Midnight
As they scudded forward the wind howled through the trees and dashed the snow against their faces . They fled by farm-houses and caught fleeting glimpses of the bright , cosy scenes within . Twice they met belated teams plodding wearily homeward . Without one touch of rein , or word of command , each time Midnight slowed down , swerved to the left and swung by . It was only when the dim , dark forms of the panting steeds loomed up for an instant on their right , and then disappeared into the blackness , were they aware of their presence . Occasionally the road wound for a mile or more through a wooded region , and in such places they found peace and shelter . Here the wind could not reach them , although they could hear its wild ravings in the tree-tops above .