`` That will do , Toady ; now pull up , for we ca n't get over in time , '' said Polly , glancing anxiously toward the rapidly approaching puffs of white smoke . `` I ca n't , Polly , -- I really ca n't , '' cried the boy , tugging with all his might , and beginning to look scared . Polly lent her aid ; but Bob scarcely seemed to feel it , for he had been a racer once , and when his blood was up he was hard to handle . His own good sense might have checked him , if Aunt Kipp had n't unfortunately recovered her voice at this crisis , and uttered a succession of the shrillest screams that ever saluted mortal ears . With a snort and a bound Bob dashed straight on toward the crossing , as the train appeared round the bend . `` Let me out ! 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 XXXXX 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 .
Do add cleared dropped fumbled glancing reeling said saluted smash