Suddenly the spectators were treated to a most unusual sight.
Both boys were seen to lurch forward, two wild yells floated over the air—then the contestants, frantically waving their arms, plunged head first into a great pit filled to the brim with snow.
CHAPTER XV
A PRACTICAL JOKE
This catastrophe was witnessed with much astonishment.
"Great Cæsar—look at that!" cried Bob Somers.
"My eye! Did you ever see such a tumble?" exclaimed Hackett.
Then, as Sladder and Musgrove, almost up to their necks in the white mass, floundered and kicked to regain an upright position, Hackett, Nat Wingate and several of the others burst forth into the most uproarious peals of laughter.
"Bring a derrick," roared Nat. "Stand up straight, Musgrove. Don't you know enough not to dive on land?"