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 a girl on each, Bert and Charley stood behind.
"Are you ready?" asked Charley.
"Yes."
"Then go!"
