Chapter I. The Catastrophe

artedoffstilltalkingsobusilythatJillforgottoholdtightandJacktosteercarefully.Alas,forthecandy-scrapethatneverwastobe!Alas,forpoor“Thunderbolt”blindlysettingforthonthelasttripheevermade!Andoh,alas,forJackandJill,whowilfullychosethewrongroadandendedtheirfunforthewinter!Nooneknewhowithappened,butinsteadoflandinginthedrift,oratthefence,therewasagreatcrashagainstthebars,adreadfulplungeoffthesteepbank,asuddenscatteringofgirl,boy,sled,fence,earth,andsnow,allabouttheroad,twocries,andthensilence. “Iknewthey'ddoit!”and,standingonthepostwherehehadperched,Joewavedhisarmsandshouted:“Smash-up!Smash-up!Run!Run!”likearavencroakingoverabattlefieldwhenthefightwasdone. Downrushedboysandgirlsreadytolaughorcry,asthecasemightbe,foraccidentswillhappenonthebest-regulatedcoasting-grounds.TheyfoundJacksittinguplookingabouthimwithaqueer,dazedexpression,whileanuglycutontheforeheadwasbleedinginawaywhichsoberedtheboysandfrightenedthegirlshalfoutoftheirwits. “He'skilled!He'skilled!”wailedSue,hidingherfaceandbeginningtocry. “No,I'mnot.I'llbeallrightwhenIgetmybreath.Where'sJill?”askedJack,stoutly,thoughstilltoogiddytoseestraight. Thegroupabouthimopened,andhiscomradeinmisfortunewasdiscoveredlyingquietlyinthesnowwithalltheprettycolorshockedoutofherfacebythefall,andwinkingrapidly,asifhalfstunned.Butnowoundsappeared,andwhenaskedifshewasdead,sheansweredinavaguesortofway,— “Iguessnot.IsJackhurt?” “Brokenhishead,”croakedJoe,steppingaside,thatshemightbeholdthefallenherovainlytryingtolookcalmandcheerfulwithreddropsrunningdownhischeekandalumponhisforehead. Jillshuthereyesandwavedthegirlsaway,saying,faintly,— “Nevermindme.Goandseetohim.” “Don't!I'mallright,”andJacktriedtogetupinordertoprovethatheadersoffabankweremeretriflestohimbutatthefirstmovementoftheleftlegheutteredasharpcryofpain,andwouldhavefallenifGushadnotcaughtandgentlylaidhimdown. “Whatisit,oldchap?”askedFrank,kneelingbesidehim,reallyalarmednow,thehurtsseemingworsethanmerebumps,whichwerecommonaffairsamongbaseballplayers,andnotworthmuchnotice. “Ilitonmyhead,butIguessI'vebrokenmyleg.Don'tfrightenmother,”andJackheldfasttoFrank'sarmashelookedintotheanxiousfacebentoverhimfor,thoughtheeldertyrannizedovertheyounger,thebrotherslovedoneanotherdearly. “Lifthishead,Frank,whileItiemyhandkerchiefroundtostopthebleeding,”saidaquietvoice,asEdDevlinlaidahandfulofsoftsnowonthewoundandJack'sfacebrightenedasheturnedtothanktheonebigboywhoneverwasroughwiththesmallones. “Bettergethimrighthome,”advisedGus,whostoodbylookingon,withhislittlesistersLauraandLottyclingingtohim. “TakeJill,