bird in no time,
Sis, you're so light. Ice is tricky at first--throws you like a balky
horse till you get the hang of it. Come on, I'll take you for another
turn."

Frank took her spinning with him clear to the end of the pond. When they
started back he made her strike out for herself, steadying her with his
hand. Before they got back to the big bon-fire at the starting point,
Chicken Little had discovered the all-important secret of keeping her
balance.

Ernest and Carol came up in great excitement to tell them there were
going to be races and the spectators must line up along the sides of the
pond.

"See they are starting now--you must be careful to keep off the track,
girls. Here, let's go over by that rock."

Frank made haste to post his small charges midway of the course, where
they could have a clear view of both ends of the pond.

Six young men lined up at the starting point while the starter stood off
to one side to give the signal and another man was posted at the farther
end of the course.

"One, two, three--go!"

The starter snapped the words out and the men swung off in long steady
strides. Faster and faster they came till it seemed to Chicken Little
they fairly flew. She watched them closely as they came nearer--there
seemed something familiar about one of the racers. Suddenly she gave a
little shriek of surprise.

"Why, it's Mr. Harding--see, see! It is Mr. Harding. Oh, I just hope
he'll beat! Don't you think he'll beat, Frank?"

"He is a good skater, all right, Sis, but that dark chap is going it
strong, too. They have to make the circuit of the pond three times. We
can tell better the next lap."

Dick Harding heard Jane's exclamation and waved his hand at her as they
swung by. He was about six feet behind the dark man, skating easily with
long swinging strokes. Chicken Little waved her red mittened hand
enthusiastically in return.

Carol and Ernest, who had been trying to follow the racers along the
edge of the pond, pulled up along side for a breathing spell.

"Say, Frank," exclaimed Ernest, "they say that dark fellow is a
professional skater--his name is Sanders."

"Yes, and Sherm says he's tricky--he has just come here from some place
up on the lakes," added Carol.

"I'm afraid he has Harding outclassed," replied Frank watching the
racers circle gracefully around the end of the pond and start toward
them again. The dark stranger was in the lead and Harding a couple of
lengths behin