A GRAND SLEIGH RIDE
For a long while all of the Bobbsey children had been begging their
parents for a sleigh ride into the country.
"The winter will be gone soon, papa," said Nan. "Won't you take us
before the snow is all gone?"
"You may as well take them, Richard," said Mrs. Bobbsey.
"Well, if I do, Mary, you must go along," answered Mr. Bobbsey, and so
it was arranged that they should take the ride on the following
Saturday, weather permitting.
You may well suppose that all of the twins were very anxious about the
weather after that, for Mr. Bobbsey said he would not go if it rained or
if it snowed very hard.
"What does it say in the newspapers?" asked Freddie. "They always know
what the weather is going to be."
"Not so far ahead as that," answered his brother.
But Friday evening the paper said cold and clear, and sure enough, on
Saturday morning it was as nice as one would wish. From behind masses of
thin clouds the sun peeped shyly, lighting up the snow until it shone
like huge beds of diamonds.
They were to drive to Dalton, twelve miles away. Mr. Bobbsey had learned
that the road to Dalton was in good condition, and the family had
friends there who would be pleased to see them and have them remain to
dinner.
By half-past nine the big family sleigh was at the door, with Sam on the
front seat, driving. Into the sleigh piled the four children, and Mr.
and Mrs. Bobbsey followed.
"Want to sit by Sam and help drive," said Freddie, and he was lifted
over to the desired position. Then off they went, with a crack of the
whip and jingling of sleigh-bells that could be heard a long distance.
"Oh, but isn't this just too splendid for anything!" exclaimed Nan, who
sat at one side of the seat, with her mamma on the other and Flossie
between them. "I do love sleigh riding so much!"
"See me drive!" cried Freddie, who held the very end of the reins, the
part dangling from Sam's hands.
"Well, Freddie, don't let the team run away," said Mr. Bobbsey, with a
laugh.
"I shan't," answered the little fellow soberly. "If they try to run
away, I'll whip them good."
"You'll never stop them that way," said Bert. "You want to talk gently
to them."
On and on they went, over the smooth snow. The horses were fresh and
full of spirit, and mile after mile was passed with a speed that pleased
all of the twins very much. They passed several other sleighing parties,
and every time this was done the children set up a merry shout which was
sure to call forth an equally merry answer.
A large part of the ride was through the country, and often the country
folks would come to the doors to see them pass. Once they met a boy on
the road and he asked for a ride to his home, half a mile away.
"Yes, jump in," said Mr. Bobbsey, and the boy got in and was taken to
his house almost before he knew it.
"Much obliged," he said on leaving them. "You're fine people, you are,"
and he took off his hat at parting.
"It was nice to give him a ride," said Nan. "It didn't cost us anything
and he liked it a great deal, I am sure."
"We must never forget to do a kindness when we can, Nan," said her
mamma.
Before noon Dalton was reached and they drove up to the home of Mr.
Ramdell, as their friend was named. Immediately Bob Ramdell, a youth of
sixteen, rushed eagerly out to greet Bert.
"I'm glad you've come," he cried. "I've been watching for you for an
hour."
"It isn't noon yet," answered Bert.
All were soon into the house and Sam drove the sleigh around to the
barn. Bob Ramdell had a sister Susie, who was almost Nan's age, and a
baby brother called Tootsie, although his real name was Alexander. Susie
was glad to see Nan and Flossie, and all were soon playing with the
baby, who was just old enough to be amusing.
"I've got a plan on hand," whispered Bob to Bert, just before dinner was
served. "I've been wondering if your father will let us carry it out."
"What is it?" questioned Bert.
"You are not to drive home until late this afternoon. I wonder if your
father won't let you go down to Long Lake with me after dinner, to see
the hockey match."
"Is it far from here?"
"About two miles. We can drive down in our cutter. Father will let me
have the cutter and old Rusher, I'm sure."
"I'll see about it," said Bert. "I'd like to see the hockey match very
much."
As soon as he got the chance Bert questioned his parent about going.
"I don't know about this," said Mr. Bobbsey slowly. "Do you think you
two boys can be trusted alone with the horse?"
"Oh, yes, papa. Bob has driven old Rusher many times."
"You must remember, Rusher used to be a race horse. He may run away
with Bob and you."
"Oh, but that was years ago, papa. He is too old to run away now. Please
say yes."
Bert continued to plead, and in the end Mr. Bobbsey gave him permission
to go to the hockey match.
"But you must be back before five o'clock," said he. "We are going to
start for home at that time."
The dinner was a fine one and tasted especially good to the children
after their long ride. But Bert and Bob were impatient to be off, and
left the moment they had disposed of their pieces of pie.
Old Rusher was a black steed which, in years gone by, had won many a
race on the track. He had belonged to a brother to Mr. Ramdell, who had
died rather suddenly two years before. He was, as Bert had said, rather
old, but there was still a good deal of fire left in him, as the boys
were soon to discover to their cost.
The road to Long Lake was a winding one, up one hill and down another,
and around a sharp turn where in years gone by there had been a sand
pit.
In the best of spirits the two boys started off, Bob handling the reins
like a veteran driver. Bob loved horses, and his one ambition in life
was to handle a "spanking team," as he called it.
"Old Rusher can go yet," said Bert, who enjoyed the manner in which the
black steed stepped out. "He must have been a famous race horse in his
day."
"He was," answered Bob. "He won ever so many prizes."
The distance to Long Lake was covered almost before Bert knew it. As the
hockey game was not yet begun they spent half an hour in driving over
the road that led around the lake.
Quite a crowd had gathered, some in sleighs and some on foot, and the
surface of the lake was covered with skaters. When the hockey game
started the crowd watched every move with interest.
It was a "hot" game, according to Bert, and when a clever play was made
he applauded as loudly as the rest. When the game was at an end he was
sorry to discover that it was after four o'clock.
"We must get home," said he to Bob. "I promised to be back by five."
"Oh, we'll get back in no time," said Bob. "Remember, Rusher has had a
good rest."
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.