“There’s the Icicle!” cried Andy, suddenly.
“Where? where?” came from the others.
“Over to the east shore! See, they are tacking this way!”
“You are right!” returned Harry. “And there is Bill Dixon standing at the bow.”
“An’ dat low-down Len Spencer in de back, alongside ub Pete Sully!” added Pickles. “Didn’t I dun tole yo’ da was comin’ dis way?”
“They have discovered us!” exclaimed Boxy, a second later. “See, they intend to turn on the other tack. Come on, fellows, we mustn’t give them a chance to get away!”
He started off at full speed on his skates, and the others quickly followed.
The iceboat was all of an eighth mile off, and speeding over the river as fast as the wind would carry her. Those on board had discovered the owners as quickly as they themselves had been revealed, and were now making frantic efforts to get out of the reach of their pursuers.
CHAPTER IX.
THE TOUR BEGINS.
“I wonder if they will attempt to fight?” asked Harry, as he swept on beside Jack.