CHAPTER XXXII. 

AN INTERESTING LETTER. 

To Andy and Matt it looked as if the entire turn-out must slide down the hillside to the bottom, there to be smashed into a hundred pieces. 

It was small wonder, therefore, that both gave a loud cry of alarm and that both caught at the lines to lead Billy away from the danger so imminent. 

The horse continued to move ahead, but instead of drawing closer to the inside, he walked upon the very outer edge of the road. 

"I'll lead him!" cried Andy, and while Matt continued to hold the lines, he sprang out and caught Billy by the bridle. 

Ordinarily, the faithful animal would have come along willingly, but he now seemed to grow obstinate, and pulled back when Andy caught hold. The wagon stopped, and then the rear wheels were sent partly down the slope. 

"Pull him up!" cried Matt. "Pull him, Andy!" 

"He won't come!" gasped Andy, tugging at the bridle with might and main. 

"But he must come! The wagon will go down in another second!" 

"I can't help it, I can't make him come," panted Andy, between his clinched teeth, as he renewed the struggle to bring the wagon up on the level once more. 

Tying the lines fast, Matt sprang out. He had seen a loose stone of fair size close at hand, and this he now picked up. Running around to the rear of the wagon, he placed it on the sloping ground so that one of the wheels was blocked from further slipping. 
Who was in potential peril by going to the edge?
 lead Billy away from the danger so imminent. 