"All right, jump aboard," cried the bully, and Mumps and White lost no time in doing as bidden.
"Where do you want to race to?" asked Fred.
"Then let her go!" yelled the owner of _Skimmer_; and in a moment the iceboat race had started.
At first it was an even race. Reff Ritter knew how to handle an iceboat to perfection and brought his craft up in the breeze in a manner that won considerable admiration.
"Take care that he doesn't beat you, Fred," said Pepper. "If he does, he will never get done crowing over you."
"This race isn't over yet," answered the owner of the _Skimmer_. "Wait till we round the bend yonder."
When the bend mentioned was gained the _Rosebud_ was a good three lengths in the lead.
"Good-by!" shouted Coulter. "Here is where we leave you behind!"
"Your iceboat isn't in it with this," added Mumps.
"We'll tell them you are coming by-and-by!" came from Ritter.
"Don't answer them," whispered Jack. "Fred, can we do anything to help the boat along?"
"Just shift a little more to the left--that's it," was the reply. "Now we'll soon get the breeze and then we'll do better."
Fred's words proved true. As the _Skimmer_ rounded the bend, a good, stiff blast struck her sails and away she started after the _Rosebud_.
"Now we are going some!" cried Andy, his face brightening.
Slowly but surely the _Skimmer_ crept up on the _Rosebud_, until the bow of the second craft overlapped the stern of the first.
"Not walking away so fast now, are you?" questioned Pepper, cheerily.
"Just wait, we'll beat you, see if we don't!" growled Coulter.
His order was obeyed, and the _Rosebud_ commenced to pick up again. But the _Skimmer_ kept on steadily, and at last, when the turning-point was reached, was several lengths ahead.
"I hope we win by about a mile!" was Andy's wish.
The turning-point was a well-known rock, and the _Skimmer_ came around this in fine style. But, just as this was accomplished, Ritter allowed the _Rosebud_ to swing around out of the proper course.
"Look out, you'll run us down!" yelled Fred, in alarm.
"Clear the track!" yelled Ritter, angrily. "Clear the track!"
"The clown!" muttered Jack. "Does he want to run into us?"
Fred worked quickly, assisted by all the others and the _Skimmer_ was thrown out of her course. On rushed both of the iceboats and the _Rosebud_ slid by the other with less than six inches to spare.