Meanwhile the sled-load of the Bobbseys with their two colored servants, and Snap was proceeding along the snowy road. The path had been well broken, and the going was good, so they made fairly fast time. But every now and then Snap would insist on jumping out to run along the road, and every time he did this Flossie and Freddie would set up a howl, fearing he would get lost.
"Snap!" exclaimed Mr. Bobbsey, when this had happened four or five times, "if you don't stay here quietly I'll tie you fast. Lie down, sir!"
Snap barked, wagged his tail, and looked at Mr. Bobbsey with his head tilted to one side as much as to say:
"Very well sir. I'll be good now. But I did want a little run." Then
Snap curled up at Dinah's feet and gave no more trouble.
"I 'clar t' goodness!" exclaimed the colored cook, with a laugh that made her shake all over, "dat ar' Snap am a good foot-warmer, so he be. I jest hopes he don't jump out no mo', so I does." And, for a time at least, the trick dog seemed content to lie quietly in the sled.
It was not a very exciting trip for those in the sled, as they went
along through the streets of Lakeport and so out into the open country.
Then they passed through village after village, with little occurring.
The roads were good, and occasionally they met other teams.
Once they came to a narrow place between two big drifts, and as another sled was coming toward them it was rather a race to see which one would get to the opening first.
"You can't go through when he does, Sam," said Mr. Bobbsey, nodding toward the other driver.
"I knows I can't, sah. But I'll get there first."
Sam called to his horses and they sprang forward. A little later they had reached the opening between the drifts and the other sled had to wait until the Bobbseys got out of the narrow place.