But she noted the deathly whiteness of the girl's face.
"Steady, Rocket! Steady, Star!" said the teacher. Her own face grew tense and white.
She felt the carriage swing with a sudden lurch, and it began to dawn upon her that the horses might lose in the struggle. She lifted the reins, and called out above the roar of the waters:
"On, Rocket! On, Star! Once more, my beauties! Bravo! Oh, God, give them strength! On!"
She rose in her excitement, and swung the reins.
The noble animals struggled madly. Could they gain the opposite bank? She was filled with sickening fear.
"On, Rocket! On, Star!" she urged again.
At that moment, the exhausted animals gained the mastery, sprang up the embankment, and stopped suddenly on the level beyond, quivering from their terrific struggle.
Esther gave the reins to Edith, and springing from the carriage, she stepped to the horses' heads, patting and stroking them. Her voice trembled as she said:
"Rocket, my brave, Star, my beauty, we owe our lives to you."