he made believe that he could not skate at all.

He fell down and bumped his head.

He tripped over his toes and made great fun for the Indians.

They did not see that each time he fell he was a little farther out on
the ice.

All at once John jumped up.

Away he flew, skating for his life.

Down the river he went, swift as a bird.

The Indians rushed after him, but he had too great a start.

[Illustration]

The Indians were swift runners, but John, on his skates, was swifter
still.

He knew that the river must flow toward the ocean, and that near the
ocean lived the white people.

On and on he skated.

Two days later he saw the smoke of a white man's cabin and knew that he
was safe.