At last we reached a steep hill, or divide, the further side of which sloped down to the creek.

There was no brake on the wagon, and the four horses were not in the least inclined to hold back, appearing to be wholly unconcerned as to what might happen.
It was impossible to restrain them.

My work was cut out for me in keeping them on the track.

So I let them set their own pace down the hill.

The wagon bounded and rebounded from the bumps in the road, and my two distinguished passengers had to keep very busy holding their seats.
However, when they saw that the horses were being kept in the road they assumed an appearance of enjoying themselves.