took both Bert and Harry to hold the rudder steady, and even then the
tiller was almost torn from their grasp.

Even Nan began to look a little frightened, and she did not laugh when
Dorothy stretched out flat and held on to the side of the boat with
all her strength.

"I don't want to be blown away if I can help it," said Dorothy.

Harder and harder blew the wind, sending the ice-boat along at great
speed. In a few minutes more it would be at the dock, where Bert kept
it tied.

"If it blows this way to-morrow we won't be long getting to Snow
Lodge," cried Bert in Harry's ear. He had to shout to be heard above
the howling of the wind.

"That's right," agreed the country boy. "The girls can never skate
along as fast as this."

"We'll have to use less sail," went on Bert, "and then we won't go so
fast."

He and Harry shifted the rudder to steer closer to shore. Suddenly the
wind came in a fierce gust. The ice-boat seemed about to turn
completely over. The two girls screamed, even Nan being frightened
now.

"Oh, what is it? What is it?" cried Dorothy.