And then, it came to Tom, more forcibly than ever, that Shambler did have a yellow streak in him--the yellow streak of cowardice.
“And if it comes out at the last minute, it will be bad for Randall,” thought Tom. “But I promised to keep still, and I will. If anything happens--well, the rest of us will have to make it up, and cover it--for the honor of Randall.”
“Oh I say. I can’t stand this!” cried Dutch at length. “I’m getting the blues. Come on out, fellows. I’ve got a surprise for you. I’ve been holding it up my sleeve, thinking you’d suggest something, but, as long as you haven’t, I’m going to spring something. Chuck the books!”
“What is it?” asked Sid, glancing up in anticipation.
“Come on out on the river,” urged Dutch. “It’s early yet, and I guess Zane won’t make a fuss if we ask him for a little time off. We’re all standing well in classes, thank fortune.”
“The river!” yawned Frank. “I’ve had enough of skating for to-day.”
“It isn’t skating,” declared Dutch. “Come on. I’ll guarantee you a surprise and some fun, or you need never trust me again. It’s a fine moonlight night--as nice as when we went coasting that time. Come on!”
“What’s up?” demanded Tom. “No skylarking with the Spring exams so near.”
“Nothing worse than usual,” guaranteed Dutch. “Be sports, and come on before the wind dies out.”
“Wind! Are you going to fly kites?” asked Sid.
“Something like it. Listen. A fellow up the river has built a home-made ice boat. I saw him at it when he started, and gave him a pointer or two.”
“That’s the first I knew you were an expert on ice boats,” chimed in Phil.
“I’m not,” admitted Dutch frankly, “but he thought I was, and it was all the same. He adopted my ideas, and the fun of it is that the boat goes like a charm. He said I could take it any night I wanted to, and I’m going to borrow it now. We’ll have a sail under the moon, and blow some of the cobwebs out of our brain.”
“Say, that’s all to the ham sandwich!” cried Tom. “I’m with you.”
The proctor, after a show of hesitation, yielded and soon the five students were walking along the edge of the frozen river.
The owner of the home-made ice yacht readily gave Dutch permission to use it, and soon the boys had slid it out on the frozen stream and prepared to hoist the sail.