“THE SLED WENT FASTER AND FASTER.”
The sled went faster and faster. Then Nat understood.
“The points of the brakes are worn off!” he cried. “They won’t take hold!”
“Take ’em up and sharpen ’em!” shouted Jack. “We’ve got to slacken up or we’ll be hurt! Sharpen the stakes.”
It was the only thing to do. The points of the poles, dragging over the hard snow, had been worn flat and smooth. It was hard work, putting points on them, aboard the swaying bob, but Sam and Nat, aided by Bony and Will, managed to do it with the hatchet. All the while the sled was skimming along, faster and faster.
“Jab ’em in! Jab ’em in!” yelled Jack desperately.
Nat and Sam did so. There was a scraping sound, as the sharp points bit into the snow, but the speed of the sled did not seem to slacken.
“The snow’s frozen too hard!” cried Nat. “We can’t stop it now!”