"Hullo, Ramdell!" shouted a young man in a cutter. "Got out old Rusher, I see. Want a race?"
"I think I can beat you!" shouted back Bob, and in a moment more the two cutters were side by side, and each horse and driver doing his best to win.
"Oh, Bob, can you hold him?" cried Bert.
"To be sure I can!" answered Bob. "Just you let me alone and see."
"Come on!" yelled the stranger. "Come on, or I'll leave you behind in no time!"
"You'll not leave me behind so quickly," answered Bob. "Go it, Rusher, go it!" he added to his horse, and the steed flew over the smooth road at a rate of speed that filled Bert with astonishment.
CHAPTER XVII
THE RACE AND THE RUNAWAY
Bert loved to ride and drive, but it must be confessed that he did not enjoy racing.