Page:The Young Auctioneers.djvu/208

192 took the reins, and holding them firmly, tapped the trotter with the whip.

The horse made a rush into the water, and in less than ten seconds the wagon was in up to the axles.

"We will be drowned! We will be drowned!" cried the agent in sudden terror. "I can't swim!"

"We won't be drowned. Just you hold on and keep quiet," returned Andy shortly.

"But—but we are going deeper!"

"Not much deeper. I can still see the bottom."

"Supposing we should slip—or Flip should slip?"

"Or we had an earthquake," added Andy, utterly disgusted with the freight agent's actions. "Don't you want to get back those cases, or do you prefer to pay for them?"

This last remark effectually silenced the man. He clung to the seat looking badly scared, but he offered no more suggestions.

With due caution, but as rapidly as possible, Andy drove the horse over the rocks, carefully avoiding such spots as he thought might be extra deep or slippery. Matt, on the island, shouted several directions to him; and thus the journey was safely accomplished.

"Good so far!" cried the young auctioneer, when the horse was once more on dry ground. "That was easy enough."