Bert and Charley were soon ready for the test, and away they went amid
a cheer from their friends.

"I think Charley will win this time," said Nellie.

"And I think that Bert will win," answered Nan.

"Oh, you think your brother is wonderful," sniffed Nellie, with a shrug
of her shoulders.

"He is just as good as any boy," said Nan quickly.

Down the hill swept the two sleds, keeping side by side as before. They
were but a foot apart, for each owner wished to keep on the hardest part
of the slide.

"Keep on your side, Bert Bobbsey!" shouted Charley warningly.

"And you keep on yours, Charley Mason!" returned Bert.

All of the others on the hill had stopped coasting to witness the
contest, but now with a whoop Danny Rugg swept forward with his new sled
and came down the hill at top speed.

The bottom of the hill was barely reached when Charley's sled made an
unexpected turn and crashed into Bert's, throwing Bert over on his side
in the snow.

"What did you do that for?" demanded Bert angrily.