Part 13 (2/2)

”Sounds like fun,” his date replied, ”but we'll have to use an open-top buggy.”

”Why?” Ned asked curiously.

”Because all unmarried couples travel that way,” she informed him. ”The closed carriages are used after the wedding.”

Ned whistled. ”I'll buy one of those closed jobs after I graduate. How about it, Nancy?”

She pretended not to understand and said, ”You'll have to give up college and all worldly pleasures if you expect to marry an Amish girl.”

”Oh, aren't you funnyl” Ned remarked.

Everyone laughed, but then they became serious as Nancy told them all that had happened since she had left River Heights.

Ned looked grim. ”I'm glad we're here. Hoelt's next move may bring you real trouble.” Burt and Dave agreed.

By dinnertime, however, the group forgot mystery-solving as they enjoyed a sumptuous meal and prepared for the dance. When a young Amish lad delivered the horse and buggy Ned had ordered, the boys went to inspect them.

”Look, there's a hex sign on the seat,” Dave mentioned.

”Better not show Nancy,” Ned suggested.

Meanwhile, the girls had come out, and Bess, George, and their escorts left for the dance in Ned's car. Ned helped Nancy into the left side of the buggy, then went around and climbed into the driver's seat. The horse started off at a fast gallop.

It was a cloudy evening and they had not gone more than half a mile before darkness settled. Ned stopped, got out, and turned on the buggy's, lanterns.

As they started up again, the horse broke into a brisk trot. Suddenly, the young couple heard the sound of galloping hoofs behind them. Turning around, they saw two buggies, evidently racing. The drivers seemed to be paying no attention to the buggy ahead of them.

Ned pulled as far over to the right side of the road as he could. Apparently neither of the rash young drivers behind him was willing to let the other win. Neck and neck, the racers tried to pa.s.s Ned's buggy.

The next moment, the wheels of the nearest vehicle sc.r.a.ped against those of Nancy and Ned's carriage. Frightened, their horse bolted!

The buggy turned over and Nancy and Ned were thrown out!

Twenty minutes before the accident, Bess, Dave, George, and Burt had reached the dance. The young Amish people who had gathered in the barn were very friendly and welcomed the visitors warmly. The atmosphere was most festive.

Lanterns hung from the rafters, shedding a soft glow over the dancers. The music was very lively and the dances, called by a tall young man, were fast.

After watching several figures of the square dance being performed, Bess and Dave swung into one of the circling groups. George and Burt joined hands with another.

When the music stopped some time later, the four met in a corner of the barn. George remarked, ”It's strange that Nancy and Ned haven't arrived yet. But maybe their horse is extra slow.”

The words were scarcely out of her mouth when an Amish couple rushed excitedly into the barn. They began to speak rapidly in dialect, flinging their arms about as if describing something they had seen.

Curious, George approached an Amish girl standing near her. ”What are they saying?” she asked.

Nancy and Ned were thrown out of the buggy.

<script>