“Can she go?” asked Bob.
“You ought to see her! She’s won more races than any boat of her class on this lake,” said the owner, a Mr. Brown, who was going to move away and wanted to sell the craft.
“May we give it a trial?” asked Jerry.
“Certainly. I’ll take you out in it to-morrow and show you how to run it.”
“I’ll be glad of that,” Jerry said. “I’ve handled one a few times, but I’m not an expert.”
Satisfactory terms for the purchase of the Petrel were made should she prove satisfactory on trial, and the next day Ned, Bob and Jerry went to Mr. Brown’s place. There was a good wind blowing, not enough, the owner of the Petrel explained, to get any real speed out of her, but enough to show of what she was capable.
“And if I’m going to learn I’d rather do it in a wind that isn’t a gale,” Jerry remarked.
The ice-boat had a sort of open cockpit, in which five or six might sit, or sprawl over the side if necessary, when it was desired to keep the weight well out on one runner, to prevent the boat from capsizing.
“Say, this is great!” cried Bob, as they went skimming over the ice.
“Do you like it?” asked Jerry.