MISS MARSDEN ASKS SOMBRE QUESTIONS.
Lottie Marsden, although greatly alarmed by their critical situation, was naturally too courageous to give way utterly to fear, and not so terrified but that she could note all Hemstead did; and for some reason she believed he would be equal to the emergency. His confidence, moreover, communicated itself to her. She saw that he did not jerk or saw on the reins at first, but, bracing his large powerful frame, drew steadily back, and that the horses yielded somewhat to his masterful grasp.
"Pull," cried Harcourt, excitedly; "you can hold them."
"Yes, jerk their cursed heads off," shouted De Forrest, in a way that proved his self-control was nearly gone.
"Hush, I tell you!" said Hemstead, in a low tone. "I might break the lines if I exerted my whole strength. Then where should we be? I don't wish to put any more strain upon them than I must. See, they are giving in more and more."
"But the hill is near," said Harcourt.
"You must let me manage in my own way," said Hemstead. "Not another sound from any one."
Then in a firm tone, strong but quiet like his grasp upon the reins, he spoke to the horses. In three minutes more he had them prancing with many a nervous start, but completely under his control, down the first descent of the hill.
"Will you take the reins again?" he said to Harcourt.
"No, hang it all. You are a better horseman than I am."