"It was about as high as that," said Bert, putting out his hand on a
level with his shoulder. "I can't say how it looked, only it was white."

"Perhaps it was moonshine," suggested Nan, but at this Bert shook his
head. He felt certain it had been more substantial than moonshine.

That day Danny Rugg came to school as usual. When questioned about his
absence he said he had had a toothache. When Bert looked at him the big
boy merely scowled, and no words passed between the pair.

Directly back of Lakeport was a long hill, used during the winter by all
the boys and girls for coasting. After school Nan and Bert were allowed
to go to this hill, in company with a number of their friends. They were
admonished to come back before dark and promised faithfully to do so.

Among the boys there was a great rivalry as to who could go down the
hill the fastest, and who could make his sled go the farthest after the
bottom was reached.

"I'll try my sled against yours!" cried Charley Mason to Bert.

"Done!" returned Bert. "Are you going down alone, or are you going to
carry somebody?"

"You must carry me down," insisted Nan.

"Then I'll take Nellie Parks," went on Charley.

Nellie was close at hand and soon the two sleds were side by side, with