Part 5 (2/2)
He and Sue had happy dreams that night, and there were no visions of alligators mingled with those of orange flowers.
In the night it snowed, so the next day there was more of the white flaky substance on the ground.
”This'll make good sleighing,” said Uncle Tad at the breakfast table.
”You children want to come for a ride with me?”
Did they? You should have heard Bunny Brown and his sister Sue exclaim in delight at this!
”Where are you going?” asked Mrs. Brown, as Uncle Tad went out to harness the horse to the small sleigh.
”Walter wanted me to go to the railroad depot and get some freight that came in for him,” answered the old soldier. ”There are some small boxes of things he needs for his motor boat. There'll be plenty of room for the youngsters.”
”All right--take them along,” said Mrs. Brown. And a little later Bunny and Sue were in the sleigh with Uncle Tad.
”Whoa there now! Steady, Prince!” called the soldier to the horse, for the animal seemed rather more frisky than usual.
”What makes him go so fast?” asked Bunny, for he could tell that Uncle Tad was having hard work to hold in the horse.
”Oh, he hasn't been out for two or three days and he feels frisky,” the soldier answered. ”But I guess I can manage him all right. Sit tight, you two!”
There were many other sleighs and cutters out around Bellemere, and the air was filled with the jingle of merry bells. Bunny and Sue saw many of their friends and waved to them.
”I guess all the boys and girls'll wish they were us when we go to Florida, won't they?” asked Sue of Bunny.
”I guess they will!” he declared.
They were nearing the railroad now, on their way to the freight depot to get the boxes for Mr. Brown. There were several tracks to cross before the depot could be reached.
Suddenly, as the sleigh containing Bunny and Sue was about to cross the rails, a distant locomotive gave a loud whistle. Prince gave a jump and, a moment later, began to trot very fast.
”Whoa! Whoa there! Steady, Prince!” cried Uncle Tad, taking a firm hold of the reins. But Prince did not settle down. Instead he ran the faster, and straight for the tracks. And as the whistle of the locomotive sounded louder, Bunny and Sue knew a train was coming!
”Oh, Uncle Tad!” cried Sue, clinging to Bunny.
”Keep quiet, children!” begged the old soldier. ”I guess we'll be all right!”
”Is he running away?” asked Bunny.
”I'm afraid he is,” answered Uncle Tad. ”But I'll pull him down in a minute. Sit tight and hold fast!”
CHAPTER V
OUT OF A DUSTPAN
Prince was certainly a frisky horse that morning. In spite of all Uncle Tad could do by pulling on the reins and calling soothingly to the animal, he raced with the sleigh over the railroad tracks. And the train was coming nearer and nearer. Bunny and Sue well knew what would happen if it hit them.
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