Both boys inspected the cutter and found it in good condition, outside
of a few scratches that did not count. Old Rusher was also all right,
for which they were thankful.

"It was nice of you to stop the horse," said Bert to Farmer Daly.

"Oh, I'd do as much for anybody," said the farmer. "That is, if it
wasn't too dangerous. Rusher wasn't running very fast when I caught
him."

"He was running fast enough when he threw us out," answered Bob.

It did not take the boys long to get into the cutter again.

"Don't let him get away on the road home," sang out Farmer Daly after
them.

"No fear of that," answered Bob.

He was very careful how he let Rusher step out. It was growing late, but
Bert did not urge him on, so it was half-past five before the Ramdell
house was reached.

"You are late after all," said Mr. Bobbsey, rather displeased.

"Oh, we've had such an adventure," cried Bert.

"What happened to you?" questioned Mrs. Bobbsey quickly.

"Rusher threw us into a sand pit," answered Bert, and then told the
whole story.

"You can be thankful that you were not hurt," said his mamma.

"I am thankful, mamma."

"Rusher is still full of go," said Mrs. Ramdell. "I have warned my
husband not to let Bob drive him."

"Oh, it was the brush with the other cutter that did it," said Bob.
"Rusher couldn't stand it to let another horse pass him on the road."

Shortly after this, good-bys were said, and Sam brought around the big
family sleigh from the barn. Into this the whole Bobbsey family piled,
and off they went, in the gathering gloom of the short winter day.

"I've had a lovely time!" called out Nan.

"So have I had a lovely time," added little Flossie.

"Splendid," came from Freddie. "The baby is awful nice to play with."

"I've had a good time, too," said Bert. "The hockey game was just the
best ever, and so was the drive behind Rusher, even if we did get dumped
out."

The drive back to Lakeport was enjoyed as much as the drive to Dalton in
the morning. On the way the children began to sing, and the voices
mingled sweetly with the sounds of the sleigh bells.

"I shall not forget this outing in a hurry," said Nan, as she leaped to
the step and ran into the house.

"I shan't forget it either," answered Bert. "But it turned out
differently for me from what I thought it would."

CHAPTER XVIII

A QUARREL IN THE SCHOOLYARD

Three days after the grand sleighing party to Dalton, Nan came down t