Then they began shouting to the driver, but as there was no driver on the seat, they received no reply.
Down a hill and over a stone bridge went the runaway team. The hoofs of the horses clattered on the frozen ground and the wheels made a rumbling roar like sullen thunder. The woods echoed with these sounds.
Professor Gunn managed to sit up and drag himself upon a cushioned seat in a corner of the carriage. The curtain at the glass window was up, and outside the old man saw the trees flying past.
With his heart in his mouth, Zenas waited for the termination of that wild night ride, yet dreaded what it might be.
The ruffians were frightened indeed now. One of them succeeded in opening the door and shouted again and again to the man he supposed was holding the reins. The carriage swept close to a tree, the trunk of which struck the door and slammed it shut, driving the man’s head through the glass, which was shattered, and cut him in a manner that brought blood copiously.
The man was dazed. He fell back on Zenas, who thrust him off.
“The ’orses hare running haway and there is no driver!” cried the cockney.
Suddenly Professor Gunn was seized with a feeling of revengeful joy. He knew the men were frightened, and a singular sort of courage came upon him.
“Serves you right, you villains!” he shrilly shouted. “I’m glad of it! I hope they run until they smash everything into a million pieces!”
“Ain’t there any way of stoppin’ them, pal?” questioned one of the ruffians.