But in some unaccountable way he missed his footing, slipped and fell upon the roadway.
A dozen or more people besides Vance noticed his mishap, but only the boy seemed to have presence of mind enough to take any action.
The frenzied horses were almost upon the fallen man when Vance, darting out from the sidewalk, seized the near animal by the bridle-rein, as well as getting a secure grip on the harness with the other hand, and succeeded in slightly veering the team out of its course.
Off course he was instantly carried off his feet and placed in an exceedingly dangerous situation, but he had accomplished his object.
The wheels of the heavy wagon barely grazed the stranger’s head as it flew by, but he was saved—saved by Vance’s remarkable nerve and quick movements.
The runaways, handicapped by his weight, and headed off by several men who now jumped into the roadway and waved their coats and hats, lost their speed and were presently brought to a standstill.
“Young man,” exclaimed a broad-shouldered Missourian, grasping Vance by the hand, as with rumpled clothes and minus his hat he let go his hold and staggered back from the restive and trembling horses, “that was one of the pluckiest things I reckon I’ve seen for a long time.”
“That’s what it was, so help me Bob!” cried another demonstrative individual, pressing himself to the fore. “Shake, youngster!”
A crowd quickly gathered around the boy, and everybody wanted to take him by the hand and tell him what they thought of his feat.
“Here’s your hat!” cried some one on the outskirts of the circle.