the whip, and before Felix could stop her, used it on the steed.

The effect was magical. The horse started up like a racer, and tore
through the street as if trying to win a race for a thousand dollars.

The dude clung to the reins in the wildest terror. To his frenzied
imagination it seemed that his final hour was approaching.

"Whoa!" he screamed, jerking on the lines. "Stop, you crazy beast! Stop,
before we all get killed!"

But the horse only went the faster. And now, to increase his alarm, he
saw a buggy approaching from the opposite direction. It contained one of
the town lawyers, Silas Simms by name.

"We shall run into that buggy!" screamed the fair Belle. "Oh, Mr.
Gussing, be careful!"

A moment later the two turnouts came together with a crash, and one
wheel was torn from the buggy and the town lawyer pitched out headlong
to the ground. Then on went the carriage with the dude and the two young
ladies, at a faster pace than ever.

"Let me jump out!" screamed one of the ladies.

"No, not yet! You'll be killed, Grace," answered Belle.

"Then stop the carriage!"

Alas, the poor Felix was already doing his best to stop the horse. But