grays pick up their ears. "They have no right to run with
the muffler open."

As the touring-car came closer those in the sleigh who were able to
look back saw that it was running at a great rate of speed and swaying
from side to side of the roadway. It contained four young men, out,
evidently, for a gloriously good time. Dave did not dare look back to
see what was coming. The grays had their ears laid well back and their
whole manner showed that they were growing more nervous every
instant.

"Hi! Stop that noise!" yelled Ben, jumping up and shaking his hand at
the oncoming automobile. But those in the car paid no attention to
him. The fellow at the wheel put on a fresh burst of speed, and with a
wild rush and a roar the touring-car shot past the sleigh and the
frightened horses, and in a few seconds more disappeared around a turn
of the road.

As might have been expected, the coming and going of the big machine,
with its unearthly roar, was too much for the mettlesome grays. Both
reared up wildly on their hind legs, backing the sleigh off to one
side of the roadway.

"Whoa there! Whoa!" cried Dave, and did his best to keep the team in
hand. But they proved too much for him, and in an instant more they
came down on all fours and started to run away.

CHAPTER II

SOMETHING OF THE PAST

"The horses are running away!"

"Oh, we'll be killed!"

Such were the cries from the two girls as the mettlesome grays tore
along the country highway at a speed that seemed marvelous.

"Dave, can I help you?" asked Ben, anxiously.

"I don't think so," answered the young driver between his set teeth.
"I guess I can bring them down. Anyway, I can try."

"What shall we do?" wailed Jessie.

"Don't do anything--sit still," ordered Dave. He was afraid that
Jessie in her excitement might fling herself from the flying sleigh.

On and on bounded the frightened team. Each of the grays now had his
bit in his teeth, and it looked as if it would be impossible for Dave
to obtain control of the pair. And, worst of all, they were now
approaching a turn, with the hill on one side of the roadway and a
gully on the other.

"Better keep them as far as possible away from the gully," suggested
Ben.

"That is what I'm trying to do," returned Dave, setting his teeth
grimly.

Dave Porter was a resolute youth, always doing his best to accomplish
whatever he set out to do. Had it been otherwise, it is not likely
that he would have oc