old, but there was still a good deal of fire left in him, as the boys
were soon to discover to their cost.

The road to Long Lake was a winding one, up one hill and down another,
and around a sharp turn where in years gone by there had been a sand
pit.

In the best of spirits the two boys started off, Bob handling the reins
like a veteran driver. Bob loved horses, and his one ambition in life
was to handle a "spanking team," as he called it.

"Old Rusher can go yet," said Bert, who enjoyed the manner in which the
black steed stepped out. "He must have been a famous race horse in his
day."

"He was," answered Bob. "He won ever so many prizes."

The distance to Long Lake was covered almost before Bert knew it. As the
hockey game was not yet begun they spent half an hour in driving over
the road that led around the lake.

Quite a crowd had gathered, some in sleighs and some on foot, and the
surface of the lake was covered with skaters. When the hockey game
started the crowd watched every move with interest.

It was a "hot" game, according to Bert, and when a clever play was made
he applauded as loudly as the rest. When the game was at an end he was
sorry to discover that it was after four o'clock.

"We must get home," said he to Bob. "I promised to be back by five."