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That is not a very long time," said Flossie; "but we are swift and strong, and if

we get started by this evening we can travel many miles during the night."

Claus decided to make the attempt, so he hurried on his preparations as fast

as possible. After a time he fastened the collars around the necks of his

steeds and harnessed them to his rude sledge. Then he placed a stool on the

little platform, to serve as a seat, and filled a sack with his prettiest toys.

How do you intend to guide us?" asked Glossie. "We have never been out of

the Forest before, except to visit your house, so we shall not know the way."

Claus thought about that for a moment. Then he brought more cords and

fastened two of them to the spreading antlers of each deer, one on the right

and the other on the left.

Those will be my reins," said Claus, "and when I pull them to the right or to

the left you must go in that direction. If I do not pull the reins at all you may

go straight ahead."

Very well," answered Glossie and Flossie; and then they asked: "Are you

ready?"

Claus seated himself upon the stool, placed the sack of toys at his feet, and

then gathered up the reins.

All ready!" he shouted; "away we go!"

The deer leaned forward, lifted their slender limbs, and the next moment away

flew the sledge over the frozen snow. The swiftness of the motion surprised

Claus, for in a few strides they were across the Valley and gliding over the

broad plain beyond.

The day had melted into evening by the time they started; for, swiftly as Claus

had worked, many hours had been consumed in making his preparations.

But the moon shone brightly to light their way, and Claus soon decided it was

just as pleasant to travel by night as by day.

The deer liked it better; for, although they wished to see something of the

world, they were timid about meeting men, and now all the dwellers in the

towns and farmhouses were sound asleep and could not see them.

Away and away they sped, on and on over the hills and through the valleys

and across the plains until they reached a village where Claus had never been

before.

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus