"Don't suppose he'd be particular as to the exact words," said Raymonde. "Probably it's the tone of voice that does it. Let's wait till he gets to the top of this hill, then I'll prod him again, and we'll both growl out 'Go on!' and see if it has any effect." "If it hasn't, I shall lead him and run by his head. It would be quicker than this pace." "We'll try shouting first. Here we are at the top of the hill. Now, both together, in the gruffest voice you can muster. Are you ready? One--two--three--GO ON, DANDY!" Whether it was really the result of the deep bass tones, or Raymonde's unexpected prod, or merely the fact that they had arrived at the summit of the slope, the girls could not determine, but the effect on the pony was instantaneous. He gathered all four legs together, and gave a sudden jump, apparently of apprehension, then set off down the hill as fast as he could tear. "Hold him in!" yelled Aveline, alarmed at such an access of speed. "I'm trying to!" replied Raymonde, pulling at the reins as hard as her arms would allow. Dandy, however, seemed determined for once to show his paces, and took no more notice of Raymonde's checking than he had previously done of her urgings. The little trap was flying like the wind, when without the least warning a most unanticipated thing happened. The worn, crazy old straps of the harness broke, and the pony, giving a wrench that also snapped the reins, ran straight out of the shafts. The gig promptly fell forward, precipitating both girls, amid a shower of parcels, into the road, where they sat for a moment or two almost dazed with the shock, watching the retreating heels of Dandy as he fled in terror of the dangling straps that were hitting him on the flanks. "Are you hurt?" asked Raymonde at last, getting up and tenderly feeling her scraped shins. "No, only rather bruised--and astonished," replied Aveline. Then the humour of the situation seemed to strike both, for they burst into peals of laughter. "What are we to do with the trap?" said Aveline. "We can't drag it back ourselves. And what about the pony? He's playing truant!" "And Mr. Rivers said he was so quiet and well-behaved that a baby in arms could drive him!" declared Raymonde, much aggrieved. "Well, they shouldn't patch their harness with bits of string!" said Aveline. "It's very unsafe. I noticed it before we started out, but I supposed it would be all right. Hallo! Here's Dandy back! Somebody's caught him!" It was the gipsy woman who made her appearance, leading the pony. She looked rather scared, and much relieved when she saw Raymonde and Aveline standing safe and sound in the middle of the road.