“Then that’s where they have gone!” put in Jack, hurriedly. “Of course, they wouldn’t dare go up the river, knowing we were bound that way. I’ll bet a dollar they are on the way to Lumberton this minute!”
“I believe you,” said Harry. “Shall we go after them?”
“Of course!”
“Certainly!”
“Can we catch them?”
“We ought to be able to do so on our skates. The wind is almost full against them, so they will have to do a bit of tacking, while we can skate straight ahead.”
With frantic haste, the four boys completed the task of putting on their skates. Pickles had his pair along with him, and put them on also.
“I’se gwine wid yo’, if you lets me,” he said. “Maybe yo’ll want some help if yo’ gits in a muss.”
“Certainly, come on, Pickles,” said Jack.
The sled was left in a safe place, and then, without further delay, the five boys started down the river toward Lumberton, a small settlement ten miles distant.