In another half-minute Harry was alongside of the iceboat. He attempted to jump on board, but Sully sprang at him and pushed him off.
“Keep away, or I’ll crack you in the head!” shouted the bully of Rudskill, roughly.
“This is our iceboat, and I am bound to get on board!” returned Harry. “Don’t you dare to touch me again, or you’ll get the worst of it.”
Once more he skated up and caught hold. Sully again tried to push him back. Harry grabbed his arm, and an instant later the bully went sliding down on his back on the hard ice.
“Oh! oh! my back!” howled Sully, in combined fright and pain.
“Serves him right!” returned Harry. “Come on, boys, I’ve got rid of one of them!” he shouted to his companions.
To avoid the open flow before mentioned, Dixon and Spencer were now tacking once more. This allowed Harry to reach the iceboat a third time, and now he sprang safely aboard.
“Lower the mainsail!” he cried, in a determined voice. “Do you hear, Dixon?”
“But—but——” stammered the bully’s toady.
“No buts about it; lower the sail, I tell you, unless you want to be pitched off after Sully!”