nearing a small town where they had
to put hands to the handles again and steer with precaution, for little
dogs had a tendency to bolt out at them from unexpected corners, and
poultry is prone to lose its heads and rush into the very jaws of
danger, in a cackling effort to avoid it. Stray kittens and pigs, too,
exhibited obstinate tendencies, and only gave in when it was nearly too
late for repentance. Little children, also, became sources of danger,
standing in the middle of roads until, perceiving a possible
catastrophe, they dashed wildly aside--always to the very side on which
the riders had resolved to pass,--and escaped by absolute miracle!

Presently they came to a steep hill. It was not steep enough to
necessitate dismounting, but it rendered a rush inadvisable. They
therefore worked up slowly, and, on gaining the top, got off to breathe
and rest a while.

"That _was_ a glorious run, wasn't it, Sam?" said Welland, flicking the
dust from his knees with his handkerchief. "What d'ye say to a glass of
beer?"

"Can't do it, Stephen, I'm Blue Ribbon."

"Oh! nonsense. Why not do as I do--drink in moderation?"

"Well, I didn't think much about it when I put it on," said Sam, who was
a very sensitive, and not very strong-minded youth; "the rest of us did
it, you know, by father's advice, and I joined because they did."

Welland laughed rather sarcastically at this, but made no rejoinder, and
Sam, who could not stand being laughed at, said--

"Well, come, I'll go in for one glass. I'll be my own doctor, and
prescribe it medicinally! Besides, it's an exceptional occasion this,
for it is awfully hot."

"It's about the best run I ever had in the same space of time," said
Welland on quitting the beer shop.

"First-rate," returned Sam, "I wish my old dad could ride with us. He
_would_ enjoy it so."

"Couldn't we bring him out on a horse? He could ride that, I suppose?"

"Never saw him on a horse but once," said Sam, "and that time he fell
off. But it's worth suggesting to him."

"Better if he got a tricycle," said Welland.

"I don't think that would do, for he's too old for long rides, and too
short-winded. Now, Stephen, I'm not going to run down this hill. We
_must_ take it easy, for it's far too steep."

"Nonsense, man, it's nothing to speak of; see, I'll go first and show
you the way."

He gave the treadle a thrust that sent him off like an arrow from a bow.

"Stay! there's a caravan or so