few grown persons. George Strong, the head teacher, was there, enjoying
himself fully as much as the pupils who loved him.

"I'll race you, Mr. Strong!" sang out one of the older boys, Tom
Mardell.

"Done, Master Mardell," was the teacher's answer. "To yonder rock and
return." And in a moment more the pair were off.

"Hurrah! A race between Mr. Strong and Tom Mardell!" came in a shout
from a number of the students, and soon there was a general "lining up"
to see how it would terminate.

"Go in, Tom!" shouted Tom Rover. "Don't let him beat you!"

"Mr. Strong is behind!" came presently. "Tom is going to win out, sure!"

On and on went the skaters, until the rock was gained. Then Tom Mardell
turned so suddenly that he ran full tilt into the teacher with whom he
was racing. Both spun around and came down on the ice with a crash.

"Oh!" gasped Mardell. "I didn't mean to do that!"

"I--I know you didn't!" panted Mr. Strong. "You have finished the race
in fine shape, I must declare!" And then he arose slowly to his feet and
Mardell followed. But nobody was seriously hurt, and in a moment more
both skated off hand in hand.

Dick was looking for Dora Stanhope, and presently she appeared, in a
pretty fur coat and a jaunty fur cap. He put on her skates for her, and
they skated off, with many a side wink from some of the boys.

"Dick's head over heels," said one lad, to Tom.

"Well, I guess you'd be, too, Urner, if you could get such a nice girl
to notice you," returned Tom dryly. And then he added: "You must
remember we are all old friends."

"Oh, I know that; and I was only joking."

A grand race, open to all comers, had been arranged by the students of
the Hall and of Pornell Academy, a rival institute of learning, which
has already figured in other volumes of this series. The Pornell boys
were out in force, and they were sure that one of their number would win
the silver napkin ring, which was the first prize, and another the story
book, which constituted the second prize.

Of this race a gentleman from Cedarville, named Mr. Richards, was to be
the starter and judge. The course was a short mile, down the lake and
back again. The Pornell boys to enter were named Gray, Wardham, Gussy,
and De Long. The contestants from Putnam Hall were Tom Rover, Fred
Garrison, Tubbs, and a lad named Hollbrook.

"Are you ready?" asked Mr. Richards, after lining the boys up and
telling them of the conditions of the race.

There