the
earth the masses of cloud gathered wind-herded in the south. The dripping
from the trees ceased, the black branches took on a faint glitter; the
distant crash of a falling limb sounded from the woods.

Gordon, doubting whether the horses' shoes had been lately roughed,
descended, but, to his surprise, found that the scoring had been properly
maintained, in spite of the fact that it had not had his attention. He had
little cause to swing the heavy whip--the off horse, a raw-boned animal
colored yellowish-white, never ceased pulling valiantly on the traces; he
assumed not only his own share of the labor but was willing to accept that
of his companion, and Gordon had continually to restrain him.

The glitter spread transparently over the road; the horses dug their hoofs
firmly into the frozen ruts. Suddenly a burst of sunlight enveloped the
land, and the land responded with an instant, intolerable brilliancy, a
blinding sheet of white radiance. Every limb, every individual twig and
blade of grass, was covered with a sparkling, transparent mail; every
mound of brown earth scintillated in a crisp surface of ice like chocolate
confections glazed in clear sugar. The clouds dissolved; the trees,
encased in crystal pipes, rose dazzling against a pale, luminous blue
expanse. Gigantic swords of incandescence shifted over the mountainside;
shoals of frosty sparks filled the hollows; haloes immaculate and
uncompassionate hung above the hills.

Viewed from the necessity of the driver of the Stenton stage this
phenomenon was highly undesirable,--the glassy road enormously increased
the labor of the horses; Gordon's vigilance might not for a minute be
relaxed. The blazing sun blurred his vision, the cold crept insidiously
into his bones. The stage slowly made its way into the valleys, over the
ranges; and, with it, the sun made its way over valley and mountain toward
the west.

At last the stage reached the foot of Buck Mountain; beyond lay the
village, the end of day. The horses cautiously began the ascent, while
Gordon, watching their progress, lent them the assistance of his judgment
and voice. The road looped a cleared field against the mountain, on the
left an icy slope fell away in a glittering tangle of underbrush. The
stage turned and the opening dropped upon the right.

Gordon heard a thick, unintelligible sound from behind, and, looking
about, saw Buckley Simmons clambering out over the wheel. He stopped the
horses,