Somewhat dazed, Dave picked himself up and gazed at the ice-boat. It was the Snowbird, and on it were Nat Poole and Link Merwell.
"Hullo, if it isn't Dave Porter!" muttered Poole, in amazement.
"Where did he get that mule?" questioned Merwell.
"I'm sure I don't know. But this makes a mess of things. I didn't want that crowd to know we had taken the ice-boat," went on the dudish youth.
Dave picked up the cap which had fallen on the ice and ran up to the ice-boat. Those on board had run into the creek by mistake and were trying to turn the Snowbird around.
"What are you doing with that craft?" asked Dave.
"That's our business," retorted Nat Poole.
"I think it is my business. That boat belongs to Messmer and Henshaw."
"We found it, and we are going to have a sail back to Oak Hall," said Link Merwell.
"I don't think so," answered Dave, decidedly.