Page:Under Dewey at Manila.djvu/40

20 the carriage swerved just a bit to the left, but not enough—and they swept nearer.

"Get over there!" he yelled, and hit the horse on the side of the head with all the force of his naked fist. It was a cruel blow, and it skinned his knuckles, while the animal staggered as though struck with a club. But the blow told, the team turned,—the punished beast dragging his mate,—and the turnout swept past the edge of the gully with less than two feet to spare! A hundred feet further on the runaways came to a standstill, and Larry slid to the ground.

"Young man, you have saved our lives," cried the nautical fellow, as soon as he could speak, and lumbering out of the carriage he ran up and assisted Larry in holding the team, which were all a-quiver with excitement, and covered with foam.

"I reckon they are about run out, sir," answered the youth, as coolly as he could. "How did they happen to break away?"

"I guess it was my fault," answered Captain Nat Ponsberry, somewhat sheepishly. "You see, I ain't much used to hosses, and the steerin' of 'em rather bothered me, and I worried 'em until they jest wouldn't stand it no longer. Parson, I ought to