hey were halted midway of the road and about twenty
feet from the car. Dave at once shut off the power and the purring
ceased.

"Say, mister!" called the man anxiously. "How we goin' to pass ye?"

"We've tried to give you all the room we could, don't you see?" This
from MacLester as he leaned coolly back in his seat. "You'll have to
slow up, then go at a walk to the right, won't you?"

"My team's sorter skeery along here. They ain't used to you autermobile
fellers. Whoa thar! What ye up to now?"

The team was trying to shy again as they eyed the strange monster just
ahead that was as terrifying to them as when some unsuspecting hunter
suddenly sees just ahead of him a dangerous beast of prey. Meantime
Phil, noting the alarm of the girl on the hay and similar symptoms in
the younger boy, was taking in the possibilities of the situation. He
signalled to the others to keep silent, then sprang out of the tonneau
and made cautiously towards the team, speaking soothingly the while as
the man held them in tightly.

"Let me get hold of their headstalls," he called, raising his voice
slightly. "I think we can manage it. We'll pass each other all right."

By cautious management, speaking calmly to the horses, Phil managed at
last to seize first one bridle, then the other, rubbing his hand
propitiatingly over their noses, while securing a good grip on the
startled animals, and began leading them to the left, towards the bluff.
At the same time he called to Dave, in a low but distinct tone:

"Loose the brake! Get out, two of you, and back the car gently. Keep her
headed towards the middle of the road. Don't release your clutch, Dave."

With some difficulty Phil's directions were implicitly followed by the
boys, all of whom had learned in the past to defer to Phil's judgment
when sudden decisions were required. When the Big Six was squarely
midway of the road and pointed slightly outward towards the dangerous
slope, the car was halted, and Paul and Billy clambered back into the
machine.

"Now, my friend," said Phil, "if I lead them, can you turn in close to
the bluff, right where we were when we first saw you?"

"I'll try mighty hard. Whoa, Jack! Easy now, Jill!"

With Way still at their heads, the wagon and its cumbrous load were
safely jammed against the side of the bluff.

"Perhaps the young lady and the boy better get off on the upper side.
We'll try to pass you, but your team may not like the situation." Phil
smil