"You can't ride with us," said Roger.
"What do you say?" asked Isaac Pludding of the farmer.
Shadrach Mellick scratched his head.
"A bargain is a bargain, Mr. Mellick," said Dave, hastily. "We hired this sleigh, and that is all there is to it."
"That is true, but—er——"
"Wouldn't you rather earn ten dollars than one or two?" asked Ben. "If that man is to ride we won't."
"So say we all of us!" came from a number of the others.
"Then I can't take yeou," said the farmer to Isaac Pludding. "These young fellers come fust."
"It's an outrage!" cried the stout man. "I'll—I'll have the law on you for it."
"Guess yeou air a fool," muttered Shadrach Mellick, in disgust. "Git alang there, ye lazy critters!" And with a crack of his whip he sent the double team on their way, leaving Isaac Pludding standing by the gateway, shaking his fist at the vanishing students.