ing between Charles and Lemon, who stood
prepared to drive it up to the goal, if, as they hoped, they could elude
the vigilance of the stout gentleman. He, however, was not asleep, and
watching their movements, as Tom Bouldon observed, as keenly as a
boa-constrictor, glided swiftly up to the spot where they had driven the
ball, and sent it spinning back, till once more Frank and Ernest got it
within their power. Thus the game continued fluctuating; but finally,
after many a bandy here and there, and many a tussle between the
opposing parties, not a few upsets and other catastrophes, it was sent
up to Ernest, who struck it a blow which sent it flying along between
everybody, nobody being able to stop it up to the goal.

The next game was, however, still more severely contested; and at last,
by desperate struggles, was won by Charles' party. Ellis had made
wonderful progress in skating, thanks to Ernest's lessons, and his own
resolution to overcome all difficulties. Of course, he got several
severe tumbles, but he always picked himself up and went away again as
if nothing had been the matter. In a short time he overcame all fear,
and obtained the complete mastery over his feet.

"I should like to have your friend Ellis with me at sea for a few
months," said Frank to Ernest, as they watched him tumble down and get
up again, and go several times in succession to practise on the outside
edge, undeterred by failures. "I like the fellow's spirit, and I am
sure that there is a great deal to be made out of him."

"I am sure there is," was the reply. "At the same time, he is really so
talented, and so good-hearted and humble-minded. He is one of my
greatest friends. He trusts me, and I trust him, and that is, I
suspect, the true secret of friendship."

Another day, Frank, taking a hint from John's sleigh, rigged out one
with ropes. It was little more than a wide plank on runners, with seats
for two people. The boys harnessed themselves to it, and invited the
visitors to the lake to come and be dragged along. They had many
applications for the honour, and it was a source of great amusement. No
one seemed weary of dragging the sleigh, or of being dragged in it.
Round and round the pond they went, often at so tremendous a pace that
those being dragged shrieked out with terror; but their alarm could not
have been very great, for when they were asked if they would go on again
they never refused, or if they did, it was