They were on the very upper level now. Vosh helped the girls out of the cutter, and at once started it off, telling the driver,—
"Go right on into Benton: that's where we're coming."
The "pair of bobs" had been the running-gear of a small wood-sleigh built for one horse to pull around among the woods. It was light but strong, and the box on the rear half of it was well supplied with blankets. When the girls were in it, and the gay red spread from the cutter was thrown in front of them, the ripper put on quite a holiday appearance.
"Susie," said Pen, "it's awful. We're going to go."
Susie made no reply; but she was conscious of a great flutter of excitement, as she nestled back upon her seat, and looked out upon the great glittering expanse of white that spread out below and beyond, until it seemed to break in pieces among the streets and houses of Benton.
There was one moment a little before starting when she almost felt like backing out.
"Port," she said, "hadn't you better come in here with us?"
"Yes, Port," said Vosh, "get in. There's plenty of room. We'll be all the better for more weight."
Port was glad enough to accept, and he knew every other boy in sight was envying him. There had been no end of comments on "Vosh Stebbins's ripper."
It was curious, but hardly any fellow who had a sled of his own had, at the same time, any faith that "them bobs'll steer."