"And Danny's ahead!" said some of his friends.
"No, Bert's sled is!" shouted his admirers. As a matter of fact, though, both sleds were even at the start. On and on they went very swiftly, for the hill had been worn smooth. Then Bert saw his bob getting ahead a little, and he felt that he was going to win easily.
But he was glad too soon, for, a little later, Danny's sled shot ahead, and for some distance was in the lead.
"Can't you beat him, Bert?" whispered Charley Mason, who sat just behind his chum.
"I hope so," was the answer. "But I can't really do anything. We just have to depend on the sled, you know."
"Steer a little more over to the left," suggested another boy. "It looks smoother there."
"I will," said Bert, and he turned the steering wheel of his bob, while Luke Morton, in the rear, pulled hard on the bell, making it clang out a loud warning.
"Look out where you're going, Bert Bobbsey!" warned Danny, looking back. "You're coming over on my side of the hill!"
"No I'm not. I'm away from the middle, even," said Bert, "Besides,
I'm behind you."
"I know you are, and you're going to stay there; but I don't want you to run into me."