e hill, so short that it
measured at the most six or seven yards, but of a steepness far
eclipsing any other portion of the run. If she could start from this
higher point she would accomplish a feat unattempted by any of her
companions, and descend at a velocity hitherto unknown!

No sooner thought than done, and she began to climb the bank, dragging
the toboggan behind her, while the onlookers stared aghast.

"In the name of everything that is crazy, Rhoda Chester, what are you
doing up there?"

"Rhoda, come _down_! Don't be absurd! You can't possibly start from
there!"

"Why not, pray? I can, if I choose. I'm tired of ambling down that
baby-run. I want a little variety!"

"You will have it with a vengeance, if you start from there. It's far
too steep. Don't be obstinate now, and get into trouble. Evie will be
furious with you."

"Why should she be? There's no rule against it. I'm not doing anything
wrong... Get out of the way, please. I'm coming!"

"No, no; wait, wait! Wait until Evie comes back, and says you may. She
will be here in a moment. _Do_ wait, Rhoda, just one minute!"

But Rhoda would not wait. Although, as she had argued, there was no
rule forbidding what she was about to do, she had an instinctive feeling
that Evie was too anxious about the safety of her charges to give
consent to anything that involved unnecessary risk. Evie's absence was
her opportunity, and she must act now or never; so, seating herself
firmly on her toboggan, she called out the last word of warning; "I'm
coming, I tell you! Stand back!"

"You will break your neck! You will kill yourself, if you are so mad!"

"Oh, bother my neck! I'll risk it! I'll not blame you if it _is_
broken!" cried Rhoda, recklessly; and even as she spoke the last word
the toboggan shot forward and bounded over the edge. _Bounded_ is the
right word to use, for it did not seem to glide, but to leap from top to
bottom with a lightning-like speed which took away breath, sight, and
hearing. That first moment was a terrible blank and then she shot over
the path itself, and was flying down, down the slope, drawing her breath
in painful gasps, and staring before her with distended eyes.

The girls on the bank were craning forward to watch her approach. She
saw the blur of their whitened faces, and behind them a little figure
running wildly forward, waving its arms and crying aloud:

"Girls, girls! Jump! _Run_! Get away, get away