Barry promised, and after bidding his family good-bye he was off on a trot across the intervening yards to Kent’s barn. He found his companions there, tying a few last minute articles fast. They greeted him joyously.
“We were just going over to ask your mother if you were up yet!” Mac hailed.
“She would have told you that I’ve been up a long time,” Barry smiled.
Kent slung his skates over his shoulder. “I guess we’re ready to go,” he said. “Who’d we decide had to pull the sled?”
“You know who,” Tim answered. “It won’t be any weight to pull when it gets on the ice.”
The mystery hunters set off for the Buffalo River, which flowed close to the residential section of Cloverfield. It was a clear, cold day, and their spirits rose with each step forward. The sun sparkled on the snowbanks and the icicles, until all the landscape flashed with beauty. All four of them rejoiced to be alive and able to go.
“I just feel like I could strike out and skate for hours,” Mac said.
“It’s a dandy day for a snow fight like we had at the high school last year,” Kent observed. “In fact, a fellow would feel like doing about anything on a day like this.”
“Except being at home with the mumps or something,” Tim chuckled.
“There is the old river,” Barry said, as they came in sight of the Buffalo. “Now we can get into real action.”