Let me out ! Jump ! Jump ! '' shrieked Aunt Kipp , thrusting her head out of the window , while she fumbled madly for the door-handle . `` O Toady , save us ! save us ! '' gasped Polly , losing her presence of mind , and dropping the reins to cling to her brother , with a woman 's instinctive faith in the stronger sex . But Toady held on manfully , though his arms were nearly pulled off , for `` Never say die , '' was his motto , and the plucky little lad would n't show fear before the women . `` Do n't howl ; we 'll do it ! Hi , Bob ! '' and with a savage slash of the whip , an exciting cry , a terrible reeling and rattling , they did do it ; for Bob cleared the track at a breakneck pace , just in time for the train to sweep swiftly by behind them . Aunt Kipp dropped in a heap , Polly looked up at her brother , with a look which he never forgot ; and Toady tried to say , stoutly , `` It 's all right ! '' with lips that were white and dry in spite of himself . `` We shall smash up at the bridge , '' he muttered , as they tore through the town , where every one obligingly shouted , waved their hats , and danced about on the sidewalks , doing nothing but add to Bob 's fright and the party 's danger . But Toady was wrong , -- they did not smash up at the bridge ; for , before they reached the perilous spot , one man had the sense to fly straight at the horse 's head and hold on till the momentary check enabled others to lend a hand . The instant they were safe , Polly , like a regular heroine , threw herself into the arms of her dishevelled preserver , who of course was Van , and would have refreshed herself with hysterics if the sight of Toady had n't steadied her . The boy sat as stiff and rigid as a wooden figure till they took the reins from him ; then all the strength seemed to go out of him , and he leaned against his sister , as white and trembling as she , whispering with an irrepressible sob , -- `` O Polly , was n't it horrid ? Tell mother I stood by you like a man . Do tell her that ! '' If any one had had time or heart to laugh , they certainly would have done it when , after much groping , heaving , and hoisting .
Mrs. XXXXX was extricated and restored to consciousness ; for a more ludicrously deplorable spectacle was seldom seen .
Bob Kipp Polly Toady Van breakneck door-handle hysterics preserver right