rsons in
danger. Mrs. Harrington's shrieks rang out sharp and shrill; Elsie gave
one shuddering moan, and crouched down in the bottom of the carriage,
hiding her face in Elizabeth's dress.

Elizabeth Fuller was deathly pale. She realized the full terror of their
situation. She uttered no shriek, but clasped her arms around Elsie, and
strove to speak a few reassuring words to Mrs. Harrington, which were
drowned by the woman's terrified shrieks.

Elizabeth looked desperately down the road over which the horses were
rushing like wild desert steeds. The carriages in sight were turned
quickly on one side, and their inmates seemed uncertain how to assist
them. Any attempt to stop the frightened and infuriated animals
threatened certain death.

Elizabeth saw this, and her heart died within her. They were now at the
top of a long hill, keeping the road, but hurled onward like lightning.
At the foot of the hill was a loaded cart, its driver vainly striving to
whip his team out of the way. The brave girl saw this new danger, and
fell back with a groan. She knew that the carriage would be whirled
against that ponderous load, and dashed to atoms. Effort was hopeless,
she could only stretch forth her arms, draw Elsie close, close to her
cold heart, and pray dumbly that she might in mercy be permitted to die
for _his_ sister.

Still, in her anguish and terror, she looked out beyond the leaping
horses, as they thundered down the hill. The man had sprung from his
cart, and, with his whip in both hands, was lashing his overtasked
beasts in frantic terror. Beyond him came a person on horseback, riding
furiously. But they were close to the cart now. It was still more than
half across the road. Sick with dread, she closed her eyes, holding
Elsie close, and turning, as it were, to stone, with the shrieking young
coward in her arms.

In another instant there was a shock which threw them all off their
seats; and when Elizabeth could realize anything, or recover from the
deafening effect of Mrs. Harrington's cries, she knew that the horses
had been stopped--the peril was over.

The gentleman she had discovered through blinding clouds of dust, riding
swiftly towards the hill, had seen their danger, dismounted, and with
ready presence of mind, prepared to seize the horses the instant the
carriage struck against the cart.

One wheel was forced partially off, but there was no other harm done.
Elsie and Mrs. Harrington had both flung thems