“Cornelia, I have only one day’s leisure.  School begins again day after to-morrow.”

“Well, well; one day, then.  Be quick!”

In a few moments Beulah was ready; and, after informing Clara and Mrs. Hoyt of her intended absence, the two entered Mr. Graham’s elegant carriage.  The gas was now lighted, and the spirited horses dashed along through streets brilliantly illuminated and thronged with happy people.

“What a Babel!  About equal to Constantinople, and its dog-orchestra,” muttered Cornelia, as the driver paused to allow one of the military companies to pass.  The martial music, together with the hubbub which otherwise prevailed, alarmed the horses, and they plunged violently.  The driver endeavored to back out into an alley; but, in the attempt, the carriage was whirled round, the coachman jerked over the dashboard into the gutter, and the frightened animals dashed at furious speed down the main street.  Luckily the top was thrown back, making the carriage open, and, springing forward to the post so unceremoniously vacated by the driver, Beulah snatched the reins, which were just within her reach.  Curb the rushing horses she did not hope to do; but, by cautious energy, succeeded in turning them sufficiently aside to avoid coming in collision with several other carriages.  The street was full of vehicles, and though, as may well be imagined, there was every effort made to give the track, the carriage rushed against the bright yellow wheels of a light buggy in which two young men were trying to manage a fast trotter.  There was a terrible smash of wheels, the young gentlemen were suddenly landed in the mud, and their emancipated steed galloped on, with the wreck of the buggy at his heels.  Men, women, and children gathered on the corners to witness the denouement.  Drays, carts, and wagons were seized with a simultaneous stampede, which soon cleared the middle of the street, and, uninjured by the collision, our carriage flew on.  Cornelia sat on the back seat, ghastly pale and motionless, expecting every minute to be hurled out, while Beulah stood up in front, reins in hand, trying to guide the maddened horses.  Her bonnet fell off; the motion loosened her comb, and down came her long, heavy hair in black, blinding folds.  She shook it all back from her face, and soon saw that this reckless game of dodging vehicles could not last much longer.  Straight ahead, at the end of the street, was the wharf, crowded with cotton bales, barrels, and a variety of freight; just beyond was the river.  A number of gentlemen stood on a neighboring corner, and with one impulse they rushed forward with extended arms.  On sprang the horses almost upon them; eager hands grasped at the bits.

“Stand back-all of you!  You might as well catch at the winds!” shouted Beulah, and, with one last effort, she threw, her whole weight on the reins and turned the horses into a cross street.  The wheels struck the curbstone, the carriage tilted, rocked, fell back again, and on they went for three squares more, when the horses stopped short before the livery stable where they were kept.  Embossed with foam, and panting like stags at bay, they were seized by a dozen hands.