CHAPTER XVI
A GRAND SLEIGH RIDE
For a long while all of the Bobbsey children had been begging theirparents for a sleigh ride into the country.
"The winter will be gone soon, papa," said Nan. "Won't you take usbefore the snow is all gone?"
"You may as well take them, Richard," said Mrs. Bobbsey.
"Well, if I do, Mary, you must go along," answered Mr. Bobbsey, and soit was arranged that they should take the ride on the followingSaturday, weather permitting.
You may well suppose that all of the twins were very anxious about theweather after that, for Mr. Bobbsey said he would not go if it rained orif it snowed very hard.
"What does it say in the newspapers?" asked Freddie. "They always knowwhat the weather is going to be."
"Not so far ahead as that," answered his brother.
But Friday evening the paper said cold and clear, and sure enough, onSaturday morning it was as nice as one would wish. From behind masses ofthin clouds the sun peeped shyly, lighting up the snow until it shonelike huge beds of diamonds.
They were to drive to Dalton, twelve miles away. Mr. Bobbsey had learnedthat the road to Dalton was in good condition, and the family hadfriends there who would be pleased to see them and have them remain todinner.
By half-past nine the big family sleigh was at the door, with Sam on thefront seat, driving. Into the sleigh piled the four children, and Mr.and Mrs. Bobbsey followed.
"Want to sit by Sam and help drive," said Freddie, and he was liftedover to the desired position. Then off they went, with a crack of thewhip and jingling of sleigh-bells that could be heard a long distance.
"Oh, but isn't this just too splendid for anything!" exclaimed Nan, whosat at one side of the seat, with her mamma on the other and Flossiebetween them. "I do love sleigh riding so much!"
"See me drive!" cried Freddie, who held the very end of the reins, thepart dangling from Sam's hands.
"Well, Freddie, don't let the team run away," said Mr. Bobbsey, with alaugh.
"I shan't," answered the little fellow soberly. "If they try to runaway, I'll whip them good."
"You'll never stop them that way," said Bert. "You want to talk gentlyto them."
On and on they went, over the smooth snow. The horses were fresh andfull of spirit, and mile after mile was passed with a speed that pleasedall of the twins very much. They passed several other sleighing parties,and every time this was done the children set up a merry shout which wassure to call forth an equally merry answer.
A large part of the ride was through the country, and often the countryfolks would come to the doors to see them pass. Once they met a boy onthe road and he asked for a ride to his home, half a mile away.
"Yes, jump in," said Mr. Bobbsey, and the boy got in and was taken tohis house almost before he knew it.
"Much obliged," he said on leaving them. "You're fine people, you are,"and he took off his hat at parting.
"It was nice to give him a ride," said Nan. "It didn't cost us anythingand he liked it a great deal, I am sure."
"We must never forget to do a kindness when we can, Nan," said hermamma.
Before noon Dalton was reached and they drove up to the home of Mr.Ramdell, as their friend was named. Immediately Bob Ramdell, a youth ofsixteen, rushed eagerly out to greet Bert.
"I'm glad you've come," he cried. "I've been watching for you for anhour."
"It isn't noon yet," answered Bert.
All were soon into the house and Sam drove the sleigh around to thebarn. Bob Ramdell had a sister Susie, who was almost Nan's age, and ababy brother called Tootsie, although his real name was Alexander. Susiewas glad to see Nan and Flossie, and all were soon playing with thebaby, who was just old enough to be amusing.
"I've got a plan on hand," whispered Bob to Bert, just before dinner wasserved. "I've been wondering if your father will let us carry it out."
"What is it?" questioned Bert.
"You are not to drive home until late this afternoon. I wonder if yourfather won't let you go down to Long Lake with me after dinner, to seethe hockey match."
"Is it far from here?"
"About two miles. We can drive down in our cutter. Father will let mehave the cutter and old Rusher, I'm sure."
"I'll see about it," said Bert. "I'd like to see the hockey match verymuch."
As soon as he got the chance Bert questioned his parent about going.
"I don't know about this," said Mr. Bobbsey slowly. "Do you think youtwo boys can be trusted alone with the horse?"
"Oh, yes, papa. Bob has driven old Rusher many times."
"You must remember, Rusher used to be a race horse. He may run awaywith Bob and you."
"Oh, but that was years ago, papa. He is too old to run away now. Pleasesay yes."
Bert continued to plead, and in the end Mr. Bobbsey gave him permissionto go to the hockey match.
"But you must be back before five o'clock," said he. "We are going tostart for home at that time."
The dinner was a fine one and tasted especially good to the childrenafter their long ride. But Bert and Bob were impatient to be off, andleft the moment they had disposed of their pieces of pie.
Old Rusher was a black steed which, in years gone by, had won many arace on the track. He had belonged to a brother to Mr. Ramdell, who haddied rather suddenly two years before. He was, as Bert had said, ratherold, but there was still a good deal of fire left in him, as the boyswere soon to discover to their cost.
The road to Long Lake was a winding one, up one hill and down another,and around a sharp turn where in years gone by there had been a sandpit.
In the best of spirits the two boys started off, Bob handling the reinslike a veteran driver. Bob loved horses, and his one ambition in lifewas to handle a "spanking team," as he called it.
"Old Rusher can go yet," said Bert, who enjoyed the manner in which theblack steed stepped out. "He must have been a famous race horse in hisday."
"He was," answered Bob. "He won ever so many prizes."
The distance to Long Lake was covered almost before Bert knew it. As thehockey game was not yet begun they spent half an hour in driving overthe road that led around the lake.
Quite a crowd had gathered, some in sleighs and some on foot, and thesurface of the lake was covered with skaters. When the hockey gamestarted the crowd watched every move with interest.
It was a "hot" game, according to Bert, and when a clever play was madehe applauded as loudly as the rest. When the game was at an end he wassorry to discover that it was after four o'clock.
"We must get home," said he to Bob. "I promised to be back by five."
"Oh, we'll get back in no time," said Bob. "Remember, Rusher has had agood rest."
They were soon on the road again, Rusher kicking up his heels livelierthan before, for the run down to the lake had merely enabled him to getthe stiffness out of his limbs.
Sleighs were on all sides and, as the two boys drove along, twodifferent sleighing parties passed them.
"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 twocutters were side by side, and each horse and driver doing his best towin.
"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 notime!"
"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 roadat a rate of speed that filled Bert with astonishment.
The Bobbsey Twins Page 16
