and plunging, under the rapidly applied whip of the enraged driver,
soon succeeded, by daring and powerful efforts, in bringing him and
his mate to a stand.

"Let go there, fellow, on your peril!" shouted Peters, choking with
rage at his defeat in attempting to ride over and escape his bold
antagonist.

"Not till I know what all this means, sir!" retorted Woodburn, with
unflinching spirit.

"Detain us if you dare, you young ruffian!" exclaimed the sheriff,
protruding his harsh visage from one side of the sleigh. "Begone! or I
will arrest you in the king's name, sir!"

"You will show your warrant for it first, Mr. Sheriff," replied the
former, turning to Patterson with cool disdain. "I have nothing to do
with you, sir; but I hold this horse till the outrage I have just
received is atoned for, or at least explained."

"My good friend," interposed Jones, in a respectful manner, "you must
not suppose we have designedly caused your disaster. Our horses, which
are high-mettled, as you see, took a sudden start, and the mischief
was done before they could be turned or checked."

"Now, let go that horse, will you, scoundrel?" again exclaimed Peters,
still chafing with anger, but evidently disturbed and uneasy under the
cold, searching looks of the other.

"Hear me first, John Peters!" replied Woodburn, with the same