Harry was less eager, but, ashamed to confess his fears, said bravely, “Well, Tom, hurry up.�
“Now,� said Tom, “do you, Bill, hit the horses with the whip, not too hard. They’ll go.�
They did go, for Bill, enchanted, had to be stopped. In an instant they were off and away at a mad gallop over a much-used road.
“By George!� roared the Colonel. “The horses have run away!�
The soldiers shouted, the picket ran down to the road, too late, and furious at this unwonted treatment the horses ran. A mile or more went by before the heavy snowdrifts of a less-used road lessened their speed. On a hillcrest Tom stood up and looked back.
“Guess we are safe, boys,� he said. “It’s good there were no horses about.�
As the sleigh moved more slowly at a trot, Bill said, “It was a first-class runaway!� and Harry, reassured, asked if it wasn’t time for lunch.
Tom said no, and kept his eye on the road, which by one o’clock became hard for the horses, as the drifts were heavier.
At last he pulled up for luncheon and to rest the team. As the twins were now pretty cold Tom got out the fur coats.
“There are only two,� said Harry.