To the left there was a solid stone wall. To dash into that would
mean almost as horrible an accident as if she collided with the
train. To the right there was a field, but it was fenced in, and
between it and the road was a little miry, brook.

In some places the brook widened almost into a pond. The bottom was
treacherous, and to steer into it meant to sink down deeply into the
mud. To run into the fence might mean that one of the rails would
become entangled in the mechanism of the motor, tearing it all to
pieces. Or one of the long pieces of wood might even impale the
occupants of the car.

Cora's eyes swept down the length of the barrier with a flash.

There was just what she wanted! A gap in the fence!

She could go through that in safety. But suppose the machine was
brought to too sudden a stop in the mud? They would all be thrown
out and perhaps injured. But it was the only thing to do.

With a firm grasp of the wheel Cora sent the auto from the road.

Elizabeth screamed as she felt the swaying of the car. She had to
hold her sister from being tossed but, for Isabel was incapable of
taking care of herself.

Straight for the field rushed the car, the engineer of the train now
tooting his whistle as if in gladness at the narrow escape.