steed. "Steady, old boy!" But the old race horse was now warmed up to his work and paid no attention to what was said. On and on he sped, until the young man in the other cutter was gradually outdistanced. "Told you I could beat you!" flung back Bob. "The race is yours," answered the young man, in much disappointment, and then he dropped further back than ever. "Better slacken up, Bob," said Bert. "There is no use in driving so hard now." "I--I can't slacken up," answered Bob. "Steady, Rusher," he called out. "Whoa, old fellow, whoa!" But the old race horse did not intend to whoa, and on he flew as fast as his legs would carry him, up the first hill and then onward toward the turn before mentioned. "Be careful at the turn, Bob!" screamed Bert. "Be careful, or we'll go over!" "Whoa, Rusher!" repeated Bob, and pulled in on the reins with all of his might. The turn where the sand pit had been was now close at hand. Here the road was rather narrow, so they had to drive close to the opening, now more than half filled with drifted snow. Bert clung to the cutter while Bob continued to haul in on the reins. Then came a crash, as the cutter hit a hidden stone and drove straight for the sand pit. "Hold on!" cried Bob, and the next instant Bert found himself flying out of the cutter and over the edge of the road. He tried to save himself by clutching at the ice and snow, but it was useless, and in a twinkling he disappeared into the sand pit! Bob followed, while Rusher went on more gayly than ever, hauling the overturned cutter after him.