“Put your head down when we get started. I’ve got to keep lookin’ ahead. Bet this is a dandy slide—and such a long one!”
“Here we go!” cried Tess, pushing with vigor.
The sled started. It seemed to slide over the soft snow very nicely. She scrambled on, and, sitting sideways, clung with both hands to the rails. Dot was hanging to Sammy’s shoulders.
“Choo! Choo! Choo! Here we go!” yelled Sammy, wriggling with eagerness.
“Do keep still, Sammy!” begged Dot.
But the sled did not gain speed. The gathering snow impeded the craft even on the down grade.
“Kick! Kick behind, Tess!” yelled Sammy. “Kick hard.”
“I—I am kicking,” panted his friend. “Why don’t the old thing go better?”
“This snow is loadin’ right up in front of it,” sputtered Sammy. “It’s too de-e-ep! Aw—shucks!”
The sled almost stopped. Then it went over a thank-you-ma’am and slid a little faster. The slide was nowhere near as nice as they had expected. Why! they were not going downhill much faster than they had come up.