For the Honor of Randall Part 15

"That's no way to talk to an ice boat," insisted Sid. "You should say 'Gee-haw!'"

"Say, I know how to manage her all right," declared Dutch. "Come on now, get on, and we'll go on up the river."

Somewhat less confident of their friend's ability than at first, the boys piled on, and once more they were off. For a time all went well.

The ice was smooth and hard, and the breeze powerful enough to send them along at a kiting pace. Then, as they came opposite Fairview inst.i.tute, Tom had an idea.

"Let's take a chance, and call for the girls," he said. "The ogress can't do more than turn us down, and she may let them come out for a spin."

"Come on," agreed Phil and the others.

"Can you stop this shebang?" asked Frank, of Dutch.

"Stop it? Of course I can. I'll land you on sh.o.r.e at any spot you say."

"Then put us up by the boat dock, and you can wait there until we come back. Shall we bring you a girl?"

"Not much," was the indignant answer. "I've got troubles enough to manage this boat. It's crankier than I thought it was."

Dutch put the helm over, with the intention of steering for the sh.o.r.e.

At that moment two figures were seen walking along on the surface of the frozen river, and the form of one of the figures was vaguely familiar to the boys.

"Look out! Don't run into them," cautioned Tom.

"No danger," declared Dutch. "I----"

"You're heading right for 'em!" declared Sid.

"Oh, I'll clear 'em all right," a.s.serted the steersman. "Just you fellows sit steady and watch your uncle."

But, in spite of his efforts, the ice boat seemed to be bearing down straight on the two figures. They halted, hesitated for a moment, and then prepared to run out of danger.

"It's a lady!" cried Sid.

A scream bore out his a.s.sertion.

"Miss Philock, or I'm a sinner!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Tom.

The moon came out from behind a rift of clouds, throwing the figures into bold relief.

"Look out where you're going!" warned a man's voice.

"Pitchfork!" gasped Sid in a hoa.r.s.e whisper. "Our Latin professor!"

"And look who he's with!" added Frank.

Down bore the ice boat on the two, like a juggernaut of fate.

"Oh! Oh mercy!" screamed Miss Philock, as she saw the danger.

"Don't you dare to run us down!" cautioned Mr. Tines imperiously.

"Tom--Sid, lend me a hand with this rudder!" cried Dutch. "It's jammed!"

The three students tried in vain to change the course of the craft.

Nearer and nearer it came to the luckless two, who were on the frozen river. There was a scream of fear, a chorus of angry cautions, and then the ice boat struck.

The feet of Professor Tines went gracefully from under him, and he sat down on the very bow of the ice boat, clinging to a mast stay. As for Miss Philock, she was struck by one of the runners, tossed into the air, and came down in the blanket-padded c.o.c.kpit, fortunately striking none of the boys.

Then, with a lurch the boat slewed around, and headed for sh.o.r.e. A moment later, being unguided, she seemed to change her mind, and did a sort of waltz and two-step combined. Next, with a sharp swing, the craft turned gracefully on her side, and there was a splintering sound as the mast snapped, and the sail came down, like a blanket over all.

CHAPTER X

A MISSING PICTURE

"This is an outrage! It was done purposely! I shall demand severe punishment for the perpetrators of it!"

Thus exclaimed Professor Emerson Tines, his voice half smothered under the sail of the ice boat.

"Oh, what has happened? Are we sinking? Are we going through the ice?"

cried Miss Philock.

It was almost beyond the power of the lads to give any adequate description of what had happened, so rapidly had events shaped themselves. Tom managed to crawl out of the tilted c.o.c.kpit.

"Allow me," he said, in his best manner, as he extended his hand to help up Miss Philock.

"Oh! Are you sure there's no danger?" she asked, hesitating to trust herself to him. "Is there a hole in the ice?"

"None whatever," Tom a.s.sured her. "Unfortunately we ran you down with the ice boat, but I trust you are not hurt."

Just then Phil managed to scramble out of the tangle of sail and mast, and his face was revealed in the moonlight. Miss Philock knew him for the brother of one of her charges.

"Oh, Mr. Clinton!" she cried. "I never would have believed it of you!"

"An accident, I do a.s.sure you," interposed Phil. "It could not be helped. I hope you are not hurt, Professor Tines."

"Hurt! Humph! Little you care whether I am or not. I shall report you to Dr. Churchill as soon as I reach college. It is scandalous!"

The Latin teacher managed to scramble to his feet, ignoring the proffered hand of Phil. Sid, Frank and Dutch managed to crawl out from under the ice boat.

"Whew!" whistled Dutch, looking at the broken mast.

"I thought you said you could steer," growled Frank.

"I could, only the rudder got jammed. It wasn't my fault. Wow! This is tough!"