"I can try," was the desperate answer. "If only we could block
those wheels!"

"Block the wheels!" came from half a dozen, and one boy, who
happened to have a stout cane with him, thrust it out between
several of the spokes of the wheel on the left, in the rear. For
an instant the stick held, then it snapped, and the wheel went
around as before.

The bridge was now less than two hundred feet away, and whatever
was to be accomplished must be done quickly. At last Dick had the
reins, and he began to pull upon them with all of his strength, at
the same time calling upon Tom to hold him to the seat.

"To the right -- turn 'em to the right!" sang out Sam, as he saw a
narrow opening between the rocks.

"Yes, the right!" added Fred Garrison. "It is our only hope!"

Dick did as requested, and at the last instant the heavy stage
swung around. There was a grinding and a splitting of wood as the
front wheels met the rocks and went to pieces, and then Dick came
down on the horses, with Tom on top of him -- and the elder Rover
knew no more.

"Dick's hurt!" gasped Sam, as he scrambled out of the side window
of the turnout. "Don't let the horses kick him."

For the runaway team were struggling wildly, amid the rocks and the
wreck of the harness. But Tom was already up, and he and Larry