The Oldest Inhabitant could not remember when there had been a winter so steadily cold. And, fortunately for the ice sports, there was little snow during these early weeks of the season.
“There are going to be great old times on this river before the winter’s over, Dan,” declared Billy, confidently.
“Providing the frost continues—eh?”
“It’s bound to! Look at the almanac.”
“Humph!” returned Dan, “I’ve heard of such a thing as an almanac being mistaken.”
“That’s all right,” said Billy, not at all shaken. “Everybody believes this will be a great old winter. Robert Darringford is going in for iceboating, too. He’s having a boat built in the shops—and he says it’s going to be a wonder.”
“Let ’em all rave,” grunted Dan. “You’ll see, Billy. There won’t one of ’em get the speed out of their craft that we will out of ours.”
“Where’s those plans, Dannie?” asked his brother.
“Right in my pocket,” returned Dan, promptly. “I’m not running the risk of having them picked up somewhere and so find their way into the hands of somebody who might catch on to our idea.”
This was on a Saturday when Mildred and Lettie had expressed a desire to take a long trip in the Fly-up-the-Creek.