"Why," answered Bill, "when he throws himself right about face, and then goes sculling backwards."
"I'll bet you can't do it the first time."
"What will you bet?" cried Bill.
"I don't care; say a stick o' candy."
"Agreed!" cried Bill. "You see I've done it afore."
"You ought to told us that," said his companion.
"A bet's a bet," said Bill. "You don't want to back out, do ye?"
"Go ahead," cried the other, with some spirit. "I'll risk it. Let's see what you can do."
Thus exhorted and defied, Bill commenced preparations. He first stooped down on one knee and then on the other, and tightened the straps of the skates; next he took a handkerchief from his pocket, and fastened it tightly around his waist, and lastly, moved slowly about as if to determine whether all things were as they should be.
The spectators who had overheard the conversation between the boys, and were ready for any kind of fun, now began to express interest in the trial, and various were the words of encouragement addressed to Bill, as well as the mutterings of doubt over the result. The skater who, until now, had attracted the most attention, ceased his diagrams and approached Bill, in order to give him instructions, notwithstanding the remonstrances of his companion, who loudly vociferated it wasn't fair.