Neale had already begged permission of Mr. Howbridge. The lawyer was quite as ignorant regarding ice-boating as Ruth herself. Neither of them considered that any real harm could come to Neale and Agnes in the smaller craft.
The crews of the larger ice-boats were experienced boatmen. They got their lumbering craft under way just as soon as the passengers were settled with their light baggage in the cockpits. There were bear robes and blankets in profusion. Although the wind was keen, the party did not expect that Jack Frost would trouble them.
“Isn’t this great?” cried Cecile, who was in one of the boats with Ruth, her brother, and Sammy Pinkney. “My! we always manage to have such very nice times when we are with you Corner House girls, Ruthie.”
“This is all new to me,” admitted her friend. “I hope nothing will happen to wreck us.”
“Wreck us! Fancy!” laughed Cecile.
“This wind is very strong, just the same,” said Ruth.
“Hold hard!” cried Luke, laughing. “Low bridge!”
The boom swung over, and they all stooped quickly to avoid it. The next moment the big sail filled, bulging with the force of the wind. The heavy runners began to whine over the powdered ice, and they went swiftly onward toward the middle of the lake.
“On the wings of the wind! How delightful!” cried Cecile. Then she said again: “Isn’t this great?”