On and on went the stage, making good time, for the team was fresh.
When about two miles from Lakewood they reached a bend, where the road was being repaired.
A steam roller was at work, and at this one of the horses grew frightened and started to run away. His mate went with him, and in a twinkle the stage was bumping along at a high rate of speed.
"Stop! stop!" shrieked a lady sitting near Nelson. "Stop, or we'll all be killed!"
"Whoa! whoa!" roared the stage-driver, and tried to pull the horses in. But his lines were old, and suddenly one snapped, and then the horses went along faster than ever.
Not far down the road were several heaps of stone, to be used in repairing the highway, and the team headed directly for the first of these heaps. The driver tried to sheer them around, but with one line gone was nearly helpless, and in a second more the stage struck the pile and went over with a crash. Then the horses came to a halt.
No one was seriously injured by the mishap, although the lady who had cried out was much shaken up. Soon all gathered around, to learn the extent of the damage to the stage.
It was found that one of the front wheels was knocked to pieces. The driver was much downcast, and knew not what to do.
"I'll have to leave the turnout here and go back to Berry's shop for a new wheel, I suppose," he said. He could not state how soon he would return, or how soon the stage would be ready to start forward once more.
"How far is it to the Lakewood railroad station from here?" questioned Nelson.