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That Saturday the French boys, Pierre and Louis, came to see Almanzo Pierre’s father was Lazy John, and Louis’ father was French Joe They lived with many brothers and sisters in the little houses in the woods, and went fishing and hunting and berrying; they never had to go to school But often they came to work or play with Almanzo

They watched while Alht were behaving so well that Alht out his beautiful birthday hand-sled, and with an auger he bored a hole through the cross-piece between the runners in front Then he took one of Father’s chains, and a lynch-pin fro bobsled, and he hitched up the calves

There was a little iron ring underneath their yoke in theyokes Al, as far as the handle’s little crosspiece The cross-piece kept it fro Then he fastened one end of the chain to the ring, and the other end he wound around the lynch-pin in the hole in the cross-bar, and fastened it

When Star and Bright pulled, they would pull the sled by the chain When they stopped, the sled’s stiff handle would stop the sled

“Now, Louis, you get on the sled,” Almanzo said

“No, I’et first ride”

“You better not,” said Almanzo “When the calves feel the heft, they’re liable to run away Let Louis go first because he’s lighter”

“No, I don’t want to,” Louis said

“I guess you better,” Almanzo told him

“No,” said Louis

“Be you scared?” Almanzo asked

“Yes, he’s scared,” Pierre said

“I am not scared,” Louis said “I just don’t want to”

“He’s scared,” Pierre sneered

“Yes, he’s scared,” Almanzo said