They ranged their sleds side by side and lay upon them flat on their stomachs, holding firmly on the sides in front in order steer correctly.
“Are you all ready?” asked Howell Purdy, who had been chosen to give the word.
“Ready,” they answered.
“Then go!” shouted Howell.
The six sleds shot forward with a rush.
CHAPTER XVI
WHO WAS GUILTY?
For the first third of the distance, the ice was as smooth as quicksilver, with never a lump or hummock to mar the surface. The sleds flew down the frozen surface, gaining a velocity that took the boys’ breath away and almost frightened them.
Then suddenly there was a jar, a chorus of shouts, and they were thrown headlong over the fronts of their sleds, landing in a confused heap of limbs and bodies, while the sleds relieved of their burdens swirled around aimlessly for a time and finally came to a stop.
A yell of consternation and alarm came from the mass, as the boys tried to struggle to their feet.
Those who had been left at the top of the hill, hearing the yells and knowing that some accident had happened, came slipping and scrambling down to the scene of the disaster.