448 . LIFE WITH THE TEOTTEES. 



no sooner thought of it than Gfuy knew it and was oflf. 

 Great Csesar how he went ! And how the sand and dirt did. 

 fly; Charlie crying "Let him go, pa!" and I suddenly 

 finding out there were three jobs on hand needing immedi- 

 ate attention. First, to keep my eyes open ; second, to- 

 keep the boy still and in the cart ; and third, to stop the 

 horse. 



My mind was occupied also with the fact the cart might. 

 break, and also in figuring whether I could stop Guy be- 

 fore we got to the raih^oad. To say I was getting nervous- 

 puts it mildly — I was really becoming frightened. With a 

 good grip on the boy with my knees, a hold on Guy with, 

 all my might, and with eyes almost closed with the mud, 

 matters were getting desperate. Guy was now fairly run- 

 ning away, was beyond control, but true to his breeding- 

 still on the trot. As we were nearing the raUroad at 

 every step the tension was getting stronger ; something 

 must be done. He had the bit — in fact he had me. It 

 was Guy "cutting up that hog," not me. I yelled 

 "Whoa!" I tried to saw him to a stop. I pulled so hard the 

 cart springs settled down until Guy l<joked like a seven- 

 teen-hand horse. But it was of no use ; he was "out" iir 

 earnest. 



As we emerged from the shade of the trees the mud was- 

 thin, and it was flying over the cart like shavings from a. 

 planer. There was only one more chance ; would he stop- 

 from force of habit or would he go on over the track 1 If he 

 goes over we are gone. We are almost there. I must try 

 something. I begin carefully to let up on him ; he hesitates. 

 a trifle, slows down gradually, comes to a walk, stretches- 

 out his neck asking to let go the bit, and we turn around to- 

 go back. We were much in the condition of the boy whom 

 the mule had kicked — we were not as handsome as before, 

 but knew a good deal more. You may safely guess I did 

 not encourage Guy to speed any more that morning. We- 

 walked back and took a rest for the balance of. the day. 

 And that was Charlie's last ride behind Guy. He often. 



