And almost always when Dan and Billy were on the ice, the _White Albatross_ made its appearance. Barrington Spink was forever trying conclusions with the bigger iceboat, and was never willing to admit defeat by her.
It was always “by a fluke,” or because something broke on his own craft, when Dan and Billy chanced to leave the _White Albatross_ behind. There was something “bull-doggy” about Barrington Spink. He never knew when he was beaten.
There was by this time quite a fleet of iceboats on the river, besides those of the Speedwell boys, Monroe Stevens, and Spink. Fisher Greene and his cousin had produced the _Flying Squirrel_. Jim Stetson and Alf Holloway had bought a boat, too, and named it the _Curlew_.
There were, besides, other iceboats appearing on the Colasha, built and owned by some of the adult members of the boat club. There were a good many men devoted to sports in Riverdale, and the condition of the ice this season spurred them into joining the game.
The Oldest Inhabitant could not remember when there had been a winter so steadily cold. And, fortunately for the ice sports, there was little snow during these early weeks of the season.
“There are going to be great old times on this river before the winter’s over, Dan,” declared Billy, confidently.
“Humph!” returned Dan, “I’ve heard of such a thing as an almanac being mistaken.”
“That’s all right,” said Billy, not at all shaken. “Everybody believes this will be a great old winter. Robert Darringford is going in for iceboating, too. He’s having a boat built in the shops—and he says it’s going to be a wonder.”
“Let ’em all rave,” grunted Dan. “You’ll see, Billy. There won’t one of ’em get the speed out of their craft that we will out of ours.”
“Where’s those plans, Dannie?” asked his brother.
“Right in my pocket,” returned Dan, promptly. “I’m not running the risk of having them picked up somewhere and so find their way into the hands of somebody who might catch on to our idea.”
This was on a Saturday when Mildred and Lettie had expressed a desire to take a long trip in the _Fly-up-the-Creek_.
“We’ve never gone as far as Karnac Lake yet,” Lettie pouted. “Always something happens before we get there. If you don’t take us this time, boys, we’ll go over to the enemy in a body!”